🎅Friday-Saturday December 12-13 Main Christmas Weekend
🎄 Free Indoor Light Show Every Weekend (Fri-Sun), Nov 30 – Dec 21
🛍️ Month Long Contests and Shopping Promotions
🐪 Live Nativity Dec 21
An Olde Fashioned Christmas
About Christmas in Arlington
Make memories while helping Arlington’s small businesses thrive.
A Weekend Celebration
Friday-Saturday December 12-13 Main Event Weekend
Business Open House
Interactive Light Show
Cardinal Tap Banquet Room
Santa Meet & Greet + Photos
Cardinal Tap Banquet Room
Barrel Train Rides
Outdoor Green Space next to Cardinal Tap
Hot Cocoa Station
Outdoor Green Space next to Cardinal Tap
Chili Cook-Off
Cardinal Tap
Cookies & Crafts
Arlington Baptist Church
Caroling
Throughout Downtown Arlington
Friday-Saturday December 12-13 Main Event Weekend
Business Open House
Santa Meet & Greet + Photos
Cardinal Tap Banquet Room
Interactive Light Show
Cardinal Tap Banquet Room
Barrel Train Rides
Outdoor Green Space next to Cardinal Tap
Hot Cocoa Station
Outdoor Green Space next to Cardinal Tap
Chili Cook-Off
Cardinal Tap
Cookies Crafts & Cocoa
Arlington Baptist Church
Caroling
Throughout Downtown Arlington
Holiday Fun All Month Long
01 Festive Light Show – Cardinal Tap Banquet Hall
Bring the whole family to a FREE indoor magical light show—twinkling displays, holiday music, cozy photo spots, and more. Warm up inside, snap some photos, and make it a must-stop on your Christmas in Arlington night.
Soft Opening: Sunday, November 30
Official Launch: Friday, December 5
⏰ 5-9 PM
02 Business Passport Program
Support your local businesses and win prizes while you shop small this holiday season!
How It Works
Shop any Arlington Area Chamber business from Nov 28 – Dec 24.
Pick up a passport at locations listed on ChristmasInArlington.com.
Each visit: write the date & time in your passport and staple the receipt inside.
Make 10 purchases of $10+ at 5 or more different businesses.
Turn in your completed passport at CorTrust Bank by Dec 29 at 4pm.
Prizes:
First 5 completed passports submitted: $50 Chamber Bucks each
5 additional winners selected from all entries: $50 Chamber Bucks each
Total prize pool: $500 Chamber Bucks
Passport Pickup Locations
- 81 Auto Clinic
- Arlington Chiropractic, Acupuncture & Massage
- Back Alley Meats
- Bits of Yesterday Antique Mall
- Citizens State Bank
- CorTrust Bank
- Flowers by Betsy
- Forever Young Salon and Spa
- Handi Mart
- Interstate Batteries
- Maynard’s Food Center
- Norgaard Insurance Agency
- Schmidty’s Bar & Grill
- Stronghold Pharmacy & Gifts
- The Cardinal Tap
- 1481 Roadhouse Grille
03 Contests & Awards
Deck the halls and get rewarded—home, business, planter, and coloring contests are open now. Enter yours and cheer on your favorites!
Show off your home’s holiday glow!
- Public voting will take place online.
- One winner — $100 in Chamber Bucks
Enter Your Home
One winner-prize (open to businesses and individuals) - Grand Prize: $50 Chamber bucks
Adopt a Planter
All children in the Arlington School system through 4th grade will be given the Lake Arlington bridge photo to color. These will be on display at the Cardinal Tap on Dec 13th during the ongoing festivities with winners receiving prizes.
Prizes will be able to be picked up on the 13th for each class.
*All Entries Must Be Fully Decorated By December 1st
04 Live Nativity
Experience the Christmas Story Come to Life
Join us Sunday, December 21, at the Kneip Building (45147 US-14, Arlington, SD 57212) for a heartwarming Live Nativity event featuring real animals and performances from members of local churches. Gather your family and celebrate the season with this beautiful community tradition.
Location: Kneip Building, 101 S. Hwy 81, Arlington, SD, 57212
Animals: Camel, sheep, and donkey
Performances: 2 PM, 3 PM, and 4 PM
Business Passport Program
Support your local businesses and win prizes while you shop small this holiday season!
How It Works
- Make 10 purchases of $10 or more at 5 different Arlington businesses.
- Keep your receipts or get your passport stamped.
- Submit by: by Monday, December 29 at 5 PM at CorTrust Bank.
Prizes:
$500 in Chamber Bucks total!
- First 5 completed books = $50 each (guaranteed winners)
- 5 additional drawn from all completed books = $50 each
*Pick up your passport at participating businesses and start shopping local today!
Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
If you’d like to lend a hand, contact the Chamber to sign up — we’d love to have your help spreading holiday cheer!
Chamber Platinum Members
Your contributions light up Arlington and help bring joy to families and visitors each year.
Want to volunteer or have questions about Christmas in Arlington?
arlingtonchambersd.com