Memories of cookies and cider, sleigh rides, homemade gifts and ornaments, and warm gatherings of friends and family are all part of the spirit of Christmas in the Ozarks.
This week’s MAIN EVENT is the Ozark National Scenic Riverways annual open house events at Alley Spring.
An Ozark Christmas Celebration will take place from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at Alley Spring. Bring the family to see the Old Red Mill decked for the holidays. If you arrive before dusk, the holiday decorations near the mill and stunning backdrop of Alley Spring in the winter provide the perfect setting for a holiday photo.
After dark, lanterns will light the pathways to the mill where you can visit, sing Christmas carols by candlelight and munch cookies with hot drinks. Visitors can even make a simple holiday ornament to take home. Alley Spring is located six miles west of Eminence on State Route 106.
For more information about these events please contact Ranger Josh Chilton at 573-226-3945 or josh_chilton@nps.gov, visit the park’s Facebook page, or website at www.nps.gov/ozar.
There are many other opportunities to celebrate Christmas in our region this month.
Other area events include:
— Puxico Library Christmas with Santa Claus, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 8 WHERE Puxico Public Library WHAT Parents as Teachers and the library will host a Christmas party with Santa. Snacks, crafts, stories and gifts will be given away, while supplies last.
— Honey Tasting Sip and Shop, 5-8 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE Archer Gift Co., 1939 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Charcuterie will be offered, showing new and exciting ways to enjoy all of the honey flavors and options from local honey makers, Humble B. Sample their raw honey, comb honey and creamed honey available in jalapeño, cinnamon, chocolate, blackberry and strawberry.
— Visit from Santa Clause, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE Fairfield Inn and Suites WHAT Partnership between Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland and Fairfield Inn. Includes photos with Santa, hot chocolate and a bake sale befitting the Boys and Girls Club.
— Live music, Misty & Freedom, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE Half Whiskey Saloon, 309 S. Broadway.
— FRSH WATR Worship Night, 7-9 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE Rodgers Theatre WHAT A FREE night of worship for all people. Expect to be uplifted and encouraged as you join in worship with other believers from across the community. All concession stand proceeds go to supporting the Rodgers Theatre.
— Friday night jams, 8-11 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE The Marked, 3339 S. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Music from Jesse Hammock.
— Cookies with the Clauses, 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 10 WHERE First Church of God, Poplar Bluff WHAT Take your own picture with Santa and Mrs. Clause, decorate Christmas cookies, and enjoy some hot chocolate. There will be other games and activities too. Visitors will hear the REAL Christmas Story from Mrs. Clause.
— Downtown Holiday Market, noon-6 p.m. Dec. 10 WHERE Downtown Poplar Bluff, 112 S. Main St. COST Free WHAT One stop shop for all your holiday needs. Sponsored by DPB and the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.
— Visit from Santa, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 10 WHERE at the Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum WHAT Photos can be taken with Santa and the museum will be open for visitors.
—Holiday Open House 2-4 p.m. Dec. 10. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Attend a story time with Santa, make crafts for all ages, listen to live Christmas music from the High School Choir Ensemble, and enjoy hot chocolate from the Friends of the Library. Santa story time will begin at 2 pm and pictures will take place once story time is over. Drop in for other activities anytime.
— Holiday Express, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 11 WHERE Buddy’s Home Furnishings, 13499 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Visits from Santa and the Grinch, with photos and cookies offered. Drawings will also be held.
— Christmas Tree Forest, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 11 WHERE Poplar Bluff History Museum WHAT Area school children create handmade decorations for Christmas trees on display in December at the museum.
— Mingo Christmas Bird Count, 6 a.m. Dec. 14. WHERE Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. COST Free. WHAT The first of three annual Christmas Bird Counts in Southeast Missouri. Volunteers should arrive at 6 a.m. at The County Kitchen, 122 W. Richardson Ave., Puxico. Breakfast and area assignments will be handed out before volunteers depart to observe and count birds by foot or from vehicles. To sign up or get more information, contact Bruce Beck at beckbugs42@gmail.com or 573-776-5305. Sign up is due the day before the event. Maps and other materials will be provided.
