Arkansas State Capitol lights up for Christmas cheer this Saturday

Christmas is arriving in style at the Arkansas State Capitol this Saturday, with a festive lighting ceremony set to dazzle and delight. Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester shared the exciting details: “It’s going to start at 5:30 this Saturday, and basically, once it gets dark, we’ll have a ceremony, we’ll have live music, we’ll have people, we might get a couple thousand people come.” The event promises to be a heartwarming experience, especially for the children at Arkansas Children’s Hospital who can see the lights from their windows.

The ceremony will feature live music, including a performance by Hannah Banks, a talented musician and lawyer, who will sing unless her baby arrives early. The evening will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display, followed by the grand lighting of the Capitol.

Visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere throughout the holiday season, with opportunities to take family photos by the iconic Christmas tree and explore the Capitol’s holiday decorations, including a tree honoring fallen veterans. Jester emphasized the importance of the event, saying, “Times can feel dark, but that’s not all there is. There is hope that comes in the morning. There is joy, and when someone walks away with a piece from our state capitol, that’s what they should feel.”

For those not able to make it to the lighting ceremony, they can still visit the Capitol during its open hours to see the decorations, the trees, Santa’s Workshop, and more.

No tickets or RSVPs are required, so families can decide to attend at the last minute. After the festivities, attendees are encouraged to explore downtown for dinner, making it a full day of holiday cheer.