Arkansas Delta December events

The Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff presents “Rhythm and Blues Christmas” on Dec. 2 as part of the center’s monthly Live @5 First Friday. Richard and Kerry Ellen perform R&B standards and Motown favorites. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Contact the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas at 870-536-3375 or log on to www.ArtsScienceCenter.org for details.

The Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas in Stuttgart presents a performance by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 3 at the Grand Prairie Center. “Home for the Holidays” features traditional and pops Christmas tunes. Tickets are $30, $22.50 and $15 and are available online at www.pccua.edu. For details contact the college at 870-673-4201.

Lower River White Museum State Park in Des Arc hosts a Pioneer Toys Workshop on Dec. 3. Participants learn to make children’s toys used over a century ago, including Ball and Cup and Jacob’s Ladder. Admission is $10 and includes the price of all materials. Contact the museum at 870-256-3711 to learn more.

Experience the holiday season in West Memphis, where you’ll find Worthington Park decorated in seasonal finery. The park’s trees, water tower, and bridge are all adorned with thousands of beautiful lights. The focal point is always the 45-foot tree in the center of the area. Through Dec.17 horse-drawn carriage rides are offered each Friday and Saturday evening in the park area and the adjoining neighborhood, where private homes are decorated for the holidays. Enjoy the sounds of holiday carols, roast s’mores, play in the “snow,” and warm up with complimentary cider and hot chocolate at the Carriage Depot. Carriage rides are $40 and reservations for the rides are recommended. Log on to www.westmemphis.org or phone 870-514-6340 to learn more.

Celebrate the season on Dec. 3 at the 5th annual Lake View Holiday Musical Festival in Lake View (Phillips County). Trees are sponsored and decorated by local groups, organizations and churches. Enjoy holiday and gospel music performed by choirs and local bands. The event takes place at the Lake View Community Center, located at 14582 Ark. 44. For more information phone 870-827-6341.

Parkin Archeological State Park in Parkin offers an American Indian Craft Gourd Workshop on Dec. 3. This is an advanced workshop, although no prior experience is required. Participants choose to learn how to sew an intricate dream catcher onto the versitile plant or to make a pine needle basket from the shell. The price of the workshop is $5 plus the price of the gourd. Contact the park at 870-755-2500 for more information.

Celebrate the holidays on Dec. 3 and 10 with Christmas at the William Stone House in Colt. All the rooms in the historic house are decorated for the season. Local handmade items, including jams, jellies, candies and cookies, are available for purchase. Phone 870-633-7588 for details.

Join Arkansas Post Museum State Park in Gillett for the Christmas Open House on Dec. 10. Beginning at 1 p.m., the event offers crafts, refreshments and a Victorian Santa Claus. For more information contact the park at 870-548-2634.

Blytheville’s Arkansas Aeroplex is the site of the 17th annual Lights of the Delta through Dec. 27. With more than six million twinkling bulbs and 45 major motion displays on 40 acres, Lights of the Delta is one of the largest lighting festivals in the mid-south. Hayrides are available each night. Music, pictures with Santa and a live nativity scene are presented on select nights throughout the festival. Admission starts at $10 per vehicle. Visit www.LightsoftheDelta.com for detailed information.

Pine Bluff lights up for the 15th annual Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends. Located within the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Regional Park, the Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends features more than 150 illuminated vignettes, many of which are animated, and is open nightly through Dec. 31. The award-winning event is one of Arkansas’s largest drive-thru holiday displays. Admission is free but donations are accepted. To find out more, log on to www.PineBluffFestival.org or phone 800-536-7660.