HOLIDAY GUIDE – Jonesboro Right Now – Getting out in your community and spending time with people at holiday events can be a great way to spend the season.

From community Thanksgiving meals to Christmas events to New Year celebrations aplenty, we’ve compiled a list of all kinds of all kinds of holiday happenings across NEA this season. Check back often, as this article is updated throughout the holiday season!

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“Elf” at the Collins Cinema

• When: Nov. 6 at 7 p.m., Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.
• Where: Collins Theatre, 120 W. Emerson St. in Paragould
• Cost: $8 for adults, $6 for kids
• Details: Watch “Elf” at the historic Collins Theatre

Christmas on the Farm

• When: Nov. 7-8
• Where: Jackson Farm, 798 Highway 117 in Black Rock
• Cost: General admission for ages 3 and up is $18.95 if ordered online or $22.95 at the gate. Children aged 2 and under, as well as active military members and veterans, get in free with ID. For the complete pricing list, click here.
• Details: There will be several Christmas-themed photo opportunities, including pictures with Santa, a hot chocolate bar, a live Nativity, and more.

Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony

• When: Nov. 14 beginning at 10 a.m., with the ceremony to follow the parade
• Where: Downtown Jonesboro, with the ceremony to take place in front of the Craighead County Courthouse, located at 511 S. Main St. in Jonesboro
• Details: In addition to celebrating veterans, this year’s parade and ceremony will commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. Those wishing to participate in the parade can register here. Those in the parade are asked to begin lining up and checking in at 8:50 a.m. that day.

Paragould Holiday Market

• When: Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: Paragould Community Center, 3404 Linwood Drive in Paragould
• Cost: Free admission
• Details: This event will feature local vendors, food, crafts, door prizes, and more.

Winter Markets at Judd Hill Farmers’ Market

• When: Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Dec. 19. All markets run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where: Judd Hill Farmers’ Market, 3350 Aggie Road in Jonesboro
• Details: On these dates, shoppers can experience special winter and holiday vendors, who will be selling artisan goods, food and treats, gifts, and more.

5th Annual Friendsgiving at Native Brew Works

• When: Nov. 16 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Where: Native Brew Works, 515 S. Gee St. in Jonesboro
• Cost: $45 per plate. Purchase tickets here.
• Details: This event is a partnership between Native, The Parsonage, Southern Confections, and the Rec Room in which diners enjoy a curated meal. Ticket proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. Drinks are not included with tickets, and the dine-in meal is for ages 21 and up.

Lit’l Bita Christmas

• When: Nov. 20 from 12-7 p.m., Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: First National Bank Arena, 217 Olympic Drive in Jonesboro
• Cost: $6 per ticket, or $15 for three-day entry. A-State students with a valid student ID get in free Nov. 20.
• Details: This event is the largest arts and craft show in the region, and will have arts and craft, food, clothing, gift, and Christmas vendors. Pictures with Santa will be available on Nov. 20 from 3-6 p.m.; on Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and from 1-5 p.m.; and on Nov. 22 from 12-4 p.m.

“The Nutcracker” Ballet

• When: Nov. 20 at 7 p.m., Nov. 21 at 7 p.m., Nov. 22 at 2 p.m., Nov. 23 at 7 p.m., Nov. 24 at 7 p.m.
• Where: The Forum Theater, 115 E. Monroe Ave. in Jonesboro
• Cost: $22 to $26 per ticket. Click here to purchase tickets.
• Details: This event will take viewers through a dreamland alongside Clara and a cast of gracefully dancing characters.

The Warrior Center 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

• When: Nov. 21 beginning at 11 a.m., goes until all supplies are gone
• Where: Parker Park, 1506 N. Church St., Jonesboro
• Cost: Free
• Details: Families will receive one free turkey. Recipients must present a current utility bill to verify residency. Contact 870-930-0187 for more information.

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26 Turkey Trot 5K

• When: Nov. 26, with registration to begin at 6 a.m. and the race to kickoff at 7 a.m.
• Where: Lt. Col. Frederick C. Turner Jr. Military Science building, 1921 Aggie Road in Jonesboro
• Cost: $40 registration fee. Click here to register.
• Details: Proceeds from this event benefit the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26’s transportation program, which provides no-cost transit to area veterans traveling to and from VA medical appointments in Memphis and Little Rock.

Christmas at the Park

• When: Hours will vary depending on the day of the week, and may change based on weather conditions.
  • Nov. 26-Dec. 23: Sunday through Thursday hours will be 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., while Friday and Saturday hours will be 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 24: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Where: Joe Mack Campbell Park, 600 Harry Drive
• Cost: Cost will vary based on the vehicle’s size and number of passengers, as well as if it is a weekday or weeknight. Season passes are available. Click here for cost information.
• Details: Guests enjoy a half-mile drive-through Christmas lights display, take photos at the walk-through area, and meet Santa on select nights.

6th Annual Jonesboro Human Development Center Christmas Parade

• When: Dec. 3 beginning at 1 p.m.
• Where: Jonesboro Human Development Center, 4701 Colony Drive
• Cost: Free
• Details: Themed around a “vintage Christmas,” this parade invites floats, vehicles and walking groups to celebrate the season. Those wanting to participate are asked to email ashleigh.king@dhs.arkansas.gov.

79th Annual Jonesboro Christmas Parade

• When: Dec. 4 beginning at 7 p.m.
• Where: Main Street in Downtown Jonesboro
• Cost: Free
• Details: Themed around the classic tale “The Night Before Christmas,” the parade will see themed floats, characters, and conclude with Santa Claus himself parading down Main Street.

2nd Annual Hunters Holiday Market

• When: Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Shop Local Park, 24 CR 912, Jonesboro
• Details: This event will include holiday and good vendors, live music, bounce houses, photo opportunities with Santa, raffles and door prizes, and touch-a-truck event featuring local first responder vehicles.

Downtown Jonesboro JoyFest

• When: Dec. 5 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Jonesboro
• Cost: Free
• Details: This event will include holiday vendors, pictures with Santa, ice skating, and feature the lighting of the 55-foot tall RightFiber JoyFest Christmas tree.

Santa Shuffle

• When: Dec. 8 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
• Where: Joe Mack Campbell Park, 600 Harry Drive in Jonesboro
• Cost: $13 entry fee
• Details: Run or walk through 1.5 miles of lights at Christmas at the Park, then stay for photos with Santa, hot chocolate, and more. Proceeds from ticket purchases benefit St. Bernards Heatlth and Wellness’s Rock Steady Boxing Program. Click here to register.

Delta Symphony Orchestra’s “Sounds of Christmas” Concert

• When: Dec. 13 at 3 p.m.
• Where: The Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive in Jonesboro
• Cost: To be announced at a later date
• Details: Enjoy the Delta Symphony Orchestra’s annual Christmas concert.

“Scrooge the Musical”

• When: Dec. 18 at 7 p.m., Dec. 19 at 7 p.m., Dec. 20 at 2 p.m., Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
• Where: The Forum Theater, 115 E. Monroe Ave. in Jonesboro
• Cost: To be announced at a later date
• Details: Viewers will experience Charles Dickens’s Christmas classic “A Christmas Carol” told via a musical.

Bay Christmas Parade

• When: Dec. 19
• Where: Main Street in Bay