Kick off the holiday season with these events in the Three Rivers area. Don’t see information on your town’s event? Call your local chamber of commerce or city hall to ask for details:
Batesville
Portraits with Pets: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Town Plaza on Main Street
Festival of Lessons and Carols: 4-6 p.m. Sunday at the Christian Science Society, College and 18th streets. Traditional Christmas music will be played, along with Scripture readings. Call 870-307-7488 for more information.
Batesville Christmas Parade: 7 p.m. Monday on Main Street. Call 870-793-2378 for more information.
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Mountain View
Tree Lighting Ceremony: 5 p.m. Saturday in front of the city courthouse. Santa will make an appearance.
Caroling in the Caverns: Musicians perform favorite Christmas songs during this annual event at Blanchard Springs Caverns. Call (870) 269-8068 and ask for Dee to make reservations. Tickets are $20.
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Newport
Christmas Parade: 6 p.m. Dec. 13 on Malcolm Avenue. Free. Call (870) 523-3618 for more information.
Christmas Open House: 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the Jacksonport State Park Courthouse. Tour the courthouse museum while local choirs and bands perform. Treats and punch will be available. Admission is free, but nonperishable foods and monetary donations will be accepted. Call (870) 523-2143 for more information.
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Heber Springs
Christmas Parade: 6 p.m. Saturday. The parade goes down main street, starting at Harps grocery store and ending at Spring Park. This year’s theme is “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Fourth annual Christmas Cookie Contest: 2 p.m. Sunday at the Ozark Country Market. Entries for this yearly event must be homemade and submitted to judges by 1:30 p.m. the day of the contest. The deadline to register is Friday. For more information or to register, call (501) 206-0127.
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Searcy
Christmas Parade: 6 p.m. Saturday. The parade starts downtown on Spring Street near Spring Park and travels to Grand Street.
Holiday Craft Fair: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Carmichael Community Center, 801 S. Elm St. Call (501) 279-1010 for more information.
An Old Fashion Christmas: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8 at Pioneer Village. The pioneer buildings in the village will be decorated in a late 1800s style, complete with the village Christmas tree, carolers and snacks. Admission is free.
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Jacksonville
55th annual Christmas Parade: 1-4 p.m. Saturday on Main Street. The parade is free, but donations will benefit the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club. Call (501) 982-4316 for more information.
Holiday Lighting Ceremony: 6-6:30 p.m. today at City Hall. Admission is free.
Fantasy in Lights Decorating Contest: 6 p.m. Dec. 20. Prizes will be given to first-, second- and third-place winners in various categories of home holiday decoration. There is no cost to enter. Judging will begin at 6 p.m. For more information or to enter, call Dana Rozenski at (501) 982-0818.
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Beebe
Christmas Parade: 6 p.m. Dec. 8. Christmas Lights in Daniel Park will be lit the same night.
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Cabot
Christmas Parade: 3 p.m. Dec. 9. The yearly parade is back for another year with the theme “It’s a Dr. Seuss Christmas!” The parade starts at Panther Trail and South Pine Street.
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Cherokee Village
Christmas in the Village: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, and 5-8 p.m. Monday, inside the town center. The event will include caroling, a food drive, refreshments, a tree auction, photos with Santa and more.
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Concord
Christmas Tree Lighting: 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The city’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place at the Concord Community Center, 10424 Heber Springs Road. Refreshments, caroling and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus will follow.