North Little Rock is abuzz with a plethora of events and activities this season. From the return of Piccolo Zoppé’s Winter Circus to the enchanting Northern Lights Festival and various cultural performances, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive in and explore the diverse offerings.

Uncover the Magic of North Little Rock’s Festivities

Winter Circus Extravaganza

Piccolo Zoppé’s Winter Circus makes a grand return to downtown North Little Rock for three weeks, starting on Saturday, December 8. The circus sets up its big top in the parking lot at Bishop Lindsey Avenue and Magnolia Street, behind Rock Region Metro’s streetcar barn. Performances are scheduled at various times throughout the week, including 4 p.m. on Saturdays, 7 p.m. on selected days like November 27, 29, 30, and December 6 and 7, 2 and 5:30 p.m. on Sundays like December 1 and 8, 6 p.m. on specific dates from November 25 to December 5, 4 p.m. on November 30 and December 7, and 5:30 p.m. on December 1 and 8. Tickets for this exciting event range from $15 to $100. You can visit secure.piccolozoppe.com to secure your seats and be a part of the circus magic.The circus offers a unique experience with acrobats, clowns, and thrilling acts that will leave you in awe. It’s a must-see event for both children and adults alike, bringing the joy of the circus to the heart of North Little Rock.

Northern Lights Festival Delight

North Little Rock Tourism holds its 2024 Northern Lights Holiday Festival on Saturday in Argenta Plaza, 510 Main St. in the Argenta Arts District. This festival is a visual and sensory delight, featuring a holiday market, light displays that create a magical atmosphere, the opportunity to take photos with Santa (courtesy of Black Santa ARK LLC), live music by Bad Habit, a special guest DJ, and a magnificent 38-foot Christmas tree. Food trucks and nearby Flyway Brewing will be on-site, offering delicious food and drinks for purchase. Admission to this festival is free, making it accessible to everyone. You can visit tinyurl.com/py2hckw2 or facebook.com/events/511875371332672 to learn more and plan your visit.The Northern Lights Festival is a celebration of the holiday season, bringing together the community to enjoy the festive spirit and create lasting memories.

Library ‘Dinovember’ Adventure

The William F. Laman Public Library, located at 2801 Orange St. in North Little Rock, hosts “Dinovember Library Night” on Thursday. This is part of the North Little Rock Public Library System’s monthlong celebration of all things dinosaur. The evening is filled with exciting activities for all ages.At 4 p.m., teens can test their prehistoric knowledge in a trivia competition all about dinosaurs. For youngsters and tweens, there are Dino Exploration Stations at 5 p.m., providing them with information about the incredible world of dinosaurs. And at 5 p.m., everyone can enjoy Dino Cookie Decorating in the library’s Makerspace. Guests can decorate (and eat) dinosaur-themed cookies while having a great time. Admission to these events is free. You can call (501) 758-1720 or visit programs.nlrlibrary.org/events?r=days&n=365&term=Dinovember to find out more and join in the fun.The Library ‘Dinovember’ event is a great way for families and dinosaur enthusiasts to come together and explore the world of dinosaurs in a fun and educational setting.

‘Bright the Night’ Celebration

The Downtown Little Rock Partnership flips the switch to turn on the lights on the 32-foot tree in Capitol Plaza, Capitol Avenue and Main Street, at 6 p.m. on Monday. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and include Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr., members of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the Saint Mark Sanctuary Choir, Santa Claus “and friends.” Attendees can enjoy complimentary cookies from Community Bakery, along with Hiland Dairy Hot Chocolate (using Big Bad Breakfast’s secret recipe) or coffee as they sing carols and take a selfie with Santa. Vendors will be selling additional food and drink items. There are also activities for youngsters, such as a trackless train, a bouncy house, and a “snow” machine. The installation will be up through early January. You can find more details at the Facebook event page, facebook.com/events/432101352984151.‘Bright the Night’ is a wonderful community event that brings people together to celebrate the holiday season and enjoy the beauty of the lighted tree.

THEATER: Rudolph on Tour

Audiences are invited to help Santa save Christmas with the help of “the most famous reindeer of all” and his friends from the 1964 stop-motion animated television special. A touring company brings “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical” to Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas, 201 Donaghey Ave. in Conway, at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The show is adapted by Robert Penola from the story by Robert L. May and the song by Johnny Marks with music and lyrics by Marks. Tickets for this magical show range from $30 to $50, and $10 for children and students. You can call (501) 450-3265 or (866) 810-0012 or visit uca.edu/publicappearances to purchase tickets and be part of this holiday theater experience.“Rudolph on Tour” is a heartwarming production that brings the beloved story to life on stage, with beautiful music and enchanting performances.

‘Miracle’ on Monroe Ave.

