Good morning, Fayetteville.

Local sponsors offer a mix of weekly deals with spicy tenders, gift card specials, pop-up events and dining discounts from venues like Slim Chickens, JJ’s Grill and Signature Bank — each designed to boost holiday shopping in Fayetteville.

Upcoming events include Stonebreaker Hotel’s Nogg Off on Dec. 5–6 and a Santa Drop at the Arkansas Air & Military Museum on Dec. 6, adding festive choices for residents.

Fayetteville local Brendon Thomas appeared on Jeopardy! on Dec.

1 when his episode, hosted by Ken Jennings, aired on Channel 5 at 4:30 p.m. after 5NEWS First.

The University of Arkansas School of Art will host its annual Winter Art Market on Saturday, Dec.

6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Studio and Design Center at 696 W. Praxis Ln.—local students, faculty, and staff will sell diverse art pieces including prints, photographs, ceramics, and more to support local artists and the creative economy.

Occupational therapy students visited the Capitol to meet legislators and see health policy at work.

The visit—part of an effort to establish a Hill Day for occupational therapy—was funded by a WE CARE grant to build students’ advocacy skills.

A new exhibition, Craft and Technology: Digital Design + Making Across Campus, opens at Mullins Library where U of A students show original works that mix augmented reality with hands-on craft techniques.

A reception is planned for Dec. 3 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and the exhibit will run until Feb.27.

This December, the University of Arkansas will host the Japanese Language Proficiency Test as one of 19 U.S. sites, with registration reaching an all-time high of over 410 examinees—marking the fifth consecutive year of record growth at the campus.

U of A alumnus Chris Lewis established a Land of Opportunity Scholarship Endowment with a $250,000 gift to ease financial barriers for full-time design students in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design+the three-year campaign, launched in November, will extend educational access to students across all 75 Arkansas counties while building stronger ties with local businesses.

The Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center will host Jamie I.

Baum on Wednesday, Dec 3 at 10:45 a.m. in BELL 2267—attendees can join in person or via Zoom to learn how skeletal muscle helps sense and modulate nutrient intake and prevent chronic disease.

Marshall Saviers, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield/Sage Partners, said Northwest Arkansas office vacancies remain at 4.5%—with startups and Walmart vendors driving strong demand—and that retail vacancies at 3.5% alongside rising rents and creative retrofits show the market is growing.

He added that new industrial buildings and ongoing office and retail projects will boost the region’s commercial space needs.

Shreveport Evangel athlete Ashton Dawson reopened his recruitment Monday after speaking with new Razorback coach Ryan Silverfield and reversed his commitment made in June.

Dawson, a 3-star recruit who stands 6-2 and weighs 286 pounds, had chosen Arkansas over offers from Florida State and others—he is now one of 15 commitments for the 2026 class.

Bryant linebacker Jakore Smith committed to Arkansas football and head coach Ryan Silverfield on Monday—ESPN rated him 3-star and the nation’s ninth-best inside linebacker after he reopened his recruitment that had originally favored Oklahoma.

Arkansas hired Ryan Silverfield as its new head football coach; his $33.5 million contract over five years comes as the Razorbacks face a long losing streak and plan to use their NIL structure to recruit players — boosters are expected to build a competitive compensation package for talent.

Postmodern Jukebox: Magic, Moonlight, and Mistletoe Tour

7-9:30 p.m. — Ozark Music Hall — Ticketed event — Experience a vintage musical journey featuring genre-twisting covers of holiday classics and pop hits.

Kimberly Akimbo Musical

7:00–8:30 p.m. — Walton Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the five-time Tony-winning musical featuring an engaging story and stunning performances.

Super Saturday: Ozark Ballet Theater's The Nutcracker

10-11 a.m. — Fayetteville Public Library — Free entry — Enjoy delightful excerpts from The Nutcracker performed by the Ozark Ballet Theater.

The Nutcracker: International Ballet Stars

7 p.m. — Jim & Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center — Tickets required — Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a delightful performance of The Nutcracker.

MeatEater Live: The Christmas Tour

7 PM – 12 AM — Ozark Music Hall — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the holidays with Steven Rinella and the MeatEater crew in a night filled with laughs and outdoor insights.

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings

6:30-7:29 p.m. — TheatreSquared — $51.4 — Experience the magic of Christmas carols performed by a string quartet under candlelight.