15 Events for Weekend Fun: Breakfast with Santa, Nutcracker Tea, Christmas Parades and More
The holiday season is officially here! From Christmas parades to holiday performances, this first weekend of December is so jam-packed with wonderful family events, we couldn't list them all here. You can browse our full online calendar to see all of this weekend's events--66 and counting! Or, check out our top 15 event picks below.
And don't miss additional ideas for family fun, including where to see Santa Claus, wonderful holiday light displays in central Arkansas, Christmas parades to put you in the holiday spirit, fantastic holiday shopping events this weekend, and much, much more.
1. Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade and Capitol Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Little Rock: Come see Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudy the Reindeer in this annual parade through downtown Little Rock. Serving as this year's Grand Marshal is Miss Arkansas 2014, Ashton Campbell. Beginning at Second and Broadway Streets, the Holiday parade starts at 3 p.m. and continues south on Broadway, west onto Capitol Ave. and ends at the State Capitol. Enjoy festive entries such as marching bands, floats, cars, animals and much more. Following the parade at 6 p.m., the Arkansas State Capitol will be lit, with Secretary of State Mark Martin and Santa Claus leading the festivities, which include fireworks, music and more. Parade 3 p.m.; Capitol lighting 6 p.m. Dec. 6. For info: (501) 835-3399, HolidaysInLittleRock.com. FREE!
2. Breakfast with Santa at ACH Children's Hall: Sponsored by Committee for the Future, Breakfast with Santa is an annual fundraiser for Arkansas Children's Hospital. Local fire fighters from the Little Rock Fire Department cook and serve guests a meal of pancakes, eggs, sausage and fruit. Santa arrives at 7:15 a.m. aboard a fire truck! The children in attendance have the opportunity to take a picture with Santa, create holiday crafts, call the North Pole and enjoy festive music. Little Rock Family is a proud media sponsor of this event; visit our booth to decorate holiday ornaments for the children at ACH. Doors close at 11 a.m. 7-11:30 a.m. Dec. 6. $10-$15. For info: (501) 364-1476,
3. 47th Annual Christmas Frolic at Historic Arkansas Museum: Celebrate Christmas as it was in the 1800s with living history, carols, reenactments, live music, dancing and more. Visitors come from across the state every year for the famous hot cider and ginger cake, as well as Arkansas-made holiday shopping in the Museum Store. 1-4 p.m. Dec. 7. For info: (501) 324-9351, Historicarkansas.org. FREE!
4. 105.1 The Wolf & KSSN 96's Toy Hill Toy Drive at the Metroplex: Help provide Christmas presents to children in central Arkansas. 105.1 The Wolf's Bob Robbins and the KSSN 96's staff encourage you to bring new, in-package toys to benefit the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys For Tots program. Seventy-two music-filled events begin at 5 p.m. Dec. 5. The Dec. 6 event includes food, a fire truck, ambulance, U.S. Marines, and toys. Parades expected to arrive at Toy Hill beginning at 11 a.m. Free lunch and entertainment for all who come with new toys for Toys for Tots. Dec. 7 event includes food, U.S. Marines, Fraternal Order of Police parade at noon and a motorcycle parade at 2:30 p.m. Free, donations requested. For info: (501) 217-5141, 1051TheWolf.com.
5. Nutcracker Tea at The Capital Hotel: Join the cast and characters of Ballet Arkansas's annual holiday classic, The Nutcracker, as they take you on a narrated journey from Clara's house through the Kingdom of Snow and into the Land of the Sweets. You'll meet your favorite characters along the way and get to snack on delicious sweets with the cast after the performance. 2-4 p.m. Dec. 7. $38, children $25. For info: (501) 223-5150, BalletArkansas.org.
6. Santa at the Center at William J. Clinton Presidential Center: Enjoy holiday activities, including art projects, special entertainment, tasty treats and free photos with Santa. Free for all ages, but regular admission fees apply to tour the library. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6, 13 & 20. For info: ClintonPresidentialCenter.org. FREE! (For more Santa events and sightings this weekend, click here.)
