The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Fayetteville – 2019 Edition

The holiday season is here in Fayetteville, and we are just as excited as you are, so we created this guide to everything happening in our city! Even though it doesn’t get as cold here as it does in other parts of the country, we’re still bundling up and heading outside to celebrate the season.

Holiday Events to Get You in the Spirit

Need to get out of the house this winter? We get it! Thankfully, there are plenty of events for the whole family, or just the adults if that’s what you’re looking for. We’ve put together a list of the best activities, light displays, and parties for you to enjoy!

• Open Skate at Starlight Skatium. Roller skating is a great activity that the entire family can enjoy. Starlight Skatium has public skate hours on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. for $5, Friday from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. for $7, Saturday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. for $5 and 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. for $7, and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. for $5. On Thursdays, open skate is for adults 18 and over, and is held from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. for $7.
• Lights of the Ozarks. It’s that time of year again! Our downtown has been transformed by the Lights of the Ozarks and will illuminate the square from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. each night until Jan. 1. There are great holiday events every night, like pony rides, carriage rides, and pictures with Santa himself! Costs vary for different activities.
• The 12 Gardens of Winter. This winter, the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks make over their twelve themed gardens into winter wonderlands. Come by the garden Thursdays in December and Dec. 17 to experience the beauty.
• Ugly Sweater Party & Coffee IPA Release. On Dec. 6, don your ugliest sweater and come down to Fossil Cove Brewing Co. for their ugly sweater party that is doubling as their coffee IPA release. The party starts at 6:30 p.m. Wicked Wood Fired Pizza will be available and Foggy Bobcat will be providing music.
• Jingle Bell Jog 5K and Reindeer Fun Run. Jog off last week’s turkey in your ugly sweater, Santa hat, or any other holiday garb at the Jingle Bell Jog 5K and Reindeer Fun Run. Registration is open up until the race that starts at 8 a.m. on Dec. 7. The race begins and finishes in the Botanical Garden.
• Last Night Fayetteville. Ring in the New Year in downtown Fayetteville at the music and arts festival, Last Night Fayetteville. There are tons of vendors and stages to choose from to get the crafts and music you want for the night! Don’t miss the Hog Drop this year!

Concerts and Shows

Sometimes the best way to get into the holiday spirit is to go to shows where beautiful voices perform all of the classic songs of the season. Start feeling festive by coming out to one or more of these concerts, musicals, and screenings of your favorite holiday staples.

• A Christmas Carol. TheatreSquared presents A Christmas Carol on stage, now through Dec. 22. Get your fill of holiday cheer through seeing this Christmas classic with a timeless message performed live. Ticket prices vary by seat and proximity to show time.
• A Christmas Story, The Musical. Instead of watching your favorite Christmas movie during its Christmas-day-long marathon on the television, you can see it live on stage at the Walton Arts Center Dec. 10 through 15. A Christmas Story, The Musical is a festive show for the whole family! Tickets start at $40.
• Inspirational Chorale’s Annual Holiday Concert. Bring your family to the University of Arkansas Inspirational Chorale’s holiday concert, “Repeat the Sounding Joy.” The performance will have many holiday classics, and will feature the UA Jazz Orchestra, The Celebration Orchestra and Carillon, and the Arkansas Gospel Chorale. Tickets start at $8 for students, $16 for general admission presale. The concert is Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center.
• A Very SoNA Christmas. You can hear your favorite holiday songs performed by the SoNA Singers, area high school choruses, collegiate choruses, and special guest soloists. Visit the Walton Arts Center on Dec. 21 to see the show at 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $10.
• The Snowman: A Family Concert. This is a family tradition you’ll want to get in on! The Walton Arts Center is showing a screening of the family classic The Snowman, based on Raymond Briggs’ children’s book of the same name, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. in Baum Walker Hall. Tickets are $10.
• Holiday Movies. The Fayetteville Library is showing screenings of great Christmas movies for the whole family. You can see The Grinch (2018) on Dec. 23, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms on Dec. 26, Ugly Dolls on Dec. 27, and Olaf’s Frozen Adventure & Other Disney Holiday Short Tales on Dec. 30. All movies start at 1 p.m. The cost is free and each showing will be held in the Walker Community Room.
• The Polar Express. Come to the Walton Arts Center in your jammies to a special viewing of the animated Christmas favorite, The Polar Express. The screening will be held in the Baum Walker Hall on Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. Hot chocolate will be served, and Santa will be available for photos. Tickets are $10.

Shopping

Exchanging gifts can get challenging during the holidays. Where can you go to get unique gifts that you know the other person will love? Well, we’ve made it simple by including local markets and craft shows that you can get the perfect gift! And from a local business, which makes it even better!

• The Little Craft Show. Fayetteville Town Center is home to The Little Craft Show on Nov. 29 and 30. Stop by to do some holiday shopping from amazing local vendors with handmade goods.
• Oh, Local Night. Block Street Businesses is hosting a shopping event called Oh, Local Night on Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. There will be over 25 local businesses having open houses where you can get drinks, snacks, and 10% off at your next stop with a receipt from one of the participating businesses.
• Ornament Pop Up Shop. Part of Oh, Local Night on Dec. 1, you can purchase handmade ornaments crafted by local artists and makers at the Ornament Pop Up Shop hosted by Maxine’s Tap Room! Get festive by shopping local!
• Fayetteville Farmers’ Holiday Market. The Fayetteville Farmers’ Market goes indoors during the winter, but don’t worry, it’s still the same market you know and love every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. On Dec. 7, the market will be at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and starting Dec. 14 it will be at Evelyn Hills Midtown. The market will move back outdoors in March.
• Northwest Arkansas Christmas Bazaar. NWA Christmas Bazaar is on Dec. 8 and has some great vendors lined up! You can buy jewelry, candles, cookies, wreaths, and plenty of other unique finds while sipping on champagne from the champagne bar! Tickets start at $20 for this craft market held at the Stone Chapel Pavilion.

Now that you know all the best things to do in Fayetteville this holiday season, be sure to go out to the events, markets, and shows and get festive! Bring your whole family, or maybe just your pals, and celebrate!

Happy Holidays from McMath Woods P.A.

From our firm in Fayetteville, we want to wish you and yours a happy holiday season! We know things can get hectic around this time of year, but we hope that you find the time to relax and be with the people who matter most to you. And most of all, stay safe and warm this winter!