Eureka Springs Great Passion Play Grounds Light Up For Christmas

In Eureka Springs, Arkansas, The Great Passion Play lights up for Christmas with thousands of lights, a special “Tour of the Windows”, “Christmas On Ice” performances, appearances by artists Jack Dawson, O. D. Sherrill and Mel Shipley, Victorian street scenes right out of a Charles Dickens’ novel, and a live interactive nativity set in first century Bethlehem. While the centerpiece of The Great Passion Play Christmas Experience is its interactive “Beyond Dickens” show, several additions add to the Christmas festivities.

New this year is the “Tour of the Windows” – fabulous window displays throughout the grounds. The window displays were created by area businesses and Great Passion Play employees. Visitors can see the Crescent Hotel recreated in all its glory as a Gingerbread Inn, a fanciful Hawaiian Christmas scene presented by Treasures from the Pacific, and a window by Christmas Memories featuring a life-size nutcracker. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Lollipops & Roses Floral Shop offers up a fishing scene to delight any sports minded person and Doris McPherson & Kathy Hanlon have created a winter wonderland of a ski village. Aficionados of Department 56 will delight in the extensive Department 56 Village created by Linn Pyatt and Doris McPherson. A beautiful Victorian arrangement is sponsored by the Eureka Flower Shop; Charlie and Donna Stoll decorated a window with wood crafts, and the Passion Play Gift Shop Staff created heartwarming scenes with dolls, snowmen, a Fontinini nativity, and more. While enjoying this unique “Tour of the Windows”, visitors also delight in the beautiful lighting of the Amphitheater with thousands of lights illuminating the world famous set and tram ride to the giant Christ of the Ozarks to see the decorated grounds of the statue.

Before entering the “Beyond Dickens” Christmas Experience, visitors also enjoy meeting famous artist Jack Dawson at the Sacred Arts Center, where his painting “The Passion Tree”, as well as other works of art, is displayed. At the Bible Museum a special collection of angels and 1000’s of Bibles are displayed and visitors also travel through time at the Museum of Earth History. As the town of Eureka Springs is celebrating “It’s A Dickens of A Christmas”, The Great Passion Play encourages visitors to go “Beyond Dickens”. This unique Christmas experience takes visitors into the very first Christmas where visitors join the travelers from throughout Judea, the citizens & animals, the Roman soldiers, tax collectors, Shepherds, and Mary & Joseph to create a live interactive nativity scene.

After leaving the “Beyond Dickens” Christmas Experience, visitors venture inside the Christmas Hall where Christmas nativities from around the world are displayed and a special presentation of “Christmas On Ice…A Stroll Down Memory Lane” completes the evening. A community project produced by a volunteer cast, “Christmas On Ice” is led by Darry and Pam Lisemby.

In its third season, “Beyond Dickens” is breaking all previous attendance records and attracting more visitors from outside the Northwest Arkansas area. Sponsored by both The Great Passion Play and local Eureka Springs businesses, the “Beyond Dickens” Christmas Experience continues to help expand the tourism season and adds greatly to the local economy.

“Beyond Dickens” is fast-becoming a must-experience event for the whole family. Family passes for mom, dad, and all the kids 17 and under, are available. “Beyond Dickens” is open through December 10 on Friday and Saturday nights from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Adult admission is $10.00, admission for children ages 6 -17 is $5.00, and the family pass is $20.00. For more information, please call 800-882-7529 or visit the website at http://www.greatpassionplay.com/christmas/.