Annual Holiday Light Display Opens at Garvan Woodland Gardens

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The Gingerbread House and Gingerbread Men are part of the annual Holiday Lights display at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. The display opens this Saturday and remains open through Dec. 31 (except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day).

Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs will present the annual Holiday Lights display from Nov. 17 through Dec. 31, open nightly from 5-9 p.m. With 2 million lights twinkling across 17 acres of sculpted gardens, the centerpiece of this year’s display is the new animated 50-foot tall Rose Tree and display at the Rose Garden amphitheater. The sparkling tree is surrounded by additional Christmas trees, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, and more jolly features. Complimentary hot chocolate will be served at the Train Garden Depot.

Admission is free for members of the gardens. Admission for non-members is $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 6-12; and free for children ages 5 and younger. Golf cart rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis for a cost of $10 per person in addition to the Holiday Lights admission. The lights turn on at 5 p.m. nightly. The gardens are closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Beginning Nov. 9, tickets may be purchased online at http://www.garvangardens.org/purchase_tickets/default.aspx

Also on Nov. 17, the Village Big Band will perform various holiday pieces at 6 p.m. in Anthony Chapel to kick-off the Holiday Lights season. The concert is free and open to the public, but seating is limited.

Other holiday activities at the gardens include:

• Ballet Arkansas “Nutcracker” Banquet – Nov. 18, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Magnolia Room
• Special Art Series – “Wreath Making” – Nov. 18, 2-5 p.m. – Millsap Bride’s Hall (This workshop is filled.)
• “Christmas and Classics in the Chapel” Concert – Nov. 19, 6 p.m. – Anthony Chapel
• Better Ways to Light Up the Holidays – Nov. 26, 2:30-5 p.m. – Magnolia Room
• The Village Strings Holiday Concert – Nov. 28, 6 p.m. – Anthony Chapel
• The Village Chorale Holiday Concert – Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m. – Anthony Chapel
• Lake Hamilton First Grade Choir Holiday Concert – Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. – Anthony Chapel
• Lake Hamilton Second Grade Choir Concert – Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m. – Anthony Chapel
• “Tuba Christmas” in the Chapel – Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. – Anthony Chapel
• “Santa in the Gardens” Thursdays at Holiday Lights – Dec. 6 and 13, 6-7:30 p.m. – Gingerbread House near Garvan Pavilion
• 2012 Jingle Bell Run/Walk – Dec. 8, 10 a.m. – Garvan Woodland Gardens
• Bob Byers and Friends Holiday Concert: Members-Only Event – Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. – Anthony Chapel
• Ringers of Hope Bell Choir Concert – Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m. – Anthony Chapel
• Sharon Turrentine Holiday Concert – Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m. – Anthony Chapel
• Muses Creative Artistry Project Concert – Dec. 16, 3 p.m. – Anthony Chapel
• Hot Springs Flute Ensemble Holiday Concert – Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m. – Anthony Chapel
• Hallelujah Handbells Holiday Concert – Dec. 20, 7 p.m. – Anthony Chapel

Garvan Woodland Gardens is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas.

More information is available by calling 800-366-4664 or visiting the GWG website: http://www.garvangardens.org/eventcalendar/default.aspx