Christmas Lights and Festivities in the Hot Springs Hills

Holiday Lights and Festivities in the Hot Springs Hills
Hot Springs is a fascinating place. Not only does it have horse-racing, but it was built around fresh natural hot springs that flow regularly from the underground pools. The population is quite diverse and there is a lot of civic pride. Millions have been spend on restoring the opulent bathhouses of the last century, and there is a very profound interest in art and culture here as well. Christmastime in Hot Springs is greeted with lighting displays, celebrations, story telling, auctions, ice-skating and so many other activities. I have picked out just a few that are "must dos" for the family.

http://www.garvangardens.org/
Garvan gardens is a 210-Acre wooded Peninsula on Lake Hamilton beside Hot Springs that was transformed over many years into a spectacular garden area open to the public year round. In 1985 the owner, Verna Cook Garvan, transferred the entire property into a trust for the University of Arkansas to serve as a public retreat for the people of Arkansas. This winter the Gardens are transformed into a spectacular event, Nov 20th-Dec. 31. Holiday lights begins with displays of varieties of camellias, hollies and fall fruit.

Over a million lights will be illuminated Dec. 18th in the woodland gardens, accompanied by special holiday music. Complimentary cider and hot chocolate will be available and for an added $4.00 you can opt to ride a golf cart under the lit canopy of tees and bushes. The charge is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids. Children under 5 come for free. This is a "not-to-be-missed" Christmas event for sure.