November 16 – January 7, 2024
WHAT: GloWILD!
WHERE: Little Rock Zoo, 1 Zoo Drive, Little Rock
TIME: Times vary
DETAILS: As one of the nation’s largest interactive light festivals featuring dozens of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns – this holiday event will not disappoint! As Little Rock’s premier light festival, this uniquely- themed lantern light event will offer guests an immersive encounter like no other. And this year’s event promises to be bigger and brighter with a new prehistoric dinosaur section, a new holiday light display and other new lanterns that will captivate your mind and capture your heart. GloWILD is illuminating fun for the whole family and a show that you don’t want to miss!
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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November 18,24, 25 December 1, 2, 8,9, 15, 16, 22,29, 30
WHAT: A Fertile Holiday
WHERE: The Joint Comedy Theater, 301 Main Street #102, North Little Rock
TIME: Times vary
DETAILS: “A Fertle Holiday” This original two-act comedy chronicles the Fertle Family’s trouble-ridden reunion in the tiny town of Dumpster, Arkansas, as they attempt to entertain their rich relatives from San Diego. The Main Thing comedy trio brings the quirky family to life by portraying all the relatives and townspeople needed to create the illusion of a bustling Christmas get-together.
**Tickets will sell fast for this annual fan favorite! Make sure to reserve your seats in advance by calling (501)372-0205 now!**
The Main Thing’s work has been featured on Saturday Night Live, Off-Broadway, on Dick Clark’s United Radio Network, and in thousands of live stage performances all around the country.
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November 18
WHAT: City of Bentonville’s Lighting of the Square
WHERE: Bentonville Square
TIME: lights come on at 6 p.m.
DETAILS: Event begins at 4:00pm. Lights come on promptly at 6:00pm
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November 18
WHAT: Northern Lights Holiday Festival 2022 (North Little Rock)
WHERE: Argenta Plaza, 510 Main Street, North Little Rock
TIME: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
DETAILS: North Little Rock’s annual holiday celebration, Northern Lights, returns to Argenta Plaza at 510 Main Street in North Little Rock on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
The event features photos with Santa, storytime on the streetcar, kids’ activities, live music, fireworks show, craft vendors and food trucks.
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November 18 – December 31
WHAT: Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens
WHERE: 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs
TIME: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM nightly (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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November 19
WHAT: Cabot Chamber of Commerce Christmas Open House
WHERE: Cabot
TIME: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
DETAILS: Shop local and find a new shop that will quickly become your favorite – while so many of our LOCAL shops are on showcase for this event!
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November 21
WHAT: Bright the Night
WHERE: Capitol Avenue and Main Street, Downtown Little Rock
TIME: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
DETAILS: Join the holiday festivities on Capitol Plaza, at the corner of Capitol Ave. and Main St., where we will light up downtown with our Bright the Night festival! Bright the Night is a fun, family friendly event for all ages! Come meet Santa, sing some carols, and enjoy the snow! The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will be there, too, to help spread the cheer. The event begins at 5:30pm and is free and open to the public. The holiday lights will be on display through the New Year.
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November 25
WHAT: Winter Market
WHERE: 101 East Cherry Street, Rogers
TIME: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
DETAILS: Join us for our 4th Annual Winter Market on the Square! In partnership with the City of Rogers, the 5th Annual Winter Market of NWA will be held in downtown Rogers, Arkansas, in celebration of Small Business Saturday
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November 25
WHAT: Cirque Dreams Holidaze
WHERE: Robinson Center, 426 West Markham Street, Little Rock
TIME: 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
DETAILS: Cirque Dreams Holidaze dazzles with a brilliant and whimsical family holiday spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts.
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November 25
WHAT: Chick-fil-A Illuminate: A Conway Christmas Tradition
WHERE: 900 Oak Street, Conway
TIME: 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
DETAILS: Conway’s Christmas Tradition is back again! The lighting of the Conway Christmas Tree is set for Saturday, Nov. 25 in Rogers Plaza in downtown Conway! We’ll have an evening full of activities, including pictures with Santa, Ferris wheel and mini-Ferris wheel rides, the Conway train, musical performances and the lighting of the tree! Times and event details will be coming soon.
