Holiday Happenings All Over Hot Springs

Christmas lights are showing up in the neighborhoods in Hot Springs – in Historic Downtown, at Garvan Woodland Gardens and in stores and shops throughout the city. I feel as if the whole town is getting into the holiday spirit and it seems almost every day we have a wide array of events to attend. The hustle and bustle of December is upon us and it certainly is an exhilarating time of year.

Some of the exciting holiday events in Hot Springs include:

·         Hot Springs Holiday House from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec.14 at the Hot Springs Convention Center in the Grand Lobby has shopping, Santa, sweets, pictures with Santa and specialty vendors for Christmas shopping. The Holiday House admission in $2 and benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs.

·         Crystal Chimes Celebrate Christmas from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Garvan Gardens is a barbershop chorus that will perform a variety of music with a four-part acappella chorus. Featured quartets include Providence, Four Tune, Crystal Vision and CPAP. The concert is free and open to the public

·         Holiday in the Park at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Horner Hall includes performances by the National Park Community College Choir & Soundwaves, Fun City Choir and additional local high school and elementary school choirs. The entrance fee is two non-perishable food items.

·         Five Star Family Show at 6 p.m. for dinner and 7 p.m. for the show in the evenings and 3 p.m. for the Sunday matinee Dec. 19, 21-23 at the Five Star Dinner Theatre features a two-hour production of Christmas songs and comedy with highlights from the Famous Wilkins Show Stage Career. Prices are $37.95 for adults for dinner and show, $24.95 for the show only, $24.95 for children for dinner and show and $17.95 for the show only.

In our neighborhood at Diamondhead Resort Community we have Santa coming to town at 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Clubhouse. Sleigh rides will also be available starting at 5 p.m. The Christmas lights in Diamondhead are worth coming out to see. Many houses are decorated and a drive through Diamondhead is a treat and will put you in the holiday spirit. Add a mug of hot chocolate and it makes for a fun outing.

We enjoy a great community in the Diamondhead area and are eager to have others come and check out the amenities and great folks that live here. If you’d like to schedule a tour, give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501. 262.9310 and we’ll be glad to show you around. Diamondhead is part of the Hot Springs community near Lake Catherine State Park. 

‘Voices of Angels’

My favorite holiday music last season in Hot Springs was the ‘Voices of Angels’ concert performed by The Muses. This was the first time I had heard the concert that is performed annually, and it was a lovely afternoon of magnificent music.

This year the concert is at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Muses Cultural Arts Center at 428 Orange St. and at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at Anthony Chapel in Garvan Woodland Gardens. We attended the Sunday matinee last year and felt as if we were in the presence of angels singing holiday music. The musicians were incredibly talented and the choice of music was quite angelic. The setting in the chapel at Garvan Gardens always soothes my soul. The walls are made of glass and the surrounding woods are picturesque. It is one of the most spiritual settings I’ve ever been in.

Add beautiful music and you have the perfect setting to enjoy an afternoon in the chapel that is guaranteed to put you into the Christmas spirit. This year the concert also features ballet dancers from the Hot Springs Children’s Dance Theater who will perform excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”

After the ‘Voices of Angels’ concert last year I was determined to make this an annual holiday event. I came away with a renewed sense of hope and tranquility to begin the Christmas season. Isn’t that what the holiday season is all about?

I highly recommend the “Voices of Angels” concert to anyone who wants to experience the peace and love of the holiday season. I’d also like to invite you out to Diamondhead Resort Community to see the beautiful natural area where we live. The Diamondhead community includes homes and lots on Lake Catherine. We also have homes and lots backing up to Lake Catherine State Park, the scenic golf course and the woods with abundant wildlife. We have a beautiful place to live and friendly people who enjoy a great lifestyle. Give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 and we’ll be glad to give you a tour of Diamondhead in Hot Springs.