Christmas Honors is looking for volunteers to assist with packing up wreaths. These wreaths were recently laid at headstones in the Fort Smith National Cemetery.
Fort Smith News & Updates
Stay informed about the latest events and activities in Fort Smith
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Monday, January 5, 2026
Ethan Becker from Mountainburg mentioned Christmas as his favorite holiday due to the weather, songs, and the birth of Christ. He also participated in a Medal Madness 5K.
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is repurposing Christmas trees for its tigers and lions. This time of year is fun as the trees are great for the animals.
Monday, December 29, 2025
The Fort Smith National Cemetery is mentioned in relation to "Christmas Honors." This event is associated with Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Experience "Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings" at TheatreSquared. This festive event features carols performed on strings, offering a unique holiday musical experience.
Saturday, December 27, 2025
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is providing drop-off sites for Christmas trees. These trees will be used to create wildlife habitat. This initiative offers a way to recycle holiday trees after the season.
Friday, December 26, 2025
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is collecting real Christmas trees to use as habitat for fish and wildlife. Residents can drop off their trees at designated sites across the state.
Thursday, December 25, 2025
A baby who spent 355 days in the hospital is finally home for their first Christmas in Fort Smith. This marks a significant milestone after a long period of medical care.
A baby is celebrating their first Christmas at home in Fort Smith after a lengthy hospital stay. The child's lungs were small and had some damage from being intubated.
Residents in the River Valley area can expect busy roads and crowded airports as the holiday season continues. Travel is anticipated to be heavy immediately following Christmas.
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
This weekend's guide includes Christmas at the Parks in Van Buren and the Creekmore Holiday Express Train in Fort Smith. These events are part of the ongoing holiday festivities to round out the season.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Fort Smith's 'Rocky the Rock,' also known as 'The Christmas Rock,' brought joy from the Central Mall parking lot. The rock gained popularity and nicknames from local fans.
Monday, December 22, 2025
Fort Smith Transit provided free rides to passengers on Friday. This initiative was appreciated by residents as a helpful measure ahead of the Christmas holiday.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Will Hearn's Grand Ol' Christmas Show is a retro radio show bringing your all-time favorite Christmas classics. The event features comedic chops and musical performances.
Fort Smith's band All of Her, fronted by Alli McNamee, has released a new pop-punk Christmas tune. The band is known for their energetic performances.
A variety of events are taking place in Fort Smith, including holiday movie screenings and creative workshops. These events are part of the city's seasonal offerings.
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Fort Smith Transit is discontinuing some routes due to cost-saving measures. This news comes as the region anticipates cooler weather before Christmas, with potential record warmth on the holiday itself.
Friday, December 19, 2025
Dave Laurence Music presents his Christmas Show at the Fort Smith Convention Center on December 19th. The event will feature live music from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Searcy, Arkansas is highlighted as a top Christmas town, with a list of 16 towns featuring beautiful Christmas light displays across the state. Fort Smith is also mentioned in relation to these festive displays.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
This article remembers the famous Arkansas Christmas light display that began in 1986. It highlights the enduring legacy of Jennings Osborne's elaborate holiday illumination.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
This weekend's guide includes Christmas at the Parks in Van Buren and the Creekmore Holiday Express Train in Fort Smith. Various other holiday festivities are also happening across the River Valley.
Dave Laurence Music will be performing his Christmas Show in Fort Smith, AR. The event is part of a larger schedule of entertainment, including other local acts.
Monday, December 15, 2025
The Dallas branch of the Fort Smith Public Library is hosting a Christmas Card Crafts event. Attendees can stop by to create their own festive holiday cards.
A strong field of teams will compete in the Foster's Roofing Holiday Classic next week. The event is scheduled to take place at Fort Smith Southside.
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Families braved the cold to enjoy the magic of the 2025 Bentonville Christmas Parade. Local businesses and families were excited for the return of this annual holiday event.
The United States Marshals Museum will host 'Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings' on December 19th. This event promises a festive evening of holiday music.
Saturday, December 13, 2025
The Fort Smith Public Library is hosting its annual Holiday Open House this Sunday. This event is a festive gathering for the community to enjoy during the holiday season.
