First Thursdays – Fayetteville
First Thursday Fayetteville is a monthly event held on the Downtown Fayetteville Square. It features various works of art, live music, outdoor movies and other cultural arts representations. This year the event has expanded onto Mountain Street and includes a Kids’ Zone! Terra Studios will sponsor the kids’ activities. Free and open to the public.
Date: Thursday, December 1
Time: 5 – 8pm
Location: Fayetteville Town Center (Fayetteville)
More Info: www.firstthursdayfayetteville.com
Gardenland Express
Garden-scale model trains, a barrel train ride for children, and visits from Santa on weekends through December 18. Gardenland Express is $4 per person ages 5 and up and $12 for a family of four. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are free. Pay admission at the door. Cookies, punch and chocolate milk are included in admission. Gluten-free/vegan cookies will be available.
Date: Through Sunday, December 18
Time: Times vary.
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (Fayetteville)
More Info: Check website for dates/times. www.bgozarks.org
The Rink at Lawrence Plaza
Date: Through Wednesday, December 21
Time: See website for schedule.
Location: Lawrence Plaza (Bentonville)
More Info: www.rogerslowell.com Skate rental $5 per session. Admission $3 if you have your own skates. Private parties available, contact: mmastic@bentonvillear.com
Photos with Santa
Free Hugs, Free Smiles, Free Wishes and of course Free HO HO HOs! Santa has made his way from the North Pole and is ready to greet children of all ages. Holiday photo packages are also available.
Date: Through Christmas Eve
Time: Mall hours
Location: Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall – Food Pavilion (Rogers)
More Info: www.pinnaclehillspromenade.com
A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story returns to Rogers Little Theater just in time for the holidays with a delightful stage version of everyone’s favorite Christmas movie–“you’ll shoot your eye out, Ralphie!” Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas.
Date: December 2-4, 8-11
Time: Thursday – Saturday 7pm, Sunday matinee 2pm
Location: Rogers Little Theater (Rogers)
More Info: $15 adults, $7.50 students. For tickets and info, www.rogerslittletheater.org
Eureka Springs Christmas Parade of Lights
This evening parade features floats, walkers, bands and thousands of lights as it makes its way through downtown Eureka Springs.
Date: Friday, December 2
Time: 6pm
Location: Downtown Eureka Springs
More Info: Free admission. www.eurekaspringschamber.com
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Herdmans are back and ready to rumble as the Arts Center of the Ozarks presents its annual Holiday offering complete with Angels Shepherds and a mom and her family who are thrust into running the Christmas Pageant for their church. With the six reprobates as Mary, Joseph, The Angel of the Lord, and The Three Wise Men; the Herdmans bring a whole new meaning to Christmas!
Date: Friday, December 2 – Sunday, December 4
Time: Friday/Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 3pm
Location: Arts Center of the Ozarks (Springdale)
More Info: Tickets $9 – 20. www.artscenteroftheozarks.org
Frisco Station Mall Winter Arts & Crafts Festival
Frisco Station Mall Winter Arts & Crafts Festival is located indoors at the Frisco Station Mall in Rogers, Arkansas. It is one of the largest crafts fairs in Northwest Arkansas, featuring 100’s of crafters. Be sure to visit the Spring, and Fall fairs held at this location! Baskets, woodworkers, potpourris, candles, jewelry, clothing, wreaths, oil and acrylic painting, and lots of other arts & crafts are available. Holiday theme gifts are in abundance, as well as seasonal decorations.
Date: Friday, December 2 – Sunday, December 4
Time: 9am – 9pm Friday/Saturday, 10am – 4pm Sunday.
Location: Frisco Station Mall (Rogers)
More Info: Free admission.
National Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day
Radine Trees Nehring will read a short story, “Looking For Maggie” and assist those attending in writing a mystery and making a book. Radine is the author of several mysteries which are based on Arkansas locations and state parks.
Date: Saturday, December 3
Time: 10am
Location: Trolley Line Bookstore (Rogers)
More Info: It is suggested for ages 7 and up.
The Running of the Santas Fun Run
Runners of all ages dressed as “Santa” take off from the Crescent Hotel and head down Spring Street ending at Basin Spring Park. Prizes, Santas, and great fun for the whole family.
Date: Saturday, December 3
Time: 8am
Location: Crescent Hotel through Downtown
Siloam Springs Christmas Parade, “Light Up Siloam Springs” and Open House
Join us in the New Museum Building (the old post office) for a peek at our plans for this building. Visitors will receive gifts and enjoy delicious holiday foods and beverages. The Annual Christmas Parade and “Light Up Siloam Springs” festivities take place after 5:00 p.m.
