Weekend Guide: 20 Events for Your Holiday-Loving Heart

Buckle up, Bob Cratchit. This weekend is a winter whirlwind.

 

Thursday, December 7

The Bernice Garden Tree Lighting in SoMa: We’re wasting zero time getting into the holiday spirit with this annual neighborhood celebration. The evening includes caroling from Washington Elementary, Forest Heights STEM Academy and Dunbar Middle School students, who will lend their voices as the group counts down to the tree lighting. Many SoMa shops are getting in on the cheer, like sweets and teas at The Green Corner Store and a hot cocoa bar at Loblolly Creamery. And keep your eye out for the Clauses. The celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. For more info, click here.

First Thursday Shop & Sip in Hillcrest: It’s the first Thursday of the month, and you know what that means — time to get your Hillcrest shop ‘n’ sip on. Soak up the Kavanaugh vibes while you take advantage of the discounts, later hours and live music. This month, Hocott’s Garden Center is hosting a “Ho-Ho-Holidays” party with free beer and wine, live music from Buh Jones and plenty of Christmas trees to choose from if you’ve been procrastinating. For more info, click here.

For a more hands-on approach: Where to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

Stories of Empowerment at the Esse Purse Museum: The brilliant minds of Esse and the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas are back with a second season of their quarterly speaker and networking series that’s all about girl power. This round continues with the theme of “Living With Faith.” Guests will enjoy refreshments and libations while sharing stories of expression through faith and hearing from speakers LaKisha M. Johnson and Sofia Said. The girl power begins at 5:30 p.m. For more info, click here.

Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum: The North Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau and NLR Parks and Recreation are teaming up to honor Arkansans who served in Pearl Harbor during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack. The event is open to the public, and free tours of the USS Razorback will be available to all veterans, active and retired military and dependants. The ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. For more info, click here.

Little Rock Wind Symphony’s “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” at Second Presbyterian Church: Wonderful, indeed! The annual LRWS holiday concert will feature all your mery favorites, along with guest artists like The Little Rock Parkview Arts Magnet High School Madrigals and Lab Singers and operatic soloist Mary Winston Smith. You also have the opportunity to not go home empty-handed by getting in on the Stocking-Stuffer Silent Auction before the concert. The auction starts at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. For more info, click here.

Meet Operatic Soprano Soloist Mary Winston Smith

 

Friday, December 8

Second Friday Art Night at various locations in downtown Little Rock: It’s time for the monthly roundup of downtown businesses opening their doors for an after-hours gallery walk, but this time with jingle bells. Highlights include Clint and Emily of Boggy Creek Beehives and Lana of Come Alive Studio at Bella Vita Jewelry, live music and craft beer at the Old Statehouse Museum and an eggnog-making contest at the Historic Arkansas Museum, but more on that in a minute. The fun lasts until 8 p.m. For more info, click here.

“The Santaland Diaries” Opening Night at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre Annex: Santa’s helper is getting a little saucy. Based on the semi-autobiographical work from famed humorist David Sedaris, this one-man show in The Rep’s black box theater follows the foul-mouthed, chain-smoking department store elf, Crumpet. Spoiler alert: This is not your average Hallmark Channel Christmas story. You might want to leave the kids at home for this one. But make sure to stick around after the play for a champagne toast. Showtime is 7 p.m. For more info, click here.

Meet the Cast and Crew Behind “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Santaland Diaries”

13th Ever Nog-Off at the Historic Arkansas Museum: Ladies and gents, we’re are nog people. That’s why we’re fans of this annual friendly competition to crown the best eggnog in the metro. Nogs are judged by a guest panel, and there’s also a people’s choice winner. Yes, technically it’s part of 2FAN, but this deserves its own spot in the roundup. The fun starts at 5 p.m. For more info, click here.

Give & Glow Yoga at Barefoot Studio: It’s time to get your glow on and get your flow on in an awesome way. The studio is offering its annual class with the opportunity to give back as entry fees benefit the Mission Give Foundation, an organization founded by Officer Tommy Norman of North Little Rock to inspire selflessness and empathy in others. The glow-in-the-dark yoga sesh will also feature a set from our favorite live video master, DJ G-Force. Classes start at 6 p.m. and registration is required. For more info, click here.