The long-range outlook for 2025 suggests that Fort Smith rarely sees snow on Christmas Day. Residents can check the forecast to see the chances of a white Christmas this year.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
After nearly a year and a half in the hospital, a Fort Smith couple is finally able to celebrate Christmas at home. Little Harlow Miesner will spend her first Christmas in her own home after a lengthy hospital stay.
Fort Smith will host its own Christmas parade this weekend, featuring festive floats and marching bands. The parade will take place downtown along Garrison Avenue, starting at 3 p.m. on December 13th.
The Drennen-Scott Historic Site in Fort Smith is hosting a Christmas Open House this Friday. This event offers a festive way to explore local history during the holiday season.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
The 85th annual Fort Smith Christmas Parade brought holiday cheer to historic downtown. Organized by the Downtown Business Association, this tradition featured local participation.
Monday, December 8, 2025
The Fort Smith community gathered at its National Cemetery to honor over 16,000 veterans. Christmas wreaths were placed to remember their sacrifices.
The Earthen Vessels Drama Company is presenting its Christmas tradition with performances. Tickets are $8 for shows happening December 11-13 at 401 N. Sixth St. in Fort Smith.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Families across Northwest Arkansas gathered for the annual Fort Smith Christmas Honors Wreath Laying. This event served to honor fallen veterans and remember their sacrifices.
The Western Arkansas Ballet presents "The Nutcracker" in Fort Smith. Tickets are available for purchase, with special pricing for children.
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Volunteers in Fort Smith prepared over 17,000 Christmas wreaths to honor veterans. A ceremony is scheduled at the National Cemetery to commemorate this effort.
The River Valley Weekend Guide for December 5-7 in Fort Smith includes Christmas Honors. Other featured activities are the Fort Smith Farmers Market and a 1st Saturday Scavenger Hunt.
Friday, December 5, 2025
The University of Arkansas β Fort Smith Drennen-Scott Historic Site is hosting its Victorian Christmas Open House on December 12th. This event offers a chance to step back in time and experience a historical holiday celebration.
The Fort Smith Little Theatre is staging a Christmas production titled 'Closed for the Holidays'. An ensemble cast brings heart to this off-season holiday show.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
The Christmas Honors event will lay over 17,000 wreaths at each headstone in the Fort Smith National Cemetery. Volunteers are needed to help with this significant tribute.
The 5NEWS Coats for Christmas drive is collecting donations to help those in need. Coats can be dropped off at Mathis Brothers Sleep Store in Fort Smith and other locations.
Monday, December 1, 2025
The annual Holiday Express train tradition is back at Creekmore Park. The train will operate on select days, with closures on Sundays and Christmas Eve.
Van Buren and Fort Smith officially welcomed the holiday season with festive Christmas lights and shopping events. Springdale also hosted a holiday-themed shopping event.
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Several Christmas parades are scheduled for the River Valley area. Fort Smith will host a parade on Saturday, December 13th at 3 p.m.
The Downtown Hot Cocoa Crawl in Fort Smith is still taking place until 5 p.m. Saturday, with hundreds of participants. The Christmas tree lighting at Cisterna Park was canceled due to rain.
Saturday, November 29, 2025
A Christmas Celebration Concert will be held to raise funds for the Fort Kids Children's Museum, a new space planned for the Arkansas Riverfront in downtown Fort Smith. The museum aims to provide a learning environment for children and adults.
Downtown Fort Smith is launching the holiday season with a Cocoa Crawl and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Cisterna Park. The event will feature live performances from the River Valley Community Band and other local groups.
The second annual Downtown Cocoa Crawl and tree lighting at Cisterna Park in Fort Smith is providing a sweet start to the Christmas season. This event follows closely after the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Clayton House in downtown Fort Smith will host its annual Gaslight Gala fundraiser to kick off the Christmas season on December 5th. This event offers a unique way to celebrate the holidays.
Friday, November 28, 2025
Cities across the Arkansas River Valley are preparing for the Christmas season with various celebrations. This includes a list of upcoming Christmas parades for residents to enjoy.
The Fort Smith Fraternal Order has organized the 'Cops & Kids at Christmas' program. This initiative pairs police officers with children to spread holiday cheer.
Fort Smith is set to host a variety of events throughout the holiday season. The Fort Smith Christmas Parade is scheduled to take place in December.
Fort Kids Children's Museum has launched a campaign that includes a Christmas Celebration Concert. This event is part of their ongoing efforts.