Here is our collection of kid friendly holiday events offered in Northwest Arkansas during the 2009 holiday season. Are we missing any of your local holiday favorites? If so, email your tip to terri@lifepluskids.com.
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Enjoy!
Holiday Classics
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale, December 4-6, 2009. What do you get when you put together Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus plus a few million baby angels, shepherds, wisemen, and the notorious Herdman family? The Best Christmas Pageant Ever of course! Click here to buy tickets and for more information on The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
Twas The Night, TheatreSquared brings you a holiday play for all ages, as drama, comedy and an unlikely love story unfold behind the scenes of a 1950s radio hour. At the live broadcast of their last annual holiday radio show, emotions run deep among cast members of a nationally syndicated radio drama. It’s Christmas Eve, and soon most of the cast will be moving on to the program’s new berth on national, live television. But who will go on, and who will be left behind? Don’t miss this instant holiday classic full of warmth, surprises, drama and holiday cheer. December 10-27, tickets $22. Click here for more information and to buy tickets to Twas the Night.
Handel’s Messiah. The sacred sound of Handel’s Messiah will fill the Walton Arts Center on, Saturday, Dec. 5 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2pm. Tickets range from $18.50-$28.50 and can be purchased by contacting the Walton Arts Center’s Box Office at 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.
It’s A Wonderful Life, the saga of George Bailey, the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls, whose dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty, whose guardian angel has to descend on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him by showing him what the world would have been like had he never been born that his has been, after all, a wonderful life. Rogers Little Theater December 4-6, 10-13, 2009. Tickets are $10/adults and $7.50/children and are available in the box office. Click here for more information and to buy tickets to It’s a Wonderful Life.
The Nutcracker at the Arend Arts Center in Bentonville, December 5-6, 2009. Each Christmas season Classical Ballet Academy presents the classic Nutcracker ballet in December. Set to the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky, the ballet tells the story of the Christmas Eve dream of Clara and her “journey” to the Kingdom of the Sweets. Tickets begin at $10. Click here for more information and to buy tickets online to the Nutcracker.
The Nutcracker at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, November 27-29, 2009. Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s presentation of The Nutcracker is a magical journey not to be missed. Children of all ages will marvel at this sumptuous production with its magnificent sets and thrilling dance with a cast of over 60 dancers, actors, and circus artists. Year after year, families cherish this whimsical holiday tradition. Click here for more information and to buy tickets to the Nutcracker.
Christmas Parades
The Rodeo of the Ozarks will host the 12th Annual Christmas Parade of the Ozarks in Springdale on Saturday, November 28, 2009 beginning at 6pm. This year’s theme is Miracle on Emma Avenue. Click here for more information about the Christmas Parade of the Ozarks.
Main Street Rogers will host its Community Christmas Parade on Monday December 7, 2009 beginning at 7pm. Click here for more information about the Rogers Community Christmas Parade.
The Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville is hosting a Holiday Pet Parade on December 4, 2009. I know any child would love to walk their family pet in the parade. To do so, you must register by December 1 and pay a $10 registration fee. Click here to go to the Lights of the Ozarks webpage and download the pet parade application.
Downtown Bentonville is hosting its annual Christmas Parade on Saturday December 5, 2009 at 11am. This parade is nice for the littlest ones, as it takes place during the day. Click here for more information about the Bentonville Christmas Parade.
Santa Claus
What would Christmas be without a sighting of Santa Claus? Here are some of the best places to catch Santa in Northwest Arkansas this Christmas season.
Breakfast with Santa at the Courtyard by Marriott in Fayetteville. Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 8-10 am. Children can enjoy “Breakfast with Santa” and whisper their wishes while making lasting memories. Admission is $10.00 per child; $15.00 per adult and includes a hot breakfast buffet and exclusive photo opportunities with Santa. Limited seating is available and reservations must be made by Friday December 4th. To make your reservations, please call 479-571-4900. www.CourtyardFayetteville.com.
