Bentonville’s Christmas Parade Lights Up The Square

Holiday magic returns to downtown Bentonville when the annual Christmas Parade takes over the Square with a festive celebration of community, creativity, and seasonal joy. With live performances, festive floats, and thousands of locals bundled up with hot cocoa, this December tradition is your chance to start the holidays surrounded by neighbors and twinkling lights.

THE DEETS

📅 Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 6:00 PM
📍 Bentonville Square, 1 E Central Ave, Bentonville
🎟️ Full details and participation info

What You’ll Experience

Last year’s parade drew over 100 floats featuring everything from marching bands and dance troupes to creative community groups and festive business displays. You’ll watch high school bands in full formation, local dance studios showing off their best routines, and plenty of Santa sightings to delight kids of all ages. The energy along the parade route is infectious as thousands of spectators line the streets, cheering on performers and catching candy thrown from passing floats.

Be Part of the Parade

Downtown Bentonville Incorporated is actively seeking musicians, dancers, performance artists, and anyone with a unique act to join the lineup. The parade welcomes all forms of holiday expression, from acoustic carolers to modern dance crews and everything in between.

Applications are open for parade participants through this form. Local businesses, community organizations, and groups of friends with creative float ideas are all welcome in the lineup.

Downtown Bentonville also needs help making the event run smoothly. From parade marshals to setup crews, there are several ways to contribute. You can apply for volunteer positions here or reach out directly to dana@downtownbentonville.org with questions or unique performance ideas.

Make sure to read through all guidelines and policies before applying to ensure every entry fits the family-friendly, festive spirit of the event.

Your Game Plan for Parade Night

Get to downtown Bentonville early to explore before the parade starts at 6 PM. Grab dinner at one of the Square’s restaurants like Yeyo’s or Tusk & Trotter, then stake out your viewing spot along the parade route. After the last float passes, stick around to explore the holiday window displays and enjoy the festive atmosphere that makes this one of Bentonville’s favorite December traditions.