It’s certainly been a year short on glad tidings, peace on Earth, and all things merry and bright. So, though things will look a bit different this season, we hope this roundup of the holiday festivities kicking off this month will bring you some cheer — and maybe even warm those hearts left a little colder by surviving this much of 2020.
Bentonville
North Forest Lights
An artistic light and sound experience in the middle of the North Forest, back at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art through April 4.
WHEN — Nightly Wednesday-Monday through April 4
WHERE — 600 Museum Way
COST — $7-$22
INFO — 657-2335, crystalbridges.org
Christmas Lights
Downtown Bentonville’s annual Lighting of the Square has been postponed. Keep an eye out for coming announcements as organizers determine safe alternatives to the Lighting event as well as the annual Christmas parade. In the meantime more than 25 miles of lights and new displays will still fill every inch of the square through the end of December.
WHEN — Nov. 16-Dec. 31
WHERE — Downtown Bentonville square
COST — Free
INFO — downtownbentonville.org
Lawrence Plaza Ice Rink
The 7,000-square-foot facility at the Lawrence Plaza Splash Pad is transformed into the region’s only permanent outdoor ice rink during the winter. Skaters will be limited to 40 at a time to accommodate social distancing.
WHEN — Nov. 21-Jan. 3
WHERE — 214 N.E. A St.
COST — $2 skate rental, $3 skate session
INFO — 271-3390, bentonvillear.com/1188/Lawrence-Plaza-Ice-Rink
Miracle Pop-Up Bar
“It’s all about vintage, retro kitsch,” Brandon Davidson, beverage director with Ropeswing Hospitality Group, explains of the second year of the Miracle on 2nd Street pop-up bar at the Undercroft in Bentonville. “It’s all tongue-in-cheek Christmas. It’s very playful, but leaning in on that vintage Christmas that we all envision that our grandparents’ or our parents’ Christmases were like when they were kids.”
Unique and unusual cocktails that play on classic holiday flavors, and Christmas decor covering every square inch will fill the Undercroft — the speakeasy below The Preacher’s Son — as well as spread to The Preacher’s Son’s patio to allow for greater distancing and more revelry.
“Last year, we didn’t really know what to expect, and the public response exceeded our expectations. We were busy every night of the week,” Davidson recalls. “That’s 100 percent why we’re doing it again because it was so well-received and so much fun to put on. A lot of work, but it was rewarding work, and we just had to do it again this year.”
Miracle on 2nd Street is a 21-and-up only pop-up, and reservations are required.
WHEN — 4 p.m.-midnight Nov. 24-Dec. 31
WHERE — 201 N.W. A St.
COST — Drinks for purchase
INFO — 445-6065, facebook.com/events/259646122118542
Winter Market
Shop seasonal and homemade gifts, treats and crafts by local merchants.
WHEN — 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 28
WHERE — Bentonville downtown square
COST — Free
INFO — liveloveeventsnwa.com
Peel Mansion Poinsettia Sale
Inaugural sale benefiting the Peel Compton Foundation’s annual programming. There are 400 red poinsettias and 100 white poinsettias available for purchase.
WHEN — Place orders now; pick up from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Dec. 4-5
WHERE — Peel Mansion, 312 N. Main St., Bentonville
COST — $20
INFO — peelcompton.org
A Virtual Nutcracker
Presented by the NWA Conservatory of Classical Ballet and NWA Ballet Theatre.
WHEN — Dec. 12-13
WHERE — Online
COST — $50
INFO — stubs.net/event/3378/virtual-nutcracker-2020
Eureka Springs Drive-Through Light Display
WHEN — Nov. 28-Jan. 4
WHERE — Great Passion Play Grounds, 935 Passion Play Road, Eureka Springs
COST — Free
INFO — eurekasprings.org
Shop Small Saturday
WHEN — Nov. 28
WHERE — Downtown Eureka Springs
COST — Free
INFO — eurekasprings.org
Holiday Farmers Market
WHEN — 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Dec. 3, 10,17, 24
WHERE — 44 Kingshighway, Eureka Springs
COST — Free
INFO — eurekasprings.org
Stationary Christmas Parade
In lieu of the annual Christmas Parade of Lights, the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce will host A Twist on Tradition: Giving Back Stationary Christmas Parade. Holiday floats and displays will be available for viewing at various locations on the upper loop, through historic downtown and around the city. Areas will be set up throughout to safely drop off donations, which will be distributed among participating charities.
