If you’ve been wondering when event season was going to pick back up after the summer slump, it’s now. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, Sept. 12
A Concert Under the Stars at Wildwood Park for the Arts // It’s an exciting weekend for Wildwood. The WLR park is unveiling its Daffodil Plaza, a new outdoor performance and recreational space, with a night of live music from the Rodney Block Collective and food from BCW. BYO blankets and chairs, or be prepared to head indoors if it rains. It starts at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Dali Quartet at Christ Episcopal Church // Opening the season for the Chamber Music Society, this concert will feature the acclaimed quartet’s ability to “hold imagination and excellence at the heart of its music making.” Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Plus: Tickets are no longer available for the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s Dancing With Our Stars, but you can still donate to help the nonprofit reach its fundraising goal. More on that here.
Friday, Sept. 13
“Friday the 13th Part 2” at Camp Taco // Superstitious day, super delicious lineup at this retro restaurant that was just begging for a Camp Crystal Lake makeover. Expect all-day themed menu items, a costume contest, photo opps and a screening of the 1981 slasher to close out the night. Doors open at 11 a.m. Learn more here.
2nd Friday Art Night in Downtown Little Rock // It’s 2FAN time, aka the monthly lineup of downtown businesses opening their doors for after-hours artistic fun. Highlights this month include fiber art at Bella Vita, suffrage-themed activities at the Old State House Museum, art vendors at the CALS Rock It! Lab and local sips and historic superstitions at the Historic Arkansas Museum. 2FAN runs 5-8 p.m. Learn more here.
Work up an appetite? Central Arkansas Restaurant Weeks Are Now on the Menu
Zoo Brew and Cocktails, Too! at the Little Rock Zoo // Bottoms up, party animals. It’s that time of year when you get your craft beer on while hanging out with lions and tigers and bears. This annual event features live music, food trucks, games and tons of brews to sample, plus a full cocktail menu. Proceeds from the event go to the Arkansas Zoological Foundation. The night kicks off at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Trivia Bee at Grace Presbyterian Church // This is your time to shine, factoid aficionados. Come compete for the proverbial trophy to raise funds for Literacy Action of Central Arkansas. If your palms are sweating at the thought, you can cheer on a team from the crowd and get in on food, drinks and a silent auction while you’re at it. It all starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Saturday, Sept. 14
Tinkerfest at the Museum of Discovery // Time for some hands-on fun. This annual event is full of activities (for both kids and adults) that teach all about the way things work, from drone demos to waterworks and everything in between. More than 50 activities will take place both indoors and outdoors, and the fun lasts from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn more here.
Great Arkansas Cleanup at Murray Park // Want to make a positive impact in your community right now? Here’s how. Keep Arkansas Beautiful is hosting this cleanup event that will spread out across the park, along the trail and on the river shoreline. Meet up at 9 a.m. Learn more here.
Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Block Party at Dugan’s Pub // POV: The party’s so good, you can’t wait another six months. Though there’s no parade this time, there will still be live music, step dancers, beer tents, vendors and plenty o’ green. Stop by 4-10 p.m. Learn more here.
Fiesta de Independencia Hispana at Plaza Frida // Happy (almost) Mexican Independence Day! Ahead of Monday’s holiday, this fourth annual cultural festival brings together artists, food, vendors and performers to celebrate the independence and heritage of nine Latin American countries. Be there 5-9 p.m. Learn more here.
It doesn’t stop there: 3 Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Little Rock
Thursday & Saturday, Sept. 12 & 14
Movies at Ron Robinson Theater // The popcorn is flowing once again at the CALS theater in the River Market. Up first is the Made in Arkansas Film Festival’s monthly program on Thursday, this time featuring “Dark Turns: An Evening of Action Thrillers,” followed by “Clue” on Saturday. Showtime is 7 p.m. both nights. Learn more here.
Friday & Saturday, Sept. 13 & 14
Dogtown Throwdown in Argenta // The Main Street fun is back, baby. This weekend, the NLR neighborhood shuts down the streets for outdoor dining, vendors, live music and local entertainment. Highlights include Americana concerts from Adam Faucett, Greg Spradlin & The Delta Soul Singers and more, plus performances by Ballet Arkansas (more on that later). From Friday happy hour to last call on Saturday night, you’ll find all kinds of fun in Argenta. Learn more here.
Sunday, Sept. 15
Painting for Peace at the 7th Street Mural Project // Time to roll up those sleeves. As Arkansas Peace Week kicks off, community members are encouraged to flex their painting skills and help with murals, while also enjoying kids’ activities, food trucks and music. Come feel the neighborly vibes 2-6 p.m. Learn more here.
River City Men’s Chorus Fall Concert at St. James United Methodist Church // We like the sound of this. The chorus will kick off its 21st season with “The Music of Craig Courtney,” a concert featuring some of the composer’s most “sacred and inspirational songs,” as well as the debut of a new piece. The free show starts at 3 p.m. Learn more here.
Thursday – Sunday, Sept. 12-15
Acansa Arts Festival // Spanning the course of three weekends, this fest continues its second week with a schedule packed with all sorts of performances on both sides of the river. This weekend’s lineup includes music from Tripliciti and Gangstagrass, as well as plays “The Other Mozart” and “The Sunshine Boys.” Learn more here.
In case you haven’t noticed, it’s officially festival season: The 2024 Guide to Your Favorite Fall Festivals in the Little Rock Metro
Friday – Sunday, Sept. 13-15
Grand Opening Weekend at the Stella Boyle Smith Music Center // It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra unveils its new HQ in style with three days of all-out celebrations. It kicks off on Friday with a private donor event, then cranks things up on Saturday with a parade from First Security Amphitheater to the East Village, outdoor festivities, crafts for kids and lots of live music, ending with a music-themed masquerade. On Sunday, you can get a peek behind the curtain with open ASO rehearsals in the new space. Learn more here.
“Bold New Moves” at Argenta Plaza // Ballet Arkansas’ popular outdoor performance series is back to help kick off the fall return of Dogtown Throwdown. Guests can get in on three days of (free!) live performances by “next-gen choreographers” in the heart of Argenta. Showtimes are 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 6 p.m. Sunday. Learn more here.
“Peter Pan” at the Robinson Center // Second to the right, and straight on till morning (or at least until you hit Broadway). J.M. Barrie’s legendary tale comes to life in a new adaptation of this beloved musical with favorites like “I Won’t Grow Up” and “I Gotta Crow.” You have five chances to catch the show. Learn more here.
Vintage Market Days at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds // Talk about flea market fabulous. This traveling pop-up market rolls into town twice a year, setting up shop so locals can get their fill of antiques, clothing, outdoor furnishings, art, home goods, food trucks, live music and more. Shopping hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday. Learn more here.