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November 29-December 24
WHAT: “A Christmas Carol”
WHERE: TheatreSquared, 477 West Spring Street, Fayetteville
TIME: Times vary
DETAILS: The inventive, magic-filled T2 original—a new Northwest Arkansas family tradition. Three spirits come to visit the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and take him on a fantastic journey through past, present, and future. But will it be enough to save him? For all ages.
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November 30-December 10
WHAT: “Elf”
WHERE: The Pocket Community Theatre, 170 Ravine Street, Hot Springs
TIME: Times vary
DETAILS: Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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November 30-December 22
WHAT: Winter Nights
WHERE: Bradberry Amphitheater & Rose Garden and Joy Pratt Markham Gallery at Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson Street, Fayetteville
TIME: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Thursday, Friday and Saturday only)
DETAILS: The popular snow globes will return to the Bradberry Rose Garden and Amphitheater, available for groups of up to eight (8) to reserve. Perfect for a holiday outing with friends and family! Snow globe reservations will have exclusive access to a dedicated cocktail server, a cozy fire pit and tasty food add-ons including pizza, charcuterie and s’mores. Snow globe reservations are $100 and do not include add-ons, however you can choose to purchase those at the same time you make your reservation! Inside Joy Pratt Markham Gallery, local florist design studio The Flowerslinger has created stunning installations for all to enjoy. This space will feature a festive photobooth presented by Cox Communications, live musicians, nightly and a chic, modern holiday aesthetic perfect for a date night. Grab a drink before or after your show at Walton Arts Center, or come and enjoy the smooth sounds, delicious drinks and warm environment of Winter Nights on an evening of your choosing. No reservations needed! As part of the Fayetteville Outdoor Refreshment Area, Winter Nights will offer to-go alcoholic beverages until 10 PM nightly.
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December 1
WHAT: Lorrie Morgan’s Enchanted Christmas
WHERE: Baum Walker Hall, Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville
TIME: 9:00 PM
DETAILS: Lorrie Morgan will be bringing her “Enchanted Christmas” concert to the Walton Arts Center for one night only. This event is part of the Land O’Lakes Concert Series.
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December 1
WHAT: Hot Cocoa Crawl
WHERE: Downtown Springdale, West Emma Avenue
TIME: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
DETAILS: The Hot Cocoa Crawl is Friday, December 1 from 5-8PM. Ticket purchase allows you to sample hot drinks at participating establishments, and each ticket comes with a signature 2023 Christmas on the Creek mug! Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance — these mugs have sold out in the past!
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December 1 – December 3
WHAT: Arkansas Craft Guild 44th Annual Christmas Showcase
WHERE: Arkansas State Fairgrounds Hall of Industry, Little Rock
TIME: Various
DETAILS: Christmas Showcase is Dec. 2-4 at the State Fairgrounds Hall of Industry. Shop fine arts and crafts handmade in Arkansas by members of the Arkansas Craft Guild and guests.
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December 1 – December 10
WHAT: The Living Nativity
WHERE: Searcy First Assembly of God
TIME: Dates and Times Vary
DETAILS: Church members, exotic animals, handmade costumes and crafts set the scene for the Nativity. Visitors come face-to-face with the Roman guards at the city gates before being swept into an authentic-looking and multidimensional experience of the first Christmas.
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December 1 – December 30
WHAT: 2023 Enchanted Forest Trail of Lights in Sherwood
WHERE: Trail begins at Sherwood Sports Complex
TIME: 6 PM (5:30 PM on the first night)
DETAILS: Please join us for opening night at the Trail of Lights on Dec. 1, 2023, at 5:30 PM. We will flip the switch to illuminate the trail for the 2023 season, and THV11 Chief Meteorologist Tom Brannon will broadcast live from the trail head. Stop by for live music and hot chocolate with Santa.
