Guide to Celebrating the Holidays in Fort Smith, Arkansas on a Budget

It's easy to celebrate the holidays with your family, and on a tight budget in Fort Smith! There is more than one, fantastic holiday event planned in the upcoming months that will be sure to build cherished memories, in addition to providing loads of family fun. And all without having to tap into that Christmas present money you've been hoarding up! Here are the top 5 ideas for celebrating the holidays in Fort Smith for $10 or less.

Concert, Christmas Lights, and Sleigh Bells - The University of Arkansas Fort Smith music departments are combining forces to put on a joint concert called "Season's Greetings and Campus Christmas Lighting". First you'll be treated to a fantastic holiday concert event that is sure to be a frat way to get into the Christmas spirit. Then revel in the holiday fun as you join others on the Campus Green for hot chocolate and romantic sleigh rides through the gorgeous light display. It all starts on November 21st at 7:30pm making it the perfect way to finish an evening date. This is a holiday tradition you will want to start this year! And at only $6 a ticket this concert, sleigh ride and holiday cheer costs less than a movie ticket! Visit www.uafortsmith.edu for more details.

A Christmas Campfire - A wonderful resource in Fort Smith for those with small children is the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center. Many of the programs they offer are completely free. Bring your preschool and elementary aged children on Wednesday mornings at 9:30am for story time. Or show up with the entire family on December 8th at 5:30pm for a "Family Fun Night with Nature - Campfire Program". This outdoor adventure and evening campfire promises to turn into a great holiday event for the whole gang! http://www.rivervalleynaturecenter.com/calendar/

Downtown Beauty, Holiday Parade - The 10th Annual Christmas Parade in Historic Downtown Van Buren is another free event. Scheduled for December 2nd it is sure to be an event the whole family will enjoy with participants in antique cars, horse back riders, and more. The shops are all lit with gorgeous Christmas color making a fantastic backdrop for the parade. The parade begins at 6:30pm and you can visit http://www.vanburen.org/ for more details. A Winter Wonderland - Alma's Christmas in the Park is an annual gala of lights you won't want to miss. Bundle the kids into the stroller, pack the thermos of hot chocolate and head to Alma City Park to see over 50,000 lights in an amazing display of imagination and holiday cheer. This extravaganza is open from 6-9pm nightly beginning December 1st and continuing through the 26th of December. Admission is free so there's no reason not to enjoy the beauty of twinkling lights in the fantastic new displays. Alma Community Outreach Center is manning the event. (479) 285-0367

Christmas Train is Coming - Bring the whole family to enjoy a turn around Creekmore Park on the famed Holiday Express! The Creekmore Express miniature train is all dressed up for the season and ready to take you and your family on a magical ride through a winter wonderland. See thousands of lights each night as you and your loved ones ride for free! This pretty little park will glow with the Christmas spirit. Rides begin at 5:30pm and continue through 8:30pm but you can get more details at www.fortsmithparks.com You can see the lights and ride the train beginning December 4th and continuing on until December 21st. The Holiday Express starts rides again after Christmas on December 27th and goes through the new year, December 31st.

Christmas Story Drive-Through - This was one of my favorite events each year when I lived in Fort Smith. Hosted by the City Christian Fellowship Church, this Christmas display feature live animals, and real people recreating the Christmas Story. View eight Biblical scenes come to life; see Roman soldiers, real animals and beautiful angels, without ever leaving the comfort of your car! Beginning at 6:30pm and ending at 8:30pm this show is available December 7th through December 9th. Located in the parking lot of Living Faith Missionary Baptist Church. Take Exit 14 off I-540 - One Mile East of Beverly Enterprises in Fort Smith, AR. You can call (479) 648-7300 if you need more detailed directions.