There will be little waiting for holiday fun events this December. A huge portion of them are scheduled for this weekend.
From the traditional parades in Little Rock and North Little Rock to the much-loved concert by the River City Men’s Chorus (now expanded to three shows) to lightings and parades all over the state, there will be a Christmas holiday feel in every corner of Arkansas.
North Little Rock’s parade begins Saturday at 2 p.m., traveling down Main Street from Pershing Boulevard to Washington.
Little Rock’s Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade begins at 3 p.m. at Second and Broadway and concludes at the state Capitol, where the lights will be turned on at approximately 6 p.m. Large cash prizes are being awarded to the best three floats. For more information, call 975-1958.
Get your Saturday jingle on early with Craig O’Neill’s 15th annual Jingle Bell 5K Run Walk starting at 9 a.m. at the River Market. The cost is $20, and participants will tie jingle bells on their shoelaces, making it a fun event to watch even if you’re the stationary or sedentary type. Call 664-7242.
The River City Men’s Chorus under the direction of David Glaze is giving fans three chances to see their “Holiday!” show this year, with performances on Sunday, Dec. 3 (3 p.m.); Monday, Dec. 4 (7 p.m.); and Thursday, Dec. 7 (7 p.m.), at Trinity United Methodist Church. The shows are free, but the sanctuary will fill up well before start time.
Some other events of note:
Saturday
Holiday House Children’s Event, “Winter Wonderland.” 10 a.m., 401 Scott St. Pictures with Santa, holiday crafts, snacks and entertainment by Brian Kinder and his wife. And check out the Kinders’ new holiday CD while you’re there. Admission is $15. Call 375-5557.
Tuba Christmas. 3-4 p.m., River Market pavilions. New York City tuba group stops by for some songs. Free.
Special Needs Christmas Party. 3-5 p.m., Fellowship Bible Church on Hinson Road. In the spirit of giving, this community-wide Christmas party is geared toward special needs children. Free. Call 224-7172.
Sunday
Historic Arkansas Museum’s 39th annual Christmas Frolic and Open House. 1-4 p.m. Celebrate Christmas as it was in the 1800s with living history, carols, reenactments, live music, dancing and more. Don’t miss the hot cider and ginger cake. Free admission. Call 324-9351.
Clinton Presidential Center Park’s first “Winter Wonderland.” 3:30 p.m., with hay rides, hot chocolate, photos with Santa, and more. Free.
Old State House Museum Holiday Open House. 1-4:30 p.m., 300 W. Markham. Brimming with nostalgia, hands-on activities, cookies, punch, and it’s free. Call 324-9685.
Sunday marks the wrapup of the Christmas Craft Showcase at the Statehouse Convention Center. It opens Friday at 10 a.m. and runs all three days, closing at 8 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission for all three days is $8; for a single day it’s $4.
How about some lights and more parades? Try out any of these cities: Jacksonville, Nov. 30, 6 p.m. lighting at City Hall, with entertainment and refreshments; Blytheville, Dec. 1 Main Street parade, 6:30 p.m.; Crossett Christmas Celebration, 4 p.m. Dec. 1 on Main with parade and fair; Eureka Springs Christmas Parade, 6 p.m. Dec. 1, downtown; Forrest City Christmas Parade, 7 p.m. Dec. 1; Hot Springs’ Garvan Woodland Garden’s “Holiday Highlights,” open through Dec. 31; Ice Skating in the Park at Hot Springs’ Hill Wheatley Plaza through Jan. 15; Hot Springs’ “Christmas Around the World” Parade, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30, starting at Central and Whittington; Mena Christmas Parade and Festival, starting at 3 p.m. Dec. 1, with fireworks, lighting, live nativity, caroling; Mountain Home parade, 6 p.m. Dec. 1; Osceola’s Winter Festival starting Nov. 30 at the Courthouse Square; Pine Bluff’s stunning “Enchanted Land of Legends and Lights” at Regional Park, nightly through Dec. 31, donations accepted; Russellville’s parade at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30, deemed to be the largest lighted Christmas parade in the state; and Stamp’s “Christmas in Stamps” starting Nov. 30.
Also, if you’re in South Arkansas don’t miss El Dorado’s downtown lights through the season.