Around Town

Winter bucket list

With Thanksgiving behind us, we can finally, without guilt, celebrate the upcoming Christmas holiday and new year. The kids are looking forward to winter break, adults are looking forward to those ugly Christmas sweater parties, and families are partaking in their annual holiday traditions.

It’s easy to fall in with the rather materialistic mentality that seems to consume the holiday. Instead, HER has compiled a list of holiday activities that families and individuals alike can enjoy this season:

Garvan Woodland Gardens

Visit Garvan Woodland Gardens to experience your own winter wonderland right in our backyard. Bring the entire family and enjoy more than 4.5 million lights spanning 17 acres, golf cart tours, a gift shop, the Chipmunk Cafe and complimentary hot chocolate. The lights are on from 5-9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 years of age and younger.

Hot Springs Flute Ensemble Christmas Concert

The Hot Springs Flute Ensemble, directed by Kristin Grant, will present its final Christmas concert for December at 3 p.m. Dec. 16 in the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa lobby, 239 Central Ave. The ensemble has 30 members and includes a variety of flutes, including altos, basses, and contra basses. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted.

Paired Wine Dinner Festival

Rich Wittman Catering will present this festival at Whittington Gallery/Studios, 307 Whittington Ave. at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16. Upon arrival, guests will enjoy a glass of Champagne with pomegranate juice. Four courses will be served: First course, Maine lobster and royal red shrimp cocktail, paired with New Zealand sauvignon blanc; Second course, Italian insalata, paired with Italian pinto grigio; Third course, thin filet mignon with compound garlic butter, butternut squash and potato gratin, paired with apothic red; Fourth course, chocolate pecan bars, paired with Greg Norman pinot noir. Call 501-915-2457 or email chefrichw@gmail.com to RSVP.

Bathhouse Row

Walk downtown along Bathhouse Row and see the Christmas lights and displays that line the street. Stop for hot chocolate at one of the downtown eateries or a beer at Superior Bathhouse Brewery and do some shopping to make a day out of it.

Christmas for Kids 2017

Take the kids to the Hot Springs Convention Center at 11 a.m. Dec. 21 for Christmas for Kids. Santa will be on site with gifts and goodies for children.

Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa Christmas Day Feast

Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Venetian Dining Room and the Fountain Room. Admission is $36 for adults, $17 for children ages 6-12, and free for children younger than 5 years old.

Reels & Wheels, a pop-up drive in movie

Visit Hot Springs will pay homage to the golden days of the drive-in movie and celebrate the holidays all in one night with its free screening of “The Polar Express” on Dec. 23 at Hot Springs Memorial Field, 525 Airport Road Families can watch the movie on the big screen and listen on their car stereo. The fun begins at 6 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at Legoria’s Jazz Bistro

The bistro will host its inaugural New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball on Dec. 31. Guests will enjoy cocktail hour from 8-9 p.m., complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, and complimentary party favors and Champagne toast. Live entertainment and dancing begins at 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Tickets are $35 per person or window seating advance tickets for $45.