Hidden away in the rolling green hills of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, you will find an amazing outdoor theatrical production with stunning scenery, a talented cast of 125+ people, live animals, and engaging special effects. The Great Passion Play, which has been called "America's #1 attended outdoor drama," follows the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
The 667-acre property also includes the following attractions:
* Items denoted with a $ indicate that they are available for an additional fee. All other items are included with your Great Passion Play ticket.
Tickets to The Great Passion Play can be purchased online:
If you want to add on The Holy Tour and do both the play & the tour, ticket prices are as follows:
If you choose, you can also add on other items for an additional cost, such as a buffet dinner, a backstage tour, an in-depth tabernacle teaching, or a virtual reality tour of the holy land.
Advanced reservations are not currently required for The Great Passion Play, but they are recommended. That being said, advanced reservations are required to tour the Holy Land on days that the play is not performed (year-round).
The Great Passion Play is performed on Good Friday & Saturday and also on select nights from May until October. Performances are on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during June and July. In May, August, September, and October, performances are always on Fridays and Saturdays and sometimes on Tuesdays. Check the full schedule to plan your visit.
The Great Passion Play begins at 8:30pm (7:30pm after August 15). Seating begins at 7:50pm (6:50pm after August 15) after the pre-play performances of the Potter and the Shepherd, which are included with your ticket.
Parking is plentiful at The Great Passion Play. RVs and buses can also be accommodated.
The Holy Land Tour is a 2-hour interactive Biblical teaching tour where you will meet characters from the time of Moses to the time of Christ.
Upon arrival, you board a bus and your driver explains various exhibits as you drive by them. There are five stops along the tour where you will exit the bus to watch a brief presentation by a costumed Biblical character.
According to The Great Passion Play, "each of the individual exhibits in the Holy Land Tour have been
researched for historical accuracy and have been recreated as authentically as possible." The characters themselves do a commendable job of staying in character. For example, when I asked Mary if I could take her picture, she feigned ignorance about such modern inventions. ;)
The five stops on the Holy Land Tour include:
Although you can choose to waltz in right before the main stage production starts, we wouldn't recommend it. The pre-show performances, which are included with your ticket purchase, are well worth an early arrival.
There are two different demonstrations that run back-to-back. Performed by talented artists in costumed character, these 20-30 minute shows are infused with Biblical truths and are lovely to behold:
The Great Passion Play itself is a marvelous and memorable experience. The huge open air theatre features a 550-foot-wide, multilevel stage in an outdoor amphitheater which has 4,100 individual seats. You have to see it in-person to truly grasp how large the stage is! The set includes Pontus Pilate's house, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Court of the Sanhedrin, the Upper Room, etc.
The play itself lasts approximately 2 hours and is performed in rain or shine.
Standing 67 feet hight, the Christ of the Ozarks Statue on property at The Great Passion Play is seven stories high! Constructed in 1966, the statue features a somewhat morose looking Jesus with arms outstretched as if preparing to embrace the viewer in a hug. Free with paid admission.
Noah's Ark Park is a petting zoo on property at The Great Passion Play where guests can interact with sheep, a pygmy goat, a dog, a llama, miniature horses, chickens, a rabbit, and ducks. If you bring spare change, you can also purchase food to hand-feed the various animals. Free with paid admission.
There is an all-you-can-eat buffet on-site at The Great Passion Play, which is somewhat reminiscent of a church potluck or a camp dining room. You'll grab a tray, a brightly colored plate, and a plastic cup - and make your way through the buffet lines to fill your plate with chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, string beans, and jello.
Prices are as follows for the Buffet: $16.99 for adults, $15.99 for youth (ages 12-16), and $9.99 for kids (ages 4-11).
Dinner is served from 4:30pm - 7:30pm each day the play is performed (4:00pm - 7:00pm on Good Friday & Saturday and after August 15).
If you have special dietary needs/requests (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc), be sure to call 800-882-7529 prior to your visit and the chef will make something special for you!
Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are certainly welcome at The Great Passion Play. Note that there may be some instances that may be frightening. For example, an actor, who is dressed in black with a corresponding hood, represents Satan. His presence is sometimes accompanied with smoke, fire, and scary sound effects. Note that the crucifixion is not particularly graphic or gruesome and the distance from the stage makes that part of the play less frightening than it could be.
Are there changing tables in the bathrooms at The Great Passion Play?
Yes.
The Great Passion Play is outdoors so it is important to dress for the weather. If the temperature is expected to be high, wear breathable, lightweight clothing and consider bringing a fan and a bottle of ice water.
For a memorable stay in Eureka Springs, consider Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles, and Hobbits (7 minutes away), Beaver Lakefront Cabins (26 minutes away), or Sugar Ridge Resort (28 minutes away).
Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri are surprisingly beautiful and offer an array of things to do and places to explore, including:
Can we visit the grounds in the morning and then come back for the play in the evening?
Absolutely! If you are staying nearby, you are welcome to explore the property in the morning and then come back later the same night for the play.
Are seats assigned at The Great Passion Play? Which seats are best?
Seats are not assigned so you are able to select your seat when you arrive. With 4100 seats, however, it is unlikely you will have to arrive early to get a good seat. On the night we attended, there were plentiful open seats - from very close to the front to all the way at the top of the amphitheater. Almost all of the seats provide an excellent view of the enormous stage.
Are the seats at The Great Passion Play comfortable?
They are stadium-style seats with backs. If you prefer extra comfort, feel free to bring a cushion with you.
Do any of the cast members speak or is all of the dialogue pre-recorded?
The cast members speak, but the audience hears the pre-recorded dialogue.
Does The Great Passion Play offer any homeschool discount days or events?
The Great Passion Play does not currently offer any events or deals for homeschool students/families.
Does The Great Passion Play offer any birthday party packages?
The Great Passion Play does not currently offer birthday party packages, although you could certainly bring a group to the play or the Holy Land Tour to celebrate a special event.
Does The Great Passion Play offer field trips for schools?
Yes. Call 479-253-8559 to inquire about setting up a field trip for your school.
Is the Gospel presented at The Great Passion Play?
Yes. Costumed characters present the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection with compassion and steadfastness.
I am interested in being part of the cast. What is the audition process?
Learn more about current openings on The Great Passion Play employment page.
Have a wonderful time at The Great Passion Play!