How to Do the Total Solar Eclipse in Little Rock

Unless you’ve been living under a planet-sized rock, you know a total solar eclipse is headed straight for Little Rock on Monday, April 8. From our vantage point, the entire solar event will last from approximately 12:33-3:11 p.m., with the total eclipse beginning at 1:51 p.m. and lasting roughly three minutes. 

The entire state is pulling out all the stops for the show as it prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of tourists, and Little Rock is following suit with a packed lineup of events.

Will we break tourism records? Will the streets be packed? Will the weather cooperate for proper viewing? Only time will tell, but this amount of local fun in one week is definitely one for the books. Here’s how to get the star treatment at the 2024 total solar eclipse in Little Rock.

 

Eclipse Watch Parties

The total eclipse may only last a few minutes, but many local institutions are keeping the fun going until the sun goes down. Here’s where to join in on April 8.

 

First Tee Golf Course 

When: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

What to expect: All-day “eclipse golf” and complimentary range balls (kids 12 and younger play free), with a DJ and cookout during the eclipse. Learn more here.

 

Little Rock Zoo

When: 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.

What to expect: General admission guests will receive viewing glasses, enjoy entertainment and get to see how the animals react to the eclipse. You can also go the VIP route with the Pull Up on the Path Tailgate Party complete with catered breakfast, lunch, mimosas and bloody marys. Learn more here.

 

Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub

When: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

What to expect: A trip down the Argenta Arts District Solar Walk, DIY merch and lots of family-friendly, hands-on activities to learn about the eclipse. Learn more here.

 

Rebsamen Golf Course

When: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

What to expect: Concessions and skygazing on the back deck overlooking the Arkansas River. Learn more here.

 

Clinton Presidential Center

When: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

What to expect: A buffet lunch with drinks in the “Solar Eclipse Lounge,” plus museum admission and merch. Learn more here.

 

Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum 

When: 9 a.m.

What to expect: Lunch, concessions and a tour of the USS Razorback. Learn more here. 

 

Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center

When: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

What to expect: Hiking, crafts, a picnic and other outdoor activities. Learn more here.

 

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

What to expect: A live DJ, food and performances by Ballet Arkansas. Learn more here.

 

UA Little Rock

When: 10 a.m.

What to expect: Kids’ activities, science demonstrations, food trucks and solar-themed presentations from various departments on campus. Learn more here.

 

Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center

When: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

What to expect: Eclipse crafts, educational activities and animal feedings. Learn more here.

 

Sunset Lodge at Rusty Tractor Vineyards

When: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

What to expect: Live music, food trucks, charcuterie boards, merch and special eclipse-themed wines from the vineyards. Learn more here.

 

Dickey-Stephens Park

When: 11 a.m.

What to expect: Concessions, trivia, prizes and eclipse-themed Arkansas Travelers merch. Learn more here. Bonus: Since the eclipse aligns with opening weekend, all Travs games will have special eclipse elements. More on that here.

 

Park Plaza (in partnership with the Museum of Discovery)

When: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

What to expect: Face paintings, food trucks, lawn games, character meet-and-greets and science experiments on the mall’s upper parking deck. Learn more here.

 

War Memorial Stadium

When: 11 a.m.

What to expect: Food trucks, sips from Flyway Brewing, music, merch, blow-up soccer fields and hanging with the Little Rock Rangers. Learn more here. 

 

St. Joseph Center of Arkansas

When: 11 a.m. 

What to expect: Food, drinks and tours of the historic campus, plus an option to camp or park an RV on the grounds. Learn more here.

 

Jim Dailey Fitness & Aquatic Center

When: Noon

What to expect: A tranquil, celestial-focused yoga session by the outdoor pool, followed by refreshments. Learn more here. 

 

Burns Park Soccer Complex

When: 12:30-3:15 p.m.

What to expect: Food trucks, unobstructed views and plenty of space to spread out. Learn more here.

 

Arkansas River

When: 1-3 p.m.

What to expect: Unparalleled views of the eclipse from one of Rock Town River Outfitters’ kayaks. Learn more here.

 

Restaurants with day-of watch parties:

Reminder: Just about everyone is getting in on the eclipse fun, so check with your favorite local businesses to see what they have in the works.

 

Orbital Fun

Not all of the city’s otherworldly festivities take place on April 8. Make sure these celebrations throughout the week are on your radar, too.

 

Celestial Screenings, Speakers & Gallery Tours

Where: Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

When: Through April 8

What to expect: Leading up to Monday’s event, the AMFA has multiple activities for visitors to take part in. First up is a curated audio tour of celestial-inspired works from the AMFA Foundation Collection. More on that here. There are also hands-on activities for the kiddos, a courtyard happy hour, a conversation about the eclipse in Indigenous storytelling, screenings of “Fantasia” and “2001: A Space Odyssey” with the Arkansas Cinema Society and more. Learn more here.

 

Historical Museums

Where: Old State House Museum, Historic Arkansas Museum & Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

When: April 4-8

What to expect: Downtown Little Rock is filled with museums dedicated to its history and heritage, and many are taking part in eclipse fun from concerts and lectures to watch parties. Learn more here.

 

Stargazing Events

Where: Murray Park & War Memorial Park

When: April 5 & 7, 6-8 p.m.

What to expect: The city’s park crew will host two family-friendly nights focused on the night sky with a faux campfire, stargazing and eclipse education activities. Learn more here.

 

Blackout on the Boulevard Festival

Where: Lake Willastein

When: April 5-8

What to expect: Four days of fun are coming to this Maumelle park, and each one promises a carnival, food trucks and live music. Also on the lineup are hot air balloon rides, a fishing derby, vendor booths, fireworks and a beer garden. Learn more here.

