17 Ways to Enjoy Festive Fun this Weekend
We ho-ho-hope you find your festive fun this weekend. We found 17 events to help plan some jolly family time this weekend.
For even more, check our Complete Guide to the Holidays for details on light displays, trees farms and Santa sightings.
Friday, Dec. 11
Arkansas Children’s Hospital Festival of Stars Toy and Donation Drive
Get the kids in on gift giving with Festival of Stars, Arkansas Children’s annual, statewide toy and donation drive and radiothon.
Where: Families can drop off donations at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock | 6 Children's Way, Little Rock When: 6 a.m.-6 p.m. More info: archildrens.org
Saturday, Dec. 12
Ugly Sweater 5K
Dig out that ugly holiday sweater and celebrate the best of the season with a healthy dose of physical fitness!
Where: Outlets of Little Rock | 11201 Bass Pro Parkway, Little Rock When: 7:30-11 a.m. Cost: $40 For info: uglysweaterrace.com
The 12th Day of Christmas at Heifer International
Find unique Fair Trade gift items created by artisans from across the globe at this special Shop@Heifer event. Note: masks and social distancing required. Heifer Village Exhibits and the Urban Farm remain closed to the public.
Where: Shop@Heifer | 1 World Ave., Little Rock When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For info: facebook
Santa Saturdays at the Little Rock Zoo
Head to Civitan Pavilion with your favorite stuffed animals. Zoo veterinarian staff will be on-hand for stuffed animal check ups. Stay for more holiday and animal fun.
Where: Little Rock Zoo | 1 Zoo Drive, Little Rock When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: Included in admission | $12.95 for adults, $9.95 for kids 12-3, free for kids 3 & under For info: littlerockzoo.com/eventcalendar
Ballet Arkansas Winter Wonderland in Little Rock
This drive-thru collaboration with the Arkansas Arts Center will bring families on an art-infused journey to the “Land of Sweets.”
Where: Main St., Little Rock When: 1 - 4 p.m. Cost: Free to the public. RSVP required, register here. For info: Ballet Arkansas and AAC Facebook pages.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas: A Reader's Theater at The Studio Theatre
Families can enjoy a special presentation of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at their own socially distanced table. Each table will have crafts, activities and an individually wrapped cookie decorating kit for patrons to enjoy.
Where: The Studio Theatre | 320 W. 7th St., Little Rock When: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Cost: $30/family table, find tickets here. More Information: Studio Theatre facebook
Christmas Parade in Cabot
This year's theme is "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and the parade includes floats, bands, clowns and Santa. The parade begins at Dakota Drive and Highway 89/West Main Street and continues southward past the Old Price Cutter Shopping Center and will then make a right turn onto South First Street at the Cabot Mini-Mall Area, which will be considered the “Finish Line” of the Parade.
When: 5 p.m. For info: 501-920-2122, facebook
Sunday, Dec. 13
ASO Virtual Holiday Concert
Cozy up at home as your family joins the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Broadway's Laura Leigh Turner for a wonderful program full of holiday favorites like "O Holy Night" and "Sleigh Ride," along with winter-themed orchestral works like "Winter" from Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," featuring concertmaster Kiril Laskarov.
Where: Online event streamed from the Robinson Center When: 3 p.m. Cost: Free! More info: website, 501-666-1761, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Christmas Lights with Love at Grace Lutheran Church
Enjoy a drive-thru lights experience complete with free packaged goodies, gifts and Christmas music.
Where: Grace Lutheran Church | 5124 Hillcrest Ave., Little Rock When: 5 p.m. Cost: Free! For info: facebook
Drive Thru Nativity at Winfield UMC
Drive thru in the safety of your car to see live actors and animals portray scenes from the Nativity Story!
Where: Winfield UMC | 20100 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock When: 6-8 p.m. Cost: Free! For info: facebook
Watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on PBS
Catch Charlie and the gang as they figure out what Christmas is all about. Hot chocolate is not required, but highly recommended.
Where: Find your watching options here When: 6:30 p.m., for more Christmas fun check the upcoming schedule
12 ACTS of Christmas
Join Argenta Community Theater as they kick off their holiday gift to the community, 12 ACTS of Christmas. Each night leading up to Christmas, a new story will be streamed on their site for all to enjoy.
Where: argentacommunitytheater.org When: Dec. 13-24, 8 p.m. Cost: Free! For info: website
Angel Tree Gifts Due at the Outlets of Little Rock
Pick an ornament from The Salvation Army Angel Tree in the Food Pavilion at Outlets of Little Rock and purchase the requested gift and help make a child's holiday wish come true.
Where: Outlets of Little Rock | 11201 Bass Pro Pkwy, Little Rock When: Gifts due Dec. 13 More info: salvationarmyaok.org/caac
Thursday & Friday
A Summit Christmas Outdoor Wonderland
This will be a drive-thru experience filled with beautiful displays of lights, live Christmas music, holiday treats and more. Tickets are free, but required to help with distancing and traffic flow.
Where: The Summit Church | Rock 6600 Crystal Hill Road, North Little Rock When: Dec. 12-13, 6-8 p.m. Cost: Free, but tickets are required. More info: Summit Church facebook
Friday & Saturday
Funland Winter Wonderland in North Little Rock
Visit Funland for an evening of family festivities including the Christmas train, Christmas carousel, hot cocoa, Christmas lights and food trucks.
Where: Funland | 25 Funland Drive, North Little Rock When: 5-9 p.m. Cost: Free for parents, $5 for children age 2 & older More info: 501-753-7307, bperkins@nlrpr.org
Friday-Sunday
Arkansas Arts Center Virtual Museum School Sale
Virtually shop handcrafted items and support local artists at the AAC virtual museum school sale.
Where: Shop here When: Through Dec. 18 For info: website
Saturday & Sunday
Christmas is Coming Brunch At The Corner
Every weekend leading to Christmas, families can enjoy a special Christmas menu highlighting Christmas dishes from around the world. Open for outside dining and curbside pickup only.
Where: At The Corner | 201 E. Markham St., Little Rock When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. More info: facebook