May is already half gone, but the fun is on full blast. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, May 14
Sandra Wilson Cherry Award Dinner at the Chenal Valley Country Club // An annual fundraiser supporting the work of The Gaines House, this year’s event features a seated dinner, silent auctions and a celebration of the 2026 Sandra Wilson Cherry Award Winner Ellon Cockrill. The evening starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Richard Kreitner at Ron Robinson Theater // Next up in the CALS Speaker Series, this journalist and historian will discuss his book “Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews, the Civil War, and the Fight to End Slavery,” an in-depth look at “how American Jews reckoned with slavery ― and fought the Civil War.” It starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a book signing. Learn more here.
Movie Night on Ninth Street // As part of the Beyond the Divide pop-up installation on West Ninth Street, visitors can get a taste of Hollywood with outdoor screenings, this week of “Akeelah and the Bee.” While you’re there, make sure to peruse all the small Black-owned businesses in the pop-up. Showtime is 8 p.m. Learn more here. Bonus: Come back on Saturday to get in on line dancing. More on that here.
PSA: The Arkansan of the Year event may be sold out, but you can still get in on auction items to support Easterseals Arkansas. More on that here.
Friday, May 15
Third Friday Art Walk in Argenta // This monthly walk invites you to stroll through the Argenta Arts District’s lineup of special exhibits and events. Highlights include a Meikel Church pop-up at Argenta Counseling & Wellness, a Daphyne Williams showcase at Argenta Contemporary Theatre and an open studio with Sherry J. Williamson, Bang-Up Betty and Lee Lee Arts + Design. Art Walk starts at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Fridays on the Lawn at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts // As if you needed another reason to visit the AMFA, Fridays in May mean lawn games, music, drinks and art classes on the MacArthur Park grounds. Stop by 5-8 p.m. Learn more here.
Bordeaux Rendez-Vous Wine Tasting at Rusty Tractor Vineyards // Let’s enter the weekend with glasses raised. At this exclusive tasting, the flavors of Bordeaux, France, will be on the menu with nearly 50 wines to choose from, plus bites from Petit & Keet and a chance to chat with the pros. It starts at 4:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Keep that glass raised: Blue Jeans & Bubbles Returns This June
Friday & Saturday, May 15 & 16
QQThrift at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church // At the corner of 16th & Louisiana sits “the best little thrift store you’ve never heard of.” It pops up the first and third weekend of each month with everything from jewelry to books to home decor and beyond. Shopping hours are 2-5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday. Learn more here.
Friday – Sunday, May 15-17
Pulaski County Fair at NLR Riverfront Park // Dibs on the funnel cake. This sixth annual event is taking to the north shore, kicking off its 2026 run by inviting guests to enjoy rides, games, vendors, lots of live music and, yes, plenty of fried food. Fair hours are 5-10 p.m. Friday and noon – 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Learn more here.
Anniversary Celebration at Petit & Keet // We’re getting hungry already. This WLR restaurant is marking nine years in the biz with menu specials, champagne toasts, a seafood boil and the return of some beloved cocktails. Operating hours are 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5-9 p.m. Sunday. Learn more here. Bonus: They’re not the only ones celebrating a birthday. Don’t forget to show some love to Flying Saucer on Saturday. More on that here.
Rock City Film Festival at Ron Robinson Theater // Pass the popcorn. This eighth annual event is designed to showcase films made by some of The Natural State’s finest. Filmmakers from across Arkansas submitted their films, and the featured selections will be screened for the public over the course of three days. Learn more here.
More festival news: Arkansas Cornbread Festival Returns to SoMa This Fall
Saturday, May 16
Little Rock Farmers Market Opening Day at the River Market Pavilions // Time to freshen things up a bit. Saturday kicks off three months of local produce, vendors, special events and more. Bring a bag and stop in anytime from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn more here.
Stay fresh: St. Joseph Center of Arkansas to Open Farm Store in Breckenridge Village
Living Craft Saturday at Historic Arkansas Museum // Time travel, anyone? HAM’s monthly series gives guests an immersive, hands-on opportunity to learn about life in the early days of Arkansas. May continues the year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and this event dives into what the phrase “wholesome and necessary for the public good” meant in Antebellum Arkansans. Stop by 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more here.
Saturday Shop Vintage Market at The Bernice Garden // In SoMa, the vintage vibes are back at Bernice for the May edition of this recurring neighborhood event. Expect vendors with throwback fashions, decor and art. Come shop noon – 6 p.m. Learn more here.
50th Anniversary Celebration at the Old Mill // We love when a landmark celebrates a milestone, and that’s exactly what’s happening this Saturday in Park Hill. The iconic Old Mill will mark 50 years as a city park with a day of tours, giveaways, kids’ activities and messages from the people who make it all possible. It starts at 1 p.m. Learn more here.
Little Rock Rangers Double Header at Burns Park // This is how you get excited for the season. Both the women’s and men’s teams will hit the field for this pre-season double header. The women will take on Tulsa Flick City at 5 p.m., and the men will face off against FC Bartlesville at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Argenta Vibe Music Series on East Sixth Street // The vibes are excellent in Argenta this weekend. The NLR neighborhood’s free outdoor concert series continues its 2026 season (in a new space due to plaza construction) with live music from the Lost Bayou Ramblers and The Parker Unit, plus local eats, drinks and even some VIP views. The fun starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Hourglass Reading Series at Skyline Event Venue // New name, new views, same intimate experience. Formerly known as the Argenta Reading Series, this recurring event is evolving to explore new spaces across the metro. In its first appearance back on the scene, award-winning writer Edward McPherson will share from his book “Look Out: The Delight and Danger of Taking the Long View,” with the Oxford American‘s Frederick McKindra performing the opening reading. The night starts with drinks at 6:30 p.m., and readings begin at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
More stellar sights: 5 Little Rock Restaurants That Savor the View
Styx at Simmons Bank Arena // This one’s for you, renegades. The classic rockers are bringing their latest tour to NLR with special guest Cheap Trick. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” in Concert at the Robinson Center // The Boy Who Lived has never been quite so magical. This special screening of the 2002 film brings Harry and the gang back to the big screen, this time with live accompaniment by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Learn more here. Bonus: If you want more, don’t miss the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Community Orchestra’s spring concert on Sunday. More on that here.
More stage news: These Broadway shows are coming to the Robinson Center.