Chili cookoffs, pumpkin parties, Halloween markets, aliens — it doesn’t get more October than this. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Bard at the Bar at Fassler Hall // Who let Shakespeare into the liquor cabinet? Put on by the Actors Theatre of Little Rock, this performance of “Hamlet” is a shortened rendition, but one that includes extra drinks, way less rehearsal and 100% more fun. Showtime is 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Dorothy Moore at the Robinson Center // A legend is in the building. The soul star brings her Diamond & Gold show to LR celebrating her 80th birthday and the 50th anniversary of her classic “Misty Blue.” Also taking the stage are saxophonist and vocalist M’Eubie (Michael Eubanks) and vocalist Nia Renee. Showtime is 7 p.m. Learn more here.
PSA: Seats go fast in event season. Tickets are no longer available to these events, but you can still donate to help each reach its fundraising goal:
- Wine, Women & Shoes benefiting the Children’s Protection Center
- A Celebrated Table at Live Thankfully benefiting Immerse Arkansas
- SpectacuaLR benefiting UA Little Rock Trojan Athletics
- i-LIVE for Boots & BBQ benefiting i-LIVE to Work, Play & Dream
- Gala for Good benefiting Goodwill Arkansas
Want more opportunities? Plug In, Little Rock: A Guide to Groups That Give Back
Thursday – Saturday, Oct. 22-24
Classic Movies at Ron Robinson Theater // The popcorn is flowing once again at the CALS theater in the River Market, and this weekend features some particularly spooktacular cinema. Up first is “Practical Magic” on Thursday, then “The Exorcist” on Friday and “Hocus Pocus” on Saturday, each at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Thursday – Sunday, Oct. 22-25
Last Days of the Arkansas State Fair // 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 before they close up shop for the year. Learn more here.
Speaking of deep fried perfection: Maumelle Food Truck Festival Brings the Flavor to Lake Willastein in November
Friday, Oct. 23
Little Rock’s Finest at The DeCantillon // The Arkansas chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is bringing back its annual fundraiser with a new venue and a new vibe. Guests will enjoy eats from local restaurants, craft cocktails, live entertainment and more. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Ole 60 at the First Security Amphitheater // Another weekend, another great concert on the riverbank. This Friday, the band known for “[blending] classic country roots with alt-country grit, grunge edge and Southern rock energy” is bringing its Off the Grid Tour to the stage along with special guests Arcy Drive and Garret Elias. Showtime is 7 p.m. Learn more here.
“The Addams Family” Opening Night at Wildwood Park for the Arts // Stage 13 is doing spooky season right with this musical based on your fave creepy, kooky fam. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Save the dates: Little Rock’s 2026 Fall & Winter Performing Arts Calendar
Friday & Saturday, Oct. 23 & 24
The Great Pumpkin Party at The Good Earth Garden Center // Talk about some gourdgeous weekend plans. The WLR nursery is going all in on fall with two days of pumpkins, food, games, s’mores and much more. Learn more here.
Sweet 16 Celebration at Rock Town Distillery // We’ll drink to this. Arkansas’ first legal distillery since Prohibition is marking 16 whole years of greatness, and it’s celebrating in style. Expect tastings, tours, new releases and an exclusive Barrel House experience. Learn more here.
Cheers, ghouls: 6 Wicked Wines to Sip This Spooky Season
Friday – Sunday, Oct. 23-25
“The Great Gatsby” at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts // We’ll take our glamour with a side of murder. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic, tragic tale gets a new life thanks to this immersive retelling by Ballet Arkansas that begins where Jay Gatsby’s story ends. You can add on to your show experience with a pre-show talk with executive and artistic director Michael Fothergill on Friday or A Roaring Affair special event on Saturday. Learn more here.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Halloween Fall Market at the Market at Chenal // This WLR market is going the ghoulish route this weekend on Rahling Circle. Bring out the fam and get in on food trucks, games, vendors, trick-or-treating and more. It runs 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn more here.
