The holiday season is finally here, and we’re documenting all the family-friendly events in the area in 2023. Check out: November Events NWA Holiday Market (Springdale) A shopping wonderland filled with the season’s best gifts, décor, clothing, jewelry, health and beauty, food, repurposed, furniture, and more. Date and time: November 10 and 11 Location: NWA Convention Center, Springdale Admission: $5 More information Lights of the Ozarks (Fayetteville) Northwest Arkansas’ treasured celebration of holiday lights 2023 season in Fayetteville back to the historic downtown square. When: November 17th to January 1st from 5pm to 1am Lightning Night and Parade: November 17th Where: Fayetteville Historic Square Admission: Free More Information Holiday Market 2023 (Rogers)A A festive holiday market featuring local artisans and fun for the whole family. When: Saturday, November 18th, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Rogers Railyard Park Admission: Free Details Bentonville City Square Lights Celebrate as Bentonville Parks and Recreation Department Lights When: November Saturday the 18th at 6:00 PM, Local Biz Window Opens at 5:00 PM Location: Bentonville Downtown Square Admission: Free, Live Streaming Not Available More Information NWA’s Winter Market (Rogers) City Partnership Rogers, NWA’s 5th The annual Winter Market is held to celebrate Small Business Saturday. When: Saturday, November 25th, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Where: 101 E Cherry St., Rogers Admission: Free Details Big Holly Gay Market (Rogers) With over 30 queer vendors, food trucks, and Jude Brothers A family-friendly market with live music by DJ Afrosia and a drag photo booth. When: Saturday, November 25th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Ozark Beer Company, 109 N Arkansas Street, Rogers, Ala. Admission: Free More Information Ozark Christmas Parade (Springdale) 2023 Theme is “ Winter Wonderland.” Each year, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Ozark Rodeo welcomes organizations and businesses to participate in the annual Christmas Parade float. When: Saturday, November 25th, 6pm Location: Emma Avenue in Springdale Admission: Free Details Christmas on the Creek (Springdale) Family-friendly holiday traditions include the downtown Hot Cocoa Crawl, Springdale Bike Includes a club-led Santa bike ride, Mill Street Holiday Market, photo op with Santa on the grounds of the Shiloh Ozark History Museum, live music and more. When: November 26th from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM Location: Downtown Springdale Admission: Free Details December Events Rogers Christmas Parade The Rogers Christmas Parade route begins at 5th Street and Poplar Street and runs from the center to I go through the department. It’s located downtown, just down from 1st and Walnut streets. Residents and visitors can enjoy downtown Rogers’ parade and vibrant holiday atmosphere at any point along the route. When: Friday, Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. Admission: Free Details NWA Ballet Theater’s “The Nutcracker” NWA Ballet Theater’s Company Artists present NWA Classical Ballet at the Arend Arts Center in Bentonville He will perform at the Conservatory’s 10th annual performance of “The Nutcracker.” Date: December 1st and 2nd Location: Arend Arts Center, 1901 SE J St., Bentonville, AR 72712 Admission: $25 – $35 More Information Santa Drop 2023 (Fayetteville) Santa Claus Goes to the Sky at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum This is my fourth year diving. Santa will jump at 11am. Guests can take photos with Santa until 1 p.m., or until the line ends. When: December 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: Arkansas Air and Military Museum, Fayetteville Admission: Free More Information Annual Nighttime Santa Parade (Lowell) Holiday Festival and Lowell City’s “12 Days of Christmas” parade will exit Riverside Drive and head east down Main Street, ending at Lowell United Methodist Church. When: Saturday, December 2nd, 6pm Admission: Free Details Bentonville High School Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concert Series Enjoy the sounds of the season with Bentonville High School’s chamber orchestra. 4: First United Methodist Church December. 12: First Presbyterian Church of Bentonville Dec. 15: Bella Vista Community Church Dec. 18: St. Stephen Catholic Church Admission: Donation Only Details Polar Express Movie Night (Centerton) Reach Church will show “The Polar Express” on the big screen. We will hold a screening. There will also be live interaction scenes using hot chocolate and cookies. Enjoy a movie, photos with Santa, hot cocoa, and cookies while wearing your pajamas. When: December 8th and 9th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm Where: Reach Church, 900 W Centerton Blvd., Centerton Admission: Free More Information Families line up for the Bentonville Christmas Parade Classic It’s a holiday tradition downtown. When: Saturday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m. Location: Main Street and around the plaza Admission: Free, live streaming not available More information City of Elkins Christmas Parade begins in the High School parking lot, down Carrigan, to 1st Street Turn left onto Hwy. From 4pm to the elementary school entrance. The parade will then take the elementary school exit, return to Route 16, turn by the post office, around the old gymnasium parking lot, past the soccer field and back to the high school parking lot. Next in the parade: Christmas by the river at Bunch Park. A Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held in the park. There will also be a chance to take photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The community center will also feature a bonfire, marshmallow roasting area and live band. When: Saturday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m. Location: Elkins Admission: Free Details Winter Street Fair (Bentonville) Join NWA newbies and a dozen local members and makers for a holiday celebration. Find unique locally made gifts, enjoy ice cream from Au Snap, and enjoy signature coffee and cocktails from the Hub.When: Sunday, December 10th, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Where: 501 SW A St Parking Lot, Between Oli and Oli Meg and Pedaler’s Pub, Downtown Bentonville Admission: Free More Information
The holiday season is finally upon us and we’re documenting all the family fun events in the area in 2023. See below.
November events
NWA Holiday Market (Springdale)
A shopping wonderland filled with the season’s best gifts, decor, clothing, jewelry, health and beauty, food, repurposed items, furniture, and more.
