December at Garvan Woodland Gardens Features Annual 'Holiday Lights' Display, Free Concerts

Garvan Woodland Gardens

The annual "Holiday Lights" display at Garvan Woodland Gardens will continue from 4-9 p.m. through Dec. 31 (except for Nov. 28 and Dec. 25, when the garden will be closed).

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Garvan Woodland Gardens will celebrate the holiday season with its annual lighting display, visits with Santa, the Jingle Dogs Pup Parade and a range of musical offerings.

The Jan Briggs and Eileen Manees art exhibit will be on display through December. Briggs uses oil, watercolor and a bas relief process to portray woodland animals and garden scenes. Manees layers texture, symbols and a myriad of color to invite viewers into her work. Exhibits in the Magnolia Room are free and open to the public during regular operating hours.

A Department 56 "Christmas Village" also will be on display in the Magnolia Room through December. The miniature village, donated by Dianne House, evokes the time-honored tradition of a Charles Dickens Christmas.

The "Holiday Lights" display will continue from 4-9 p.m. through Dec. 31 (except for Dec. 25, when the garden will be closed). A new ticket admission system helps streamline long waits and overcrowded trails, with reserved time tickets available on the Garvan Gardens website. The Chipmunk Café will be open each night, serving soups, sandwiches and snacks. Visitors can conclude their walking tour with free hot chocolate. 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. 2.

The "Jingle Dogs Pup Parade" will take place at 5 p.m. Dec. 2 on the Great Lawn. This is the only night that 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. 2-5 and Dec. 9-12 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. 3 and 10 in the Magnolia Room. This traditional English style tea will feature a sampling of assorted scones, finger sandwiches, desserts and hot teas. Advance tickets are required.

The Muses Creative Artistry Project "Voices of Angels" concert will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 15 in Anthony Chapel. The concert will feature four centuries of classical Christmas music led by a female quartet and joined by a mixed voice ensemble, instruments and a dance element. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at www.themusesproject.org or by calling the Muses Project at 501-609-9811.

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

• The Arkansas Youth Chorale Concert – Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m.
• The Village Strings Concert – Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m.
• First Baptist Church Ladies Ensemble Concert – Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m.
• Jacob Flores Holiday Concert – Dec. 4, 5:30 p.m.
• The Sharon Turrentine Concert – Dec. 8, 5:30 p.m.
• The Hot Springs Flute Ensemble – Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m.
• "Classics in the Chapel" Concert – Dec. 10, 5:30 p.m.
• Ouachita Hills Academy/Ringers of Hope Concert – Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m.
• The Hot Springs Village Men's Chorus – Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m.
• The Crystal Chimes Chorus – Dec. 16, 5:30 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 4 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 31 (except for Nov. 28 and Dec. 25, when the garden will be closed). 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.