The weather has finally turned and the whole city is ready to celebrate. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, Oct. 5
First Thursday Shop & Sip in Hillcrest // It’s the first Thursday of the month, and you know what that means — time to get your Hillcrest shop ‘n’ sip on. Soak up the Kavanaugh vibes while you take advantage of the specials, later hours and extra fun, like a DJ Landon Bell set at Hillcrest Liquor & Fine Wines. It kicks off at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
River Market Live at the River Market Pavilions // Let’s groove, downtown. August’s concert series was a hit, so they’ve brought back the free, weekly shows throughout the month. Up first is The Funkanites while Stone’s Throw and Flyway serve up their craft brews and Fry Fry Crazy serves the eats. Showtime is 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Paws on the Runway at Rusty Tractor Vineyards // Looking good, Fido. This Central Arkansas Rescue Effort (CARE) for Animals event always brings the cuteness, giving you the chance to see man’s best friend (and a few humans, too) model the latest fashions on the catwalk. Save room for food, drinks, an auction and all the “awws” you’re about to let loose. It starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
More cuteness: Meet Hodges, Little Rock Soirée’s Cutest Dog 2023
Aizuri Quartet at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral // Opening the season for the Chamber Music Society, this concert will feature the praised quartet’s ability to bring “a technical bravado and emotional power” to pieces new and old. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Friday, Oct. 6
Fall Food & Craft Fair at The Blue Umbrella // Now in its seventh year, this Main Street fair showcases and benefits Arkansas artisans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, while also offering eats from a full lineup of local food trucks. Stop by 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn more here.
Speaking of fairs: What to Expect at the 2023 Arkansas State Fair
SoMa After Dark on South Main Street // Friday’s fun is south of 630. This monthly neighborhood bash features area businesses offering later hours and special activities. Highlights this month include the inaugural Fiesta en SoMa showcasing vendors, performances, food and family-friendly activities that “celebrate the rich tapestry of Latino cultures right here” in SoMa. Other After Dark activities include the Rose Garden Market, some spooky crafting at Argenta Bead Co., T-shirt printing at AR-T’s and an eighth birthday celebration at South Main Creative. It kicks off at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
All Arkansas Craft Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival at Argenta Plaza // We’ll raise a glass to this. New from the Arkansas Times events team, this first annual fest features dozens of local sips, plus food trucks and music from The All Arkansas All-Star Band. Be there 6-9 p.m. Learn more here.
Saturday, Oct. 7
Race for a Healthier Tomorrow at the Arkansas State Capitol // This Saturday, get an early start for a good cause with this 5K race and one-mile family fun walk raising funds for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Go time is 9 a.m. Learn more here. Bonus: Also hitting the pavement on Saturday is the Arkansas Down Syndrome Association’s Buddy Walk at War Memorial Stadium. More on that here.
Keep moving: Fall Runs to Keep On Your Radar
Totally Rad Vintage Fest at the Statehouse Convention Center // If you didn’t get your fill at the Arkansas Regional Vintage Festival last month, this should tide you over until the next one. This traveling fest promises plenty of vintage vendors, a free arcade and lots of nostalgia. Stop by 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Turkish Food Festival at 1501 Market St. // Looking to learn about a different culture while enjoying delicious eats? It’s your lucky day. Hosted by the Arkansas Culture and Dialog Center (formerly the Raindrop Turkish House), this fest allows attendees to sample Mediterranean and central Asian cuisine, music and art. The fest is free and runs from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Learn more here.
More fests: The 2023 Guide to Your Favorite Fall Festivals
Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the River Market Pavilions // Let’s keep the cultural parties going. Plaza Frida and the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau are teaming up for this free, family-friendly bash filled with live entertainment, food, games, vendors and more. Be there 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more here.
Paul Laurence Dunbar Community Festival at the Dunbar Community Center // Hosted by the Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association, this ninth annual fest features a food truck throwdown, vendors, tons of live music and more. The fun lasts 1-8 p.m. Learn more here.
