December Events Taking Place in the South Arkansas Timberlands

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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As the crisp air moves into the region, it is time again to gear up for the El Dorado Christmas Parade Dec. 2, Arkansas’s largest Christmas parade. The tradition of glowing Christmas lights in the streets begins at 7 p.m. The parade draws thousands of spectators. It starts at the intersection of 18th Street and North West Avenue and proceeds along North West Ave to end at Jefferson and Peach Streets. For more details call 870-863-6113.

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The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources Oil Field Park in Smackover comes to life each Friday and Saturday night Nov. 19-Dec. 18 from 6-8 p.m for Holiday Light Extravaganza. Each lighted scene represents the sights of the winter holiday season. Visit the Ice Castle and frolic in the falling snow--yes, snow in south Arkansas! Then warm up with a cup of hot cocoa in the museum gift shop. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. For more details visit www.arkansasstateparks.com/museumofnaturalresources or call 870-725-2877.

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Experience the natural beauty that candlelit streets provide during the 24th annual Christmas & Candlelight at Historic Washington State Park in Washington Dec. 4 and Dec. 11. Stroll through the historic village where homes of yesterday are adorned with pine cones, grapevines, magnolia, and evergreens. Decorations and music will set the mood for the holiday experience. Daylight tours are from 1-5 p.m. and candlelight tours start at 5 p.m. During these tours, thousands of luminaries will be lit and will continue until 8 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 14. For more information visit www.HistoricWashingtonStatePark.com or call 870-983-2684.

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The 26th annual Main Street Texarkana Christmas Parade is Dec. 6. The celebration includes three live camels (which serve as parade marshals), bands, floats, caroling, carriage rides, and the lighting of the community Christmas tree. Texarkana is in Miller County and is named after three states: Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Visit www.mainstreettexarkana.org or call 903-277-4603 for more details.

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December 9 hosts the 2nd annual Christmas at the Museum at Two Rivers Museum in Ashdown in Little River County. The county got its name due to the area’s close proximity to the Little River, which flows into the Red River near Texarkana. The Little River County Courthouse, Neo-Georgian in design and topped by a dome, was restored to mint condition and is a platform for a gorgeous display from Thanksgiving until New Years when it is covered with Christmas lights. The building is now on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information visit www.littlerivercounty.org or call 870-898-2642.

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It's a Wonderful Life--A Live Radio Play is Dec. 9-12 in Hope. The show is inspired by the classic American film, It's A Wonderful Life and performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast. Patrons become the studio audience and five actors voice dozens of characters, produce the sound effects, and perform vintage commercials. The show, which is at the Klipsch Auditorium, is $10 for adults and $2 for kids and college students. Call 870-777-8200 for more information.

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The South Arkansas Symphony presents A Celtic Christmas with Cherish the Ladies Dec. 11 in El Dorado. The group performs traditional Christmas favorites with dancing, singing, and fiddlin'. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for college students and free for kids. Visit www.SouthArkansasSymphony.org or call 870-862-0521 for more information.

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A Cowboy Christmas with Michael Martin Murphy is Dec. 12 in Texarkana at the Historic Perot Theatre. The Western Music Hall of Famer and multiple CMA awards winner is back with a holiday show for all ages. The "Singing Cowboy Poet" broke ground with his innovative concert concept called "The Cowboy Christmas". For more information check out www.perottheatre.org or call 903-792-4992.

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An Old Fashion Holiday in the Park is Dec. 17-18 at Moro Bay State Park in Jersey. This event brings the joys of the holiday season to the park. Campers fill the campground with Christmas lights and decorations that compliment the historical and natural beauty of the Moro Bay area. Visitors follow a beautiful candle-lit path to the decorated campground and vote on the best decorated campsite and cabin. Admission is $2 or a donation of canned food or a small toy. For more details call 870-463-8555.