Christmas attractions near and far offer up festive fun in the area

Thanksgiving platters are now stored away in cupboards across Ozark County, which means the Christmas season is officially here. We’ve compiled this listing of Christmas- and winter-themed attractions and events that Ozark Countians can enjoy nearby or within a day’s drive. 

To submit a local event to be included in upcoming Christmas listings, email the information to Editor Jessi Dreckman at jessi@ozarkcountytimes.com, call 417-679-4641 or stop by the Times office during open hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Living nativity

Dec. 1-4: Living nativity at First Baptist Church in Mountain Home (Arkansas) - This annual drive-through living nativity event is free and invites guests to see the birth of Jesus brought to life through scenes from Bethlehem with stations featuring live actors dressed in costume and real animals. After guests drive through the nativity, kids can stop to visit a petting zoo, participate in crafts, eat cookies and enjoy story-time. The living nativity is located at 400 Club Blvd., in Mountain Home. 

Christmas light viewing, competitions

Bakersfield Christmas light competition (enter by Dec. 10)- The Bakersfield Auto Club, along with sponsorships from the City of Bakersfield and Jason and Kelly Marsh, is hosting a Christmas light competition for anyone with a Bakersfield address. Entry into the contest is free and will be accepted through Dec. 10. To enter, send the Bakersfield Auto Club Facebook page a message with your address and the name the entry will be under. The group will take photos at each of the addresses and post them to Facebook where Facebook friends will vote by “liking” the photo of the light display they like best. Voting will end Dec. 23. The owners of the homes will not be disclosed until voting is complete. First place prize is $150, second place is $75 and third place is $50. 

Coulter Celebration of Lights at ASU-MH (now-Dec. 28) - This annual light display has packed a real wow factor in past years, and Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASU-MH) says this year features “double the lights, double the fun!” Guests can drive through the display, which is situated along roadways that wind through the university’s campus. A new addition this year is a Christmas light walking area. The light show runs from 5:30 to 10 p.m. now through Dec. 28. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance on Friday, Dec. 2, Saturday, Dec. 3, Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10, and a concession stand will offer up holiday treats for purchase. Two special nights, Friday, Dec. 16 and Christmas Eve night will also include visits with the Christmas couple, holiday treats and a carousel with rides for $5 per person. The light display is free to visit, but a donation box are collected to help pay for operating costs for next year. ASU-MH is located at 1600 S. College Street in Mountain Home.

Light up the Night Mountain Home (Dec. 8-28)- The Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual holiday light competition from Dec. 8-28. The competition involves Mountain Home residents who have decked out their homes with the brightest and most interesting Christmas light displays and who have registered for the contest. The Chamber publishes a list of participating addresses on its Facebook page and website which Christmas light onlookers can use in order to visit the homes. Viewers can then text a phone number provided by the chamber to vote for their favorite display. Prizes are awarded for the home and business or commercial property that wins the most votes. For more information visit the Mountain Home Arkansas Chamber of Commerce on Facebook, email info@enjoymountainhome.com or call the Chamber at 870-425-5111.

Bike to see Christmas lights in West Plains (Dec. 23) - The West Plains Bike Shop is hosting a “Bike to see Christmas lights” event beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23. The group will meet at 313 Washington Avenue in West Plains and will use the City of West Plains’s light map as a route guide. The event is a “no-drop ride” meaning those participating will ride at the group’s pace, and no one will be left behind. Those who want to participate should bring their bike, helmet, water and lights for the dark ride. Afterward, there will be hot drinks and treats. For more information contact The West Plains Bike Shop on Facebook or call the shop at 417-420-9216. 

Erisman’s Holiday Acres in Midway, Arkansas (Dec. 3-27) - This fun drive-thru light display features 5 acres of Christmas lights and decorations. Entry is free, but donations are accepted to help with costs involved with putting on the annual light show. Erisman’s Holiday Acres is located at 343 County Road 1082, Midway, Arkansas. Follow them on Facebook for continued updates throughout the season. 

