After a year's hiatus, North Little Rock’s Northern Lights annual holiday celebration will return to Argenta Plaza on Saturday, Nov. 20. This family-friendly event is free and runs from 3-8:30 p.m.
"We’ve carefully planned this year’s Northern Lights with COVID in mind so that everyone will feel safe and can enjoy the holiday festivities," says Erica Warden, the director of sales and events for the North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The kids' activities will be spread over four hours to give families more time to enjoy without the crowd, and we are encouraging everyone to social distance when possible. We encourage masks, but it will not be required."
So what are the things you absolutely must do at this year's event? Here are five highlights:
1. Take photos in front of North Little Rock's 38-foot Christmas tree. Located at Argenta Plaza, the tree will be lit nightly starting in early November and through the holidays. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be nearby for photos.
2. Enjoy live music by musical duo Caleb and Abi, Little Rock group Lagniappe and carolers from the Argenta Community Theater's production of "A Christmas Carol."
3. Choose from a variety of food trucks and restaurants in the Argenta Arts District for dinner, snacks and libations. Argenta Plaza is within the new Argenta entertainment district, so bar and restaurant patrons can also enjoy their drinks outdoors during the event.
4. Kids will enjoy the magic of "Santa's Workshop" with fun, free holiday activities, as well as storytime on the Rock Region METRO streetcar.
5. Last but not least, stick around for the big finale: a fireworks show! And afterward, the grown-ups can stay and enjoy downtown North Little Rock's nightlife scene.
Northern Lights is organized by the North Little Rock CVB and the City of North Little Rock. For more information about the event, visit the North Little Rock CVB website or join the Facebook event.
