Jonesboro residents will be able to enjoy the city’s holiday tradition as Christmas at the Park opens on Thanksgiving night at Joe Mack Campbell Park, according to NEA Report. The event runs from Nov. 26 through Dec. 24 and features a more than half‑mile drive‑through light display with over 400,000 lights, including returning favorites such as the Snowflake Forest, a 300‑foot lighted tunnel, and Arkansas State University mascots Howl and Scarlet.
Admission varies by night. On drive‑through‑only evenings, vehicles are charged $10 per car, and Santa’s Village remains closed. When the village is open, the fee rises to $20 or $25 per vehicle, depending on the date, and some activities require additional payment. The event’s website notes that online or gate‑side card purchases include a booking fee.
Santa’s Village returns with the Jingle Express train, a petting zoo, and visits from Santa himself. New attractions this year include an inflatable obstacle course, a mechanical bull, and a slime bar available on select nights. Local readers are invited to share holiday stories near the 30‑foot Christmas tree on Sunday evenings, and organizers plan to light the tree on opening night.
In addition to the light display, the park will host the Santa Shuffle Fun Run on Dec. 8, a charity race benefiting Rock Steady Boxing. Organizers also announced that the first 200 children to visit Santa on Christmas Eve will receive a gift.
Operating hours shift midway through the season. From Dec. 17 backward, the park opens at 5:30 p.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and at 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Beginning Dec. 18 through Christmas Eve, the park stays open nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Visitors should consult the event calendar for drive‑through‑only dates and any weather‑related adjustments.
What’s next: Families can mark their calendars for the Santa Shuffle Fun Run on Dec. 8, the tree‑lighting ceremony on opening night, and the special Christmas Eve gift giveaway for the first 200 children. Updated schedules and any changes will be posted on the official Christmas at the Park website.
Sources: neareport.com
