This Arkansas Park Turns Into A Dazzling Christmas Village With Glowing Buildings And A Dancing Tree
A glowing replica of a real county courthouse lights up a city park during the holidays, right beside a Christmas tree that dances to music. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate a hometown.
The display also features glowing versions of a historic house, an old theater, and a little church. These aren’t random decorations.
They’re actual local landmarks brought to life with thousands of lights.
This Arkansas town knows how to celebrate Christmas. Southern Living named it the Cutest Christmas Town in the South in 2024, and it’s easy to see why.
I like how this light show feels personal instead of something pulled from a catalog. There’s a free train on select nights, Santa at the opening ceremony, and plenty to explore.
How do you fit all of that into one chilly evening?
A Whole Hometown Shrinks Down Into Glowing Lights
Most light shows lean on generic snowflakes and candy canes. Berryhill Park goes a lot further during the yearly Holiday of Lights.
The park in Searcy turns into a miniature Christmas village each season. Its stars are glowing replicas of real local buildings, outlined in thousands of sparkling lights.
You’ll spot a lit-up version of the White County Courthouse. There’s also the historic Black House, the Rialto theater, and the Smyrna church.
That local twist is what makes the display special. Folks who grew up nearby get to see familiar landmarks shining in a brand-new way.
Visitors from out of town get something fun too. It’s basically a sparkly preview of what to explore downtown the next day.
Themed scenes and illuminated displays fill the rest of the park. So every turn of the path brings a new little surprise to point at.
Bring a phone with plenty of storage space. These glowing buildings make great backdrops for family photos and silly holiday selfies.
Take your time on the walk, though. The best details tend to reveal themselves when you slow down and really look.
Good Luck Looking Away From The Tree That Dances
Music plays, and a giant Christmas tree answers back. That’s the main event at the Holiday of Lights in Berryhill Park.
Its lights are timed to the songs, so the colors flash, fade, and sparkle along with every beat. The result looks like the tree is dancing.
Honestly, it’s hard to watch just one song. Kids tend to want an encore, and grown-ups usually don’t argue very hard.
The tree works as a natural meeting spot for families too. If your group splits up to explore, agree to regroup under the big dancing lights.
Plan a few minutes to stand and watch a full song. The timing is the fun part, and you’ll miss it if you just stroll past.
Little ones may enjoy guessing which color comes next. It’s a simple game that keeps short attention spans busy.
Bundle up before you stop to watch, though. December evenings in Arkansas can get chilly fast once the sun goes down.
Gloves and a warm hat will let you stay for one more song. Then maybe one more after that.
The Big Switch Flips With Cocoa, Cookies, And A Reindeer
Hot chocolate, a live reindeer, and Santa all in one place? That’s how the season officially starts at Berryhill Park.
The Holiday of Lights kicks off each year with a special lighting ceremony. For 2026, it’s set for Tuesday, November 17, at the park.
Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. The lights flip on at 6:00 p.m. sharp, so don’t show up fashionably late.
The ceremony includes free hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies. Santa makes an appearance too, along with a live reindeer for families to meet.
Arriving early is a smart move for this one. It gives you time to grab a warm drink and find a good view before the big countdown.
After the ceremony, Searcy’s holiday celebrations continue through December. Special events have different schedules, so check the dates and times before heading out.
That long run means you don’t have to cram everything into one night. You could catch the opening and still return later in the season.
Watching it all light up at once is the kind of moment kids remember. Grown-ups usually do too.
Hop On The Free Train And Let Someone Else Steer
Tired little legs, meet your new best friend. The Experience Searcy Express offers free holiday train rides through the glowing scenery.
These rides run on specific weekends in December. They typically operate from 6 to 8 p.m., so plan your evening around that window.
The train gives you a different angle on the lights. Sitting back and rolling past the displays feels calmer than navigating the paths on foot.
It’s a great option for families with younger children. Toddlers who refuse to walk another step suddenly perk up when a train shows up.
Grandparents and anyone who’d rather rest their feet will appreciate it as well. Everyone gets the views without the extra steps.
Since the rides only happen on certain weekends, check the dates ahead of time. Weather can also shift plans, so a quick look before leaving home helps.
Free is a pretty hard price to beat these days. That makes it easy to say yes to a second lap.
Pair a train ride with a walk afterward. You’ll get both the relaxed tour and the up-close look at your favorite scenes.
School Mascots And Painted Christmas Trees Join The Fun
School mascots don’t usually share the spotlight with historic courthouses at Christmas. Berryhill Park makes room for both during Searcy’s Holiday of Lights.