7. Little Rock Family Day for "Elf" at Arkansas Repertory Theatre: Join Little Rock Family at The Rep for fun holiday activities before showtime! Make holiday crafts (including Elf-themed ornaments) and pose for pictures with Santa Claus. Plus, you can satisfy your sweet tooth with the brand-new Rep-permint Chunk ice cream flavor (sweet cream mixed with peppermint chunks and marshmallows!) made by Lobolly Creamery. Free activities will be from 1-2 p.m.; Elf matinee begins at 2 p.m. Dec. 6. Admission to event free; tickets to the show additional. For info: (501) 378-0405, TheRep.org.
8. North Little Rock Sertoma Club Christmas Parade and Northern Lights Festival in North Little Rock: Beginning at the intersection of Pershing Blvd. and Main St., the parade will head south into North Little Rock's Argenta Arts & Entertainment District and conclude in front of the City Services Building (120 Main Street). Stick around for the Northern Lights Festival and the lighting of the city’s new 20-foot tree made of LED lights. Enjoy live music from local choirs, free hot chocolate, photos with Santa, and free holiday crafts. Parade begins at 2 p.m.; festival starts at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 7. For info: NorthLR.org. FREE!
9. Conway Symphony Orchestra Presents "Tinsel & Tutus" at UCA Reynolds Performance Hall: Celebrate the season with highlights from "The Nutcracker" performed by the Arkansas Festival Ballet plus a special performance from the Central Arkansas Children's Choir. Enjoy exciting arrangements of holiday classics to make the Yuletide bright. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. $20-$38. For info: (501) 450-3265, ConwaySymphonyOrchestra.org.
10. Hike in the Hills at Pinnacle Mountain State Park: Challenge yourself with a guided hike to one of the seven peaks of Pinnacle Mountain State Park on this off-trail expedition. Wear sturdy shoes and bring lots of water. 2-4:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 & 21. For info: (501) 868-5806, ArkansasStateParks.com/PinnacleMountain. FREE!
11. Tree Trimming at Laman Library in North Little Rock: The annual holiday celebration includes making an ornament to take home! 2-3 p.m. Dec. 6. For info: (501) 758-1720, LamanLibrary.org. FREE!
12. Children’s Crafts: Going Wild for a Natural Holiday at Garvan Woodland Gardens: Bring the kids or loads of fun making striking ornaments of natural materials with the Gardens’ resident artist Suzie Burch. Watch as she transforms pine cones, tree bark, berries, feathers, and other found objects into beautiful hand-made works of art, then try your own. Each ornament will be on display in the Gardens until New Year’s Eve! Registration required and children must be accompanied by an adult. 3-5 p.m. Dec. 6. $10, members $5. For info: (501) 262-9300, GarvanGardens.org.
13. I CAN! Dance with the Stars at Maumelle High School: Support the contestants in this showcase of talent and progress. Dancers with special needs perform with local celebrities and special guests, including KARK's Aaron Nolan, Ms. Wheelchair America 2015 Samantha Schroth, Director of Arkansas' Department of Higher Education Shane Broadway and others. 10 a.m. Dec. 6. For info: (501) 888-4140, ICanArkansas.com. FREE!
14. Old Fashioned Christmas at the White County Pioneer Village in Searcy: Visit the Pioneer Village, an 1880s-inspired village, to celebrate an "Old Fashioned Christmas." The Village will be decorated with handmade decorations. Visitors will find costumed guides serving cider and sugar cookies. Santa, with his sleigh full of toys, will hear your Christmas wishes. Free admission and parking; donations are appreciated. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 6. For info: (501) 580-6633, WhiteCountyPioneerVillage.org. FREE!
15. 23rd Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis at the Clinton Presidential Center and Park: Each year, hundreds of families, company teams, pets, and individual participants join in the fun, don festive costumes, and help raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation in support of programs and services statewide. There is a one-mile option, as well. Wear your favorite holiday costume, put jingle bells on your shoelaces, and get ready to walk or run. Dogs are welcome to participate. $30 for 5K; $25 for 1 mile. 11 a.m. Dec. 6. For info: (501) 664-4591, click here.