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December 2
WHAT: Polar Express Pajama Party
WHERE: Rialto Theater, Searcy
TIME: 10:00 AM
DETAILS: Join Main Street Searcy for a Polar Express Pajama Party at the Historic Rialto Theater! Warm up with FREE hot chocolate and enjoy “The Polar Express” in your favorite Christmas pajamas. After the movie, Santa will read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas from the Courthouse balcony! Make sure to bring your Christmas lists for Santa after Story Time. Then enjoy all the festivities at Jolly Jubilee in Downtown Searcy. Tickets are $8 and all proceeds benefit Main Street Searcy.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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December 2
WHAT: Searcy Christmas Parade
WHERE: Begins at Spring Street, Ends at Berry Hill Park
TIME: 6 PM
DETAILS: Presented by Unity Health, the community will gather for a parade of holiday-themed floats, local high school bands and more.
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December 3
WHAT: North Little Rock Sertoma Christmas Parade
WHERE: Argenta Plaza, North Little Rock
TIME: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
DETAILS: Free and open to the public, the parade will begin at Pershing Boulevard, head south on Main Street and end at Washington Avenue. The parade features floats, marching groups, decorated cars and trucks, school groups, pageant winners, equestrian riders and Santa. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs for viewing along Main Street. The parade will also go by Argenta Plaza (510 Main Street), where North Little Rock has set up its 38-foot Christmas tree.
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December 6
WHAT: Fused Glass Christmas Tree Workshop
WHERE: Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, 201 East Broadway Street, North Little Rock
TIME: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
DETAILS: We are excited to offer this family friendly workshop where each participant will take home their own ornament. This holiday season, come share the holiday spirit and craft a set of dazzling ornaments that will add a touch of magic to your celebrations. During this engaging workshop, we’ll dive into the basics of color theory, unraveling the secrets behind creating harmonious and eye-catching color combinations. No prior experience is necessary, as we cater to both beginners and experienced artisans. You’ll have access to a wide array of vibrant glass materials, tools, and techniques that will allow you to bring your vision to life. Children 8 years old and older are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
$40 per person (no hub discount)
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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December 7
WHAT: Russellville Christmas Parade
WHERE: South Arkansas Avenue, Russellville
TIME: 6:30 PM
DETAILS: The 2023 Russellville Christmas Parade has been set for Thursday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. The rain out date is scheduled for Dec. 11. .Entry fees will be waived again this year. Entries will register online at the following link, https://secure.rec1.com/AR/russellville-recreation-parks/catalog The deadline to enter is Monday, December 4 at noon. Due to time constraints, entries will not be accepted past this time. For more information or if you need assistance with the online registration, please call the Recreation & Parks Department at 479-968-1272.
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December 8 – December 10
WHAT: A Ferncliff Christmas
WHERE: Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center
TIME: 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
DETAILS: A Ferncliff Christmas is an open-to-the-public event here at Ferncliff, with an Interactive Nativity Experience, where volunteer actors tell the Christmas story along a walking trail in the Outback. We also have our Dining Hall full of delicious cookies, hot cocoa, crafts, and info booths about Ferncliff. A Ferncliff Christmas 2023 will take place December 8th, 9th, and 10th from 4:30pm-7:30pm each night.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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December 8 – December 10
WHAT: Ballet Arkansas 45th Anniversary “The Nutcracker Spectacular”
WHERE: Robinson Center, 426 West Markham Street, Little Rock
TIMES: varying showtimes.
DETAILS: The “Nutcracker Spectacular” is the largest and longest running holiday production in Arkansas, featuring live music by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and a cast and crew of nearly 400! Join Ballet Arkansas at the Robinson Center for an unforgettable celebration of the season – featuring exciting updates and additions for all to enjoy. And don’t forget to visit the area’s largest Nutcracker Boutique in the lobby and take a piece of the production home with you.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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December 9
WHAT: Christmas Music at Smyrna Church
WHERE: Smyrna Church, Jay Bird Lane, Searcy
TIME: 2 PM – 4 PM
DETAILS: Join us for a twilight Christmas Music celebration! Listen to some local performers and the history of Smyrna church along with refreshments.
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December 9
WHAT: A Very SoNA Christmas
WHERE: Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson Street, Fayetteville
TIME: 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
DETAILS: A mix of sacred and secular holiday favorites, also featuring The SoNA Singers.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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December 9
WHAT: Downtown Mistletoe Madness
WHERE: Downtown Conway
TIME: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
DETAILS: Annually, Downtown Conway sets the stage for a festive grand finale: Mistletoe Madness. This year, the enchantment unfolds on Saturday, December 9, beckoning you from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm. It’s the day to put a bow on your holiday shopping, delight in exclusive promotions, and bask in the heartwarming atmosphere that is uniquely crafted by Downtown Conway.
