From fangs and festivals to food trucks and ferris wheels, the fall fun is out in full force this weekend. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, Oct. 15
Art & Soul at Midtown Event Center // Eat your heart out, Picasso. At this annual art show hosted by and benefiting Easterseals Arkansas, you can purchase the artwork of both professional artists and Easterseals clients, all while you enjoy dinner, drinks and music. It starts at 5:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Art Insights: “The Age of Anxiety” at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts // Continuing the series for AMFA is this presentation in conjunction with the newest exhibit “The Age of Anxiety: German Expressionism in Art and Film.” Curator Dr. Catherine Walworth will lead the discussion on “how war, political upheaval and rapid social change inspired one of the most influential art movements of the 20th century.” It starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Read on: “The Age of Anxiety” Exhibit Opens at AMFA
“Borderlands” at the Second Presbyterian Church of Little Rock // Led by conductor Israel Getzov, the Little Rock Wind Symphony opens its season with a program showcasing pieces that represent Arkansas and its surrounding states (and yes, “Oklahoma!” is on the lineup). Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Plus: Tickets are no longer available for the Inspiration Gala, but you can still donate to help the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas reach its fundraising goal. More on that here. And don’t miss our conversation with 2026 Inspire Award honoree Katherine Vasilos.
Thursday – Sunday, Oct. 15-18
Opening Weekend at Local Theaters // The stages are hopping this weekend, and things are getting more than a little sticky on both Argenta Contemporary Theatre is going full Stephen King with its production of “Misery,” a tale of fandom gone completely awry. Meanwhile, The Weekend Theater brings the comedic relief with a very unlikely hero in “The Toxic Avenger.”
Save the dates: Little Rock’s 2026 Fall & Winter Performing Arts Calendar
Central Arkansas PrideFest // Rainbows at the ready, Little Rock. This annual festival makes its return this weekend with a full lineup of fun (think: bingo, pageants, performances and brunch). On Saturday is the main event featuring a community parade, food trucks, live entertainment, vendors and more. Learn more here.
Friday, Oct. 16
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 an exhibit opening by local surrealist REID at Acansa Gallery, a Phillip Rex Huddleston feature at Caverns & Forests, a showcase of Parkview High School student art at Funky Stretch Pizza and an open studio with Chris Massingill, Bang-Up Betty and Lee Lee Arts + Design. Art Walk starts at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Read more about Huddleston in this month’s artist spotlight.
Friday & Saturday, Oct. 16 & 17
Classic Movies at Ron Robinson Theater // The popcorn is flowing once again at the CALS theater in the River Market. Up first is “The Fly” on Friday at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday is “National Theatre Live Presents: The Fifth Step” at 3 p.m. and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at 7 p.m. Learn more here. Bonus: The Mountainfilm on Tour short film festival also returns to Ron Robinson on Thursday. More on that here.
Tour the Vines at The Capital Hotel // A weekend of fine dining and sipping is just what this agenda needed. Guests can explore wines from around the world and participate in expert-led blind tastings, as well as partake in perfectly paired five-course meals. Learn more here.
Friday – Sunday, Oct. 16-18
Arkansas State Fair at the State Fairgrounds // It’s back, y’all. 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 turkey leg (or two). Learn more here.
And the 2026 festival season is still going strong. Here’s the rundown.
Saturday, Oct. 17
Run the Park 5K at Two Rivers Park // Grab your sneakers and start the day with some adrenaline. Hosted by the Little Rock Realtors Association, this 5K includes a one-miler for the kiddos, and proceeds go to Special Olympics Arkansas. It starts at 7:30 a.m. Learn more here.
Keep moving: Fall Runs to Keep on Your Radar
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. October continues the year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and this event dives into what the phrase “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” meant in the early days of Arkansas (and maybe some spooky fun, too). Stop by 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more here.
CALS Renaissance Faire at Main Library // Hear ye, hear ye! The River Market is getting a dose of the ren faire life as all ages are invited to get in on jousting games, knightly crafts, tasty alchemy, ye olde storytime and so much more. Don your finest and join the fun 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Hillcrest HarvestFest in Hillcrest // We wait all year for this local-favorite festival, and it’s finally here. Fall temps are (also finally) in the forecast for a whole day packed full of concerts, food trucks, games, puppies and tons of vendors on Kavanaugh. As always, a portion of the fest proceeds supports The Allen School. The festivities last 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Learn more here.
