How to See Little Rock Holiday Lights with Toddlers (2026)

For toddlers, go early. GloWild opens at 5 PM on select nights, and Winter Fest (Nov 17) and Northern Lights (Nov 21) are free and start early in the evening or afternoon. Save Sat Dec 5 for the 3 PM Holiday Parade downtown and the Capitol lighting at 5:30 PM.

GloWild at the Little Rock Zoo

GloWild fills the zoo at 1 Zoo Dr. with handcrafted silk lanterns of wildlife and nature.

It runs select nights from Oct 29, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, 5–9 PM. Last entry is 8:30 PM. It's closed Nov 8, Nov 26, Dec 24–25 and Jan 1.

Tickets are $22.50 per person (ages 3+). A Family 4-Pack is $72. Kids 2 and under are free. SNAP/EBT tickets are $10 per person at the gate (limit 6). Parking is $3.

It runs rain or shine, with no rain checks (GloWild hours and pricing).

UA Little Rock Winter Fest (Tue Nov 17)

UA Little Rock Winter Fest is Tue Nov 17, 5–7:30 PM, on Trojan Way. Admission, parking and activities are free.

Expect lights, an ice rink (skates provided), kids' crafts, storytelling and a kids' holiday movie. Hot cocoa, cookies and cider are free.

Register and fill out waivers online ahead of time (Winter Fest).

Northern Lights in North Little Rock (Sat Nov 21)

The Northern Lights Holiday Festival is Sat Nov 21, 3–7 PM, at 510 Main St., North Little Rock. It's free.

There are light displays, a holiday market, photos with Santa, live music and a 38-foot tree (North Little Rock holidays).

Dec 5: the parade and the Capitol lighting

The Little Rock Holiday Parade starts at 3 PM from Broadway and W. Markham St. and heads east on Markham. It's free. This year's theme is Candy Cane Lane.

A holiday photo spot is open at the Statehouse Convention Center, 2–5:30 PM.

Then head to the Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony. It starts at 5:30 PM, and the tree lighting is about 6:15 PM (Little Rock Holiday Parade).

Toddler checklist

• Stroller
• Layers
• Snacks
• Buy GloWild tickets ahead
• Arrive at opening

See more in our holiday lights guide.