Merry & Bright Holiday Events sponsors
downtown holiday lighting-November 18th 5:30PM
Let’s get Merry & Bright! Join NBA Hall-of-Famer Karl Malone as El Dorado turns on the Christmas lights to kick-off the season. The Holiday Lighting Ceremony begins at 5:30 PM on Thursday, November 18th in downtown El Dorado. Plus, we’ll launch the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive. Bring the family for FREE PJ’s Train rides sponsored by Main Street El Dorado from 5 – 8 pm. Catch the train in front of PJ’s Coffee.
Enjoy local entertainment, free Hot Chocolate, Coffee and Cookies from the Salvation Army & More!
The square is the place to be during the holiday season!
Downtown Open House - November 21st 1PM-4PM
Come prepared to shop! Join us Sunday, November 21 from 1 – 4 PM in downtown El Dorado as downtown businesses celebrate with the annual Christmas Open House.
Take a Cinderella Carriage ride from 1 – 5 PM for $7. FREE PJ’s Train Rides sponsored by the Downtown Business Association, MAD on ICE, The Epps Land Services Baggo tournament begins at 2PM, Santa will be Downtown for photos . Don’t miss out on photographs with Santa and his sleigh on Washington Street. Plus, there’s a Toy Run that will benefit The Call. It’s all going on during the Downtown Open House!
Black Friday Pajama Party- November 25th 8PM-Midnight
Why call it Black Friday when it starts Thursday night? Because these deals are too sweet to wait another day. Select shops in downtown El Dorado will host a Pajama Party on Thanksgiving evening, November 25th from 8 PM to Midnight. Don’t sleep through the party or you’ll miss out on some fantastic savings. Throw on your PJs and join us Downtown.
Shop Small Saturday-November 27th 12PM-4Pm
Retailers unite again on Saturday, November 27 following Thanksgiving, for Shop Small Saturday®. This American holiday was established to encourage people to shop small and bring more holiday shopping to small business.
Special guest to Shop Small Saturday will be the jolly ol’ gift giver, Santa Clause. Santa will be available for pictures from 12pm-4pm on the north east corner of the Union County Courthouse (Jefferson Street) for $5.
Santa’s friends at SRG Realty Group will be giving out cookie kits for all the good little girls and boys to decorate at home and Barton Library will be offering story time on the south east corner of the Courthouse from 12pm-4pm. The holiday train will be back for this exciting event from 12pm-4pm as well. Holiday train rides will be $8 per adult and $5 per child ages 12 and under.
First Thursday/El Dorado-Union County Christmas Parade- December 2
The Merry & Bright celebration continues for FIRST THURSDAY December 2, as Downtown merchants stay open late, until 7pm. The El Dorado Christmas Parade concluding in Downtown El Dorado, Arkansas’ largest holiday parade is set to begin around 7:00 pm on the north end of North West Avenue. However, many local residents have made a tradition of watching the display of floats, bands and holiday entries from the picturesque setting of The Square.
merry market- December 4th 10Am-5PM
This year MSE introduces MERRY MARKET. True to the name, Merry Market will offer a wide variety of jewelry, clothing, seasonal items, children’s books, holiday treats, handmade crafts, and much more. With the addition of temporary vendors, pop-up shops and downtown merchants, one is sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on their list. Merry Market is set for Saturday, December 4 from 10am - 5pm on Washington Street; admission is $5 and includes a “passport” to be stamped by downtown businesses and Merry Market vendors. Passports will be turned in for a Grand Prize drawing. Shoppers will receive a ticket for door prize drawings throughout the day; which you must be present to win.
