December Events Taking Place in the Arkansas Delta

Kimberly J. Williams, travel writer
Arkansas Tourism

Note to the Print and Broadcast Media: In order to better serve your needs and to keep you from getting extremely long documents from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, we have decided to break down our Travelin’ Arkansas release into regions organized by date. This way you will be able to look only at the areas you are interested in covering. The territories covered in Travelin' Arkansas adhere to the six geographical regions found in the Arkansas Tour Guide. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions: communications@arkansas.com or 501-682-7606.

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Blytheville’s Arkansas Aeroplex is the site of the 16th annual Lights of the Delta through Dec. 28. With six million lights and 45 major motion displays on 40 acres, Lights of the Delta is one of the largest lighting festivals in the Mid-South. Hayrides are available each night. Live music, pictures with Santa and a live nativity scene are presented on select nights throughout the festival. Visit www.LightsoftheDelta.com for detailed information.

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Ring in the holiday season in West Memphis, where you’ll find Worthington Park decorated in seasonal finery. The park’s trees, water tower, and bridge are all adorned with thousands of beautiful lights. The focal point is always the 45-foot tree in the center of the park. Through Dec.18, horse-drawn carriage rides are offered each Friday and Saturday evening in the park area and the adjoining neighborhood, where private homes are decorated for the holiday season. Log on to www.westmemphis.org or phone 870-732-7598 to learn more.

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Pine Bluff lights up for the 14th annual Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends. Located within the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Regional Park, the Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends features over 150 lighted vignettes, many of which are animated, and is open nightly through Dec. 31. The award-winning event is one of Arkansas’s largest drive-through holiday light displays. Admission is free but donations are accepted. To find out more, log on to www.PineBluffFestival.org or phone 800-536-7660.

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Enjoy the sounds of the holiday season when the Memphis Symphony Orchestra performs “Home for the Holidays” Pops concert on Dec. 2 at the Fine Arts Center auditorium on the East Arkansas Community Campus in Forrest City. The event showcases religious, secular and cultural selections, featuring guest soloist Ashley Brown, who performed on Broadway in the roles of Mary Poppins and Belle from “Beauty and the Beast.” To learn more or to purchase tickets, log on to www.eacc.edu or call 870-633-4480.

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Marion’s Christmas on the Square is Dec. 2 in the city’s downtown. This year’s theme is “Babes in Toyland” and the event features photos with Santa, holiday music, an enchanted forest, rides on the Polar Express, and an assortment of vendors. The rain date for the festivities is Dec. 6. Log on to www.MarionARChamber.org or phone 870-739-6041 for details.

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Learn to sew an intricate dream catcher design onto a gourd or how to make a pine needle basket gourd during an American Indian Craft Gourd Workshop on Dec. 4 at Parkin Archeological State Park. No prior experience is required. Class size is limited and reservations are required. Contact the park at 870-755-2500 for more information.

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The Delta Gateway Museum hosts Christmas at the Kress Dec. 4 in Blytheville. The holiday bazaar serves as a fundraiser for the “museum-in-progress.” Vendor booths offering a variety of arts and crafts, holiday gift ideas, baked goods and other items are available for sale. For more information, phone 870-824-2346.

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The 2nd annual Manila Craft Fair is Dec. 4 in Manila. Held at the Manila Airport Center, the fair offers inside and outside booths featuring gift ideas ranging from hand-made crafts, purses, food, baby items, candles and Christmas items. Phone 870-561-4633 to learn more.

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Enjoy downtown Paragould from inside a horse-drawn carriage during Holiday Traditions on Dec. 4. The holiday event features visits from Santa and hot cocoa and cookies for participants. Phone 870-240-0544 for more information.

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Join Clara, her magical nutcracker doll, Uncle Droselmeyer, the raucous mouse king and the beautiful sugar plum fairy for an enchanting evening during the Foundation of Arts of Northeast Arkansas’s community theatre production of “The Nutcracker Ballet” Dec. 4-7 in Jonesboro. Ticket prices start at $6. Log on to www.foajonesboro.org or phone 870-935-2726 for information.

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Grab your ice skates and head to Helena-West Helena for “Helena on Ice” Dec. 9-12. Enjoy hours of family fun on the ice rink, located at the Court Square Park in historic downtown Helena. Refreshments, music and visits with Santa are also on tap. Admission is $5 per person and free for children under 5. Visit www.MainStreetHelena.org or phone 870-338-9144 for details.

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Discover the holiday activities of the Victorian era during the Christmas Ornaments Workshop Dec. 11 at the Lower White River Museum State Park in Des Arc. Learn more about Christmases past and make your own ornament to take home. Class size is limited and registration is required. The cost of the workshop is $10. Contact the park at 870-256-3711 to learn more.

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Explore the heritage of Harrisburg and the town’s commercial historic district when the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program leads a Walk Through History tour Dec 11. Join a staff member from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and learn about the properties and their past. The tour begins at 11 a.m. at the Poinsett County Courthouse. For more information visit www.arkansaspreservation.org or phone the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program at 501-324-9880.

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The Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra presents “Holiday Traditions: Music of the Season” at the Convention Center Auditorium in Pine Bluff on Dec. 12. The concert, part of the orchestra’s subscription series, begins at 4 p.m. Call 870-536-7666 for details.