XVI: OPINION (LOCAL ISSUE)

Finneys Provide Holiday Cheer in Rural Community

Every holiday season thousands of families in South Arkansas make a pilgrimage to Finney’s Christmas Wonderland, a sprawling drive-through holiday light display located in Crossett, Arkansas. Over decades, this humble and community-driven tradition has grown into one of the most beloved seasonal spectacles in the region offering not only dazzling lights, but meaningful connection, nostalgia, and shared joy. 

Finney’s Christmas Wonderland is more than just a seasonal attraction, but a grassroots celebration of generosity and community. The display is free to experience, with voluntary donations helping support its operation and growth. This accessibility allows families of all incomes in rural Arkansas to participate in a joyful cultural event without financial barriers. 

The display is located at 123 Goshen Road North in North Crossett and features over one million lights in a drive-through experience open nightly from late November through December. 

One factor that sets Finney’s apart is the hands-on creativity involved. Much of the display, from motion figures to themed scenes, was handmade by Sam Finney himself. This personal craftsmanship enhances the emotional resonance of the exhibit; it isn’t just a lights show, it’s a labor of love. Further adding to its charm, many displays reflect classic holiday imagery: nativity scenes, classic Christmas motifs, snow and bubble machines, and handcrafted displays that evoke simpler holiday traditions. 

Finney’s Christmas Wonderland has gained recognition beyond Arkansas. In 2015 the display was featured on ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” highlighting its scale and artistic ambition and bringing attention to this small-town tradition on a national stage. This exposure not only draws visitors from around the region boosting local pride, but also reinforces rural Arkansas’s place on the holiday map. In communities where cultural attractions are less frequent than in metropolitan areas, Finney’s becomes a shared point of pride and positive identity.

On social media and community pages, visitors frequently emphasize how the lights lift spirits during the holiday season. For many in rural Arkansas, the lights bring cheer not only through visual delight, but through communal experience driving through with family and friends, sharing laughter, and reconnecting with tradition.

Finney’s Christmas Wonderland represents the power of community, creativity, and tradition to generate holiday cheer, especially in rural areas where shared celebrations are treasured. Its accessibility, handcrafted character, and emotional resonance turn a simple lights display into a beloved local institution. Through millions of lights and decades of tradition, Finney’s continues to shine as a beacon of joy for Arkansas families every winter.