Season X Block Party at The Studio Theatre // Double digits, double the fun. This downtown theater is celebrating its 10th season with a whole lot of food, drinks, familiar faces, live entertainment and a look at what’s next. Stop by 4-9:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Curtain up: Little Rock’s 2023 Fall Performing Arts Calendar
Casino Night & Texas Hold’em Tournament at Next Level Events // Put on your poker face and head to the train station. Back for another year, this Youth Home event’s stakes are higher than ever. Play craps, blackjack, roulette and more, all staffed by experienced dealers as you vie for chips redeemable for raffle tickets. And don’t worry, there’s plenty up for grabs over at the Texas Hold’em tables. Game play starts at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
St. Mark’s Shrimp Boil at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church // Hope you’re hungry. This 19th annual event offers attendees the “best shrimp boil this side of the bayou.” Get your fill of shrimp and all the fixin’s while enjoying live music from the Big Dam Horns and helping raise money for St. Francis House, which serves our underprivileged neighbors. The boil is on from 5-9 p.m. Learn more here.
More good eats: How to Shop Fresh Local Produce After Farmers Market Season
Into the Next Decade at The Fold // Time to bust out the top shelf margs (and the confetti cannons) to celebrate 10 years of this Riverdale staple. The restaurant is pulling out all the stops and shutting down the streets for a night of music, vendors, costume contests, circus performers and, of course, plenty of margaritas and tacos. Party on from 5-10 p.m. Learn more here.
Evening of Wishes at the Chenal Event Venue // This annual Make-A-Wish Mid-South event is back for another night of helping dreams come true for kids with critical illnesses. The evening includes dinner, drinks, auctions, entertainment and more. It starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Banned Books Book Fair at Community Bakery // Banned Book Week is closing out strong with this event hosted by the SoMa bakery and Paper Hearts Bookstore. “Think Scholastic Book Fair, but with only banned books and bookish items.” Pick up a new read and some discussion points for your next book club, too. The fair starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here. Bonus: Keep the lit love going at this month’s edition of Bang-Up Betty’s BYOB Book Club and Exchange on Saturday. More on that here.
Read on: Where to Curl Up With a Good Book Club in Little Rock
Friday & Saturday, Oct. 6 & 7
Filmland: Arkansas at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts // Let the good films roll. This year’s Filmland festival from the Arkansas Cinema Society is splitting up into two weekends with the first dedicated to showcasing works by Natural State filmmakers. Learn more here.
Classic Movies at Ron Robinson Theater // The popcorn is flowing once again at the downtown theater, and the lineups keep pulling us in. Up first is “Ghostbusters” on Thursday at 7 p.m., then a BingoFlix showing of “The Last Dragon” on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by an interactive screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 9 p.m. Learn more here.
Scream, er, screen on: Hitchcock, ‘Hocus Pocus’ and Other Spooky Movies Coming to Ron Robinson
Sunday, Oct. 8
Little Rock Yoga Festival at Wildwood Park for the Arts // And now for the most zen festival in the metro. Back for a third year, this event brings together yogis from all varieties of practice for a day of meditation, music, food trucks, vendors and, of course, lots of yoga sessions led by local instructors. It all kicks off at 8 a.m. Learn more here.
Pumpkin Fest at Me & McGee Market // Your favorite Highway 70 market just got a healthy helping of fall. This weekend will be specially pumpkin-themed with all sorts of pumpkin-themed items, treats and pumpkins for sale (obviously). Be there 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn more here.
It’s fall, y’all: Your Guide to Pumpkin Patches in Central Arkansas
Wine & Swine Social at Cypress Social // A pairing we can get behind. This second annual event features more than 50 local and global wines, “elevated” barbecue bites, lawn games, live music and more, all on the restaurant’s scenic grounds. It kicks off at 2 p.m. Learn more here.
Tales of the Crypt at Mount Holly Cemetery // Although it sounds 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 accepted. Stroll the cemetery 2-4 p.m. Learn more here.
More haunting history: Haunted Arkansas Brings Back Ghost Tours, Boos & Brews Series