The stockings are hung with care, the gingerbread houses are covered in gumdrops, the neighbors are blowing fuses with inflatable reindeer on the front lawn and we can’t deny it anymore — ’tis the season!
If you’re spending the holidays in Little Rock this year, here are a few of the most iconic local activities to add to your bucket list for a joyful season.
1. Get your tree from a local tree farm.
If you don’t have a Christmas tree yet (no judgment here), never fear. There are plenty of area farms waiting for you to pay them a visit. There’s Motley’s Christmas Tree Farm in Little Rock, Geisler’s Holiday Forest Christmas Tree Farm in Jacksonville, Papa Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm in Benton and more. Pack up the family, throw on a few more layers and check out the details here.
2. Sip hot chocolate at Loblolly Creamery.
You’ve had a busy day of shopping and strolling, checking out the holiday window displays in all your go-to local shops. How do you recoup? With a hearty mug of hot chocolate from Loblolly Creamery. Use the cocoa and homemade marshmallows to refuel your shopping spirit or reward yourself for finishing a hard day’s work. Either way, kicking back at the ice cream shop is it’s own kind of therapy, especially if there’s a holiday-flavored scoop in the mix. Visit the SoMa or Hillcrest locations, and don’t skimp on the toppings.
Credit: Ballet Arkansas
3. See “The Nutcracker Spectacular” at the Robinson Center.
You know the story, you hum the songs, but there’s something about seeing this iconic show on stage at the holidays that brings new life to a classic. This annual Ballet Arkansas production features professional dancers alongside a community cast and crew of almost 400 kids and adults with live accompaniment by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Learn all about it here.
Ballet not your thing? Catch “A Christmas Story” at Argenta Contemporary Theatre, “Holiday Radio Live” at The Rep, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with Stage 13, “Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!” at AMFA or any of these holiday shows.
4. Visit the tree at The Capital Hotel.
Let there be lights, ornaments, ribbons and more lights! The Capital Hotel may be known as “the front porch of Little Rock,” but this magnificent tree is right at home in its legendary lobby. The lighting ceremony always draws a crowd and visitors keep coming all season long to experience the tree and themed festivities. Before you head home, pop into One Eleven to try an exclusive holiday cocktail menu that includes their award-winning eggnog.
5. Volunteer for a local nonprofit.
All eggnog aside, the holiday spirit of giving and peace is what the season is all about, and the thing we love most about this city is that it has no shortage of nonprofits and ways to help out our neighbors. You can always sign up to serve meals or sort donations, but if you’re curious about the specific needs of the community, start here.
Credit: Dean Wheeler
6. Make s’mores with Arkansas ingredients.
Did you know it’s a scientific fact that treats taste sweeter when they come from The Natural State? Ok, so maybe it’s not lab-tested, but you’ll have a hard time convincing us otherwise. Remember those handmade marshmallows we mentioned? Get a fire going, stack them with some Kyya or Markham & Fitz chocolates and call it a perfect day.
7. Tour the holiday lights.
If you’re known for your merry and bright Clark Griswold streak, you probably already know the best places to see holiday lights. For the rest of us, there’s exploring to be done. Set out in search of your neighborhood’s best displays, then make your way to Sherwood’s Enchanted Forest, GloWILD at the Little Rock Zoo, take a holiday bike tour or visit any of these sparkling sights.
8. Chat it up with Santa.
How else is he going to know what’s on your wish list? If you need to get a word in with the big guy in the next two weeks, we made a handy cheat sheet of all the places you can find Kris Kringle in town. Check it out here.
9. See the sights at the State Capitol.
Yes, the grand building looks wonderfully festive from the outside with all the lights and lawn decor, but an even more impressive sight awaits inside. Step through the golden doors and feast your eyes on the elegant decorations in the building’s rotunda. Go ahead. We dare you to not take a selfie with the Rockefeller pine.
Want more tinsel? Keep the selfies going and visit some of the city’s other lovely trees at The Bernice Garden (pictured at the top of this page), Old State House Museum, Argenta Plaza, Hillcrest and The Promenade at Chenal.
10. Attend a religious service.
Many have already made plans to celebrate Christmas with their local faith communities, but if you’re looking for a service and haven’t found one yet, try these places of worship in some of the different Little Rock neighborhoods: downtown and Argenta, The Heights and Hillcrest or west Little Rock.
11. Catch a Christmas movie.
One of our favorite traditions in Little Rock is when local movie theaters hold screenings of classic holiday films. It doesn’t get much better than watching George Bailey on the big screen with a big bucket of popcorn in your lap. Catch “Christmas Vacation,” “Elf,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and lots more at cinemas across the city. Here’s where to go and when.
12. Order a nightcap at Rock Town Distillery.
At the end of the day, when the shops are all closed and the gifts are waiting to be wrapped, the holidays are still about taking a moment with your loved ones. That’s when you’ll be at the state’s first (legal) post-Prohibition distillery, reconnecting with friends and family over an expertly crafted holiday cocktail. Cheers!
Skipping the booze this season? Try one of these merry mocktail recipes.
Credit: Jason Masters