Getting In The Spirit

Ready or not, Christmas is coming … here!

Traffic and pedestrians pass check out the Lights of the Ozarks display Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, on the Fayetteville square.
Traffic and pedestrians pass check out the Lights of the Ozarks display Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, on the Fayetteville square.

'Tis the season -- already. And the two of biggest communities of Northwest Arkansas kick off the celebration this weekend, with Springdale and Rogers following along.

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File photo

Nearly 100 entries will participate in the Rogers Christmas parade sponsored by Main Street Rogers. This year’s theme is “Twas the Lights Before Christmas.”

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File photo

The Ice Rink at Lawrence Plaza in Bentonville will open for the season at 6 p.m. Saturday and will be open seven days a week through January. The rink will host Frosty’s Flicks on Dec. 12, 19 and 26 where the community is invited to come to the rink to watch favorite winter classics.

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Courtesy Photo

With music & hot chocolate, 7 p.m. Tuesday at the UAFS Bell Tower, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Free. 788-7027.

Fayetteville

Half a million twinkling lights will cover the historic downtown square through the end of the year for Fayetteville's brightest holiday tradition. Mayor Lioneld Jordan will flip the "big switch" to turn the lights on at 6 p.m. today in concert with the annual Lights of the Ozarks Parade.

The parade will begin at the Fayetteville Public Library, circle the square and take a trip down Dickson Street. This year, Tusk and some of the spirit squad members from the University of Arkansas will join the festivities on the square following the basketball game.

Santa and his reindeer will be available for photos on the square. Romantic carriage rides, ponies for the little ones and fresh hot chocolate are all part of the tradition as well.

Bentonville

The holiday season begins in Bentonville on Saturday with the lighting of the square and the Winter Market. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Meteor Guitar Gallery will showcase unique holiday crafts, treats and gifts for everyone on your list. Holiday celebrations will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on the square with live music and hot chocolate with the illumination of the square set for 6 p.m.

The Ice Rink at Lawrence Plaza will open for the season at 6 p.m. Saturday as well. Bring your letter to Santa by Dec. 17, and the nice folks at the rink will get it where it needs to go. Then come back for Saturday nights in December to watch your favorite winter movies at the rink.

The annual Downtown Christmas Parade will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 12 with floats, characters and an appearance from Santa Claus.

Springdale

The annual Christmas Parade of the Ozarks winds down Emma Avenue in Springdale on Nov. 28, hosted by the Rodeo of the Ozarks. The parade will begin at the rodeo grounds at 6 p.m. and will feature floats, lights, rodeo queens and music.

This year's theme is "Christmas Around the World," and everyone is invited to participate. The rodeo will accept parade registration through Thanksgiving. Entry forms can be found at rodeooftheozarks.org.

After the parade, the Jones Center will host a free multimedia production of the First Ornaments of Christmas at 7:30 p.m.

Rogers

Nearly 100 floats, bands, cars and choirs participate in the annual Rogers Christmas tree lighting and parade. The parade will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 and will delight viewers with a "Twas the Lights Before Christmas" theme. There are sure to be some amazing and sparkly floats, as parade participants are competing for the best float in four categories: Seasonal Sparkles will award outstanding lights, Sugar Plum will recognize the best entry featuring children, the Holy award will celebrate the entry best illustrating a religious theme and the Arose A Clatter award will be given to entry best illustrating the theme of the parade.

A list of holiday events will appear each Friday in What's Up!

Sunday

Alternative Market -- With gift options from Habitat for Humanity, Heifer International, Arkansas Rice Depot & more, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville. Email [email protected].

UAFS Seasonal Choral Concert -- With student conductors Christopher Ha of Fort Smith and Mykala Parker of Conway, 3 p.m., Breedlove Auditorium at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Free. 788-7543.

Tuesday

Holiday Gift Market -- Through Dec. 23, Joy Pratt Markham Gallery at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. Hosted by the Community Creative Center. Email [email protected].

Lighting Ceremony -- With music & hot chocolate, 7 p.m. at the UAFS Bell Tower, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Free. 788-7027.

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Nov. 28

Eureka Springs Art Bazaar -- Featuring many of Eureka Springs' 300 artists, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center in Eureka Springs. 253-8737.

Santa in the Park -- 1-3 p.m., Basin Spring Park in Eureka Springs. Part of Shop Small Saturday. 253-8737.

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Nov. 29

Holiday Open House -- And the opening of "A Rogers Christmas" in the Hawkins House, 12:30 p.m., Rogers Historical Museum. Free. 621-1154.

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Dec. 1

Ozarks at Large Christmas Show -- 6:30 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. Email [email protected].

Season's Greetings Concert -- Featuring more than 100 student musicians from UAFS, 7 p.m., Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center in Fort Smith. 788-7300.

