Railyard Park Makers Market
Celebrate Small Business Saturday at the Railyard Park Makers Market in downtown Rogers, November 29 from 10 to 6. It’s free to attend with more than 75 local makers and food artisans–perfect for holiday shopping, live vibes, and a bite to eat at Railyard Park.
Turkey Trot at Turnbow Park
Kick off Thanksgiving with the Downtown Springdale Turkey Trot at Turnbow Park–Thursday, November 27th, starting at 8 a.m. Choose the 5K or 1-mile fun run, snag a medal at the finish, and help support Springdale High School Bulldog Football.
CARE’s free Thanksgiving Meal
Spend Thanksgiving surrounded by community at CARE’s free Thanksgiving Meal, Thursday, November 27th from 11:30 to 4:00 at Southside Church of Christ in Rogers. Everyone’s welcome–no RSVP needed. Come enjoy a warm meal and good company, or reach out if you’d like to volunteer or donate.
CBCO Mobile Blood Drive
Give blood at the Walton Arts Center on Tuesday, November 18th, during the CBCO mobile blood drive. Donors are expected to receive a $20 Amazon gift card as a thank-you, while they last. Bring your photo ID and book your appointment online to help local patients in need.
Eureka Springs Tree Lighting
Kick off the holidays in downtown Eureka Springs! The annual Tree Lighting happens Saturday, November twenty-ninth from five to five-thirty at Basin Spring Park. It’s free, family-friendly, and features Fiddling Santa and his elves–just follow the lights and holiday music downtown.
Founders Plaza in Rogers
Celebrate the season at Founders Plaza in Rogers, Friday, November 21 from 5:30 to 7. Santa and Mrs. Claus roll in early, the 50-foot Christmas tree lights up at 6:05, and there’s live music, family fun, and a raffle for Saving Grace NWA–all free in Pinnacle Hills
Kongsgiving
Fayetteville Animal Services is hosting its annual “Kongsgiving” drive, November 1st through 22nd, collecting canned chicken, pumpkin, broth, and spray cheese to make Thanksgiving treats for shelter pets. Afterward, they’re looking for short-term fosters for dogs over Thanksgiving week, November 24th to December 1st. Apply by November 20th at Fayetteville Animal Services, 1640 South Armstrong Avenue.
Operation Turkey
Make your Thanksgiving morning count with Operation Turkey in Fayetteville. Volunteers start at 8:00, cooking, packing, and delivering hot meals to neighbors in need across NWA. It’s free to join–just sign up online to volunteer, request a meal, or donate to help cover the cost of each plate.
Paint & Sip: Paint a Pet
Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Bentonville is hosting a free Paint & Sip: Paint a Pet night on Friday, November 14th, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. It’s an adults-only evening where you’ll paint portraits of adoptable pets, meet the animals, and enjoy a BYOB setup. All supplies are provided–just reserve your spot early!
Photos with Santa
Stop by Crystal Bridges in Bentonville on Friday, November 28th, from 11 to 3 for free Photos with Santa. No tickets needed–just drop in at the Great Hall for a picture with Santa Chris, plus kids can write letters to Santa, make gift boxes, and enjoy a holiday scavenger hunt.
Turkey Trot-n-Trek Fayetteville
Kick off your Thanksgiving morning with the Turkey Trot-n-Trek in downtown Fayetteville! The 1K starts at nine, the 5K at nine-fifteen, all benefiting the NWA Food Bank. It’s family-friendly, no pressure–just a fun run with plenty of holiday energy. Sign up now through the official race page and help fight hunger while you trot.
Village on the Creeks
Head to Village on the Creeks in Rogers for Christmas on the Creeks, Saturday, November 29. It’s a free, come-and-go celebration with chapel music, a scavenger hunt for the kids, and photos with St. Nicholas–perfect for an afternoon or evening stroll by the water.
Walker Park in Fayetteville
Help plant native trees at Walker Park in Fayetteville on Saturday, November 15th from 9:00 to 12:00. The Beaver Watershed Alliance will provide tools, snacks, and everything you need–just wear long sleeves and sturdy shoes. It’s free, family-friendly, and a great way to give back to the community.
Walton Arts Center for Winter Nights
Friday November 21st, after the Fayetteville Square lights up at 6 p.m., head a block over to Walton Arts Center for Winter Nights! Enjoy free Family Fun Night from 6 to 8 and Trivia from 8 to 10, plus food and drinks for sale. The venue stays open till midnight for a cozy, festive evening.
A Street Promenade
The grand opening of the A Street Promenade downtown, It’s happening Saturday, November 15th from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting at 11. You’ll find live music, art, food, and family fun all day long along the new pedestrian corridor from NE 3rd to SE 2nd. Free and open to everyone.
Bentonville Christmas Parade
The Bentonville Christmas Parade rolls through downtown on Saturday, December 13th, filling the streets with the Sounds of the Season. Expect glowing floats, local marching bands, and plenty of holiday cheer. It’s one of Bentonville’s most festive nights–bring your friends, family, and Christmas spirit for an evening of pure holiday magic.
Christmas on the Creek
Downtown Springdale lights up for Christmas on the Creek on Saturday, November 29th at Shiloh Square and Turnbow Park. It’s an all-day holiday celebration with a market, food trucks, Santa photos, live music, and kids’ activities — plus the big tree lighting and the Christmas Parade of the Ozarks that evening. Free and open to everyone.
Lighting of the Square
Bentonville’s holiday season kicks off with the Lighting of the Square on Saturday, November 22nd. The downtown Square comes alive with thousands of lights, live music, and plenty of holiday cheer, and the big switch-on happens right at 6 p.m.
Lights of the Ozarks
Lights of the Ozarks kicks off Friday, November 21st at 6:00 p.m. in Downtown Fayetteville. Crews spend thousands of hours stringing up more than half a million LED lights around the square, making it one of Arkansas’ biggest holiday traditions. The lights shine nightly from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. through January 1st, with cocoa, food trucks, and music adding to the fun.
Rodeo of the Ozarks Christmas Parade
The Rodeo of the Ozarks Christmas Parade rolls through downtown Springdale on Saturday, November 29th at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Cartoon Christmas.” You’ll see more than 30 lighted floats, marching bands, and local groups making their way down Emma Avenue. It’s free, family-friendly, and the perfect way to wrap up Christmas on the Creek.
Seed Swap
The 4th Annual Native Seed Swap happens Saturday, November 15th, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Bentonville Public Library. It’s free and open to everyone–no registration needed. Bring your native plant seeds to share, or just come browse and take some home.
Family Night at the Museum Family Night at the Museum happens Saturday, November 15th from 2-4 p.m. at the U of A Museum Collections Facility, 2471 N. Hatch Ave, Fayetteville. It’s free and open to all, with snacks, a scavenger hunt, and behind-the-scenes access to museum collections–great for kids and families.
Star Party
Withrow Springs is hosting a free Star Party on Saturday, November 15, at 5:15. Park staff and the Northwest Arkansas Astronomical Society will have telescopes set up, and you’re welcome to bring binoculars or your own scope. It’s at the park pavilion near Huntsville. They’ll guide you through the night sky, pointing out planets and constellations.
