Eureka Springs Paranormal Weekend

January 23-24, 2026, Eureka Springs leans into its haunted-town reputation with a weekend of ghost investigations, paranormal talks, and after-hours building explorations. The schedule typically includes guided investigations at historic hotels and commercial buildings known for unusual activity, presentations by regional paranormal investigators, and equipment demonstrations for newcomers curious about EMF readers and digital recorders. You’ll spend evenings walking through candlelit corridors, listening for unexplained sounds, and swapping stories with fellow ghost-hunting enthusiasts in a town that genuinely embraces its eerie history.

Why It Matters

Eureka Springs built its Victorian core in the 1880s, and decades of springs-seeking tourists, Prohibition-era activity, and constant renovation have left layers of stories in the walls. The Paranormal Weekend capitalizes on genuine local lore rather than manufactured scares—many of the investigation sites are places you can visit during normal hours, making the nighttime access feel like a special privilege. Past events have included sessions at the Crescent Hotel (famous for its 1937 “cancer hospital” era), Basin Park Hotel, and private buildings opened specifically for the weekend.

Who Should Go

Ghost story fans, paranormal hobbyists, and anyone who enjoys a good creepy tale will find plenty to engage with. The weekend works best for adults and teens comfortable with dark spaces, old buildings, and late-night activity—not recommended for young children or anyone seeking adrenaline-pumping jump scares (this is thoughtful investigation, not a haunted house).

What to Bring & Where to Stay

Pricing varies; check event website for current investigation packages and talk admission. January weather in the Ozarks typically brings overnight lows in the 20s-30s°F—dress in warm layers since investigations often happen in unheated spaces or outdoor areas. Bring a flashlight, comfortable shoes for walking hilly streets, and a camera if you enjoy trying to capture unusual phenomena. Book a room in one of the historic downtown hotels to fully embrace the atmosphere, then balance spooky nights with daytime lake time—Beaver Lake’s eastern shore sits 15 minutes from downtown, offering quiet morning kayaking and shoreline trails. Find lakefront accommodations on Lake.com and make it a full winter weekend in the Ozarks.