With Thanksgiving leftovers quickly disappearing, it’s time to start gearing up for the winter holiday season.
To get in a festive mood, try checking out one of 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. Dec. 2 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.
Christmas Parade: 7 p.m. Dec. 3 on Main Street. Call (870) 793-2378 for more information.
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. Many days are sold out, but as of press time, tickets remain for 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2, and for 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 22. Tickets are $20.
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.
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. Dec. 2 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.
Searcy
Christmas Parade: 6 p.m. Saturday. The parade starts downtown on Spring Street near Spring Park and travels downtown 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.
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. Thursday at City Hall. Admission is free.
Beebe
Christmas Parade: 6 p.m. Dec. 8.
Cabot
Christmas Parade: 3 p.m. Dec. 9. The parade heme is “It’s a Dr. Seuss Christmas!” The parade starts at Panther Trail and South Pine Street.
Cherokee Village
Christmas in the Village: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 2, and 5-8 p.m. Dec. 3, inside the town center. The event will include caroling, a food drive, refreshments, a tree auction, photos with Santa and more.