WHEN — 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4
WHERE — Downtown Eureka Springs; route begins at Chamber office, 44 Kingshighway
COST — Free
INFO — eurekasprings.org
Fayetteville
Virtual Visit with Santa
WHEN — Through Dec. 24
WHERE — Northwest Arkansas Mall via createholidaymagic.com
COST — $9.99 and up, depending on package
INFO — northwestarkansasmall.com
Holidaze Pop-Up Bar
The second year of Fayetteville’s wildly successful pop-up bar takes the party outside (and inside) as Holidaze relocates to the Walton Arts Center for 40 days of cocktail cheer. The new partnership expands the bar across three of the venue’s spaces, including the outdoors Rose Garden, to accommodate social distancing and more guests. The new location, and Fayetteville’s new ordinance allowing outdoor drinking in the entertainment district, allow guests to purchase to-go cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks to sip while walking through the Lights of the Ozarks, or to enjoy around a reserved heater or fire pit in the garden. All proceeds, as well as fees from reservations, support Walton Arts Center’s Ghost Light Recovery Fund, as well as four local nonprofits. Read more about the new holiday tradition in next week’s What’s Up!
WHEN — 5 p.m.-midnight Nov. 20-Dec.31; closed Thanksgiving day, Christmas Eve and Christmas day WHERE — Walton Arts Center, 495 W.Dickson St.
COST — Drinks for walk-up purchase; reserved 2-hour seating $15
INFO — waltonartscenter.org/holidaze
NWA Christmas Bazaar
WHEN — 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 20-22, by appointment
WHERE — 2228 W. Bowen St.
COST — $15
INFO — facebook.com/NWA-Christmas-Bazaar-101480174630074
Lights of the Ozarks
Downtown Fayetteville’s iconic holiday display — which comprises some 400,000 lights and takes more than 3,300 hours to assemble — will still illuminate the historic square during the Christmas season. In an effort to minimize covid-19 concerns, organizers are encouraging smaller crowds this year, and the Lighting Night Parade has been canceled for 2020.
The official lighting will still be a spectacle — but it’s one families can enjoy from home.
Opening night on Nov. 20 will be streamed online via YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, with Mayor Lioneld Jordan flipping the prop switch from the KFSM-TV studio, NWADG city reporter Stacy Ryburn reports. Drones will fly simultaneously over the square, showing the moment when the lights come on.
“We wanted a way for Lights of the Ozarks to still feel special, and to still be able to inspire some holiday cheer,” says Molly Rawn, chief executive officer of Experience Fayetteville.
The city’s tourism bureau will encourage people to watch the lighting ceremony from home and visit the square on other evenings, when the concentration of people won’t be as high, Rawn shares.
WHEN — 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Nov. 20-Jan. 1; lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Nov. 20
WHERE — Downtown Fayetteville square
COST — Free
INFO — experiencefayetteville.com
‘A Christmas Carol’
The TheatreSquared original by Amy Herzberg and Bob Ford returns with in-person shows and will be available to stream at home Dec. 2-27.
WHEN — Dec. 2-27, times vary
WHERE — TheatreSquared, 477 W.Spring St.
COST — $20-$50
INFO — 777-7477, theatre2.org
Fort Smith
Fort Smith Symphony: ‘Tis The Season
Holiday favorites including “A Christmas Festival,” “Nutcracker,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Greensleeves,” “Sheep May Safely Graze” and more. WHEN — 5 & 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 WHERE — ArcBest Performing Arts
Center at 55 S. 7th St. COST — $20-$50 INFO — fortsmith.org/fort-smith-symphony-tis-the-season
‘The Nutcracker’
Western Arkansas Ballet’s 35th annual production of the holiday classic.
WHEN — 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 2 & 7 p.m. Dec. 13
WHERE — ArcBest Performing Arts Center at 55 S. 7th St.
COST — $15-$25
INFO — 785-0152, waballet.org
Rogers
Virtual Art on the Bricks
“The Art of Giving” is the theme for the Downtown Rogers holiday Art on the Bricks virtual art walk, a program of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. The public is invited to show their support for the local creative economy by viewing, liking, sharing and purchasing original art from talented artists and craftsmen from across Northwest Arkansas and adjacent areas. The event, held on the second Thursday of each month during “normal times,” encourages supporting local businesses by displaying the featured artists in pop-up galleries throughout downtown Rogers.
Even during the pandemic, at least a dozen downtown businesses exhibit and sell the work of local makers, artists, artisan and crafters. The Chamber hopes patrons will continue to support these businesses and shop local this holiday season.
WHEN — Through Dec. 24
WHERE — facebook.com/ArtOnThe Bricks
COST — Free; art for sale
INFO — facebook.com/ArtOnTheBricks
DTR Holiday Market
The Farmers Market in Downtown Rogers will transition to a holiday market featuring vendors selling their winter crops, holiday treats, handmade crafts and gifts on select Saturdays in November and December. WHEN — 12-5 p.m. Nov. 21, 28 and Dec. 5, 12
WHERE — 120 W. Poplar St.
