December Events Taking Place in the Arkansas Ouachitas

Zoie Clift, 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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The Pocket Community Theatre in Hot Springs hosts performances of "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" Dec. 2-12. Shows are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The story is about little moments selected from Charlie Brown's life and strung together into a single day. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children through 12th grade. For more details visit www.pockettheatre.com or call 501-623-8585.

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The Mena Christmas Festival is Dec. 3 at Janssen Park. Fireworks, food, a parade, the official lighting ceremony of Janssen Park, and Christmas displays are on tap for the day. Check out www.visitmena.com or call 479-394-8355 for more information.

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Performances of "The Importance of Being Uncle Roscoe" are Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12 in Mena at the Ouachita Little Theatre. Directed by Larry Block, performances begin at 7:30 p.m., except Sundays when the curtain goes up at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the theatre box office 45 minutes before the performances or in advance at Arvest Bank at 1608 Hwy 71. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. For more information visit www.oltmena.com or call 479-243-0186.

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Looking for an adventure? Join a park interpreter for a guided eagle-watching tour on DeGray Lake at DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck. Tours are on Dec. 5, 11, and 12. Search for wintering Bald Eagles, Osprey, loons, herons, grebes, ducks, and more. Bring binoculars if you have some and be sure to dress for the weather. It is normally chilly and windy on the lake. Dress in layers and don’t be afraid to bring too much warm clothing. Admission is $8.50 for adults, $4.50 for children age 6-12 and under 6 are free. Reservations are made beginning at noon the day before at the marina. For more information visit www.degray.com or call 501-865-5840.

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Get in the holiday spirit at the Arthritis Foundation’s 5th annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Dec. 11 in Hot Springs at Garvan Woodland Gardens. Be one of the thousands of 5K runners and walkers world-wide who hit the pavements, pathways and parks to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. Wear a holiday themed costume and tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. Admission is $20. For more details visit www.arkansasjinglebellrun.org or call 501-664-7242.

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Head to the Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area Visitor Center in Wickes for Christmas at the Cossatot. The event is a Christmas Open House Celebration and is on Dec. 4, 11, and 18. There are festive holiday activities including Christmas crafts, mulled cider, Christmas bingo, and more family fun activities. Contact the park for further details at www.arkansasstateparks.com/cossatotriver/ or call 870-385-2201.

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Christmas on the Mountain is Dec. 22-24 in Mena at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Wagon rides, tree decorating, crafts, caroling, concerts and more are on the agenda for the free event. Mena is home to 2,681-foot Rich Mountain, the second highest peak in the state, and Queen Wilhelmina State Park is one of the state park system's eight mountain state parks. Contact the park at www.queenwilhelmina.com or at 479-394-2863 for lodging reservations or further information.