Spring flowers, Y2K cocktails, wicked witches — it’s all on the agenda this weekend. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, April 9
Spring Soirée at Tipton & Hurst // There’s nothing like the fresh blooms of the season, and this Heights mainstay is spreading the love. Guests can enjoy floral demonstrations, giveaways, prizes and local flavors. Stop by 4:30-6:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Expressions Art Show at the Albert Pike Masonic Center // Let there be art. Marking its 20th year, this event showcases artwork created by individuals living with mental illness who are part of the Birch Tree Communities program. The night also includes food, auctions and live entertainment, this year with a roaring ’20s theme, and all proceeds benefit the nonprofit. It starts at 5:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Spellebration at The Sanctuary at Argenta // Easy as 1-2-3, right? You’ll find out at this annual fundraiser for AR Kids Read. Guests will enjoy eats, drinks and a silent auction while competitors battle it out for the title of queen (spelling) bee. It kicks off at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
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Game Changer Casino Night at Next Level Events // Special Olympics Arkansas is starting the weekend with a sure thing. Its annual fundraiser includes rounds of blackjack, craps, roulette and three-card poker. The games (and food and drinks) begin at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Art Insights: Mindful Living at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts // Continuing the new series for AMFA is this conversation in conjunction with the exhibition “A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time.” Panelists Dr. Pele Yu of the UAMS Mindfulness Program, board-certified clinical pathologist Dr. Gina Drobena and holistic therapist and yoga teacher Kerri Michael will discuss mindfulness, meditation and creativity. It starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Thursday – Saturday, April 9-11
Pop-Up Plant Sales // For the green thumbs among us (and the wannabes with aspirations), there are multiple plant sales happening around the metro, many that also support the community, including:
Classic Movies at Ron Robinson Theater // The popcorn is flowing once again at the CALS theater in the River Market. Up first is “Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams” on Thursday at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday is “Paddington 2” at 12:30 p.m., followed by “National Theatre Live Presents: A Streetcar Named Desire” at 3 p.m. and “Sling Blade” at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Thursday – Sunday, April 9-12
“Wicked” Opening Weekend at the Robinson Center // Green never looked so good. The Broadway hit that launched a worldwide phenomenon opens this weekend in downtown Little Rock. The untold story of the Wicked Witch of the West includes all your favorite songs like “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good.” Learn more here.
More stage news: Little Rock’s Spring & Summer 2026 Performing Arts Calendar
Beyond the Divide Opening Weekend on West Ninth Street // If you keep up with our monthly Nonprofit News report, you know the Beyond the Divide project is transforming West Ninth Street into a pop-up Black business district. The corner of Ninth and State streets will be home to a village of shipping containers all month long, each housing a small biz pop-up, restoring some life back to the historic neighborhood. Learn more here. Bonus: And because it’s not Ninth without Taborian Hall, this weekend also marks the soft opening of the Dreamland Lounge on the first floor. We got an early peek.
Arkansas Travelers Season Opener at Dickey-Stephens Park // It’s an unofficial requirement of springtime that you must relish the ballpark and throw back a couple hot dogs while you’re at it. Lucky for you rule followers, the Travs are heading into their season at Dickey-Stephens this weekend with a series against the Wichita Wind Surge. Learn more here.
Friday, April 10
Mahjong Masters at the Pleasant Valley Country Club // Tiles at the ready, mahj lovers. Devine Mahjong is hosting this event where competitors choose to throw down tournament style or keep it chill with social play. Winners can take home big prizes and everyone can shop a lineup of vendors between games. It starts at 9 a.m. Learn more here.
2nd Friday Art Night in Downtown Little Rock // It’s 2FAN time, aka the monthly lineup of downtown businesses opening their doors for some art-fueled after-hours fun. Highlights this month include an Ike Plumlee show at The Window on Sixth, a Long Dog Art pop-up at Bella Vita, live music and letter writing at the Historic Arkansas Museum and art vendors and demonstrations at CALS Main. The Museum of Discovery’s new Parents’ Night Out Mini-Camp is back, too. 2FAN runs 5-8 p.m. Learn more here. Bonus: Bella Vita is keeping the fun going all weekend with trunk shows and clothing swaps. More on that here.
Now That’s What I Call Cocktails Menu Launch Party at Rock Town Distillery // It’s all bangers, no skips at this Friday bash. The SoMa joint’s new drink lineup is a mashup of its limited-edition past favorites, so it’s celebrating with a night of music, games, costumes, throwback fun and, of course, cocktail sipping. Turn it up from 5-9 p.m. Learn more here.
Ross Gay at Ron Robinson Theater // Next up in the CALS Speaker Series, this award-winning poet and author will discuss his book “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude,” an in-depth study of “the wisdom of the garden and orchard, those places where all — death, sorrow, loss — is converted into what might, with patience, nourish us.” It starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a book signing. Learn more here.
More bookish news: Save the Date for the Fourth Annual Rock Cities Book Crawl
Friday & Saturday, April 10 & 11
Dogtown Throwdown in Argenta // The Main Street fun is back, baby. This weekend, the NLR neighborhood shuts down the streets for outdoor dining, vendors and local entertainment. Highlights for the season’s kickoff include Four Quarter’s annual crawfish boil, a kids’ zone at the library, lots of champagne and even more live music. From Friday happy hour to last call on Saturday night, you’ll find all kinds of fun in Argenta. Learn more here.
More Argenta fun: Arkansas Times Craft Beer Festival Set for April 17
Saturday, April 11
Rescheduled Markets in the Metro // Last weekend’s forecast was quite unforgiving for all the spring and Easter markets on the calendar, so they’re running it back to catch up on the fun. Here’s where to find them:
Bare Bones Pilsner Launch Party at Lost Forty Brewing // Byrd Street is taking your taste buds back in time. For the first time in six years, the brewery’s beloved pilsner is back on tap and on shelves. Celebrate the re-release with a nature-themed afternoon of live music, vendors, a gear swap, demonstrations from Arkansas Game and Fish and more, all of which benefits The Van. Stop by 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn more here.
Paws on the Promenade at The Promenade at Chenal // Clear Lassie’s schedule. The WLR shopping center is teaming up with the Humane Society of Pulaski County for a morning of pet-fueled fun. Expect games, giveaways, activities and treats for your furry friends, plus the chance to take home another one. Stop by 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn more here.
Music in the Garden at Dunbar Garden // This is how you liven up a field. Among the spring blooms, the fifth annual garden party will celebrate local groundbreaking composer Florence Price with an afternoon of food, specialty teas, live jazz, an antique car exhibit and a derby hat contest. It starts at 2 p.m. Learn more here.
“Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” at UA-PTC CHARTS // As part of its lineup of festivities surrounding its namesake’s 98th birthday, the Celebrate! Maya Project is welcoming the Metro Theater Company out of St. Louis for a free production of “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me,” a play for kids adapted from Angelou’s famous 1993 poem. Showtime is 2 p.m. Learn more here.
PSA: The Heart Ball may be sold out, but you can still give to support the American Heart Association of Central Arkansas. More on that here.
Sunday, April 12
Misfit Maker Market at Fassler Hall // More local markets? Don’t mind if we do. Expect everything from jewelry to art to vintage pieces, and all with a bit of that signature Misfit flair. Plus, this month comes with an “April Showers” theme. The market runs 1-6 p.m. Learn more here.
‘Tis the season: Mark Your Calendar for the First Little Rock Farmers Market of the Year
