Christmas in Hot Springs

Hot Springs, Arkansas is home to the famous Bath House Row. Hot Springs gets its name from the extremely hot springs, 143 degrees, which run underneath the area. They have been set up to flow into the bath houses where, once upon a time, many people came to bathe in the mineral filled hot waters. Also, in this area, there are many stores for visitors to browse through, hotels, the Arlington Park, and great restaurants. Though, Hot Springs is an amazing place to begin with, it becomes a whole different scene when it comes to Christmastime with the festivities and lights illuminating the magical feel of the holidays.

            Hot Springs hosts one of the largest displays of lights in Arkansas, Lights on the Landscape; fifteen acres of Garvan Woodland Gardens will be scattered with over 1.7 million lights to see. Admission prices consist of $4.00 for children six to twelve, $6.00 for adults, and free for children five and younger. This festival ran from November 20, 2010 and is ending on December 31, 2010.

Speaking of lights, you could also go to Iron Mountain Christmas 2010. The dates for the event began on November 26^th and is still going on to December 31^st, so if you missed the beginning don’t worry there is still time left to go, it begins at 5:00 p.m. and end at 11:00 p.m. So, what exactly is the Iron Mountain Christmas 2010? Well, it’s a light display, over two million lights, that transforms Iron Mountain on Lake Degray into a nautical winter wonderland! They are asking each car to donate $5 that will go to the Make a Wish Foundation.

            Also, the annual Christmas parade was held on December 6, 2010 in Downtown Hot Springs, it began at 6:30 p.m. The theme for this year’s float entries was “Christmas in the Park,” which means that each float has to be decorated based on Christmas in the park. The parade route began at the Central and Whittington Avenues intersection. The parade also served as a canned food drive. All of the canned food was donated to the Project Hope Food Bank to help stock local food pantries. There was a collection of barrels set up along the parade route for the viewers to donate.

            Now if you’re looking for something in the way of music, Hot Springs Vienna Theatre began presenting it’s Special Christmas Show November 27–December 31. Show times are every Thursday through Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon matinees beginning at 2:30 p.m. The show is featuring Ken Goodman, a soloist, singing some of your favorite holiday tunes. Another holiday show was performed, Home for the Holidays, a Red and Green Musical Revenue, at the Low Key Arts Building on December 3 at 9:30 p.m. This is a family friendly event that features various musical performances by local talented groups. Bring the kids for cookie decorating and hands-on crafts from 8–10 p.m. A five dollar donation is appreciated.

            The Arlington Hotel hosted the Arlington Gingerbread House celebration, Tree Lighting, and caroling in its lobby on December 3^rd from 4:30–5:30 p.m. So, if you didn’t make it this year, you’ll about it for next year in case you want to go check it out. They also had caroling and festive holiday decorations and you could also make a guess on how many pieces of candy there was on the gingerbread house they hade in the lobby. Everyone was welcome to this event and refreshments were served. The Arlington Hotel is even hosting a Christmas Day Feast for those people who do not feel like cooking. It is a special holiday meal in the Venetian Dining Room where you can enjoy an elaborate buffet featuring specialty items and traditional favorites. Adults get in for $32, children 6-12 for $25, and children under five are free.

            For the kids, Mid-America Science Museum hosted a breakfast from 9-11 a.m. December 11^th. The kids had a festive morning filled with breakfast, singing, craft projects, exploring the Museum, and a visit from, none other than, Santa and Mrs. Clause! Though, this event wasn’t free, five dollars isn’t a bad price for a fun-filled experience for the young-ins.

            Who knew there were this many festivities going on in Hot Springs during the holiday season! These are only a few of the events that Hot Springs, Arkansas use to showcase their Christmas spirit. If you would like to know more about festivities a Hot Springs visitor, or even a Hot Springs resident, could participate in during the holidays, visit the website http://www.hotsprings.org/.

Nikki Haak