As the town of
Eureka Springs, Arkansas celebrates “It’s A Dickens of A Christmas”,
The Great Passion Play encourages visitors to go “
Beyond Dickens”. This unique Christmas experience takes visitors from a Victorian street scene (right out of Charles Dickens’ novel) and into first century Bethlehem. Here the sights & sounds of the very first Christmas surrounds visitors, as they 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.
In its third season, “Beyond Dickens” has been enhanced with new ‘characters”, fabulous window displays, appearances by the famous artist Jack Dawson, special tram tours to the Christ of the Ozarks Memorial Statue and the Amphitheater, as well as a presentation of “Christmas On Ice…A Stroll Down Memory Lane”.
Upon arrival at The Great Passion Play, you are welcomed with apple cider and Christmas treats. Beautifully attired Victorian characters, such as Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchitt, Tiny Tim, and a town crier invite you to “Go beyond Dickens into the very first Christmas.” Passing through the gate, you will have regressed through 1800 years of human history to enter Bethlehem on the night Christ was born. Stern Roman soldiers, who occupy Bethlehem, instruct you to register for the census and pay your taxes. The townspeople engage you in conversation and tell you about life in their little village. You’ll meet shepherds with a fantastical tale about seeing angels, as well as shopkeepers, harried housewives drawing water at the town well, and artisans who are excited about the opportunity to sell their wares to all of the people in town for the census. Have your picture taken with Omar and his camel and travel a little way out of “town” past the inn, to a little stable where Mary and Joseph tell their story and share their joy at the birth of the baby Jesus.
The new window displays, created by local businesses and Great Passion staff, include delightful recreations of the Crescent Hotel as a gingerbread house, a Victorian village at Christmas, treasures from the pacific Christmas celebration, a Ski village, a Studio 62 village and more. Visitors also enjoy the Sacred Arts Center where Jack Dawson and his painting “The Passion Tree” are featured. "The “Passion Tree” illustrates the Bible from Genesis to Revelation with each ornament showing an event in history. Bibles with pages turned to the Christmas story, as well as a special collection of bells, are exhibited in the Bible Museum and visitors also take a trip through the Museum of Earth History. This Museum focuses on the earth’s early history. Featuring over 14 life-sized skeleton skulls, and fossil plates, the museum provides an exciting new attraction for people from all walks of life, from scientists to school children.
Christmas nativities from around the world are displayed inside the Christmas Hall where a special presentation “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.
“Beyond Dickens” is fast-becoming a must-experience event for the whole family. Family passes that include 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.