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Dec. 1-15

Fine Arts Christmas Sale -- Featuring art by Angela Teeter, Johnathan Harris, Jeanie Wyant, Linda Cullers, Eve Smith, Whitney Allen Johnston, Eve Smith, Billy Shayne & Meredith Mashburn, through Dec. 15, Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. 751-5441.

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Dec. 3

Silver Tea -- Hosted by the women of St. James Episcopal Church, raising funds this year for backpacks for needy students, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. Admission is by donation. 253-8610.

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Dec. 4

Christmas Parade of Lights -- With the theme "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," 6 p.m., historic downtown Eureka Springs. 253-8737.

Holiday Art Sale -- Formerly the Block Street Art Sale, 7-9 p.m., Studio 545, 545 W. Center St. in Fayetteville. theholidayartsale.com.

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Dec. 5

Breakfast With Santa -- 8:30, 9:15 & 10 a.m., Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. $15 for children, $5 for adults. 751-5441.

Jingle Bell Jog 5K -- And Reindeer Fun Run, 9 a.m., Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville. Register at 530-8084.

Holiday Art Sale -- Formerly the Block Street Art Sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Studio 545, 545 W. Center St. in Fayetteville. theholidayartsale.com.

Princess Winter Wonderland Brunch -- With Trike Theatre, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m., Tavola Trattoria in Bentonville. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. triketheatre.org.

Holiday Art Market -- Including artists F. Lee Green, Karl Killian, E.D. Laningham, Jacque Morris, Marlene Samuel, Red Star and Linda Scogin, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., White Lotus in Fayetteville. 582-4806.

Celebrate Hannukah -- Stories, puppets, games & food with members of Temple Shalom, 10:30 a.m., Fayetteville Public Library. faylib.org.

Candlelight Parade of Homes -- Hosted by the Eureka Springs Preservation Society, 3-8 p.m., nine locations in Eureka Springs. Tickets $20 at the Eureka Springs Historical Museum. 253-9417 or eurekaspringspreservationsociety.org.

Christmas Tree Forest Lighting Ceremony -- 6 p.m., Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. Each tree is decorated by and for a local charity. crescenthotel.com.

Highfill Community Christmas -- Potluck, crafts & prizes, 6 p.m., Highfill Community Building. Email [email protected].

Noel Christmas Concert -- With John Two-Hawks & Johanna Kurkela, 7 p.m., Eureka Springs City Auditorium. $15. johntwohawks.com.

A Very SoNA Christmas -- With special guests soprano Donna Rollene, harpist Caroline Jorgensen, the SoNA Singers led by Terry Hicks, the Central Junior High School Chantez choir under the direction of Gretchen Watt and the University of Arkansas Schola Cantorum led by Stephen Caldwell, 7:30 p.m., Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $28, $39, $50. 443-5600.

"Sing a Christmas Song" -- With the ACO Chorale, 7:30 p.m., Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. $9-$16. 751-5441.

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Dec. 6

Holiday Art Sale -- Formerly the Block Street Art Sale, noon-4 p.m., Studio 545, 545 W. Center St. in Fayetteville. theholidayartsale.com.

The Snowman: A Family Concert -- With the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, 2 p.m., Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $8. 443-5600.

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Dec. 11-13

"Best Christmas Pageant Ever" -- 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 & 12, 3 p.m. Dec. 13, Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. $9-$20. 751-5441.

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Dec. 12

Holiday Open House -- 11 a.m.-8 p.m. with music 4-8 p.m., Heartwood Gallery in Fayetteville. 444-0888.

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Dec. 12-13

"The Nutcracker" -- Presented by the Western Arkansas Ballet, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 & 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13, ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center in Fort Smith. $15-$25. 785-0152.

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Dec. 17

Gingerbread House Workshop -- Bring your imaginations and loads of candy and other decorating materials, and the library will provide the cardboard house forms and icing, 4 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Register starting Nov. 26 at faylib.org.

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Dec. 19

Sweets With Santa -- Cookies & cider with St. Nick, 10 a.m.-noon, Fayetteville Public Library. For ages 4-8. Register starting Nov. 28 at faylib.org.

Polar Express Party -- Watch the movie, play games, make crafts and more, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Rogers Public Library. Free. 621-1152.

Holiday Music -- With harpist Beth Stockdell, 11:30 a.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib.org.

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Dec. 20

Celtic Christmas Concert -- With the Silvermore Trio, 2 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib.org.

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Dec. 21

Family Holiday Movie -- "Inside Out," 2 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib.org.

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Dec. 22

Holiday Music -- With harpist Beth Stockdell, 11 a.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib.org.

Family Holiday Movie -- "Shelby: The Dog Who Saved Christmas," 2 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib.org.

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Dec. 23

Family Holiday Movie -- "Home Alone," 2 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib.org.

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Dec. 26

Family Holiday Movie -- "A Horse Tale," 2 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib.org.

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Send holiday events to [email protected].

NAN What's Up on 11/20/2015

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