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.

It was important to us that we get this right. Arkansas PBS has one of the largest teams of educators of any PBS station in the US, and we were set to begin planning for a new children’s show that was not only entertaining and enjoyable by the whole family, but also engaging, thought provoking, and most importantly—educational. We didn’t know what we would call the show for some time, but in the fall of 2022, we were in the very early stages of planning for “Mystery League.” And it has been one of the most fulfilling educational initiatives of my career so far.

Want to get a look at the wonderful, weird and wild collectibles and antiques found throughout Arkansas?

Arkansas PBS has you covered with its new series “Arkansas Treasures” which is premiering Monday, Nov. 27, at 7 p.m.

“Arkansas Treasures” features the most unique stories culled from hundreds of items and conversations between the Arkansans who own them and our professional evaluators.

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”

We are one month away from the premiere of Arkansas PBS’s newest educational series “Mystery League”! Before we kick off this series, we wanted to introduce some of the faces you will see in the fictional town of Mulberry Springs.

Tune in to Arkansas PBS at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28 to catch the series premiere of “Homegrown.” This colorful program is a tribute to the essence of Arkansas, and explores the lives of remarkable individuals, their narratives and the rich heritage that each of them contributes to their communities. Please join us to explore the stories of difference makers, innovators, families and rural communities. “Homegrown” shares inspiring tales and will take you on a journey that reveals the true heart of The Natural State.

With Fall closing in, the time to cuddle up on the couch and watch some of your favorites is upon us.

“Frontline: Two Strikes/Tutwiler”

In this two-part special, “Frontline looks at a little known “two strikes” law and pregnancy in prison. In collaboration with The Marshall Project, the first half examines how a former West Point cadet got life in prison under a “two strikes” law. The second half documents what happens to pregnant women in prison and their newborns.

“Frontline: Two Strikes/Tutwiler” airs Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 9 p.m.

Get ready to learn more about holiday traditions in the first episode of “Celebrating Arkansas.”

Celebrating Arkansas: Holiday Traditions,” an Arkansas PBS original series showcasing The Natural State’s culture and heritage, is set to premiere with its Fall episode Monday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m., with an encore airing Thursday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.

Get ready for an August of premieres and finales as the month is jam-packed with great offerings. 
“Grantchester”

Get ready for not one, but two heart-pounding episodes of “Grantchester” on Sunday, Aug. 6 to conclude season 8. First up, in episode 5 (premiering at 8 p.m.), Geordie is placed on desk duty as Elliot contrives to force Geordie to resign. The next murder case is handed to Larry, who struggles but wisely enlists the help of Miss Scott.