 

SoMa in the Dark

Where: South Main neighborhood (SoMa)

When: April 5-6 & 8

What to expect: SoMa just might be the place to be for the eclipse weekend. On Friday, its monthly event SoMa After Dark looks skyward as businesses stay open late with pop-up events, food trucks and specials. On Saturday, the fun gets even bigger with a nighttime parade and festival complete with vendors, live music and art installations. On Monday, SoMa’s watch party will close down the street and offer music, Lost Forty brews and an interactive science market. (And yes, Loblolly Creamery has some special flavors up its frozen sleeves.) Learn more here.

 

Blinded by the Light Cabaret

Where: The Joint Comedy Theater

When: April 6, 6:30 p.m.

What to expect: Hosted by the Argenta Contemporary Theatre, this show is billed as “a night of eclipse-themed music performed by some of ACT’s brightest young stars.” Learn more here.

 

“The Planets” 

Where: Robinson Center

When: April 6-7

What to expect: Penned by Gustav Holst and performed by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, this “magnificent tribute to the cosmos” has been the basis of many an outer space movie score, including “Star Wars.” The program also includes Anna Clyne’s “Night Ferry,” all conducted by Geoffrey Robson. Learn more here.

 

Eclipse Pre-Party

Where: East Village neighborhood

When: April 7, 11 a.m. – midnight

What to expect: It’s all about the local stars on Sunday. Fidel & Co. Coffee Roasters will be serving an eclipse-themed menu, while The Rail Yard next door will have all-day food trucks, games, live music and drink specials. Further down Sixth Street, the Lost & Found Market is getting an eclipse makeover at Dog Eat Dog with more than 30 vendor booths, artists and more. Learn more here.

 

Barkus on Main: Bark Side of the Moon

Where: Main Street Creative Corridor

When: April 7, noon – 5 p.m.

What to expect: The spirit of Mardi Gras lives on post-Easter at this dog parade and block party, this time with a special celestial twist. The festivities stretch down Main Street from Third to Sixth and include a crawfish boil, gumbo, vendors, beer garden and hurricane station. Learn more here.

 

Eclipse Events & Programming

Where: Museum of Discovery

When: April 6-8

What to expect: Before the MoD heads to the mall, you can join in its pre-eclipse activities that include STEAM experiments, space demonstrations and lots of hands-on fun to learn about the eclipse. They also created an illustrated eclipse “social story” to help neurodivergent kids prepare for all the new experiences coming in the next week. Learn more here. 

 

Moon Block Party 

Where: Argenta Plaza

When: April 6-8

What to expect: On the north side of the river, three days of activities await in the Argenta neighborhood plaza. On Saturday, there’s a vendor market, DJ and silent disco. Sunday brings a Mayday by Midnight concert, trivia and barre and belly dancing classes. On eclipse day, the streets will close down for the viewing, vendors and live music by The Six Piece Suits. All three days will have a dose of food trucks and Flyway Brewing. Learn more here.

 

Total Eclipse: Art in the Dark Art Festival

Where: Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing

When: April 6-8

What to expect: Another three-day party, this bash is hosted by URBANE Magazine, JusTalk Consulting and Hearne Fine Art/Pyramid and takes place in the Dunbar neighborhood. Each day includes food trucks, live music and entertainment, along with kids’ activities, artists, vendors, speakers from NASA and more. Learn more here.

 

Free Outdoor Concerts

Where: First Security Amphitheater

When: April 6-8

What to expect: For this free concert series, local legends the Rodney Block Collective & All-Star Friends will take the stage on Saturday at 6 p.m., followed by Ward Davis and The Cons of Formant on Sunday at 7 p.m. On Monday, the critically acclaimed tribute “The Machine Performs Pink Floyd” will play through the entirety of “Dark Side of the Moon” beginning at 12:40 p.m., with a break in the show to take in the totality. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at each show. Learn more here.

 

Blinded by the Light After Party

Where: The Fold

When: April 8, 3-9 p.m.

What to expect: After the sun’s big dance, make your way to this Riverdale joint to load up on tacos, handmade Moon Pie cups and the new seasonal cocktail menu, as well as a pop-up with eclipse-themed jewelry from Lala Links. Learn more here.

 

Helpful Tips

There’s a lot to be excited about during the eclipse, but as with any big event, preparation is key. North Little Rock Tourism put together a SOLAR reminder to point locals in the right direction:

Shop ahead. Pick up medicine and necessary items before the weekend. It will be a brief period, so no need to panic or stockpile.
Observe safely. To view the eclipse safely, you need eclipse glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
Learn and be present. This natural phenomenon won’t occur in the U.S. again until 2045!
Adapt and adjust. Plan ahead, postpone activities until later in the week and prepare for traffic delays citywide. For up-to-date traffic information, click here.
Reduce travel. Carpool, use public transit, walk, cycle or work remotely if possible on Monday, April 8, particularly between noon and 4 p.m.

 

And finally, if all this has your head swimming and you’d rather observe the eclipse with a bit more peace and quiet, try a nearby getaway with special stays at Faulkner Lake Orchard or The Vines Center, or take advantage of The Natural State and head to one of these state parks. And if you’re hunkering down at home, try this Dark & Sunny cocktail recipe from Rock Town Distillery or this Teaclipse from Colonial Wines & Spirits.

But if you made it this far and still don’t quite get what all the fuss is about, listen to this conversation with an eclipse chaser from NPR’s “Life Kit” podcast.

 

We’ll continue to add to this list leading up to the eclipse, so be sure to check back. Have something to add? Send details to info@littlerocksoiree.com.

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