Embrace the true spirit of the holidays this winter by discovering many of the ways that Arkansans celebrate. Our newest installment in the “Celebrating Arkansas” series explores the incredible and diverse holiday season in the Natural State. From hundred-year-old traditions to new ones being made, there’s no shortage of Arkansans making the most out of this time of year. Our winter episode premieres Monday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. To celebrate, we’ve put together a list of popular holidays and some of the ways in which people celebrate them!

By Ryn Ramey

There’s a lot going on this holiday season at Arkansas PBS! We’ve compiled a list of Arkansas made local programs to get you in the spirit as well as those traditional holiday favorites we have all come to love.

November marks Native American Heritage Month, a celebration of the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.

During November, Arkansas PBS is joining the celebration by highlighting programming which focuses on Native Americans.

“Indigenize the Plate”

In 2008, Congress passed a resolution proclaiming the third week in October as National Estate Planning Awareness Week, which helps the public understand what estate planning is and why it is such a vital component of financial wellness.

The Arkansas PBS Foundation invites viewers to explore their options and help guide the future of public television by considering a charitable bequest. This type of gift does not cost anything during a person’s lifetime, but it is a powerful tool for reducing taxes and leaving a legacy.

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 and Oct. 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

During this period, Arkansas PBS is joining the celebration by highlighting programming which focuses on Hispanic Heritage. 

American Experience: “Zoot Suit Riots”

Juneteenth, celebrated June 19, is an annual commemoration of the finality of slavery in the U.S. after the Civil War, which has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s. Arkansas PBS has some programming coming up to celebrate the life of African Americans in the month of June.

“70s Soul Superstars”

Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving the U.S. military. Arkansas PBS has a marathon of shows Sunday to help celebrate those we lost.

“Elvis and the USS Arizona”

The surprising story of how one of music’s biggest icons helped to establish a USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor. Elvis’ fundraising concert drew public attention to the plight and helped to galvanize efforts to finish the USS Arizona Memorial as it stands today.

April is a time to celebrate our planet and protect it. This month at Arkansas PBS, meet those working for a brighter tomorrow in the U.S and see sights from around the world. Programming incudes releases such as “Changing Planet” with Dr. M. Sanjayan and “American Experience: The Sun Queen,” highlighting trailblazer Maria Telkes. Explore some of the beauty that is Earth, from its rivers in “Rivers of Life” to its coral reefs in "Nature: Treasure of the Caribbean.”

“American Experience: The Sun Queen” 
 

This Women's History Month, take a moment to appreciate the amazing accomplishments of women throughout history. This year, Arkansas PBS recognizes women that have become an inspiration in fields such as science and music in dedicated programming all month.

“Margaret: The Rebel Princess”  
 

In an effort to remember the importance of the Holocaust and commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Arkansas PBS has upcoming events and a digital series to coincide with our rebroadcast of “The U.S. and the Holocaust.” Read on to learn how you can attend events in Central Arkansas and watch “Arkansas and the Holocaust” segments to dig deeper into how the Holocaust impacted our state.

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