Free Holiday Events!
The Saline County library branches are offering a ton of FREE holiday themed events this December! You’ll find something for everyone: from creating holiday crafts and gifts, storytimes for children, gift wrapping sessions which provide supplies, and so much more. Check out some of the amazing things we’ve got going on at the library for the winter holidays!
Letters to Santa
All through the month of December, stop by any library branch and write a letter to Santa at the North Pole! We’ll help make sure that you have the address right. And who knows… he might even reply back!
Holiday Wrap Parties
Need to wrap your holiday gifts away from prying eyes? Don’t spoil the surprise! Stop by your local Saline County library branch and we can help out – with wrapping paper, tape, and other supplies to help your gifts shine this season.
- During all December during the library’s open hours in East End:
- from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday – Thursday
- and 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Friday
- Fridays in Benton:
- Friday, December 6th from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM in Benton
- Friday, December 13th from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM in Benton
- Friday, December 20th from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM in Benton
- Saturdays in Bryant
- Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM in Bryant
- Saturday, December 14th from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM in Bryant
There will be two all day Makerspace hours at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial library Makerspace in Benton:
- Monday, December 23rd
- Monday, December 30th
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Bring their own in progress project, or use library materials to create something new!
On Tuesday, December 3rd from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM in Benton, learn how to make a holiday wreath! Bring some festive cheer to your home with a classic decor staple. All supplies will be provided for this craft.
Make sure to register for this event and save your spot! https://salinecountylibrary.libcal.com/event/13415548
We’re showcasing local Arkansas authors on Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Benton branch! Authors will be selling copies of their books, signing autographs, and chatting about what inspires their work. Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the reader in your family? You may just find one here, autographed just for you!
On Saturday, December 7th from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM at the Benton branch there will be a performance by Lady Chops, a dynamic percussion artist! The performance, entitled “Here Come the Bells, So Many Bells!” will be a high energy interactive drum performance spin on familiar holiday classics suitable for all ages. You haven’t quite heard the holidays quite like this!
Santa Visits in East End, Benton, and Bryant
All Saline County library branches will have scheduled visits from Santa throughout December! Stop by and listen to holiday music, sip some delicious hot chocolate, and have fun with holiday crafts for all ages! And of course, take your picture with Santa. (It’s not every day he drops in from the North Pole!)
- Monday, December 9th at East End from 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Tuesday, December 10th at Benton from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday, December 12th at Bryant from 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Family Craft Night: Christmas in a Bottle
On Wednesday, December 11th at 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM at the Benton branch, stop by for an open crafting session! We’ll be making christmas ornaments, capturing the spirit of the holiday in a small bauble. Everyone is welcome regardless of age and skill level, and don’t worry – we’ve got all the supplies you’ll need.
On Thursday, December 12th from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM at the East End branch, join us to make and decorate holiday wreaths! Bring a little bright cheer to your home this season, and help make some fun and warm memories at the library. This more complex craft is designed for adults and teens. All supplies will be provided.
Don’t have room for a big tree? Perhaps you’re looking to avoid all the evergreen needle cleanup in January? We can help! Stop by the Benton branch to learn how how to create a holiday tree with common household materials. We’ll provide everything you need to make your own decorative tree, and the tips and tricks to make it shine this season! Make sure to register and save your place.
Registration for Monday December 9th (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM) https://salinecountylibrary.libcal.com/event/13421907
Registration for Saturday, December 14th (10:00 AM – 11:00 AM) https://salinecountylibrary.libcal.com/event/13543743
Do you know your holiday movies? Do you thrive in recalling fun facts? This event is just for you! On Saturday, December 14th; at 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, the Saline County library will host a trivia at the Farmer’s Market in downtown Benton. Get your holiday shopping done and then snag some prizes by recalling holiday-themed trivia!
At Mills Park in Bryant on December 14th at 3:00 PM, the Saline County Library will lead a storytime in the park. We’ll read holiday themed books, sing Christmas carols, and have lots of fun!
Are you fast enough to catch the Gingerbread Man? Come read the story with Ms. Jordan and find out! We’ll hunt through the library for that wily gingerbread man and afterwards make gingerbread crafts and eat special treats for this holiday storytime. Join us pn Thursday, December 19th from 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM at the Benton branch!
On Monday, December 16th from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM at the Bryant branch, we’ll have a special guest… Mrs. Claus! She has some special holiday picture books and Christmas songs to share. We can’t wait to see you for this special edition of Storyland!
On Monday, December 16th from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM at the East End branch, bring the whole family for a very special storytime. We’ll read storybooks with our favorite teddies and stuffed animals… and then leave them overnight at the library! Who knows what kind of adventures these stuffed animals might get up to this winter? You’ll have to pick them up on Tuesday the 17th to find out!
On Monday, December 16th from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Benton branch, our regular Monday Teen Hangouts session will be replaced by a holiday party! Teenagers are welcome to join our open holiday party, dressed in your best ugly sweaters. (The more garish and overdecorated, the better!) We’ll decorate sugar cookies and participate in a gift swap. Best part? You don’t need to bring a present! The library has got you covered.
On Saturday, December 21st from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM in downtown Benton at the Farmer’s Market, the Saline County Library will host a public storytime to read holiday picture books, sing Christmas songs, and lead dances.
On Monday, December 30th from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM at the Bryant branch, Ms. Amanda will lead a special New Year’s Eve themed storytime! What songs and dances will we use to usher in the new year?
The Benton library branch will celebrate New Years Eve just a bit early on December 31st at 11:30 AM. Everyone will gather round and count down to 12:00… noon, that is!
Leading up to the big countdown, we’ll read some of the very best books of 2024 and share our favorite songs and dances.
You know that we’ve started our Winter Challenges, right?!
From November 25th, 2024 through January 31st, 2025 at all three library branches, anyone can join and try and meet their reading, watching, or writing goals. We’ve got a bunch of different challenges – pick the track that suits you, and meet your goals to earn prizes from the library! All ages can participate, and it’s SUPER FUN.
Read more about our Winter Reading program on our event page.