There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than with a night out at Walton Arts Center. This season is packed with merry and bright shows leading right up to the big day, from concerts with Grammy Award® winners to mesmerizing aerial circus acts and a musical full of all your favorite holiday tropes.
Christmas with C.S. Lewis
At his home near Oxford on Christmas Eve, C.S. Lewis hosts a group of Americans who are Christmassing in England. They are about to experience an unforgettable assortment of Yuletide recollections that stimulate a range of emotions – curiosity, laughter, gladness and even some tears. Above all, they will discover how his encounter with fellow author J.R.R. Tolkien changed his Christmas celebrations forever.
Show Dates and Times:
Friday, Nov. 20, 2 and 7:30 pm
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2 and 7:30 pm
Sunday, Nov. 22, 2 pm
A Celtic Christmas
A Celtic Christmas
Featuring former World Irish Dance Champions and stars from Lord of the Dance and Riverdance, A Celtic Christmas delivers a holiday celebration packed with Irish wit, traditional tunes and heartfelt ballads, alongside all your favorite carols. The show's exciting mix of electrifying rhythms and extraordinary talent promises an evening brimming with Irish charm and enthralling entertainment, all in one powerhouse event on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 pm.
Leslie Odom, Jr. The Christmas Tour 2026
Tony® and Grammy® award-winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr. celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with a dazzling evening of music, warmth and joy on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7 pm. This festive concert features beloved holiday classics, heartfelt originals from his acclaimed Christmas albums and, of course, songs from Hamilton. With his signature charm, stunning vocals and a message of peace and unity, Leslie Odom, Jr. brings the spirit of the season to life in a show that is equal parts soulful, uplifting and unforgettable.
Holiday Spirits Cocktail Class
Shake, stir and sip your way into the holiday season with the Holiday Spirits Cocktail class Thursday, Dec. 3 at 5:30 pm. In this hands-on class, you'll learn how to make two delightful cocktails crafted by our in-house team of mixologists. Enjoy light bits and good vibes and leave with recipes, good memories and new friends. Pink House Alchemy has partnered with us to provide the syrups and bitters for the cocktails, and the recipe cards from class get you 10% off ingredients at Liquor World, so you can remake the recipes and impress your holiday guests all season long.
Mariachi Herencia de México: A Mariachi Christmas
Mariachi Herencia de México
Following the cocktail class, celebrate the holidays with the heartwarming sounds of Mariachi Herencia de México in this special Christmas edition of their world tour. The two-time Latin Grammy®-nominated ensemble delivers a holiday concert that honors both the magic of Christmas and the cultural vibrancy of Mexico on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 pm. Limited tickets remain for this unforgettable night of beloved holiday classics with mariachi traditions.
Limited tickets remain!
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
cirque dreams holidaze
Featuring a world-renowned cast of performers, Cirque Dreams Holidaze includes aerial circus acts, sleight-of-hand jugglers, fun-loving skippers, eye-popping acrobatics and much more. With beloved holiday favorites performed live, new sets, sparkling scenery and stunning costumes, guests of all ages will be on the edge of their seats as holiday characters come to life on the most magical nights.
Show Dates and Times:
Friday, Dec. 4, 7 pm
Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 am and 3 pm
Sunday, Dec. 6, 2 pm
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol
Set in the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town, where his callous greed blinds him to the joys and gifts of the season. This re-written holiday tale features Dickens' classic characters and Parton's one-of-a-kind songwriting expertise, making this a holiday event you'll want to share with those you love. Don't miss this incredible story on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 pm.
Courtesy of SoNA
A Very SoNA Christmas
Performing under the baton of guest conductor Creston Herron, A Very SoNA Christmas will celebrate the beauty and magic of the season with a mix of holiday favorites with two shows Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 and 7:30 pm. Featuring the SoNA Singers chorus under the direction of Terry Hicks, who will be joined onstage by the Bentonville High School Chamber Choir, vocalist Marcy Harriell, student clarinet soloist Matthew Sontoski and members of Thaden Community Youth Orchestra, this holiday concert will be one for the memory books.
SoNA and Walton Arts Center present: The Snowman: A Family Concert
A holiday tradition continues with a special screening of The Snowman, based on Raymond Brigg's classic children's book with the original score performed live by the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. Following the screening on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 pm, SoNA will lead the audience in a sing-along of other holiday favorites.
The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical
Packed with your favorite holiday movie tropes and original pop songs such as, "Judge That Cookie" and "It Feels Like Christmas (Because It Is Literally Christmas)," The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical offers a hilarious twist on the classic holiday movies you already know and love on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 7:30 pm. Holly, an overworked big city executive, returns to her quirky small hometown to save Christmas. Along the way, Holly juggles an old flame, a looming corporate merger, a cookie contest conspiracy and a moose on the loose!
Alyssa Lyn-Luke Witt, Alexandra Clementi, Heidi Michelle Thomas, Emily Richardson, Sean Meldrum, Levi Stepp. Supplied by Paquin Entertainment
Whether you're gathering the whole family, getting together with your friend group or planning an office outing, there's a show or event to match every crowd and every kind of holiday spirit. Purchase tickets to any of these shows online at waltonartscenter.org or by calling the box office weekdays at 479.443.5600 from 10 am to 5 pm.