Alongside the famous building replicas, visitors can spot illuminated displays celebrating local schools. It’s another way the park brings hometown pride into the holiday season.
The painted wooden Christmas trees add even more personality. They’re a playful addition to a display already filled with recognizable landmarks.
Families can make a game out of finding their favorite decorations. Kids might head straight for the mascots, while adults spend more time admiring the buildings.
Then there are all those colorful trees. Each one adds a little something different, making the walk feel more personal than an ordinary holiday display.
Don’t skip the smaller decorations either. They’re easy to overlook when the giant Christmas tree and glowing courthouse are getting all the attention.
Take your time exploring this part of the park. The displays give families plenty of opportunities to stop, look around, and take pictures together.
Bring your camera for a few festive photos. The colorful decorations make cheerful backdrops for remembering a Christmas evening in Searcy.
Warm Hands, Happy Hearts, And Crackling Fire Pits
Cold fingers are part of any good December outing. Thankfully, Berryhill Park gives families plenty of glowing scenery to enjoy while exploring Searcy’s holiday decorations.
Walking among the illuminated buildings is one of the nicest parts of the evening. It’s a natural chance to pause, chat, and soak in the glowing displays.
Bring a warm drink from home if you want something to sip while you explore. A little hot chocolate makes it easier to stretch the visit a little longer.
The painted wooden Christmas trees are also worth admiring. They’re a fun stop if you want a few keepsake photos from the night.
Kids might enjoy picking out their favorite decorations on their own. That little bit of independence can feel like a big deal at their age.
The glowing building replicas make great places to pause. Explore for a while, admire the details, then head back out to discover another favorite.
Layers are still your best friend when spending time outdoors. Arkansas winter nights can be damp and breezy, especially after sunset.
A thermos of something warm from home never hurts either. A little preparation makes the whole evening more comfortable for everyone.
Hometown Heroes Get Their Own Sparkle
Firefighters, police officers, and paramedics rarely get a light show in their honor. Searcy decided to change that.
Some recent seasons added displays honoring the city’s first responders. They include tributes to the Fire Department, Police Department, and NorthStar EMS.
It’s a thoughtful addition that fits the hometown spirit of the whole event. The glowing buildings celebrate places, and these displays celebrate people.
Kids who love fire trucks and police cars will likely want to stop here. It’s also a nice moment to talk about the helpers in your own community.
The whole Holiday of Lights runs on community effort. Tonia Hale, co-chair of the Holiday of Lights Committee, connected the Southern Living honor to that dedication.
That kind of teamwork shows in the details. Local touches like these don’t come from a catalog.
The event has grown over the years and now draws thousands of visitors. Each season seems to bring something a bit different to discover.
So even if you’ve been before, another trip makes sense. There may be a new favorite waiting.
Come Back In Summer For The Splash Pad
Christmas gets the spotlight, but Berryhill Park stays busy all year. The 7.2-acre spot is a full-on playground for every age.
Upgrades wrapped up in May 2026. They improved the all-inclusive playground, splash pad, walking trails, parking, and sports courts.
The all-inclusive playground is designed so children of all abilities can play together. That’s a big win for families who often feel left out at typical parks.
On hot Arkansas days, the splash pad becomes the main attraction. Bring towels and a change of clothes, because nobody stays dry for long.
Racket fans have plenty of options. There are six lighted tennis courts and eight lighted pickleball courts, plus a sand volleyball court.
A pavilion, picnic areas, and grills round things out. Restrooms are on site too, which every parent appreciates.
The walking trail makes evening strolls easy. New paths and improved parking give visitors even more reasons to explore the park.
The same park that glows in December splashes in July. Not a bad deal for one address.
Make A Weekend Of It In Arkansas’s Cutest Christmas Town
Southern Living didn’t name Searcy the Cutest Christmas Town in the South by accident. The 2024 honor reflects a whole season of festive plans.
Berryhill Park sits at 501 Davis Dr, Searcy, AR 72143. That makes it easy to find for a quick evening stop or a longer holiday trip.
The Searcy Christmas Parade is another big event worth catching. It wraps up at Berryhill Park, which makes the lights a perfect next stop.
Searcy hosts several other holiday events during the season too. Stacking a few together turns a quick visit into a full weekend.
Before heading out, check the Experience Searcy schedule for current dates and times. Weather can change plans, so a last-minute look is smart.
Remember that the glowing buildings are based on real landmarks. Visiting the actual White County Courthouse in daylight adds a fun before-and-after twist.
Pack warm layers, a camera, and plenty of patience for excited kids. The rest takes care of itself.
Arkansas has lots of holiday light displays. Few feel this personal, or this proudly hometown.