— Stars and Stories, An interactive story hour, 11 a.m. Dec. 15 WHERE Stars and Stripes Museum, Bloomfield WHAT Christmas-themed story hour with a snack and craft to follow.
— Lunch & Learn: Nasal Airway Obstruction, 12-1 p.m. Dec. 15. WHERE Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Classroom 3. COST Free. WHAT Can’t breathe through your nose? Find out why from Regional Physician Services’ ENT Specialist Dr. Alexandros Georgolis, MD, FACS.
— Canvas Paint Night, Christmas ornament, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 15 WHERE Canvas & Grain Studio, 1097 Hwy. 142, Poplar Bluff COST $20-$25 WHAT Step-by-step instruction, all supplies included. Choose your own color palette.
— Christmas Open Play with Santa, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Dec. 15. WHERE Xtreme Gymnastics. COST Free, registration required. WHAT Must pre-register by Dec. 15, for ages 3-12. Call 573-713-0037.
— Big Spring Christmas Bird Count, 8 a.m. Dec. 17. WHERE Big Spring, Ozark National Scenic Riverways. COST Free. WHAT The second of three annual Christmas Bird Counts in Southeast Missouri. Volunteers should arrive at the National Parks Service headquarters in Van Buren. Area assignments will be handed out before volunteers depart to observe and count birds by foot or from their vehicles. To sign up or get more information, contact Bruce Beck at beckbugs42@gmail.com or 573-776-5305. Sign up is due the day before the event. Maps and other materials will be provided.
— Open studio, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 17 WHERE Canvas & Grain Studio, 1097 Hwy. 142, Poplar Bluff COST $10 and up WHAT Paint anything you want. A wide variety of canvas art and wood door hangers to choose from. Staff will guide visitors every step of the way.
— Visit from Santa, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 17 WHERE at the Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum WHAT Photos can be taken with Santa and the museum will be open for visitors.
— Afroman, 7 p.m. Dec. 17 WHERE Black River Coliseum COST $20 WHAT Sponsored by Forum Fifty Fifty, this event will include Afroman hits.
— Annual Holiday Pancake Breakfast, 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 17. WHERE Northside Community Center. COST A $5 donation. WHAT A breakfast of pancakes, sausage, eggs and beverages. Kids are invited to write a letter to Santa.
— Christmas Tree Forest, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 18 WHERE Poplar Bluff History Museum WHAT Area school children create handmade decorations for Christmas trees on display in December at the museum.
— Awaken Women’s Circle, 2-4 p.m. WHERE Awaken Women’s Self-Care Collective, 111 W. Main St., Piggott, Arkansas WHAT Support group for women focused on mental health and personal development. December topic is reflection and goal setting.
— Open Mic Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 19 WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, main branch WHAT Come share your music, comedy, poetry and more.
— Poplar Bluff Christmas Bird Count, 7 a.m. Dec. 23. WHERE Poplar Bluff. COST Free. WHAT The final Christmas Bird Count of 2022 in Southeast Missouri. Volunteers will meet at Hardee’s, 101 S. Westwood Blvd., for area assignments before leaving to observe and count birds by foot or from their vehicles. Residents within 15 miles of Poplar Bluff can also count birds at their feeders. To sign up or get more information, contact Bruce Beck at beckbugs42@gmail.com or 573-776-5305. Sign up is due the day before the event. Maps and other materials will be provided.
— Candlelight Christmas Eve, 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 24 WHERE Bluff First, 2518 Barron Road WHAT Includes singing Christmas songs, a message about making room for Jesus and fellowship.
• Christmas Eve service, 5 p.m. Dec. 24. WHERE First Baptist Church, 551 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Family candlelight worship service.
— Book tasting for grades 7-12, 4:40-5:30 p.m. Dec. 28. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Library staff will share what’s new in young adult books.
— Artist’s Guild Show closing reception, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 29. WHERE Margaret Harwell Art Museum. COST Free. WHAT The 69th Annual Poplar Bluff Artists Guild Regional Juried Art exhibit wraps up with a community gathers. The People’s Choice Award will be presented to the artist with the most votes and a $50 prize awarded.
Don’t see your event? Let us know what you’ve got coming up and we’ll add it. Just email dailyamericanrepublic@darnews.com.
Posting a comment requires free registration:
Menu