Date: Saturday, December 3
Time: 3pm
Location: New Museum Building (Siloam Springs)
More Info: Please visit http://www.siloamspringsmuseum.com for more information on this event.
Breakfast with Santa
Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to town! They want you and your family to start the holidays off right by sharing a special breakfast with them at the ACO. They have lots of fun treats planned for children of all ages including a yummy breakfast, a personal visit with Santa, a keepsake photo with Santa, decorating gingerbread cookies with Mrs. Claus, creating special ornaments and more. Come and join the fun.
Date: Saturday, December 3
Time: 8:30, 9:15, 10am
Location: Arts Center of the Ozarks (Springdale)
More Info: Tickets $5 – 15. www.artscenteroftheozarks.org
Children’s Christmas Train
Start the holiday season off by bringing your children to ride on the A & M Railroad! Our vintage passenger cars will each be decorated for the season and the trip will include a visit from Santa! Traditionally held on the first Saturday of December, this fundraiser is always a big hit! Enjoy a Winter Wonderland of activities outside of our Springdale depot including pony rides, carnival games and concessions. Then climb aboard the train for an exciting train ride with Santa. Tickets do sell out quickly for this event, so be sure to reserve your tickets early!
Date: Saturday, December 3
Time: Full train schedule available HERE.
Location: The Depot (Springdale)
More Info: www.amrailroad.com
Holiday Market at the Botanical Garden
Professional, juried fine arts and crafts along with baked goods, gifts, evergreen decorations, honey, jam and local produce at this beautiful open air setting. Model trains indoors. Plenty of parking onsite.
Date: Saturday, December 3
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (Fayetteville)
More Info: www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.org
The Little Craft Show
The Little Craft Show is a first-time holiday market and free-to-attend event nestled in the heart of Northwest Arkansas! A little dream made into a true reality, the Little Craft Show will feature unique handmade goods from local artists just in time for the holidays. The Little Craft Show offers a wide variety of local, handmade & original goods as well as much more! Drinks, food & merriment will be available for attendees. Music & a free photobooth will also be provided! Simply join our facebook group to see your photobooth photo! The Little Craft Show hopes you will also support our chosen local charity by choosing to have your handmade gifts wrapped with willing hands for a small donation. There will also be a raffle to win a variety of goodies from local sponsors in downtown Fayetteville! When purchasing an item, customers will receive a ticket that will be entered into the raffle. Lucky winners will be chosen at the end of the Little Craft Show!
Date: Saturday, December 3
Time: 10am – 6pm
Location: 3416 N. College Avenue (Fayetteville)
More Info: www.thelittlecraftshow.com
Bentonville Christmas Parade
The 2011 theme is holiday traditions. The parade will follow the same route as last year, traveling north on Main Street from SW 8th Street, turning left on NW 2nd to finish at the intersection of NW A Street and NW 2nd Street.
Date: Saturday, December 3
Time: 11am
Location: Downtown Bentonville
More Info: The parade is produced by Downtown Bentonville, Inc., the nonprofit downtown association whose mission is to enhance the downtown experience through events, focused economic development, marketing and advocacy. For more information, go to www.downtownbentonville.org.
Christmas Open House
Christmas will be in the air as in the days of the Civil War at Prairie Grove Battlefield. While food is cooking in the Latta House kitchen, members of the local Wool and Wheel Handspinners Guild and the Dogwood Lace groups will be demonstrating spinning, weaving, and lace making. There will be guided tours through the historic Latta and Morrow houses.
Date: Saturday, December 3 – Sunday, December 4
Location: Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park (Prairie Grove)
More Info: Free admission. www.arkansasstateparks.com/prairiegrovebattlefield/
All About Bears
“Bears are fascinating creatures”, according to Master Wildlife Conservationist and Project WILD facilitator Denis Dean. “They are emotional animals that readily express themselves with meaningful grunts and body language, and few people know that bears have their young during hibernation – when mama is asleep”. Dean shows beautiful photos and highlights interesting facts about all bears that inhabit the earth, including the black bears of Arkansas. The 1:00 p.m., program is appropriate for all ages, and is a special edition to the Friends of Hobbs Speaker Series.
Date: Sunday, December 4
Time: 1pm
Location: Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area (Rogers)
More Info: The public is invited. For more information call 479.789.5000.
The 13th Annual Junior League of Northwest Arkansas Winter Dreams Tour of Homes
The Winter Dreams tickets include directions to each home from I-540, and the maps offered in this section provide additional guidance. Homes will be located in both Benton and Washington counties. Following the tour, the good cheer will continue at Legacy Blues in Fayetteville, just north of Dickson Street. Bring your Winter Dreams ticket for a complimentary beverage, appetizer specials and merriment with Junior League members, tour goers, homeowners and sponsors. The party will start at 4 p.m., should any participants conclude their tours early.
