Free. public event with Santa, holiday market, kids’ activities, live music, food trucks
NORTH LITTLE ROCK (Tuesday, November 16, 2021) – The North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the City of North Little Rock will host their annual holiday celebration, Northern Lights, on Saturday, November 20, 2021, 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Argenta Plaza at 510 Main Street.
“After a year’s hiatus due to COVID, Northern Lights is back and we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone,” said Erica Warden, North Little Rock CVB Director of Sales & Events. “We are taking steps to ensure everyone feels safe by lengthening the time of the event and encouraging everyone to social distance when possible. It’s also going to be a beautiful weekend for celebrating outdoors.” Free and open to the public, Northern Lights will have a holiday market, food trucks and live entertainment including Caleb and Abi, Lagniappe and carolers from Argenta Community Theater’s A Christmas Carol. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., “Santa’s Workshop” will have free kids’ holiday activities. Families will be able to take photos with Santa and the 38-foot Christmas tree. A fireworks show will start at 7 p.m., concluding the family-friendly portion of the evening.
This year’s Santa will be portrayed by Chris Kennedy, owner of Black Santa ARK LLC and North Little Rock local. Kennedy is a data analyst at First Orion Headquarters in North Little Rock by day, food blogger for Rock City Eats and the man behind @the_bearded_foodie_lr on Instagram by night.
Before, during and after the celebration, attendees can enjoy food from food trucks including The Crepe Coop, Tren Al Sur, Lili’s Mexican Street Food and The Croissanterie, as well as the many dining options within walking distance of Argenta Plaza. North Little Rock’s two breweries, Flyway Brewing and Diamond Bear Brewing Company, will also be set up on Main Street.
Northern Lights 2021 Schedule
- 3 p.m. – Event begins: Holiday Market, Santa’s Workshop (kids’ activities), photos with Santa, food trucks open. Ballet Arkansas’s “Sugar Plum Fairy” from The Nutcracker will also be on-hand for photos 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m. – Carolers from Argenta Community Theater’s production of A Christmas Carol
- 4 p.m. – Welcome & Announcements
- 4:15 p.m. – Caleb & Abi on Argenta Plaza stage
- 6 p.m. – Lagniappe on Argenta Plaza stage
- 7 p.m. – Santa’s Workshop (kids’ activities) closes
- 7 p.m. – Fireworks Show
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Lagniappe on Argenta Plaza stage
Know before you go: Morgan Wallen is scheduled to perform at Simmons Bank Arena on Saturday, November 20, at 7:15 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), so Northern Lights attendees should plan for parking downtown. Free parking is available throughout downtown on a first-come first-served basis.
For more information about Northern Lights, visit www.northlittlerock.org and updates will be posted on the Facebook event. Attendees are encouraged to share their experiences on social media with hashtag #NLRNorthernLights for the chance to be featured on North Little Rock CVB social channels.
About the North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau The North Little Rock CVB is the destination marketing organization for North Little Rock, Arkansas. It promotes North Little Rock as a positive tourism and hospitality experience thus enhancing economic growth and quality of life for its citizens and visitors. For more information about where to stay, where to eat and what to do in North Little Rock, visit NorthLittleRock.org.