Ongoing: Sims Family Christmas Trail & More, Kissee Mills - This public Christmas Light Trail is open from 6 to 8 p.m. each Friday and Saturday night through Christmas. The trail is located at 26080 Highway 160 in Kissee Mills. For more information visit the “Sims Family Christmas Trail & More” Facebook page. 

Canceled for this year: Rocky Top festival of lights, Tecumseh - This annual drive-thru light display, located at Rocky Top Campground and Cabins on Highway 160 in Tecumseh, is a favorite of locals; however, owners Joe and Diane Easterday say that due to health issues within the family, they will not be able to set up the display this year. They hope to pick back up on the tradition next year. 

Christmas parades, festivals and events

Mountain Home Town Christmas parade and festival (Dec. 2) - The Mountain Home-Town Christmas Parade and Festival will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. The parade will follow its traditional route from Hospital Drive to the Mountain Home square. This year’s parade and festival theme is the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” For more information contact the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce at 870-425-5111, www.enjoymountainhome.com or by visiting their Facebook page. 

Bakersfield Christmas parade (Dec. 3) - The Bakersfield Festival Committee is hosting its annual breakfast with Santa and Christmas parade Saturday, Dec. 3. The event will begin with a breakfast of pancakes and sausage served from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Bakersfield School cafeteria for $2 a plate. Children can visit with Santa Claus at breakfast and will receive a goody bag to take home. Parents are welcome to take photos of their child with Santa, free of charge. Parade lineup will be at 11 a.m. near the Bakersfield School FEMA building, and the parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. 

Bakersfield Auto Club annual Christmas Tree Lighting event (Dec. 3) - After the Bakersfield Christmas parade on Dec. 3, stick around on Main Street in downtown Bakersfield for the Bakersfield Auto Club’s first annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, which begins at 4 p.m. The event will include free Christmas ornament decorating, Christmas carols, free hot cocoa and coffee, free baked goods and raffle drawings. An ugly sweater contest will also be held with $100 cash prize for the ugliest adult Christmas sweater and a $50 cash prize for the ugliest kids Christmas sweater. For more information follow the Bakersfield Auto Club on Facebook. 

Ava Hometown Christmas parade (Dec. 10 ) - The Ava Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Hometown Christmas Parade at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. This years theme is “Memories of Christmas past.” All participating floats and other parade entries will begin at Highway 5 and Industrial Road and will travel down to Springfield Road near the Signal station and McDonalds and wind around to the Ava square. All those who would like to participate by being in the parade must have applications in to the Ava Chamber of Commerce by Dec. 5. For more information visit the Ava Chamber Facebook page, or call the Ava Chamber of Commerce at 417-683-4594.  

West Plains Christmas parade (Dec. 10) - The West Plains Chamber of Commerce will host the annual West Plains Christmas parade at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, in downtown West Plains. This year’s parade theme is Christmas memories. The parade begins at the corner of Porter Wagoner Blvd. and Webster (near People’s Park) and will travel down west Main Street to Court Square and around the south side of the square onto east Main Street before dispersing at the corner of East Main and St. Louis Street. 

Christmas Cheer & Craft Beer at Lake Bums BrewCo, Pontiac (Dec. 10) - Pontiac brewery Lake Bums BrewCo is hosting a Christmas-themed event from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the brewery located at 112 Parrothead Lane in Pontiac. An ugly/crazy/festive Christmas sweater contest will be held with prizes. Customers will also be able to take advantage of a buy one get one offer on their first drink, and the Howell Creek Band starts at 5:30 p.m. Craft beer, wine, mixed drinks and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase, and “Wil and Kathy” will provide food for guests to buy too. For more information check out the Lake Bums BrewCo Facebook page. 