Arkansas Rasta Fest + 5K & 10K at NLR Riverfront Park // This annual fun run/walk is all about celebrating peace, love and unity while breaking a sweat. And when it’s all over, you can jam by the river with live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, music and more. It all starts at 9 a.m. Learn more here. Bonus: Keep your sneakers handy. Saturday is also the Arkansas State Championship Beer Mile in Argenta and the Out of Darkness, Into the Light Walk in MacArthur Park.
And yes, there are even more fall runs to keep on your radar.
P. Allen Smith at the Historic Arkansas Museum // Fresh off the release of his new PBS series, P. Allen Smith is ready to chat about all things autumn. The landscape designer, conservationist and local legend will cover fall planting essentials in this free session, as well as his new book “Moss Mountain Farm: A Sense of Place.” It starts at 10 a.m. Learn more here.
Halloween Chili Cookoff at Rock City Harley-Davidson // Hope you’re hungry, goblins. This 20th annual event is marking a tasty milestone where competitors go head to head for the title of chili champ. Costumes are encouraged, and proceeds go to Feed the Vets and the Humane Society of Pulaski County. It kicks off at 11 a.m. Learn more here.
Dia de Muertos at the CALS Main Library // If you’ve never been to a Day of the Dead celebration, let’s change that. Head downtown for an afternoon of honoring your lost loved ones through traditional performances, cuisine, ofrendas, art and more cultural festivities. Experience it all 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn more here.
Make plans: Where to Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Little Rock
Garage Sale (An Art Market) at Union Station Self Storage // Retail therapy, anyone? Come shop from more than 20 local vendors showcasing art, fashion and all kinds of finds, plus local eats and live music, all hosted by the newly-launched Lucky at Love Market Collective. Peruse from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Chili Fights in The Heights on Kavanaugh // Is there a more perfect dish than chili on a fall day? This annual street festival pits teams against each other to find the best bowl the city has to offer, all while benefiting the Arkansas FoodBank. The lineup also includes live entertainment, a kids’ zone, beer garden and more. The flavor starts at noon. Learn more here.
Sober October Block Party at the Wolfe Street Center // All of the fun, none of the boo-ze. This family-friendly fest features food trucks, music, games, trick-or-treating and Halloween fun. Stop by 1-4 p.m. Learn more here.
Nightmare at the Museum at the Museum of Discovery // Run for the hills! (And by “hills,” we mean the River Market.) This annual MoD grownup bash is all about things that go bump in the night. Expect fire breathing, zombie battling, boo brews, food trucks and hands-on experiments. Come haunt 6-9 p.m. Learn more here.
Cliff & Susan’s Ranch Gala The Pine Hill Ranch // Time to break out the cowboy boots. This Western-themed fundraiser for Healing Hooves promises dancing, food trucks, drinks, auctions, raffles and live music from Cliff & Susan marking the release of their new album. The party starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
“The Princess Bride” at Rose Creek Park // This little park in the Capitol View neighborhood is taking advantage of the fall weather by taking visitors on a nostalgia-fueled movie adventure. BYO chairs and blankets, snag some popcorn and join Princess Buttercup and crew for some fairytale magic. It starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
More for the fam: Jurassic Quest Brings Dino Delight to Downtown Little Rock
Dead Man’s Disco at Pocket Dimension Bookshoppe // A Halloween party in a bookstore? You have our attention. Don your favorite costume, make room for snacks and lurk on down for some literary haunting. The fun starts at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Robinson Center // Now in its 32nd year, this annual event is part-induction ceremony, part-entertainment show. This year Rebecca and Darrell Finney, Frank A. James, Joe Marcus Johnson, Raymond P. Miller, Hazell Reed and Shirley N. Weber will be recognized for their contributions to the state, the nation and beyond. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 24 & 25
Arkansas Paranormal Expo at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History // Hope you charged your proton pack. Embrace your love of all things strange with panels on ghosts, cryptids, UFOs and lots more. There will also be vendors (think: tarot readings, books, art), raffles, auctions and a few food trucks to keep you fueled, plus the second annual bigfoot calling competition. Proceeds go toward the preservation of the museum. The fun lasts from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days. Learn more here.
Believe it or not, there’s more bewitching on the books: Your Ultimate Guide to Halloween in Little Rock