Kids, there’s lots to do and experience this holiday season! Live stage shows, ice skating, Christmas parades, and other outings and activities are all around. It’s shaping up to be the best holiday ever!
Fun Activities:
Children’s Christmas Train
Start the holiday season off by taking a ride on the A & M Railroad! The old train cars will each be decorated for the season and include “Holiday Express” trains “Pajama Trains” and “Holiday Pizza Express” trains.
Date: Now through December 23
Time: See full train schedule at
Location: The Depot (Springdale)
Jingle Bell Jog 5K & Children’s Fun Run Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (Fayetteville)
Runners and walkers of all levels and ages are invited to participate in the 7th Annual Jingle Bell Jog 5K & Reindeer Fun Run on Saturday, December 7th. Everyone is encouraged to wear ugly Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, elf ears and anything that sparkles and jingles!
Date: Saturday, December 7
Time: The 5K will begin at 9:00 am, the Fun Run will start at 10:00 am.
More Info: www.bgozarks.org
Ice Skating at The Rink at Lawrence Plaza (Bentonville)
Ice skating is fun! And you can do it this winter in downtown Bentonville! From November to January, the chiller is turned on and the concrete pad of Lawrence Plaza is converted into the region’s only permanent outdoor ice rink. Skate rental is $5 per session. Admission is $3 if you have your own skates.
Date: Through January 20th
Time: See website for schedule bentonvillear.com
Location: Lawrence Plaza (Bentonville)
Frosty Flix & Skate-A-Long
Also at Lawrence Plaza! Enjoy a fun holiday movie after skating to the soundtrack with some of the movie characters!
Dates: December 7 – Smallfoot
December 14 – The NEW Grinch
December 28 – Spiderman Far From Home
Time: Skate-A-Long 5:00-6:15
Movies begin at 6:00 pm.
More Info: bentonvillear.com
Holiday Shows & Performances:
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Arts Center of the Ozarks (Springdale)
This show follows the Herdman siblings, who take over the annual Christmas pageant in a hilarious tale involving the Three Wise Men, a ham, scared shepherds, and six rowdy kids.
Dates & Times: Friday, December 13, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 14, 3:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 15, 3:00 p.m.
Location: Arts Center of the Ozarks
214 S. Main Street
Springdale, AR 72764
More Info: www.artscenteroftheozarks.org
A Christmas Carol – TheatreSquared, Fayetteville
A live theatre production of the Charles Dickens’ classic: three spirits come to visit the mean Ebenezer Scrooge and take him on a fantastic journey through past, present, and future. But will it be enough to save him? For all ages. With a hot chocolate bar at intermission.
Dates: Nov. 20-Dec. 27
Location: TheatreSquared
477 W Spring St
Fayetteville, AR 72701
More Info: theatre2.org
Dr. Suess’ The Grinch – Arkansas Public Theatre (Rogers)
Spend a fun afternoon with your family watching the movie “Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” while you enjoy hot chocolate and treats.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 7
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Arkansas Public Theatre
116 S 2nd St
Rogers, AR 72756
More Info: arkansaspublictheatre.org
The Nutcracker – Arend Arts Center (Bentonville)
Enjoy an enchanted evening with this classic ballet musical performance. The show tells the story of Clara as she receives her most treasured Christmas gift, a Nutcracker doll. Follow along as he comes to life in her dream, and saves her from the grip of the evil Rat King and Queen and their mice minions and toy soldiers. Continue with Clara and the Nutcracker prince as they journey through the wintry Snow Forest and into the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her magical Land of Sweets.
Dates and times: Friday, December 6, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 8, 2:00 p.m.
Location: Arend Arts Center
Bentonville High School
1901 SE J Street
Bentonville, AR 72712
More Info: nwaballet.com/performance#TheNutcracker
The Polar Express – Walton Arts Center (Fayetteville)
Put on your pajamas and enjoy some hot chocolate, a photo with Santa and a special screening of the family-favorite Christmas movie about a young boy who takes a magical ride to the North Pole!
Date: Monday, December 23
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Baum Walker Hall Walton Arts Center
495 W Dickson St, Fayetteville, AR 72701
More Info: waltonartscenter.org
Appropriate for all ages
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – Arts Live Theatre (Fayetteville)
Celebrate the holidays with the original Arts Live Theatre production of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas! This classic poem comes to life with sugar plums, refreshments and a few special guests!
Dates: December 12-14
Location: Arts Live Theatre
818 North Sang Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72701
More Info: artslivetheatre.com
Christmas Lights & Parades:
Christmas Lights at the Great Passion Play
A drive-through forest of over 300 lighted Christmas trees on the way to the seven-story Christ of the Ozarks statue in Eureka Springs.
Date: Thanksgiving Night through January 1.
Time: From dark through 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays through Sundays.
Location: Christ of the Ozarks
More Info: www.greatpassionplay.org/christmas
Bentonville Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 14
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Bentonville, AR
Eureka Springs Christmas Parade of Lights
Date: Friday, December 6
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Eureka Springs, AR
Fort Smith Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 14
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, AR
Lights of the Ozarks, Fayetteville
The Fayetteville Downtown Square becomes a sparkly winter wonderland with thousands of lights. On some nights there are carriage rides, pony rides and food trucks and more.
Date: Throughout the season beginning with a lighting ceremony and parade on Friday, November 22
Time: After dark
Location: Downtown Fayetteville Square
Rogers Christmas Parade
Date: Friday, December 6
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Downtown Rogers, AR
Siloam Springs Christmas Parade,
“Light Up Siloam Springs”
Siloam Springs will come together to celebrate the Christmas season with the 39th annual event and Christmas parade
Date: Saturday, December 7
Time: 5:30 p.m.