Wonders of Christmas Festival and Jingle Bell Parade, Gainesville (Dec. 16) - The Wonders of Christmas on the Square in Gainesville will begin at 5 p.m. with booths and vendors opening with a variety of food and those offering up interesting things to purchase that might just help wrap up  some Christmas gift buying. Those who would like a booth (there is no fee to set one up) can call Allisa West at 417-543-0407. At 6 p.m. the Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas contest will be held in the gazebo on the northwest corner of the courthouse lawn where boys and girls age 4 and 5 participate in the contest. Those who would like to enter their children in the contest should contact Kerrie Zubrod at 417-679-3321 before Dec. 9. The Jingle Bell Parade begins at 7 p.m. Those participating in the parade are asked to line up behind Town and Country by 6 p.m. to be judged. Prizes are $150 for the D. W. Hawkins Spirit of Christmas grand prize float award; $100 first place float; $75 second place float; $50 third place float and $100 for best lighted vehicle and $50 for second place best lighted vehicle. To enter the parade, contact Paula Rose at 417-989-1282. After the parade is finished, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held in the gazebo, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet with children. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera to take photos.

Christmas Celebration with Hometown Hardware in Theodosia (Dec. 17) - Hometown Hardware in Theodosia is hosting a Christmas celebration at Theodosia Methodist Church from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. The event features pictures with Santa, sugar cookie decorating, hot cocoa, Krispy Kreme donuts, mini games and a Christmas movie with popcorn. The event costs $5 per person, and all proceeds are donated to the Theodosia Area Volunteer Fire Department. The church is located at 5845 Highway 160 in Theodosia. 

Christmas performances

“Elf the Musical” at the Avenue Theatre in West Plains (Dec. 9-18) - The Avenue Theatre, located at 307 Washington Ave. in West Plains, is offering tickets for “Elf the Musical” with performances Dec. 9-18. The musical is described as the humorous tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner Elf. For more information or to purchase tickets visit theavenuetheatre.org/buy-tickets, visit the Avenue Theatre Facebook page. 

“The Nutcracker” ballet in West Plains  (Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17) - The Children’s Ballet of the Ozarks is offering tickets for its annual ballet performance of the “The Nutcracker.” The story of the ballet is loosely based on the E.T.A. Hoffmann fantasy story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. Tickets are $10 if purchased in advance and $12 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.childrensballetoftheozarks.com. For more information, visit the website or the Children’s Ballet of the Ozarks Facebook page. 

Christmas farm experiences

Prescott Family Reindeer Farm in Vanzant (now-Dec. 23) - The Prescott Family Reindeer Farm in Vanzant is open each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 23, and the farm is offering up lots of Christmas-themed fun. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to visit with children during open hours, and they’ll offer a special story-time Friday nights at 7 p.m. for no extra charge. 

The farm also features five reindeer, a number of alpacas, llamas, miniature horses, a miniature donkey, chickens, a cow and calf and many other animals that guests can interact with. There is a Christmas scavenger hunt, a station to write letters to Santa, holiday games, a “snowball” fighting area and a craft station ($1 extra per craft). Friday nights from 5 to 9 p.m. are designated to “light up the farm,” which gives visitors an extra dose of Christmas festivity. Hot cocoa, gourmet cookies, a gift shop and other items are available for purchase. 

The cost to enter is $10 per person. Children age 1 and under are free. The venue only accepts cash. From Dora take Highway 181 north three miles to Highway 14. Go approximately 1.5 miles and turn on W Highway. Go 10 miles, and the farm is on the right side of the roadway. 

Mountain Home Berry Farm’s Christmas Light Hayrides (two weekends before Christmas) - The Mountain Home Berry Farm offers Christmas light hayrides the two weekends before Christmas each year. This year, the hayrides will be offered Friday, Dec. 9, Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11; along with Friday, Dec. 16, Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 18. The cost is $5 per person for those age 3 and older. Kids age 2 and under are free. The event includes a trip on a hayride with lighted scenes and a living nativity scenes along the way, a bonfire, photo opportunities, Christmas music and access to the Christmas Barn. The on-site farm store offers up local, one-of-a-kind gifts. Heavenly Ground food truck will also be parked at the farm serving up fried pies, coffee, cocoa and more for purchase. Hayride departure times are 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Partial deposits are required in order to reserve seats, which can be dropped at the farm, submitted through Paypal, mailed in a check or other means. For more information, contact the Mountain Home Berry Farm on Facebook, by visiting www.mountainhomeberryfarm.com/lighted-christmas-hayride-event or by calling 870-425-7028.

