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LIST: Local Christmas festivities, parades, Santa stops, kids' events and more

For many, "Christmas" is a month-long festival of indulging in all things jolly, merry and bright. Here's a list of local events happening this holiday season.

ARKANSAS, USA — Have yourself a merry little Christmas, and let your heart be light. There is something magical about this time of the year, as it brings a sense of nostalgia for olden days Christmas memories and holiday traditions. 

People of all ages feel excitement and anticipation for Christmas as they think about their most cherished holiday traditions. For many, "Christmas" is a month-long festival of indulging in all things jolly, merry and bright.

If Dec. 25 is the destination, then driving to look at Christmas lights with loved ones, waving at favorite Christmas characters passing by in parades and watching live nativity scenes are stops along the journey.

RELATED: All things Holidays 2020: Arkansas events, holiday headlines and more

Here is a list of family-friendly, merry-filled events happening across Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. This list will be updated throughout the season. If you would like an event to be added to the list, please email news@kfsm.com.

NWA & River Valley Christmas Events

Alma:

Lights In the Park

  • Nightly throughout the holiday season from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Barling: 

Santa Claus is Coming to Every Street in Town

  • Dec. 13

Stocking Drop-off, Cookies & Santa Drive-Thru at Mercy Crest Assisted Living

  • Dec.18 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Bentonville:

North Forest Snow Globe Experience now available at Crystal Bridges

Christmas Lights on the Square in Downtown Bentonville

  • Nightly throughout the holiday season

Opening Day of The Rink at Lawrence Plaza

  • Nov. 21 at 5:00 p.m.

Clarksville:

Christmas In Cline at Cline Park

  • Dec. 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Coal Hill:

Coal Hill Christmas Parade

  • Dec.12 at 11:00 a.m.

Fayetteville:

Stewart Family Christmas Light Display

  • Nightly throughout the holiday season from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The Lights of the Ozarks

  • Nightly throughout the holiday season at 5:00 p.m.

Experience Fayetteville Pop-Up Lounge 

  • Dec. 17-18 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Southern Lights Hay Ride, Train, Santa on Dead Horse Mountain Rd.

  • Dec. 3-6, 10-13, 17-23 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Santa Drop at Arkansas Air and Military Museum

  • Dec. 12 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

ALA Unit 27 Christmas With Santa for Descendants of Military

  • Dec. 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Jazz for the Holidays at Walton Arts Center

  • Dec. 12 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

11th Annual Potter's House Christmas at Donald W. Reynolds Boys & Girls Club of Fayetteville

  • Dec. 13 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

6th Annual Nog Off: Egg Nog Competition at Walton Arts Center

  • Dec. 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve Dinner at The Inn at Carnall Hall

  • Dec. 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday Cinema: White Christmas at Walton Arts Center

  • Nov.28

Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks Decorating with Evergreens Virtual Class

  • Dec. 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Central's Live Nativity on Dickson St.

  • Dec. 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Christmas Party at Christian Life Cathedral Fayetteville

  • Dec. 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Christmas Party at Christian Life Cathedral

  • Dec. 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

St. Nicholas Drive-Thru at St. Paul's Episcopal Church

  • Dec. 6 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Holiday Baking Course at Mount Sequoyah Center

  • Dec. 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Central's Live Nativity Friday

  • Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Walmart to bring Christmas cheer to Northwest Arkansas with Holiday Drone Light Show

  • Sold out

Fort Smith:

Christmas Honors Veteran's Tribute Drive-Thru Display at Fort Chaffee

  • Daily through Dec. 28

18th Annual Library Holiday Open House – DIY Drive-through at the Fort Smith Public Library

  • Dec. 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Nativity Treasure Hunt at Grace Community Church

  • Dec. 16 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Western Arkansas Ballet 35th annual production of "The Nutcracker"

  • Dec. 11-13

Creekmore Park Holiday Lights

SANTA VISIT 2020 at White Bluff- Rye Hill VFD

  • Dec. 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Junior League of Fort Smith's VIRTUAL Holiday Home Home Tour 2020 

  • Dec. 6

UnDeck The Halls hosted by Grand Avenue Baptist Church

  • Dec. 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Free Christmas Light Display hosted by Extreme Christmas Light Show

  • Nov. 27 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Gentry:

SATURDAY AT 6 PM CST 

Christmas Non-Parade on Main Street

  • Dec. 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Greenland:

HollyFest at Greenland School District

  • Dec. 5 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Lavaca:

Pincumbe’s Christmas lights

  • Nightly at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 p.m.

