It’s the most wonderful time of the year as everyone runs around getting ready for the holidays. Between November and December, Crystal Bridges is no exception. We have so many exciting events and fun things to do for adults and kids of all ages coming in to Bentonville for the holiday season. Whether you’re looking for a way to entertain your family during the school break or thinking about something fun to do with your visiting relatives, here’s what you can expect at Crystal Bridges this holiday season.
For visitors with families, scroll down to find specific tips and events fit to entertain your kids and create great family memories during the holidays. For our members, scroll down to find events that are exclusive to museum members this holiday season.
Crystal Bridges will have an early closure on Christmas Eve (Monday, December 24, 2 p.m.) and will be closed on Christmas Day (December 25), which is a Tuesday (the day the museum is always closed). On all other days, the museum will be open at its regularly scheduled times:
Monday – 11 am to 2 pm
Tuesday – CLOSED
Wednesday to Friday – 11 am to 9 pm
Saturday and Sunday – 10 am to 6 pm
It’s chilly outside! If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with friends or a date, our Art by the Glass events pair wine and appetizers with an artmaking activity. We have two upcoming Art by the Glass events this holiday season:
» Decorative Bowls
Friday, November 30, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Inspired by the focused exhibition Personal Space, you’ll use a variety of stencils and paint to create your own decorative bowl to take home and enjoy.
» Hand Lettering Card Workshop
Friday, December 14, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Learn the basics of hand lettering, creating your own cards to take home and send to loved ones.
Tickets are $55 ($44 for members) and include all art materials, appetizers, and two glasses of wine. Open to ages 21 and up. Register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.
Experience the legend and legacy of Philip Glass as three world-renowned pianists (Aaron Diehl, Jenny Lin, and Maki Namekawa) perform an all-Glass concert on the exquisite Van Cliburn Steinway piano. Thursday, December 6 at 7 p.m. Get your tickets here, with a special discount for students!
Join us for Culture Hour at Eleven before the show! Make a night of it – enjoy live music and exceptional prices on select food and drinks, including cocktails from 5 to 7 p.m.
Join us this New Year’s Eve from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. as the entire museum comes to life with music, dance, art, and performance! From hip-hop to jazz to funk to cover songs, there will be music to fit everyone’s taste, and all the art galleries will be open with even more performances and art activities. The action-packed evening will conclude with an exciting balloon drop at midnight! Complimentary champagne toast, appetizers, and a Crystal Bridges dream pillow provided. Cash bars, food, and beverages will be available in several locations throughout the museum. Get your tickets here!
Seeing the museum after dark is a whole new experience. The galleries illuminate against the Ozark forest and the galleries are painted in a new light. If you prefer to walk through the galleries in a more peaceful setting, our quietest hours are in the evening – we’re open until 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday! On the trails, sit under the dazzling Buckyball light show as you sip hot cocoa, snap a few photos of the lit-up Frank Lloyd Wright house, or enjoy the heated seating in Skyspace.
No need to stop by Starbucks on your way to Crystal Bridges. Both Eleven and the Coffee Bar serve coffee, tea, and smoothies for you to sip and enjoy during your visit. This holiday season, the Coffee Bar will also be featuring a Gingerbread Latte, created using in-house gingerbread syrup, espresso, and steamed milk.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Noon Year’s Eve is sponsored by Coca-Cola and Mark and Diane Simmons.
Winter Break Wonders is sponsored by Nice-Pak Products, Inc.
Personal Space is sponsored by HOWSE.