Date: November 10th and 11th
Location: NWA Convention Center, Springdale
Admission fee: $5
For more information
Light of the Ozarks (Fayetteville)
Northwest Arkansas’ treasured Christmas lights extravaganza returns to Fayetteville’s historic downtown square for the 2023 season.
Date and time: 5pm to 1am from November 17th to January 1st
Lighting Night & Parade: November 17th
Location: Fayetteville Historic Square
Admission fee: Free
For more information
Holiday Market 2023 (Rogers)
A festive holiday market featuring local artisans and fun for the whole family.
Date and time: Saturday, November 18th, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Railyard Park, Rogers
Admission fee: Free
For more information
bentonville city square lighting
The Bentonville Parks and Recreation Department celebrates Christmas by lighting up the plaza.
When: Saturday, November 18th, 6pm Published in Local Business Window at 5pm
Location: Bentonville Downtown Square
Admission: Free, no live streaming
For more information
NWA’s Winter Market (Rogers)
In partnership with the City of Rogers, the 5th Annual NWA Winter Market will be held in honor of Small Business Saturday.
Date and time: Saturday, November 25th, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: 101 E Cherry St., Rogers
Admission fee: Free
For more information
Big Hollygay Market (Rogers)
A family-friendly market featuring more than 30 queer vendors, food trucks, live music from The Jude Brothers and DJ Afrosia, and a drag photo booth.
Date and time: Saturday, November 25th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Ozark Beer Company, 109 N Arkansas St, Rogers, AR
Admission fee: Free
For more information
Ozark Christmas Parade (Springdale)
The theme for 2023 is “Winter Wonderland.” Each year, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Ozark Rodeo welcomes organizations and businesses to participate in their annual Christmas parade floats.
Date and time: Saturday, November 25th, 6pm
Location: Emma Avenue, Springdale
Admission fee: Free
For more information
Christmas at the Creek (Springdale)
Family-friendly holiday traditions include a downtown hot cocoa crawl, a Cycling Santa bike ride led by the Springdale Bike Club, the Mill Street Holiday Market, a photo op with Santa on the grounds of the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, live music, Lighting of the tallest living Christmas tree in Northwest Arkansas.
Date and time: November 26th from 12:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: Downtown Springdale
Admission fee: Free
For more information
December events
rogers christmas parade
The Rogers Christmas Parade route begins at 5th and Poplar Streets and winds its way through the heart of downtown and down to 1st and Walnut Streets. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy downtown Rogers’ parade and vibrant holiday atmosphere wherever they are along the route.
Date and time: Friday, December 1st, 6:30 p.m.
Admission fee: Free
For more information
NWA Ballet Theater’s “The Nutcracker”
NWA Ballet Theater company artists will perform in the NWA Classical Ballet Conservatory’s 10th annual production of “The Nutcracker” at the Arend Arts Center in Bentonville.
Date: December 1st and 2nd
Location: Arend Arts Center, 1901 SE J St., Bentonville, AR 72712
Admission fee: $25-$35
For more information
Santa Drop 2023 (Fayetteville)
This will be the fourth year Santa Claus will skydive at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum. Santa will jump at 11am. Guests can take photos with Santa until 1 p.m., or until the line ends.
Date and time: December 2nd from 10am to 1pm
Location: Arkansas Air and Military Museum, Fayetteville
Admission fee: Free
For more information
Annual Nighttime Santa Parade (Lowell)
The holiday festivities and City of Lowell’s “12 Days of Christmas” parade will begin at Riverside Drive and head east on Main Street, ending at Lowell United Methodist Church.
Date and time: Saturday, December 2nd, 6:00 p.m.
Admission fee: Free
For more information
Bentonville High School Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concert Series
Enjoy the sounds of the season performed by Bentonville High School’s chamber orchestra.
December 4: First United Methodist Church
December 12: First Presbyterian Church of Bentonville
December 15: Bella Vista Community Church
December 18: St. Stephen Catholic Church
Admission fee: donation only
For more information
Polar Express Movie Night (Centerton)
Reach Church will be hosting a screening of “The Polar Express” on the big screen. There will also be live interaction scenes using hot chocolate and cookies. Enjoy a movie, photos with Santa, hot cocoa, and cookies while wearing your pajamas.
Date and time: December 8th and 9th from 6pm to 8pm
Location: Reach Church, 900 W Centerton Blvd., Centerton.
Admission fee: Free
For more information
bentonville christmas parade
Families line up for classic holiday traditions downtown.
Date and time: Saturday, December 9th, 6pm
Location: Main street and around the square
Admission: Free, no live streaming
For more information
Elkins City Christmas Parade
Starting from the high school parking lot, go down Carrigan onto 1st Street, then left onto Hwy. From 4pm to the elementary school entrance. The parade will then take the elementary school exit, return to Route 16, turn next to the post office, go around the old gymnasium parking lot, past the soccer field, and end in the high school parking lot.
Following the parade, Christmas on the River will be held at Bunch Park. A Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held in the park. There will also be a chance to take photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. There will also be a bonfire, marshmallow roaster and live band performance at the community center.
Date and time: Saturday, December 9th, 6pm
Location: Elkins
Admission fee: Free
For more information
Winter Street Fair (Bentonville)
Join NWA Newbies and more than a dozen local manufacturers for a holiday party. Find unique, locally made gifts, enjoy ice cream from Au Snap, or enjoy specialty coffees and cocktails from the Hub.
Date and time: Sunday, December 10th, 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Location: Downtown Bentonville, 501 SW A St parking lot between Oli + Meg and Pedaler’s Pub.
Admission fee: Free
For more information