COST — Free
INFO — downtownrogersinc.org/market
Virtual Visit With Santa
WHEN — Nov. 14-Jan 7
WHERE — Pinnacle Hills Promenade via jinglering.com
COST — $24.95 and up, depending on package
INFO — pinnaclehillspromenade.com
NWA Boutique Show
WHEN — 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 20 & 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 21
WHERE — John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers
COST — $5-$10
INFO — nwaboutiqueshow.com
FYI — A list of merchants is available on the website for those who do not wish to shop in person.
Victory Film Series
With live programming on hold for the rest of the year, Arkansas Public Theatre continues its film series with a little something for everyone. Each film chosen is tied to a significant date or reason for the showing and will feature a specialty cocktail available for purchase at the concession stand.
“FROZEN” — 3 p.m. Nov. 27 “TROLLS: WORLD TOUR” — 3 p.m.
Nov. 28 “SAVING MR. BANKS” — 7 p.m. Dec. 5 “NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS
VACATION” — 7 p.m. Dec. 11 “WHITE CHRISTMAS” — 3 p.m. Dec. 12 “KRAMPUS” — 7 p.m. Dec. 18 “SCROOGED” — 7 p.m. Dec. 19 WHERE — 116 S. Second St.
COST — $10
INFO — 631-8988, arkansaspublictheatre.org
‘A Victorian Culinary Christmas’
Slip away into the past and experience a re-creation of some of the Christmas culinary traditions of yesterday in the Rogers Historical Museum’s new exhibit, “A Victorian Culinary Christmas,” on display at the historic Hawkins House. Guided tours of limited group size offered through Jan. 2.
WHEN — Dec. 5-Jan. 2; Hawkins House hours 10 a.m.-4p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
WHERE —322 S. Second St.
COST — Free
INFO — rogershistoricalmuseum.org
Springdale
Holiday Express
The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad welcomes guests aboard for the Holiday Express and Pajama Train. One-hour round trips from Van Buren to Rudy, and from Springdale to Johnson feature holiday-themed train cars with on-board caroling and letters to Santa. The big man himself will be at the depot for socially distanced visits. Hot chocolate and cookies are served after each train ride. Times vary; multiple trips per day. WHEN — Nov. 27-29, Dec. 5-6, 12, 19
WHERE — Springdale depot, 305 E. Emma Ave.; Van Buren depot, 813 Main St.
COST — $5-$40
INFO — amtrainrides.com
Christmas on the Creek
With live music and entertainment, letters to Santa, a holiday market, tree lighting and more.
WHEN — Noon-6:30 p.m. Nov. 28
WHERE — Downtown Springdale
COST — Free
INFO — downtownspringdale.org/events
Cycling Santas
Family-friendly bike ride through Downtown Springdale, open to all ages who can complete a 5-mile bike ride at a steady pace. Led by guides from 37 North Expeditions, groups will make surprise and festive stops along the way for holiday treats. Groups limited to 15 riders each, 90 riders total for the event. Costumes and bike decor highly encouraged! Fundraiser for Downtown Springdale Alliance.
WHEN — 1-4:30 p.m. Nov. 28
WHERE — Depart from Shiloh Square, 106 W. Emma Ave.
COST — $20-$50
INFO — downtownspringdale.org/events, 37northexpeditions.com/all-trips
Parade of the Ozarks
The annual Parade of the Ozarks departs from the Rodeo of the Ozarks grounds in Springdale at 6 p.m. sharp Nov. 28 to make its way down Emma Avenue, just as it has done for the last 23 years. A few changes have been made to accommodate distancing on the floats as well as on the parade route, but Rick Culver, executive director of the Springdale Benevolent Amusement Association, says the organization was thrilled to be able to give people something to look forward to this year.
“With everything going on, we sat and visited and thought about ‘Christmas Dreams,’” Culver says of this year’s theme. “Right now, people are needing something to lift their spirits and dreams, a lot of times, will do that.”
The deadline to submit an entry for the parade is Nov. 25.
WHEN — 6 p.m. Nov. 28
WHERE — Emma Avenue in downtown Springdale
COST — Free
INFO — rodeooftheozarks.org/christmas-parade
Parade of Trees
With a little ingenuity, a bunch of community spirit and a truckload of trees from Wisconsin, Springdale hosts this inaugural tree-decorating event. Deadline for tree sponsorship is Nov. 20, trees are installed Nov. 23-24 and can be decorated Nov. 27-29. All funds raised go to future programming.
WHEN — Nov. 29-Dec. 28
WHERE — Downtown Springdale
COST — $75-$500 to sponsor and decorate a tree; free to view
INFO — downtownspringdale.org/events
FYI - Covid-19
All venues and events will be following state-mandated rules for coronavirus mitigation, but some organizations have stricter measures in place. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with each location’s protocols before attending.
Please send holiday events to Jocelyn Murphy, What’s Up! associate editor, at jmurphy@ nwadg.com .