Lowell:

Candlelight & Communion at FBC Lowell

  • Dec. 20 at 5:00 p.m.

Hanging of the Greens at FBC

  • Nov. 22 at 11:00 a.m.

Mountainburg:

Donuts with Santa

  • Dec. 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

2020 Mountainburg Christmas Parade

  • Dec. 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Mulberry:

Free Gift Wrapping at ArtUp Mulberry

  • Dec. 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Paris:

Free Horse & Buggy Ride at Eiffel Tower Paris Arkansas

  • Dec. 12 and Dec. 19 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Pea Ridge:

Pea Ridge Christmas tree farm closes early due to unprecedented numbers of sales

  • Open daily through Dec. 6 (closing early due to unprecedented sales)

Drive-Thru Santa at Pea Ridge Community Library

  • Dec. 18 at 2:00 p.m.

Annual Pea Ridge Christmas Parade

  • Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m.

Feliz Navi Dog Day at Wonderland Christmas Tree Farm

  • Dec. 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Poteau:

Kid’s Holiday Celebration at Tote-A-Poke

  • Dec.19 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Poteau Christmas Parade at Poteau Chamber

  • Dec. 5 at 6:00 p.m.

Prairie Grove:

Reverse Christmas Parade 2020 By 2nd Saturday's

  • Dec. 12 at 6:00 p.m.

L.A.B. Christmas Market at Goose Creek Farms & Produce

  • Dec. 5 from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Rogers:

Complete "Christmas Pic Passport" in Downtown Rogers to win a super cute beanie hat

White Christmas at Arkansas Public Theatre

  • Dec. 12 at 3:00 p.m.

Cookies, Cocoa, & Letters to Santa at War Eagle Mill

  • Dec. 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The 31st Annual Rogers Christmas Parade On Main Street

  • Dec. 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Rogers City Christmas Parade! 

  • Dec. 4 at 5:00 p.m.

Holly Jolly Online Cookie Decorating at Honeycomb Kitchen Shop

  • Dec. 3 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Virtual Visits with Santa! Hosted by Pinnacle Hills Promenade

  • Nov. 14-25 from 12:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Roland:

Roland Christmas Parade

  • Dec. 12 at 12:00 p.m.

Rudy:

Lollis Christmas Tree Farm 

  • Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Siloam Springs:

First-ever Citywide Holiday House Decorating Contest

  • Dec. 1-17  

78th Annual Candlelight Service - Online Event

  • Dec. 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Breakfast with BW Pancakes & Santa 

  • Dec. 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Downtown In December at Memorial Park Siloam Springs

  • Dec. 14 to Jan. 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Breakfast with Santa at Arvest Bank

  • Dec. 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Siloam Springs "Reverse" Christmas Parade at John Brown University

  • Dec. 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Springdale:

Christmas Edition Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at Riverside Entertainment

  • Dec. 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Santa's Pump Track Classic at Runway Bike Park

  • Dec. 5 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Breakfast With Santa at Big Sexy Food

  • Dec. 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Ugly Sweater Christmas Movie Night at The Odd Soul

  • Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve Service at SpringCreek Fellowship

  • Dec. 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Rodeo of the Ozarks to hold annual Christmas Parade

  • Nov. 28 at 6:00 p.m.

Stotts City:

Christmas on the Farm at Country Roads Family Fun Farm in Stotts City, MO

  • Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tontitown:

Fresh Wreath Workshop at Cross Pointe Community Church

  • Nov. 19 at 6:00 p.m.

Van Buren:

Christmas Village First Baptist Van Buren

  • Dec. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 at 8:00 p.m.

Encounter Christmas

  • Dec. 13 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Van Buren's Christmas at the Parks Light Show at City Park

  • Nov. 21-29, Dec. 4-6, Dec. 11-13, and Dec.18 - Jan 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Van Buren's Christmas at the Parks Light Show at Freedom Park 

  • Nov. 21- Jan. 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Van Buren Christmas Parade on Main St.

  • Dec. 12 at 6:00 p.m.

West Fork:

Christmas Goat Hike + Winery

  • Dec. 13

Winslow:

Wreath Making Workshop at Ozark Folkways

  • Nov. 21 at 9:00 a.m.

RELATED: First Baptist Church Van Buren hosts "Christmas Village" in December

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