The Friday 5: Things to Do This Weekend in Northwest Arkansas

Lots of fun holiday events happening this weekend! Take your pick and have a ball with your families, mamas! Five fun things to do this weekend in Northwest Arkansas:

Dec. 16: Central UMC Christmas Block Party (Including a live nativity!!), Central United Methodist Church, Fayetteville. 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Central UMC is inviting everyone to it’s first Christmas block party, December 16. Live nativity, Christmas train rides, food, pony rides, carols, games and much more will help create lasting memories for the whole family. Everyone is welcome and everything is free.

Dec. 16: It’s a Wonderful Life. Arkansas Public Theater, 2nd St., Rogers, 7:30 p.m., $8/ticket and a cash bar

Dec. 17: Holiday Movies, Arkansas Public Theatre, 2nd St., Rogers:

• On Dec. 17, 10 am “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” $5/ticket (includes hot chocolate, donuts, and a small gift)
• On Dec. 17, 2pm “Elf“ $5/ticket (includes hot chocolate, donuts, and a small gift)

Dec. 17: St. Nick on the Bricks. 101 E. Walnut St., Rogers, near the Frisco Caboose.

From 10-3 pm meet St. Nick and take a selfie or get that perfect photo for your family Christmas card.

Dec. 18: The Bella Vista MusiCOOL, Santa at 2:30 p.m. and music at 3 p.m., Riordan Hall.

Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra and Youth Orchestra present Christmas Around the World. There’s no admission charge to the Holiday MusiCOOL. Christmas lights will create a wonderland outside the hall, and inside, guests can visit with Santa and enjoy some hot chocolate while listening to the sounds of the APO.

Select chamber ensembles from the APO and the APYO will perform an intimate program of a potpourri of Christmas music from around the world, conducted and hosted by APO music director Steven Byess. Whether you love the grand sonic splendor of the full orchestra and choruses, the sublime and scintillating atmosphere of chamber ensembles, or both, the APO has something to indulge your musical holiday spirit.

Also grooving to the sounds at the Holiday MusiCOOL will be none other than COOL Santa himself. COOL Santa, wearing his trademark dark sunglasses, will arrive via his music-instrument-packed sleigh and will be at Riordan Hall starting at 2:30 p.m. He will be available for photos for 30 minutes prior to the start of the musical program, during intermission and for 30 minutes after the music ends. Event attendees receive a free 4×6 photo. The photo booth includes plenty of festive props, including Santa hats, elf ears and more.