Date: Sunday, December 4
Time: 11am-5pm
More Info: Tickets may be easily purchased in advance by Visa/Mastercard via our secure online shopping cart. Please visit www.juniorleaguenwa.org
Christmas Parade
Parade starts at 5th & Poplar. Mayor’s Christmas Tree lighting at 7pm, at 1st & Walnut.
Date: Monday, December 5
Time: 6:45pm
Location: Downtown Rogers
Kenny Rogers Christmas and Hits
Kenny Rogers is easily considered one the music industry’s most recognizable icons. With his distinctive raspy vocals and trademark white beard, Rogers has delivered countless memorable songs that have drawn fans from rock, pop, soul and country audiences for more than 50 years.
Date: Wednesday, December 7
Time: 7pm
Location: Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall (Fayetteville)
More Info: www.waltonartscenter.org for ticket information. Tickets $50-90.
The Santaland Diaries
Ceramic Cow Productions presents The Santaland Diaries, David Sedaris’ hilarious send-up of his brief, misguided career as a Macy’s elf. The show skewers our sentimental love of all things Christmas – the happy children, the spritely elves, the gifts, the good cheer. Sedaris’ character, Crumpet the Elf, shows us the other side of what it’s like to work at Santaland, and the result is bawdy and irreverent, but always fun. This show is rated PG 13 for language and adult references.
Date: Thursday, December 8 – Saturday, December 10
Time: 7:30pm
Location: UARK Bowl (Fayetteville)
More Info: Tickets $10 at the door or in advance. Visit ceramiccowproductions.org for ticket info.
Gingerbread Decorating Workshop
The Fayetteville Public Library will display the finished projects throughout the children’s library. They will supply icing — you bring your favorite decorative candies and your imagination! This event is free, but registration is required. Call the Children’s Desk at 479.856.7170 to reserve your spot. Registration started November 17.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 8
Time: 4-5 p.m.
Location: Fayetteville Public Library
More info: Library website
It’s a Wonderful Life
Christmas Eve, 1946—George Bailey, drunk and despondent, stares into swirling waters off a highway bridge and wishes he’d never been born. What follows is a remarkable tale of redemption and old-fashioned holiday magic, reminding even the cynics among us that there’s much to be treasured in life.
Date: Thursday, December 8 – Sunday, January 1
Time: Check website for full schedule.
Location: Studio Theatre at Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios (Fayetteville)
More Info: www.waltonartscenter.org for ticket information.
Santa on the Train
Children can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus on the caboose in Downtown Rogers and tell them what they would like for Christmas.
Date: Friday, December 9 – Saturday, December 10
Location: Downtown Rogers at the Caboose
More Info: www.rogersarkansas.com
Ozarks Chorale Concert
Date: Saturday, December 10
Time: 7pm
Location: The Auditorium (Eureka Springs)
More Info: www.theozarkschorale.org
Winter Carnival
The family friendly event is free and open to area children and their families. Admission and prizes are at no cost. However, space is limited and tickets are required for children.
Date: Saturday, December 10
Time: 2 sessions. 9:30 – 11:30am, 11:30am – 1:30pm
Location: Riordan Hall (Bella Vista)
More Info: Children can visit with Santa, play games, make crafts, win prizes and eat lunch — all for free. Call 479.855.5073 for more info.
Breakfast with Santa
Date: Saturday, December 10
Time: Varies
Location: Courtyard by Marriott (Fayetteville)
More Info: Admission $10 per child, $15 per adult. Includes a hot breakfast buffet, personal visit with Santa and exclusive photo opportunities. Limited seating and advance ticket purchase necessary. To purchase tickets, please call 479.571.4900.
Country Christmas Bazaar
Features arts & crafts, home baked goods, hot soups & chili, hot cider, hot chocolate, carolers, raffles and Santa Claus. This is a fundraiser for the Siloam Springs Heritage Festival, which is organized by the Museum on the 4th Saturday of June.
Date: Saturday, December 10
Time: 9am – 5pm
Location: Siloam Springs Museum
More Info: www.siloamspringsmuseum.com for more information.
Fayetteville Half Marathon
On Sunday there will be a half-distance marathon, 5K, and 1-mile fun run/walk. Saturday will feature the Magic Mile, a 1-mile downhill race. The full schedule of events including the times and locations are listed on the website.