It’s fall, y’all: Your Guide to Pumpkin Patches in Central Arkansas
Arkansas Salsa Festival at the West Central Community Center // If we already have a cheese dip festival, why wouldn’t we have one for salsa? Little Rock Parks & Recreation is answering the call with this contest for pros and amateurs alike, plus a lineup of live music and vendors. The heat starts at noon. Learn more here.
Argenta Vibe Music Series at Argenta Green Park // These are the vibes you’re looking for. The NLR neighborhood’s free outdoor concert series concludes its 2026 season with live music from Arkansauce and Chris DeClerk, plus nearby local eats, drinks, a small biz pop-up market and VIP tickets. Gates open at 4 p.m. Learn more here.
Casino Night & Texas Hold’em Tournament at Next Level Events // Put on your poker face. Back for another year, this Youth Home event’s stakes are higher than ever. Take your pick of classic casino games all staffed by experienced dealers as you vie for raffle tickets. And don’t worry, there’s plenty up for grabs at the Texas Hold’em tables, too. The play starts at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Plug in, Little Rock: A Guide to Groups That Give Back
Boots & Bling Champions Celebration at the North Little Rock Event Center // This annual Alzheimer’s Arkansas bash is back with a new look and an all-out Western vibe. The night includes dinner, drinks, live music and auctions, all while honoring its Champions of the Year: Kim Clatworthy, Sharon Heflin, Pamela Smith and the Arkansas Federal Credit Union. It starts with a VIP reception at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Ghost Hunting 101 at the Old State House Museum // We’re deep into spooky season, so keep your ghost traps handy. Join local paranormal investigators Rhonda Burton and Linda Howell to learn a thing or two about investigation techniques while supporting the Arkansas State House Society. It starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
The haunting is just getting started: Your Ultimate Guide to Halloween in Little Rock
NPR Tiny Desk Contest: Arkansas Showcase at The Hall // This is what The Natural State sounds like. Bringing a variety of genres from different corners of the state, this Little Rock Public Radio event showcases up-and-coming bands selected by a panel of judges to bring the house down. Showtime is 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Gavin Adcock at the First Security Amphitheater // Another weekend, another great concert on the riverbank. This time around, “one of country music’s most buzzed-about artists” is bringing The Day I Hang It Up Tour to the stage along with special guests Braxton Keith and The Creekers. Showtime is 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 17 & 18
“Halloween Spooktacular” at the Robinson Center // The symphony is getting supernatural. Next up in the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Pops Series is this spellbinding show featuring some of your favorite fangtastic music legends like “Young Frankenstein,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and beyond. Joining the show will be performers from Arkansas Circus Arts, the Mirana Dance Company, Ballet Folklórico and more, and yes, the costume parade is back, too. Catch the show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday or 3 p.m. Sunday. Learn more here.
Sunday, Oct. 18
Camp Aldersgate Fish Fry at Camp Aldersgate // Clear eyes, full stomachs, can’t lose. That’s the motto we’re counting on for this 43rd annual feast of a fundraiser. Across the campgrounds, guests are invited to enjoy catfish and all the fixin’s, not to mention a fishing derby for kids, games, live music and other family-friendly activities. Stop by 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Lost & Found Halloween Market at 1319 Main St. // No, we never get enough of all the local markets, especially when they go all in on the most ghoulish time of the year. This month’s market returns with more than 60 vendors showcasing their art, vintage goods and so much more. Come shop noon – 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Tales of the Crypt at Mount Holly Cemetery // Although it might sound a bit creepy, this yearly community event is less ghosts, more local history. Guests will tour the beautiful grounds of Mount Holly while hearing all about the Arkansans below their feet from Parkview drama students in historical costumes. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Stroll the cemetery 2-4 p.m. Learn more here. Bonus: Can’t get enough? The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is hosting a walking tour in Oakland & Fraternal Historic Cemetery Park on Oct. 15. More on that here.
More haunting history: Haunted Arkansas Tours Dig Up Local Lore in Argenta