 

Saturday, December 9

Santa at the Center at the Clinton Presidential Center: Bring on the merriment. The Clinton Center is getting all kinds of jolly this weekend with art projects and holiday entertainment for the whole family, plus free photos with the big red guy himself. Center hours are 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more info, click here.

Blue Canoe Brewing Co. Birthday Bash: Time to break out the party hats. This “little brewery that could” had a big year as it expanded into a new warehouse space on East 15th. Now they’re celebrating their third year as a brewery with discounted pints, a special holiday spall batch and a white elephant gift exchange. Come in your best/worst Christmas sweater. Warehouse hours are 12-10 p.m., and gift giving will start around 9 p.m. For more info, click here.

Raid the Rock Adventure Race through the metro: Time to crank up the adrenaline. This annual adventure race has participants accomplishing tasks that cover everything from running to mountain biking to canoeing, and without the use of cell phones or GPS. You can sign up in teams or solo for either the 2-3-hour course, the 8-hour course or the 24-hour course. God speed. For more info, click here.

Santa Paws Holiday Party at Trapnall Hall: You need more furry friends in your life. Come enjoy an open bar and munch on some good eats, all with live entertainment and a silent auction. You’ll be raising dollars to save lives at Little Rock Animal Village, and ticket purchase comes with free microchipping for your pets. It all starts at 7 p.m. For more info, click here.

Merry & Bright Holiday Celebration at The Promenade at Chenal: Christmas is officially in full swing at The Promenade. Get your shop on while marveling at the Arkansas Circus Arts live show in the courtyard and stop in for free photos with the Clauses, just make sure to visit the Make-A-Wish gift wrap station. For more info, click here.

Yoga in the Rock: Om for the Holidays at Capitol View Studio: The yogis are at it again. This special holiday session is for all levels, and includes live music from The Admires and John Burnette. The best part: It benefits Lucie’s Place. The flow starts at 6:30 p.m. BYO-mat. For more info, click here.

Christmas Karaoke Benefiting The Van at Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack: Warm up the golden vocal pipes, folks. This annual event is always a good time, with all door proceeds benefitting none other than The Van. Oh, and don’t forget the ridiculous Christmas getup contest. The drummer boy beats drop at 8 p.m. For more info, click here.

 

Sunday, December 10

River City Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert at Second Presbyterian Church: The dip in temperatures has us thinking it’s lovely weather for a Christmas concert together with this local talent. The chorus will perform old and new favorites alike, guaranteeing to leave you caroling long after the free concert ends. Showtime is at 3 p.m. For more info, click here.

Read more: River City Men’s Chorus Gears Up for Holiday Performance

Grand High Tea and Tour at the Empress of Little Rock Bed and Breakfast: Christmas in the Quapaw Quarter? Don’t mind if we do. Just make sure you keep your pinkies up for this experience steeped in historic elegance. The mansion will be decked with Victorian decor straight out of the structure’s past. Tea time is at 3 p.m. For more info, click here.

 

Friday-Sunday, December 8-10

“The Nutcracker” at the Robinson Center: Someone tell the Sugar Plum Fairy she’s on. Sporting a cast of dancers from central Arkansas and professional company members from Ballet Arkansas, this classic is a holiday tradition for many families in the state. Plus, it’s hard to beat the teaming up of Ballet Arkansas and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, who provides the iconic music for the show. And don’t forget about Saturday’s Land of The Sweets Nutcracker Tea for your chance to meet the dancers. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more info, click here.

Chinese Lantern Festival at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds: The holidays are about to get a little bit brighter in Little Rock. It’s the first time this traveling fest has come to our fair city, where guests can explore more than 30 giant lantern displays, each one custom built onsite by Chinese artisans with a passion to keep the tradition going. You can also expect food, drinks, folk art demonstrations, live performances, a marketplace and more. Stop in between 5:30-10 p.m. The fest runs through Jan. 14. For more info, click here.

 

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