Date: Saturday, December 10 – Sunday, December 11
Time: Saturday – 10am, Sunday – 8am
Location: Saturday – Fayetteville Town Center, Sunday – John McDonnell Outdoor Complex (Fayetteville)
More Info: www.fayettevillehalfmarathon.com
SONA: Christmas Pops
This concert will include classic and contemporary holiday music, celebrating the beauty of the season with some of the most beloved Christmas favorites, including sing-alongs!
The evening will include favorite “Mary, Did You Know?” (vocals by Chantry Dean) and “O Holy Night” (vocals by Echo Sibley with guitarist Jim Goza) to “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Sleigh Ride,” among others. Not to mention Maestro Paul Haas always has an extra surprise or two in store!
Date: Saturday, December 10
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall (Fayetteville)
More Info: Tickets $25-45. www.waltonartscenter.org for ticket information.
A Brown Bear, A Moon, and A Caterpillar: Treasured Stories
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s much-anticipated new production, A Brown Bear, A Caterpillar And A Moon: Treasured Stories By Eric Carle, will bring together old favorites and new friends. Featuring evocative music, stunning visual effects and innovative puppetry, this triple-bill production highlights three of Eric Carle’s most beloved tales. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” (veteran of more than 2000 performances), is joined by a whimsical cast of adventurous character drawn from the pages of “Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?” and “Papa Please Get The Moon For Me.”
Date: Sunday, December 11
Time: 1pm
Location: Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall (Fayetteville)
More Info: Tickets $8-16. www.waltonartscenter.org for ticket information. This is an infant friendly performance.
Gardenland Express Pajama Party
Join us in your pajamas for hot chocolate, refreshments and listen to a holiday story. Children may wear winter pajamas, robes (shoes please) and bring a small stuffed animal. Adults and older children may visit Gardenland Express during the party for $4 per person.
Preregistration is required.
Date: Friday, December 16
Time: 6pm and 7pm
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (Fayetteville)
More Info: For children ages 5-9. $4 per child. Seating is limited to 30 children at each reading. Party will last about 45 minutes. For more info and tickets please visit www.bgozarks.org
The Nutcracker
The holidays just aren’t the holidays without Clara, The Mouse King and Sugar Plum Fairy… We invite you to experience the sweetest of holiday traditions as Walton Arts Center presents The Nutcracker, performed by the esteemed Moscow Classical Ballet. The Moscow Classical Ballet is one of the few remaining ballet companies supported by the Russian Government. According to The New York Times, “The troupe boasts a cluster of phenomenal young dancers… and its corps performs in an uncluttered, streamlined style.” Regularly performing at the Kremlin Palace of Congresses in Moscow, they have also performed in more than 30 countries around the world! Get your family into the holiday spirit with The Nutcracker!
Date: Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18
Time: Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2pm and 7pm
Location: Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall (Fayetteville)
More Info: Tickets $38-54. www.waltonartscenter.org for ticket information.
LIBRARY STORYTIMES
Fayetteville – www.faylib.org for a full calendar.
Bentonville – www.youseemore.com/bentonville for a full calendar.
Springdale – www.springdalelibrary.org for a full calendar.
Rogers – library.rpl.lib.ar.us for a full calendar.
Fayetteville MOPS
A faith-based fellowship for mothers of preschoolers age birth to 5. The group meets regularly to share breakfast, share support, to learn from guest speakers and to celebrate Jesus Christ.
Date: 2nd Monday of every month
Time: 9-11am
Location: Trinity United Methodist Church (Fayetteville)
More Info: www.fayettevillemops.com
Rogers MOPS
A faith-based fellowship for mothers of preschoolers age birth to 5. The group meets regularly to share breakfast, share support, to learn from guest speakers and to celebrate Jesus Christ.
Date: 1st and 3rd Friday mornings
Time: 9-11am
More Info: Contact Summer Manzo, sumsum55@yahoo.com.
MOMSNext
An extension of MOPS, our group is focused on K-6th grades.
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Location: Rogers 1st Nazarene Church (Rogers)
More Info: Contact Ginger Larsen, gingerbread4life@yahoo.com.
Lights of the Ozarks
Each year Fayetteville Parks and Recreation workers spend over 2,000 hours decorating the Downtown Square with 450,000 lights.
Date: Throughout the season
Time: After dark
Location: Downtown Fayetteville Square (Fayetteville)
More Info: www.thelightsoftheozarks.com.
Last Night Fayetteville
It’s a NEW New Year’s celebration!
Date: Dec. 31, 2011
Time: 6 pm
Location: Fayetteville Square
More info: Last Night Fayetteville.com
To share your events on nwaMotherlode, email us at calendar@nwaMotherlode.com.
