This week’s lineup is a little spooky, a little boozy and a whole lot of festival season. Let’s get into it.
COVID forecast: Community level is low. Click here to get this week’s by-the-numbers report, and click here for a simplified version of what it means for how to go out into the city safely and responsibly.
Thursday, Oct. 20
Blue Jeans & Bubbles at Argenta Plaza // Now this is the bomb dot com. In its second year, this bash will feature delicious eats, specialty cocktails, a champagne bar, live music from the Rodney Block Collective and more. It’s all wrapped up in a ’90s theme and benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas. Be there 5-9 p.m. Learn more here.
Full House: Blue Jeans & Bubbles Cranks Up the Nostalgia for RMHCA
“The Birds” at Ron Robinson Theater // Don’t look up. Next up in the Hitchcocktoberfest series is this 1963 flick that made everyone a little jumpy around anything with wings. Showtime is 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Friday, Oct. 21
Third Friday Art Walk in Argenta // Let’s go on a walk, everybody. Lace up your comfy shoes because this monthly walk invites you to stroll through the Argenta Arts District’s lineup of special exhibits and events. Highlights include spooky DIYs at The Hub, a Marlene Gremillion highlight at the NLR Heritage Center, an exhibit opening for Laura Welshans at Acansa Gallery and a Lee Lee Arts pop-up and new jewelry release at Bang-Up Betty. The Art Walk starts at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Keep the arts coming: A Gallery Guide to Little Rock
“Misery” Opening Night at The Weekend Theater // Everyone loves a fan, right? Well, maybe not when your fan is Annie Wilkes. The downtown theater is bringing the Stephen King classic to life on stage, so prepare to squirm. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Saturday, Oct. 22
HarvestFest in Hillcrest // We wait all year for this family-favorite festival, and now it’s finally here. Warmer temps are back in the forecast for a whole day packed full of concerts, food trucks, games, costumes, puppies and tons of vendors on Kavanaugh. As always, a portion of the fest proceeds supports The Allen School. The day kicks off with yoga at 7:30 a.m. Learn more here.
Howl-o-Ween Parties in the Plaza at the Little Rock Zoo // Bring on the wolves, man. The zoo is bringing the Halloween fun on Saturdays with special crafts, magic shows, princess meet-ups and more, plus special themed animal shows. On the lineup for this week? Animal myths and legends. It starts at 9 a.m. Learn more here.
Harvest Festival at The Bramble Market // There’s no such thing as too many festivals, especially when they include pumpkins, hayrides, fresh eats and live music. Stop by 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more here.
Community Hope Fest at 9015 Dailey Drive // As we mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Women and Children First is raising awareness with this new community event held at the site of its future Family Peace Center. Come enjoy food trucks, vendors, music and family-friendly activities as you support their mission. Stop by 12-4 p.m. Learn more here.
Get involved: A Guide to Nonprofit Young Professionals Groups in Little Rock
Flyght Black Wine & Culture Festival at Park on the River // We’ll raise a glass to this. Now in its second year, this festival offers attendees curated wine tastings, food trucks, artists, live music and more, all with a special focus on Black-owned businesses. It goes down 4-8 p.m. Learn more here.
Fright Night at The Promenade at Chenal // It’s never too early for trick-or-treating, right? Get the fun started with a mini pumpkin patch, costume contest, candy, food trucks, music and more. Be there 5-8 p.m. Learn more here.
Speaking of pumpkins: Your Guide to Local Pumpkin Patches
Festival of Darkness at Lost Forty Brewing // Bring out your undead. At this annual Nighty Night Imperial Stout release/block party, guests are encouraged to don their zombie best — plus a new “sub-theme” for the zombie costume contest: birds — and enjoy dark beer samples from local and regional breweries. Food trucks, live music and more make this event one for the (horror) books. Even better? The evening’s festivities help support Recycle Bikes for Kids. It all starts at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
The Finest Gala at Argenta Plaza // It’s the best of both worlds. The Arkansas chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation combines its two most popular events — Breath of Life and Taste of the Finest — into one amazing night. Here guests will enjoy a seated dinner, signature sips, live entertainment and more. The al fresco evening begins at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Halloween Carnival at Funland Amusement Park // Don’t let your rocketship slide PTSD scare you away from this family-friendly fest complete with spooky rides, candy, movies and more. Be there 7-10 p.m. Learn more here.
Thursday – Saturday, Oct. 20-22
Concerts at Simmons Bank Arena // The NLR venue always has a great lineup, but this weekend is on another level. Catch Chris Stapleton on Thursday, Maxwell on Friday and Chicago on Saturday. Learn more here.
Friday & Saturday, Oct. 21 & 22
Greek Food Festival Drive-Thru at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church // Ah, yes. The time has come to eat your weight in gyros, even if they’re only available curbside. You can still get your fill of favorites like gyros, baklava, spanakopita and loukoumathes by ordering online and picking up your food via drive-thru from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. both days. Learn more here.
Need. More. Festivals. The 2022 Guide to Your Favorite Fall Festivals
Sunday, Oct. 23
Biscuit Brunch at Dunbar Garden // Let’s try this again, shall we? After getting rained out last weekend, this community garden benefit features all the deliciousness that comes when local chefs throw down for the honor of best biscuits and gravy. Come hungry and expect games, music and more. Gates open at 11 a.m. Learn more here.
Sunday Funday at Rusty Tractor Vineyards // Sunday scaries? We don’t know her. Patio hangs and food trucks (Lili’s Mexican Street Food and the return of Delta Biscuit Co.) await at the vineyard’s Sunset Lodge, plus beer, wine, cocktails and live music by Ben Byers. Stop by 12-4 p.m. Learn more here.
Still hungry? Maw Maw’s House Finds a Home at Stone’s Throw Brewing
Witches Ride The Heights on Kavanaugh // Get on your bikes and ride, witches. This inaugural parade invites the community to don their witchiest gear and cruise down Kavanaugh or join the onlooking crowds to benefit the historic Heights Fire Station #10. The ride wraps up at Boulevard Bread Co. with food trucks, music and activities for the fam. They ride at 3 p.m. Learn more here.
Thursday – Sunday, Oct. 20-23
“Dracula” at UA-PTC CHARTS Theater // Paging Van Helsing. Ballet Arkansas kicks off its 2022-2023 season with this multimedia retelling of Bram Stoker’s chilling, iconic tale. You have five chances to catch the show: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Learn more here.
Read on: What’s Ahead for Ballet Arkansas
Six Bridges Book Festival // Listen up, literary lovers. The Central Arkansas Library System’s 11-day signature event once again descends upon the city this weekend, and this time with a host of in-person events. The fest features a full lineup ranging from kids’ book authors to historians, George Michael tributes to “The Exorcist” screenings and so much more, and it all kicks off with a rooftop party downtown. Learn more here.
Last Days of the Arkansas State Fair at the Fairgrounds // Some things never change, and one of those things is the fair. The lights, the sights and the deep fried perfection are all waiting for you. All you have to do is answer their siren call and get yourself a corndog. Learn more here.
Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 22 & 23
Halloween Spooktacular at the Robinson Center // Even the symphony is getting into spooky season this year. The ASO is teaming up with the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Arkansas Circus Arts, Ballet Arkansas and more for this variety show featuring music from your favorite creepy films. Catch it Saturday at 7:30 p.m. or Sunday at 3 p.m. Learn more here.
And there’s still so much spooky fun around town: Your Ultimate Guide to Halloween in Little Rock