(WASHINGTON, Ark.) – Historic Washington State Park will host its 38th Annual Christmas and Candlelight event on Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14. Tour venues will open at 1 p.m. Luminary lighting and music programs will begin at 5 p.m.
Homes and buildings within the historic town will be decorated with period decorations, and thousands of luminaries will light the streets. Park staff and volunteers will be dressed in period attire throughout the park, sporting fashions from the 1830s through the 1880s. Musical programs will be featured on both nights; see the schedule below. A horse-drawn surrey will be available for rides. Williams’ Tavern Restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a buffet beginning at 4 p.m.
Admission is $10 per adult and $6 per child (up to age 12). Parking for the event is $5 per vehicle (cash only). For more information about the event, contact the park at 870-983-2684.
We want to acknowledge and thank the different decorators that help make all the homes and structures look beautiful this time of year. We hope you come out and enjoy the hard work they put into this event. The event would not happen if it were not for the many volunteers that take part.
Live Greenery – Arkansas Game and Fish, Paul Siders of Washington, Arkansas, and Warren Webster of Columbus, Arkansas
1836 Courthouse – Pat Cleburne UDC Chapter of Hope, Arkansas
1874 Courthouse – Shover Springs Extension Homemakers Club of Shover Springs, Arkansas
Block House – Family of Josh and Jaime Williams of Washington, Arkansas
Morrison Tavern Inn and Kitchen – Family of Alan and Nugget Moses of Washington, Arkansas
Purdom House – Hope Civitan Club of Hope, Arkansas
Royston Log House – The Eagle’s Nest Specialty Welding and Machining of Buckner, Arkansas
Royston Town House – AFGC Columbia County Friends and Flowers Garden Club
Sanders House and Kitchen – John Cain DAR Chapter of Hope, Arkansas
Williams Tavern (Exterior) – Hempstead County Master Gardeners of Hope, Arkansas
Williams Tavern (Interior) – AFGC Columbia County Friends and Flowers Garden Club
Friday, December 13, 2024 Music Schedule
Royston House
5:00 p.m. —8:00 p.m. Brenda Westerbuhr, violinist – Washington, Ark.
Washington Methodist Church
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.* Live Nativity Scene (Front Yard)
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Hope Methodist Primary School Choir – Hope, Ark.
5:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Nashville Primary Choir – Nashville, Ark.
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Shelly Keith, vocalist – Hope, Ark.
7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hempstead County Melody Boys – Hope, Ark.
*Nativity program will be performed in-between performances at the Methodist Church
Washington Presbyterian Church
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Liberty Eylau High School Choir – Liberty Eylau, Tex.
5:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Garrett Memorial Christian School Singers – Hope, Ark.
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Faith Baptist Church Choir – Texarkana, Ark.
7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Joy Singers Trio – Hope, Ark.
Williams Tavern Restaurant
5:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Jerome Underwood and Friends – Hope, Ark.
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Rachel Parson, guitarist – Hope, Ark.
7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Nashville Global Methodist Church Choir – Nashville, Ark.
Farmers Market Pavillion
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. HER Legacy and Christmas Karaoke – Hope, Ark.
1874 Courthouse
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Beryl Henry Elementary Choir – Hope, Ark.
5:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Sister Strings Trio – Caddo Gap, Ark.
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Richardson Family – Texarkana, Tex.
7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Tishara Arnett, vocalist and “Twas the Night Before Christmas” reading & St. Nick
Outside Caroling
Trail Life USA and American Heritage Girl Troops TX-2289 – Hooks, Tex.
Liberty Eylau High School Choir – Liberty Eylau, Tex.
Saturday, December 14, 2024 Music Schedule
Royston House
5:00 p.m. —8:00 p.m. Brenda Westerbuhr, violinist – Washington, Ark.
Washington Methodist Church
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. *Live Nativity Scene (Front Yard)
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Washington Global Methodist Church Youth – Washington, Ark.
5:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Hope Methodist Church Choir – Hope, Ark.
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Shelly Keith, vocalist – Hope, Ark.
7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hempstead County Melody Boys – Hope, Ark.
*Nativity program will be performed in-between performances at the Methodist Church
Washington Presbyterian Church
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Homeward Bound Quartet – Bismark, Ark.
5:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Rachel Parson, guitarist – Hope, Ark.
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Jimmy Ivers, vocalist & Bitsy Carter, pianist – Hope, Ark.
7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. First Baptist Church Worship Team – Hope, Ark.
Williams Tavern Restaurant
5:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Jerome Underwood and Friends – Hope, Ark.
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. “Lark in the Morning” Duo – Little Rock, Ark.
Farmers Market Pavillion
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Kaitlyn Higginbotham, vocalist – Texarkana, Tex.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. HER Legacy and Christmas Karaoke – Hope, Ark.
1874 Courthouse
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Autumn Newsom, guitarist & Brady Rhodes, vocalist – Hope and Rosston, Ark.
5:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Autumn Newsom, guitarist & Brady Rhodes, vocalist – Hope and Rosston, Ark.
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Four States Fusion Chorus – Texarkana, Ark.
7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. “Twas the Night Before Christmas” reading & St Nick.
Outside Caroling
Four States Fusion Chorus – Texarkana, Ark.
Howard County Children and Adult Center – Nashville, Ark.
Historic Washington State Park
Historic Washington State Park, located in Washington, Arkansas, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Mondays. The park is a restoration village interpreting the historic Arkansas town in the 19th century. Daily tours are provided to over 15 historic sites and museums, such as the B.W. Edwards Weapons Museum and Blacksmith Shop. To learn more, visit HistoricWashingtonStatePark.com or call 870-983-2684.
Arkansas State Parks
Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Arkansas state parks and museums cover 55,006 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities, and unique historic and cultural resources. Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism and provide leadership in resource conservation. Connect with ASP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and visit ArkansasStateParks.com and ArkansasStateParks.com/media to learn more.
Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism protects and promotes our state’s natural, cultural and historic assets, contributing to a thriving economy and high quality of life. It is made up of three divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Tourism.