Nov. 25, 2025
Christmas at the Capitol celebrates 87th anniversary
CONWAY, Ark. (Arkansas PBS) — Arkansas PBS, as part of its Arkansas Live initiative, will livestream the 2025 Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony Saturday, Dec. 6, starting at 5:30 p.m. and Sounds of the Season Children’s Choir performances Dec. 8 through 19, starting at 9 a.m. each day, at myarpbs.org/arkansaslive.
This year marks the 87th Anniversary of the Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony – a beloved celebration that brings families, friends and communities together. Attendees and viewers share in the joy, generosity and spirit of the holiday season. Secretary of State Cole Jester will lead this year’s festivities, continuing a legacy that has brightened the Capitol grounds for nearly nine decades.
The tradition began humbly when former Secretary of State Crip Hall, with the help of a staff electrician, fashioned the first Capitol display using sheet metal, strips of lights and a sprayed silver fir tree illuminated with rotating lights. From these early efforts, the ceremony has grown into one of Arkansas’s most treasured holiday events, captivating generations with its warmth, spectacle and sense of community.
Beginning Dec. 8 through 19, Arkansas PBS will feature the Sounds of the Season Children’s Choir performances starting at 9 a.m. each day, showcasing students from across the state as part of the Capitol celebration.
For full livestream details, visit myarpbs.org/arkansaslive.
Arkansas Live is an initiative from Arkansas PBS that brings compelling special events directly to Arkansans via vivid, multi-camera livestreaming. Viewers gain front-row access to some of the most in-demand events across the state, including livestreams from Crystal Bridges, Arkansas Department of Heritage, Arkansas State Capitol, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and more.
About Arkansas PBS
Arkansas PBS, Arkansas’s only statewide public media network, empowers learners of all ages by educating, informing, entertaining and inspiring communities. Arkansas PBS serves as a daily and essential resource for Arkansans by creating, sharing, celebrating and driving conversation around Arkansas stories and classic, trusted PBS programs through multiple digital platforms, including livestreaming at myarpbs.org/live, on-demand services and YouTube TV, and the distinct channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS on SAP. Members with Arkansas PBS Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. Arkansas PBS depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at myarkansaspbs.org. Arkansas PBS is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), KETZ (El Dorado), KETS (Lee Mountain), KETS (Forrest City), KETS (Yancy) and KETS (Gaither).
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