Photo: Courtesy, Holidaze
Holidaze, the holiday themed pop-up bar that debuted downtown last year, is moving to a new indoor-outdoor location at the Walton Arts Center this year, and organizers this week announced some of their programming and performance plans for the season.
The bar, set to kick off on the first night of Lights of the Ozarks on Nov. 20, will host a series of performances, fundraisers, and other events during its 40 day run to spread holiday cheer and raise funds for local non-profit organizations.
Among the planned entertainment events announced this week is a holiday show by local country artist Dylan Earl on Dec. 1, a live version of KUAF’s popular Vinyl Hour show on Dec. 6, and Elvis tribute featuring Delvis on Dec. 9, a ‘Nog Off’ egg nog competition on Dec. 15 benefitting Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Allianace, and a Drag Time Christmas Story Hour event on Dec. 18.
Officials this week also announced plans for a special drink called the Stony Bird, a signature drink that with each purchase, will include a $10 donation to a local charity. Organizations supported by the Stony Bird purchases include Peace at Home Family Shelter, Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance, NWA Equality and Roots Festival Meals for Musicians.
The bar’s Letters to Santa mailbox will also return this year, with its sometimes funny and heartfelt letters becoming part of the decor for the bar once again.
Also this year, the Community Creative Center’s Holiday Gift Market will be happening in the Walton Arts Center’s Walker Atrium during much of Holidaze’s run. The market will be open from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday from Nov. 20-Dec. 23.
The bar will feature a mixture of reserved seating options and space for walk-up guests, officials said this week. Open seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and a limited number of reserved spaces will be available Wednesday through Sunday with seating options available inside or outside close to heaters or fire pits. Reserved spaces will also come with cocktail service.
Reservations at Holidaze this year will be $15 for a two-hour period, and proceeds raised from those funds will benefit the Walton Arts Center’s Ghost Light Recovery Fund to benefit programming, facility maintenance, and support employees while Broadway and other performances are postponed due to the pandemic. Parties will be limited in accordance with state COVID-19 guidelines. Larger parties may reach out to Shannon Thomas at [email protected] to discuss seating options.
Other safety measures will be in place, including masking, social distancing, and cashless purchases. Here’s more about that.
For those who aren’t familiar, Holidaze was created by Hannah Withers and Ben Gitchel of Maxine’s Tap Room and Leverett Lounge and local resident, Richard Gathright last holiday season on the square. The group announced plans to partner with Walton Arts Center this year to take advantage of their indoor-outdoor space and production capabilities, and to help support the venue during the difficult circumstances created by the pandemic.
The bar will be open nightly at 5 p.m. beginning Nov. 20 and running through Dec. 31 (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). To-go Outdoor Recreation Area drinks will be available nightly from 5-9:30 p.m.
For more information about Holidaze, follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
Holidaze 2020 Events
Dec. 1 – Dylan Earl Holiday Show
Dec. 6 – KUAF Vinyl Hour Live
Dec. 9 – Delvis (Elvis Tribute)
Dec. 15 – Nog Off Egg Nog Competition
Dec. 18 – Drag Time Christmas Story Hour
