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Fa La La La La! The holiday season is upon us. That means the calendar is filling up with so many wonderful Christmas events in Arkansas. We have compiled a list of a few things to choose from, such as a chocolate gravy competition, a winter circus, light displays and even a gingerbread house competition. We know there are countless hometown parades and lighting ceremonies, open houses for local shopping and more. So much fun to be had! Make sure to check your local chamber of commerce to see when your local parade is and how to support local businesses as you shop this year. May your season be Merry and Bright!
Annual Silver Tea at the Crescent Hotel in the Crystal Ballroom (Eureka Springs)
For 55 years, St. James has raised funds for local charities. This year, they are helping Flint Street Food Pantry to raise funds and perhaps make a new friend at the same time. 100% of your tax-free donation will go to making sure Flint Street can feed neighbors. Guests are asked to be as generous as they can to end food insecurity in Eureka Springs. Freewill donations are collected at the door on the day of the event. Checks can be sent to St. James at any time (please list silver tea in the check’s memo.)
Venue: Crescent Hotel in the Crystal Ballroom
Time: Dec. 1 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
More Information: Click Here
The Living Nativity (Searcy)
The Living Nativity is a FREE drive-thru event. The Christmas story comes alive as the outside of church is transformed reflect the hustle and bustle of Bethlehem as it would have appeared in biblical times. 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.
Venue: Searcy First Assembly of God
Date: Dec. 2-4, 7, & 9-11
*Wednesday, Dec. 7: 6:00 – 8:30
*Friday, Dec. 2 & 9: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
*Saturday, Dec. 3 & 10th: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
*Sunday, Dec. 4 & 11th: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
**gates open 30 minutes before start time**
More Information: Click Here
World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff (Searcy)
Taste the unique goodness of our Chocolate Gravy dishes, created by the best cooks around! Then help us select the 2022 People’s Choice Winner. It’s just $5 to enter chocolate gravy heaven and get a taste of each entry. So, wear your elastic-waist pants from Thanksgiving and attend this event! The event is part of the Searcy Holiday of Lights Jolly Jubilee event and is located on the east side of the White County Courthouse Square. If you would rather enter the contest than taste the gravy, click here. It’s only $10 to enter and you could win $500 in the Amateur, Professional or People’s Choice categories.
Venue: White County Courthouse
Date: Dec. 3
More Information: Click Here
Gingerbread House Competition (Jonesboro)
Bring the whole family to the Inaugural Gingerbread House Build – a gingerbread house building competition! Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro is hosting this inaugural competition in conjunction with JoyFest on Dec. 3 in Downtown Jonesboro. There will be Family Fun tickets, Amateur Competition Tickets and Professional Competition tickets.
You will receive an email with further instructions based on the category of ticket you purchase. There are limited Family Friendly and Amateur tickets that will be available at the door. We recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time.
Venue: The Glass Factory
Date: Dec. 3
More Information: Click Here
White River Wonderland (Batesville)
Every winter, Arkansas’s oldest city, Batesville, transforms into the Christmas Capital of Arkansas™. Visitors flock to Batesville to enjoy millions of dancing lights throughout the 35-acre Riverside Park. There are also carriage rides, ice skating, a parade, a Ferris wheel, free movies and much more! The show features over a million lights and welcomes thousands of visitors each year. The entire display is walkable, with illuminated trails throughout the park. Make life-long memories with a trip to Batesville’s White River Wonderland.
Venue: Batesville
Date: Nov. 23- Jan. 2
More Information: Click Here
Robinson Center (Little Rock)
In December, the Robinson Center will be hosting two great shows to celebrate the holiday season. The “Nutcracker Spectacular” and the “Arkansas Symphony Orchestra- Home for the Holidays” concert will both be on the calendar. The “Nutcracker Spectacular” is the largest and longest running holiday production in Arkansas. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra- Home for the Holidays” concert is their most popular concert and 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!
Venue: Robinson Center
Date: Ballet- Nutcracker (Dec. 9-11), Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (Dec. 16,17)
More Information: Click Here
Bethlehem Revisited (Conway)
After two long years, Bethlehem Revisited is happening this year! Mark your calendars for Dec. 7-9 and get ready to travel back to the city of Bethlehem. Experience the sights, sounds and yes, even the smells, of what it may have been like on that night of the birth of the Light of the world! This immersive experience will take you from the prophecies of Isaiah through the bustling city of Bethlehem and finishing at the lowly stable. Admission is free and cookies and hot chocolate will be available at the end of the tour!
Venue: Antioch Church
Date: Dates: Dec. 7, 8, 9 (6:30-8:30)
More Information: Click Here
Winter Nights (Rogers)
Make Winter Nights at Walton Arts Center a new holiday tradition for the whole family to enjoy! Twinkling lights, beautiful silvery decorations, a cozy cup of cheer and take your seasonal selfies or use the photo booth for your perfect holiday-card shot. You can warm up in Joy Pratt Markham Gallery, where there will be games and activities for children and adults, and guests will also have a chance to spread holiday cheer by writing a season greeting to a veteran or retirement home resident. Delightful treats and heartwarming drinks for both kids and adults will be available to purchase
Venue: Bradberry Amphitheater & Rose Garden and Joy Pratt Markham Gallery at Walton Arts Center
Date: Dec. 1-23, 5 p.m.-11 p.m. (Thursday, Friday & Saturday only)
More Information: Click Here
More events at the Walton Arts Center- Click Here
Teddy Bear Tea (Eureka Springs)
The Teddy Bear Tea will be held at the Crystal Dining Room at the 1886 Crescent Hotel. It is the perfect setting for an enchanting holiday celebration. Guests are invited to savor a child-friendly tea menu and hot cocoa. Designed for young guests and their families, they are encouraged to bring their favorite teddy bear or doll to share tea with!
