Praise the weather gods. We’ve made it to the cool side of Labor Day and are staring down the barrel of autumn nights, perfect afternoons and the return of a whole slew of citywide-favorite events.
That said, Siri, please add all of these dates to our calendar.
Acansa Arts Festival of the South | Sept. 5-21
Yes, the festival season is already underway. This marks 10 years since the event launched (but it’s the ninth fest because of COVID cancellations), and Acansa is once again spanning three weekends with live performances across the metro featuring everything from Tennessee Williams to “Gangstagrass,” which is absolutely a blend of bluegrass and hip-hop.
Tinkerfest | Sept. 14
Pay attention, parents. This Museum of Discovery fest is in its 13th year, taking over the River Market streets with tons of hands-on activities, crafts and demonstrations for all ages, and all to encourage a spirit of innovation and creativity.
Don’t forget: Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 – Oct. 15. Here are three local events celebrating just that.
Fall Margarita Festival | Sept. 19
A companion to the Arkansas Times springtime marg event, this festival brings a whole Argenta Plaza full of margaritas. Food trucks, music and margs from some of your favorite local bartenders await. This is how you do Thirsty Thursday.
Downtown Food Truck Festival | Sept. 22
This year brings a makeover for the most flavorful event downtown (perhaps the whole city) sees all year. Formerly the Main Street Food Truck Festival, the 13th annual fest still promises entertainment, local vendors and more than 90 food trucks, but this time lining Capitol Avenue between Woodlane and Chester streets. It’s a statewide favorite for a reason, so bring stretchy pants.
Six Bridges Book Festival | Sept. 22-29
Put simply, this annual Central Arkansas Library System event is a bookworm’s dream. Eight days of author talks, panel discussions, writing sessions, hands-on workshops and even a pie cook-off await guests of all ages, with authors coming in from across the country, and some from our own backyard. Most events will take place within CALS Library Square in the River Market.
Read on: The Six Bridges Book Festival’s Next Chapter
Little Rocktoberfest | Sept. 28
Also sporting a new view, the state’s premier brew and craft beer festival is moving its truckloads of tastiness out west to Rusty Tractor Vineyards. As always, it’s hosted by the Central Arkansas Fermenters and proceeds benefit a local charity, this time Arkansas Casting for Recovery. Also on Rocktober’s to-do list: Great food, even more great beer, games and music. On ours: Be there.
World Cheese Dip Championship + Foam Fest Craft Beer Festival | Oct. 5
When I dip, you dip, we dip … right into a competition made of liquid gold. Come enjoy live music as you make the rounds, taste testing some of the world’s best cheese dips from amateurs and professionals alike. This year marks its second at Dickey-Stephens Park and as a tag team event with the resurrected Foam Fest. All proceeds benefit Harmony Health Clinic. Update: This event has been postponed until 2025. Read the announcement here.
Little Rock Yoga Festival | Oct. 6
Not every festival is about food and drinks. After a successful launch in 2021, this event brings together local yogis from various practices to lead meditations, sound baths and yoga sessions at Wildwood Park for the Arts. Ok, yes, there will also be food trucks and vendors on site. A yogi’s gotta eat, too.
Hillcrest HarvestFest | Oct. 12
This 30th annual event is all things to all people. You’ll find concerts, tons of food, a kids zone, a dog show and lots of vendors taking over the historic streets of Hillcrest at this family favorite festival that draws in thousands each year. Plus, a portion of proceeds benefits The Allen School.
All Arkansas Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival | Oct. 17
Also from the Arkansas Times events team comes this extremely sippable event, which is also to be held at Argenta Plaza. Expect food trucks, music and yes, all kinds of beer, wine and spirits. (P.S. These two aren’t all the Times have up its sleeves. See what other events are in the works here.)
And no, we haven’t forgotten about the Arkansas State Fair on Oct. 11-20. We broke that down for you here.
Festival of Darkness | Oct. 26
More beer, please, but add a little rotting flesh. This block party at Lost Forty marks the brewery’s annual release of its barrel-aged batch of Nighty Night Imperial Stout, along with serving up dark brews from across the region, all while taking full advantage of spooky season. Expect lots of zombies (this year’s sub-theme is undead outer space), plus music and food trucks.
Arkansas Cornbread Festival | Nov. 9
Cue the skillet, fire and dancing lady emojis. This foodie fest made its grand return last year for the first time since 2019, and now it’s once again flooding the streets of SoMa with competitors vying for top honors. Attendees will get a taste of it all, along with local vendors, entertainment and a kids zone. Your stretchy pants are getting a workout this year.
Chili Fights in The Heights | Nov. 9
What goes together better than cornbread and chili? Hosted by The Hat Club, this fest brings teams from near and far to throw down the chili gauntlet and compete for top honors. Even better? Attendees get to sample it all, and proceeds benefit the Arkansas Foodbank.
Neighborhood Bonus: While it’s not necessarily an annual fall festival, Dogtown Throwdown in Argenta shuts down the streets for two days of music, food and vendors during the fair-weather months. This season, that means Sept. 13-14 and Oct. 11-12.
We’ll be updating this list as we learn more. Have details? Email info@littlerocksoiree.com.
