December at Garvan Gardens Brings Holiday Concerts, Santa Nights, Jingle Dogs Parade

Garvan Woodland Gardens

This is one of the lighting displays in "Holiday Lights," which runs through Dec. 31 at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. This annual display features more than 4.5 million lights in a myriad of natural settings.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Garvan Woodland Gardens will host several holiday events in December, including a Jingle Dogs Pup Parade, Santa Nights and a new miniature Christmas Village display. 

The December art exhibit, "Two Artists - Two Mediums," remains on display through Dec. 31 in the Magnolia Room. Brenda Bennett is an award-winning oil and acrylic painter, whose canvases depict a variety of subjects, including landscapes and wildlife. Darlene Garstecki is an award-winning contemporary fiber art designer from Hot Springs Village, whose passion for nature, travel and photography inspires her artwork. 

The "Holiday Lights Department 56 'Christmas Village' Exhibit" also will be on display through Dec. 31 in the Magnolia Room. The exhibit will be a miniature Christmas Village that evokes the traditions of a Dickens Christmas. Dianne House, who donated 40 Department 56 Christmas village pieces and 30 accessories last year, gifted Garvan several more boxes of items this year. The exhibit will be set up as a large Christmas tree with village scenes on several levels. A few pieces included are Elf Spa, Santa's Outlook Tower and Elf Snow Cone Works. Several enhancements, including artificial snow, lighting and a backdrop of snow-covered mountain peaks, make the village more authentic. Triumph Airborne Structures has sponsored the display.

The "Holiday Lights" display will continue from 5-9 p.m. each night through Dec. 31 (except Dec. 25, when it will be closed). The garden will be aglow with more than 4.5 million lights in a myriad of natural settings. Features include the luminescent Garden of the Pine Wind, the Parterre garden on the Great Lawn, traditional holiday scenes in the woodlands and the 50-foot-tall Holiday Tree, which plays holiday tunes animated to a light show. Visitors can conclude their walking tour with free hot chocolate. The Chipmunk Café will be open each night until 9 p.m., serving soups, sandwiches and snacks. 

Visitors can check the Garvan Gardens website for more details about free concerts and events during Holiday Lights. Weekend nights are very crowded, and visitors can expect long wait times to park and enter the garden. Visitors are encouraged to visit the display Monday through Thursday nights, if possible. Holiday Lights will be open when it rains. However, the garden closes in the case of inclement weather that would threaten the safety of visitors, such as lightning, ice or hail. Dogs are not allowed in the garden during Holiday Lights, except for the Jingle Dogs Pup Parade on Dec. 4.

The "Jingle Dogs Pup Parade" will take place at 5 p.m. Dec. 4 on the Great Lawn. This is the only night dogs will be allowed admission to Holiday Lights. Dogs must be well-behaved and be kept on a short leash. Retractable leashes are not permitted in the garden. Visitors will be able to take pictures with their dogs and Santa from 6-8 p.m. Each Jingle Dog will receive a sweet treat from Santa.

"Santa Nights" will take place from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4-7 and Dec. 11-14 in the Garvan Pavilion. Children can tell Santa their wishes, and Rebecca Peterman, a professional photographer, will be taking photographs that can be purchased on site. Children are encouraged to bring their wish lists to share with Santa. Reservations cannot be made.

"Holiday High Teas" will be held at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 in the Magnolia Room. The traditional English tea style offers participants a sampling of assorted scones, finger sandwiches and desserts, all accompanied by a variety of flavorful hot teas. Participants can view the 4.5 million lights illuminating the garden after tea. Advance tickets are required.

Several holiday concerts will be held in Anthony Chapel in December:

• Lake Hamilton First Grade Choir Concert – Dec. 3, 3 p.m.
• "Classics in the Chapel" Holiday Concert – Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m.
• The Village Chorale Holiday Concert – Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.
• The Village Strings Holiday Concert – Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m.
• Henderson State University Holiday Concert – Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m.
• The Muses Creative Artistry Project "Voice of Angels" – Dec. 10, 3 p.m.
• Hot Springs Flute Ensemble Concert – Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.
• Lake Hamilton Second Grade Choir – Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m.
• Ouachita Hills Academy Ringers of Hope – Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m.
• Arkansas Youth Chorale – Dec. 17, 6 p.m.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas and part of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. The garden is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12 and free for children ages 3 and younger. Some events and activities are free. Some require a fee, advanced registration or prepayment.

For more information about these events or to check on upcoming events, call 501-262-9300 or 800-366-4664.