Take a take a train ride with Santa on the Children’s Christmas Train, Saturday, December 5th, 2009 departing from the Arkansas Missouri Railroad Station in Springdale. Proceeds benefit child-centered organizations in Northwest Arkansas. Click here for information and online ticketing for the Christmas Train.
Your child can have Breakfast with Santa and have their picture made too at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale on Saturday, December 5, 2009. Adults $5, Children $15. Click here to learn more and purchase your tickets to Breakfast with Santa.
Santa and Mrs. Claus stop by the Santa House in Rogers’ Centennial Park Friday nights and Saturdays in December to visit and take photos with children. (December 12-13, 19-20. Friday 5-7pm, Saturday 10am-4pm). Children may also deliver their letter to Santa to a specially marked mailbox at any time. All letters will be forwarded to Santa and copies will be displayed in Downtown windows throughout the month. Click here for more information about Santa in the Park.
Santa also sets up at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers. Click here to find out Santa’s hours at Pinnacle Hills.
He will also be at the Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville. Click here to find out Santa’s hours at the Northwest Arkansas Mall.
Other Holiday Favorites
The Academy Players at the Tricycle Theatre in Bentonville will be performing The Polar Express at the Bentonville Public Library, the Trike Theatre, and Crystal Bridges at the Massey. The show is free to the public. For more information on the Polar Express, click here.
The Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks in Fayetteville is hosting a Holiday Farmers’ Market December 5, 2009 from 9am-3pm. Click here for more information about the Holiday Farmers’ Market.
Cake Party in Springdale will be having Christmas cookie decorating classes starting Dec. 14th. It’s $10 per person and will be every Monday and Wed from 5-7pm. Kids will get to decorate 2 cookies and a cupcake. Drop Off cake classes are T&Th from 5-6:30pm $20 per person, but by appt only. Visit nwacakeparty.com for more info or call 236-6461 to sign up.
Discover Art: Wonderful Winter Watercolors at Crystal Bridges at the Massey in Bentonville on Saturday, December 5, 1 – 3 p.m. Colorful illustrations by exhibition artists Cara Armstrong and Ard Hoyt are the inspiration for fun projects using watercolor paints. Drop by Crystal Bridges at the Massey after the Downtown Bentonville Holiday Parade to create bookmarks, bags and cards – perfect for the holidays! Click here for more information on the Discover Art Series at the Massey.
Holiday Events at the Fayetteville Public Library
Gingerbread House Decorating
Thursday, December 10, 4 pm, Wal-Mart Storytime Room: One of FPL’s favorite annual events is back! The library provides a cardboard-form house to each family. Participants are asked to bring candies and icing to use as decorations for their house. The event is limited to 15 families; each family decorates one house. Registration is required. To sign up or for more information, call the Children’s Desk at 856.7170.
Hanukkah Celebration
Saturday, December 12, 10 am, Wal-Mart Storytime Room: Members of Temple Shalom will discuss how Hanukkah is celebrated, play the Dreidle game and have snacks. Registration is required. For more information or to sign up, call 856.7170.
Brian Kinder’s Christmas Show
Saturday, December 19, 10:30 am, Walker Community Room: Brian Kinder will perform a musical show for children and families. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 856.7170.
Holiday Movie Marathon
Monday, December 28, Tuesday, December 29 and Wednesday, December 30, 2 pm: All movies are screened in the Walker Community Room. For children and families. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Children’s Desk at 856.7170.
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Whew, there’s a lot going on in Northwest Arkansas this holiday season! Remember, email your favorite holiday events to terri@lifepluskids.com and we will add them to the Guide.
Thanks for reading Life+Kids!
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Your list of holiday events is great! Thank you for putting that together and helping all of us save time. Here is a website of local NW Arkansas discount offers from local businesses. Many are Buy1, Get 1, and there are free classifieds too.
Website is free for all!
Please check it out at http://www.NWABigDeals.com and share with friends!
I would like to know what streets are lit up w/ Christmas lights in Springdale/Fayetteville…having a hard time finding them! I don’t know if anyone keeps track of these things.
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