Aaaaaaah, The Crescent Hotel (built in 1886) - what a marvelous place. A landmark. A beacon. A tradition. A destination.
Many places around the world draw crowds for various reasons, and with such a rich history, The Crescent Hotel is no different. Hundreds of thousands of visitors each year flock to see this place. Experience the paranormal activity. Learn about Dr. Baker and the history. The The Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Women. See ghosts. Take ghost tours. Stay the evening. Meet the wonderful staff, Take in the views from the Sky Bar. The list goes on . . .
For me, Christmas At The Crescent is just delightful. Each year, the hotel comes alive in a very festive way bringing to life the joy of the season and drawing crowds interested in small town, Victorian tradition and fun. Sleigh rides. Ice Skating. S'mores. Lights. It is just wonderful.
Christmastime here in Eureka Springs has become one of The Ozarks region’s most popular winter holiday destinations. Each year, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa’s creates a week-long schedule of celebration for visitors, residents and guests and they call this special week - “Christmas at the Crescent”.
In 2020, a year like no other, this tradition continued and the chosen week was from December 4-11, 2020. Here is a brief run-down of what happened:
Friday, December 4th
10AM-Historical Hiking tour
5PM-Weekend Kickoff Party in the Game Room with beverage bar
5PM-Sleigh Ride
6PM-Eureka Springs Town Christmas Parade (Stationary/Drive By)
Saturday, December 5th
10AM-Morning Yoga Flow
11AM-Gingerbread Decorating
2PM-Hatchet Throwing
5PM-Sleigh Ride
6PM-Lighting of Christmas Tree Forest
6PM-S'mores around the Campfire
7PM-Milk & Cookies at Turn-down
Sunday, December 6th
9AM-Holiday Breakfast Music
10AM-Christmas Rubber Stamp Carving
11AM-Santa Brunch
2PM-Eggnog Social in Game Room
5PM-Sleigh Ride
6PM-S'mores around the Campfire
7PM-Milk & Cookies at Turn-down
Monday, December 7th
9AM-Holiday Breakfast Music
10AM-Handmade Ornaments
2PM-Hatchet Throwing
4PM-Wine Tasting
5PM-Sleigh Ride
6PM-S'mores around the Campfire
7PM-Milk & Cookies at Turn-down
Tuesday, December 8th
9AM-Holiday Breakfast Music
10AM-History Tour
2PM-Hatchet Throwing
5PM-Sleigh Ride
6PM-S'mores around the Campfire
7PM-Milk & Cookies at Turn-down
Wednesday, December 9th
9AM-Holiday Breakfast Music
10AM-History Tour
2PM-Paint & Eggnog Pour
5PM-Sleigh Ride
6PM-S'mores around the Campfire
7PM-Milk & Cookies at Turn-down
Thursday, December 10th
9AM-Holiday Breakfast Music
2PM-Gingerbread Decorating
4PM-Craft Beer Tasting
5PM-Sleigh Ride
6PM-S'mores around the Campfire
7PM-Milk & Cookies at Turn-down
Friday, December 11th
9AM-Holiday Breakfast Music
10AM-Morning Yoga Flow
2PM-Eggnog Social
5PM-Weekend Kickoff Party in the Game Room with beverage bar
5PM-Sleigh Ride
6PM-S'mores around the Campfire
7PM-Milk & Cookies at Turn-down
One of the most wonderful things that takes place each December at The Crescent is the Annual Christmas Tree Forest. Here, more than 30 trees adorn the East Lawn serving as a holiday focal point of the hotel's nearly 15 acres. This year, the Annual Christmas Tree Forest is in its 13th year. This charity event is designed for visitors to vote on their favorite trees with dollar bills in collection bins next to the trees. Each tree is assigned a charity. All money raised is provided directly to the charity. The top three winners with the most votes/money receive an additional "bonus" from the Crescent Hotel Family.
2020 Charity Participants include:
American Diabetes Association
Autism Speaks
Bereaved Parents of the USA NWA Chapter
Camp No Limits
Clear Springs School
Cup of Love Ministry
Dyslexia
Endometriosis Foundation
ECHO
Eureka Springs Boy Scouts
Eureka Springs Community Center
Eureka Springs Library
Eureka Springs School of Arts (ESSA)
Five & Dime Collective
Flint St Food Bank
Good Shepard Humane Society
House of Hope
Imagination Library
Innocence Project
Jeremiah House
Loaves & Fishes
Main Street Eureka Springs
Melonlight Studios
People Helping People
Tenderheart Rescue
The Nature Conservancy
Pay it Forward
The Ornery One
The Purple Flower
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Women’s Foundation The Annual Christmas Tree Forest will remain on the East Lawn of the Crescent Hotel for display through January 1st, 2021. Check it out! Merry Christmas!