Christmas meals, treats

Gainesville First Christian Church Ladies Christmas Brunch (Dec. 3) - The ladies of the First Christian Church of Gainesville is hosting their annual Christmas brunch at the church at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. All area women are invited to attend. The church is located at 60 Disciples Lane off Highway 160 in Gainesville. For more information, call the church at 417-679-3520.

D.W. Hawkins Christmas Tree Cake Social (Dec. 16) - Gainesville Shelter Insurance Agent Douglas Hawkins and Heather Luna will make their rounds in Gainesville bringing cheer to residents at the Gainesville Healthcare Center, Ozark County Sheriff’s Department, Ozark County Ambulance base and area businesses and other locations as they pass out Doug’s favorite Christmas treat, Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes. 

Christmas dinner at Isabella VFW (Dec. 25) - The annual free Christmas dinner feast, sponsored by the VFW Post #5366 at Highways 160 and HH in Isabella, with help from the AmVets chapter, will be held at 11 a.m. Christmas Day, Dec. 25, at the VFW. Everyone is invited – veterans and non-veterans alike. 

Visit with Santa

Rockbridge breakfast with Santa (Dec. 3, 10) - Breakfast with Santa Claus will be held at Rockbridge Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10. Breakfast includes a reindeer pancake for $12 and includes time with Santa and time and pieces to make a Christmas craft. Reservations are required. To make a reservation or to find out more, call Rockbridge at 417-679-3619. More information may be available on the Rockbridge Rainbow Trout & Game Ranch Facebook page or visit www.rockbridge.com. 

Santa and Mrs. Claus at Cash Saver Pantry in Theodosia (Dec. 10) - Cash Saver Pantry on Highway 160 in Theodosia is hosting Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at the store from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Parents can take photos of their children with the famous Christmas couple, along with the “M&M elves” for free. Children age 3 to 10 who visit with Santa will be entered into a drawing to win a wagon of toys. 

Christmas tree farm

Hollis Christmas Tree Farm, Lampe - The Hollis Christmas Tree Farm is located on Highway 142, about 40 miles from Gainesville on Highway 142, offers customers the option to cut-your-own Christmas tree from a selection of Virginia pines growing on the property or to purchase a pre-cut fresh fir tree. The farm, operated by Bakersfield Principal Brian Hollis and his family, will be open from now until Christmas these hours: all day on Saturdays, from 1 p.m. to dark on Sundays and on Mondays by appointment. For more information, call 417-712-1588 or search for “Hollis Christmas Tree Farm,” on Facebook. 

Christmas shopping, gift buying events

Assumption Abbey fruitcakes for sale, Ava (ongoing) - For a unique Christmas gift for yourself of your loved ones, consider ordering a traditional style fruitcake made by Trappist monks at the Assumption Abbey monastery in Ava. The fruitcakes are baked slowly and aged carefully under the careful supervision of the monks. Everything from marinating the fruit to mixing, baking, packing, aging and mailing the fruitcakes is completed at the monastery by the monks. Fruitcakes are $38 and can be ordered by visiting https://www.assumptionabbey.org/fruitcakes, calling 1-888-738-0117 or mailing a check with a note to order a cake with a shipping address to Assumption Abbey Bakery, Rt. 5 Box 1056.

Theodosia Methodist Ladies Christmas Bazaar (Dec. 2-3) The Theodosia Methodist Ladies Christmas Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3. The event will feature an antique trunk with a wide range of gifts that are presented as a silent auction. There will also be a “regifting” table of commercially-made items that are in new or like new condition, suitable to be given as gifts. The church is located at 5845 Highway 160 in Theodosia.