Holidaze at Walton Arts Center  is bringing 40 days of holiday cheer back to Northwest Arkansas inside and out with some special entertainment – all while supporting area nonprofits and hospitality workers.

Created last year by Hannah Withers and Ben Gitchel of Maxine’s Tap Room and Leverett Lounge along with Richard Gathright, the successful holiday-themed pop-up bar has transformed the Walton Arts Center’s Joy Pratt Markham Gallery, Sudduth Garden Room and the outdoor Bradberry Amphitheater and Rose Garden into the North Pole.

The bar will feature a mix of reserved seating options and designated space for walk-up guests. Open seating is available each night on a first-come, first-served basis. A limited number of reserved spaces will be available Wednesday through Sunday with seating options inside or outside close to heaters or fire pits. Reserved spaces will also come with cocktail service so patrons will not have to wait in lines at the bar.

Reservations are $15 for a two-hour period and can be made at www.waltonartscenter.org/holidaze. Reservations for Nov. 20-25 open at noon on Nov. 16. Reservations for the remainder of the nights open at 10 am on Monday, Nov. 23. Party size is limited in accordance with state-mandated COVID-19 guidelines. Parties of 11 or more should contact Shannon Thomas, event manager, at sthomas@waltonartscenter.org to discuss seating options.

Select nights will feature entertainment in the outdoor Bradberry Amphitheater and Rose Garden. Dylan Earl will bring his holiday show on Tuesday, Dec. 1. KUAF Vinyl Hour will take over the stage on Sunday, Dec. 6. Elvis tribute artist Delvis will perform on Wednesday, Dec. 9, and on Friday, Dec. 18 there will be a Drag Time Christmas Story Hour.

Patrons can purchase an eggnog flight and vote for their favorite in the annual Nog Off Competition on Dec. 16. Proceeds from the sale of the flights will go to the Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance. For more details about these events and rain dates for each follow Walton Arts Center and Holidaze on social media or visit www.waltonartscenter.org.

Both the young and young at heart can make a personal request to Santa and drop it in the Letters to Santa mailbox, which is supported by First Security Bank. The mailbox became very popular last year and some of the funny and heartfelt letters became part of the décor.

Guests at Holidaze can drop by Community Creative Center’s Holiday Gift Market in Walker Atrium. This annual maker’s market features one-of-a-kind gifts by local artists, and it supports the Community Creative Center. The market is open 5-9 pm, Tuesday through Saturday from Nov. 20 through Dec. 23.

Proceeds and reservation fees from Holidaze this year will support Walton Arts Center’s Ghost Light Recovery Fund, and the bar will provide much-needed seasonal employment for hospitality workers who have been hit hard during the pandemic.

Patrons will support four local charities when they purchase the Stony Bird – a Holidaze signature drink and the easiest gift ever. For every Stony Bird purchased, the bar’s very own Secret Santa will donate $10 to the charities. Peace at Home Family Shelter, Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance, NWA Equality and Roots Festival Meals for Musicians will receive equal shares of the money raised from the Stony Bird sales.

Masks will be required for entry and when moving inside the venue in accordance with COVID-19 protocols. Social distancing will also be in place, and drinks and merchandise will be available for cashless purchases only. For a complete list of state-approved health and safety protocols, visit waltonartscenter.org.

Holidaze is open 5 p.m. until midnight nightly Nov. 20 through Dec. 31 except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. To-go Outdoor Recreation Area drinks will be available from 5 until 9:30 p.m. nightly. Holidaze offers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic holiday drinks.