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December 9
WHAT: Bentonville Christmas Parade
WHERE: Downtown Bentonville
TIME: 6:00 PM
DETAILS: The 2023 Bentonville Christmas Parade is presented by…Hershey’s, Community Coffee, and Black Hills Energy. This is a free, family-friendly event that will take place in Downtown Bentonville.
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December 9
WHAT: Beebe Christmas Parade
WHERE: From Beebe High School to ASU (near tennis courts)
TIME: 6:00 PM
DETAILS: Floats, Vehicles, ATV, UTV’s, Horses, Cars, Motorcycles, and much more.
Line up begins at 5:00 PM in front of the Beebe High School bus parking lot across from the arena.
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December 10
WHAT: Dodgeball Santa Tournament
WHERE: 412 Main St in Little Rock
TIME: 12 PM
DETAILS: The Dodgeball Santa Tournament is a 16-team, double-elimination tournament with teams dressing in holiday-themed costumes to compete for the coveted Giant Wrench trophy.
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December 10
WHAT: The Snowman: A Family Concert
WHERE: Baum Walker Hall, Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville
TIME: 2:00 PM
DETAILS: The tradition continues! Join us for a special screening of The Snowman, based on Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s book, with the original score performed live by SoNA. Following the screening, acclaimed Music Director Paul Haas will lead the audience in a sing-a-long of other holiday favorites. Join us for a merry and bright afternoon of family-friendly symphonic music!
Learn more here and purchase tickets here.
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December 15 – December 17
WHAT: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra: Home for the Holidays
WHERE: Robinson Center, 426 W. Markham, Little Rock
TIME: Varies
DETAILS: Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with your ASO! The ASO’s most popular concert features an array of performers bringing your favorite holiday-themed music, from Christmas carols and holiday movie music to winter-themed orchestral showcases – you won’t want to miss this cozy holiday tradition for all ages!
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December 16 – December 17
WHAT: The Nutcracker presented by Western Arkansas Ballet
WHERE: ArcBest Performing Arts Center in Fort Smith
TIME: 7 PM on Dec. 16; 2 PM on Dec. 17
DETAILS: Western Arkansas Ballet presents the 38th Annual The Nutcracker including a cast of over 125 local adults and children. A holiday classic, the full-length ballet invites you to journey into a land of illusion, enchantment, and delight with whole cast of characters including Clara and her family, Herr Drosselmeyer, the Nutcracker Prince, and The Sugar Plum Fair and her Court. Don’t miss out on this tradition purchase your tickets today!
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December 17 – December 21
WHAT: Storytime with Santa
WHERE: Capital Hotel, 111 West Markham Street, Little Rock
TIME: 6:00 PM
DETAILS: Santa Claus is coming to town and we can’t wait to see him! Storytime with Santa is one of our most magical and popular events. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas and know the words to Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells!
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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December 18 – December 20
WHAT: Lunch with Santa & Mrs. Claus
WHERE: Capital Hotel, 111 West Markham Street, Little Rock
TIME: 11:30 AM
DETAILS: We’re excited to offer children a unique opportunity to have a captivating lunch with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus! Children will sit with the Clauses at one large table where they will enjoy a child-friendly menu and be able to inquire about elves, reindeer, chimneys and all things Christmas.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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December 20 – December 23
WHAT: “A Very Merry Motown Christmas”
WHERE: Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 601 Main St, Little Rock
TIME: Various
DETAILS: A festive musical celebration of the holidays for families and friends! Featuring your favorite holiday songs in fresh new arrangements inspired by your favorite Motown artists.
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December 31
WHAT: Nutcracker! Magic Christmas Ballet
WHERE: Robinson Center, 426 W. Markham Street, Little Rock
TIME: 5:00 PM
DETAILS: The beloved family tradition is back: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet! Gather your loved ones for the warm-glow-nostalgia of America’s favorite Christmas celebration. Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet. Be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger than life puppets and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