The Foundation of Arts stages “Miracle on 34th Street” (adapted by Mountain Community Theater from the novel by Valentine Davies and the 20th Century Fox movie) at 7 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Forum Theater, 115 E. Monroe Ave. in Jonesboro. Tickets for this production range from $22 to $24 for adults and $20 to $22 for children 3-12, senior citizens 65 or older, military, and Arkansas State University students, faculty, and staff. On Thursday, wear a Santa hat and buy one, get one free. Saturday’s performance is “Pay What You Can.” The sponsor is Hytrol. You can call (870) 935-2726 or visit foajonesboro.org to make reservations and enjoy this holiday theater treat.“Miracle on Monroe Ave.” is a delightful play that captures the spirit of the holiday season and brings a classic story to life on the stage.

Choral ‘Gloria’ Performance

The Fort Smith High School Choirs and a group of brass players join the University of Arkansas at Little Rock choirs to perform John Rutter’s “Gloria” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock, 617 Louisiana St. Admission to this beautiful choral performance is free. You can call (501) 916-3291 to learn more and attend this musical event.The Choral ‘Gloria’ performance is a treat for the ears, with the powerful voices of the choirs filling the cathedral and creating a truly memorable experience.

‘Showman’ Tribute Extravaganza

The Vienna Light Orchestra brings its “The Greatest Showman LIVE TRIBUTE” show at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Little Rock’s Robinson Center Performance Hall, 426 W. Markham St. at Broadway. The orchestra backs singers from seven different countries as they perform music from the film “The Greatest Showman” and other film music, including “Once Upon a December” from “Anastasia,” “Let it Go” from “Frozen” and music from the scores of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Phantom of the Opera.” Tickets for this spectacular show range from $39 to $119. You can visit Ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets and be part of this musical tribute.“The Showman” tribute is a show-stopping event that combines the magic of film music with the talent of the Vienna Light Orchestra and international singers.

ART: Open House & Sale

The Studios at Tanglewood, on the back side of the Tanglewood Shopping Center on Mississippi Street and Cantrell Road in Little Rock, hosts its annual Holiday Open House & Sale on Friday from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Artists displaying their work include Catherine Rodgers, Tyler Arnold, Amber Manney, Leesa Renshaw, Laura Welshans, and Jeff McKay; studios Co-Op Art with Susie Henley, Scotty Shively, Patty Monoson, Herb Monoson, Glenda Josephson, Suzanne Brugner, and Dee Schulten; and Creative Arts Studio with Sage Arnold, Susan Goldner, Glenyce Feeney, Roy Crawford, and Linda Muldrow. Admission to this event is free. You can call (501) 920-6388 or email [email protected] to learn more and explore the art.The ART Open House & Sale is a wonderful opportunity to discover unique artworks and support local artists while enjoying the holiday spirit.

Candlelight Carol Services

Reservations open on Monday for the Hendrix College Choir Candlelight Carol Services at 7:30 p.m. on December 5-7 and 4 p.m. on December 8 in Greene Chapel at the college, 1600 Washington Ave. in Conway. Admission is free, but reservations are required due to limited seating capacity. The December 6 and 7 services will also be streamed live. You can visit hendrix.edu/candlelight to make reservations and be part of this beautiful holiday tradition.The Candlelight Carol Services are a serene and spiritual event that brings the joy of Christmas through beautiful carols and performances.

Arkansas Living Treasure Nomination

January 10 is the deadline to nominate a master craftsman or folk artist for the Arkansas Arts Council’s next Arkansas Living Treasure. This title honors Arkansans who are masters of traditional arts or crafts such as traditional folk dancing, bladesmithing, knifemaking, weaving, canoe carving, pottery, sewing, stone or wood carving, and quilting. It comes with a $5,000 cash award and a spring 2025 recognition reception. An independent panel of practicing craft and folk artists and professionals reviews the nominations and selects the recipient based on criteria such as the quality of work, overall significance of the body of work, community outreach, and total contribution to the field of traditional crafts and/or folk arts. You can visit arkansasarts.org, call (501) 324-9348, or email [email protected] to make a nomination and recognize the talents of these Arkansas masters.The Arkansas Living Treasure nomination is a way to celebrate and preserve the rich traditions of Arkansas through its talented artisans.

TICKETS: ‘Sesame Street Live!’

Tickets for “Sesame Street Live! Say Hello” go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday at Little Rock’s Robinson Center Performance Hall. The show is a new interactive production that promises to be a lot of fun. You can visit sesamestreetlive.com to purchase tickets and be part of the Sesame Street adventure.“Sesame Street Live!” is a beloved show that brings the beloved characters to life and offers an interactive experience for children and families.

TICKETS: ‘Back to the Future’

Tickets for the touring production of the “Back to the Future” musical go on sale on Friday at Robinson Center Performance Hall. The show is adapted for the stage by the 1985 movie’s creators, Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, with original music by Alan and Glen Ballard and hit songs from the film. Performances are scheduled at various times on March 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. You can call (501) 244-8800 or visit CelebrityAttractions.com or Ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets and be part of this time-traveling adventure.“Back to the Future” is a classic movie that comes to life on stage, with thrilling music and exciting performances that will take you on a journey through time.