Venue: Crescent Hotel and Spa
Date: Dec. 18
More Information: Click Here
Piccoloe Zoppé Winter Circus (Greenbrier)
Not just any circus is coming to town. The Zoppé family has enchanted audiences worldwide since traveling the cobblestone roads of Italy in 1842. One hundred eighty years later, their passion for performing their art, and sharing their hearts, with their audiences remains true to this day. Arkansas residents for over 35 years, The Zoppés are excited to bring their talent to the families of their home state. Piccolo Zoppé is an intimate, European-style circus, classic in its beauty. No audience member is more than 18 feet away from the ring. When you arrive, you will be greeted by some of the performers in the foyer, where you’ll be entertained and invited to emerge in the surroundings, stepping back in time and indulging in European-style street food and, of course, all of the circus favorites, popcorn, cotton candy and other delectable delights. So come early and bring your appetite. As you enter the main tent, you will soon become aware that this circus is ardently different. Petite and unique. You will witness the beauty of galloping horses, performing dogs, aerialist feats, jugglers, acrobats, and all you would expect from a classical European circus. Join them for a most unforgettable experience where you will laugh, cry, and become part of their family.
Venue: Mathews Park, 25 Ivy St, Greenbrier
Date: There are several dates/times to choose form
More Information: Click Here
Christmas at the Park (Jonesboro)
Christmas at the Park is a winter wonderland with over a half-mile drive-thru of an estimated 65 collections consisting of almost 450 pieces with over 400,000 lights. The trees at Joe Mack Campbell will offer a Snowflake Forest as well as the longest drive-thru lighted tunnel at a football field length of 300’. As guests travel through the drive-thru, they will have an opportunity to participate in an A-State Howl & Scarlet Scavenger Hunt of several custom-designed pieces. Guests will also be able to venture out of their cars and visit the concession stand, take pictures with props, and, when available, even meet Santa. The attraction will also offer events throughout the season, such as community caroling and fireworks.
Venue: Joe Mack Campbell Park
Dates: Click Here
More Information: Click Here
Garvan Woodland Gardens Holiday Lights (Hot Springs)
Celebrate the beauty of the season in an outdoor winter garden! The winter garden festival will run through the month of December. The garden is transformed into an absolute beauty with thousands of lights to enjoy. This would make a perfect night out to add to your holiday traditions.
Venue: Garvan Woodland Gardens
Date: Open Daily through December (Closed Christmas Day)
More Information: Click Here
Lights of the Ozarks (Fayetteville)
Enjoy the award-winning winter wonderland on the Fayetteville Historic Downtown Square. Every year, nearly half a million twinkling lights illuminate the square each evening from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. through new year’s day. Winter treats, hot cocoa and festive music make the Lights of the Ozarks an event that cannot be missed. There will also be letters to Santa (you might get a reply!) and food trucks.
Venue: Downtown Fayetteville
Date: Nov. 18- January 1
More Information: Click Here
Photo Credit: Little Rock Marathon
December Running Events in Arkansas
During the holiday season, many towns around Arkansas host running events that the whole family can enjoy! You don’t have to be an experienced runner to enjoy an Ugly Christmas Sweater run. Check out a run that is locale to you and consider adding it to your holiday traditions.
More Information on the following races: Click Here
Freedom Frosty 5k – Bentonville- Dec. 3
Devils Den Trail Run- West Fork – Dec. 3
Fayetteville ½ Marathon, 10k, 5k, 1M – Dec. 3
Hearts of Gold Classic 5k- Fort Smith- Dec. 3
Jingle All the Way 5k- Van Buren- Dec. 3
Jingle Bell Run- Little Rock- Dec. 3
LoVit Trail Marathon- Montgomery- Dec. 3
Diamond Jingle 5k Color Run- Murfreesboro- Dec. 3
Santa Shuffle Run- Harrison- Dec. 3
Run Run Rudolph 5k- Monticello- Dec. 3
5k Reindeer Run- Vilonia- Dec. 3
Whoville Hustle- Salem- Dec. 3
Krampusnacht 5k- Harrison- Dec. 5
Janett Crain KLife 5k- Searcy- Dec. 10
3 Bridges Marathon- Little Rock- Dec. 10
Yule Run- Greenwood- Dec. 10
Ugly Sweater 5k- Wynne- Dec. 10
White Elephant 5k- Fayetteville- Dec. 10
Jingle Bell Jog- Fayetteville- Dec. 17
Ugly Sweater Race- Little Rock- Dec. 17
Ugly Sweater Race- Hot Springs- Dec. 17
Times and dates are subject to change on any of these events. Please check each event’s information link.
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