It’s heeeere. We know you’re busy carving pumpkins and putting together costumes, so we did the RIP research. There are a ton of fantastically spooky things happening this month that you need to know about, so you keep carving, and we’ll run through it all at headless horseman speed.
(And yes, we’ll be adding to the list all spooky season long, so check back often.)
Let’s get haunting!
First things first: Here’s your guide to local pumpkin patches.
FRIGHTFUL FUN
Family-Friendly Classics & Throwback Scary Movies
When: Throughout October
Where: Ron Robinson Theater
Why: Jack Skellington, Igor and Lydia Deetz are waiting for you. More here.
“Young Frankenstein”
When: Oct. 8 – Nov. 8
Where: Murry’s Dinner Playhouse
Why: Is it really Halloween without this Mel Brooks classic? Check it off your list with this side-splitting spooky spoof. More here.
The Rock Orchestra
When: Oct. 9, 8 p.m.
Where: Robinson Center
Why: Classical music gets the undead treatment in this touring show bringing new life to your favorite rock and metal hits. More here.
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
When: Oct. 9-12
Where: Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Why: An ageless (and headless) horror descends on a quiet village in this season opener that has Ballet Arkansas slipping into its paranormal pointe shoes. More here.
Eerie Escape Rooms
When: Throughout October
Where: Intrigue Little Rock
Why: The rooms at Intrigue are always next level, but spooky season brings out the zombies, vampires and good ol’ murder. More here.
“Playing With Fire: After Frankenstein”
When: Through Oct. 19
Where: The Weekend Theater
Why: Things get dark with when the doctor reckons with what he’s done in this retelling of Mary Shelley’s monster tale. More here.
Month-long Mayhem
When: Throughout October
Where: Birdie’s Cabaret Theater & Lounge
Why: ICYMI, Argenta’s new venue has already made a name for itself with mysterious magic shows. Now it’s going all in with seances, scary movie screenings, themed trivia nights and more, concluding with a wicked bash on All Hallows’ Eve. More here.
Carnival Bizarre
When: Oct. 10, 8 p.m.
Where: Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Why: Back for another year, this Arkansas Circus Arts event combines circus, sideshow and burlesque theatrics for a night of spine-tingling fun. More here.
Ghoulish Bingo
When: Oct. 15, 6 p.m.
Where: Lost Forty Brewing
Why: Who hates bingo? No one, that’s who — especially when it’s spooky and benefits Women & Children First. More here.
“The Rocky Horror Show” Live
When: Oct. 15-31
Where: Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church
Why: Come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab for the Actors Theatre’s latest production. More here.
The Haunted Tavern
When: Oct. 16-18
Where: Ron Robinson Theater
Why: Raise a grim glass to a night of creepy cocktails, chilling tales and “one of the most haunted venues in Little Rock.” More here.
Nightmare at the Museum
When: Oct. 17, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Museum of Discovery
Why: Eerie experiments, beer brewing, costume tinkering — it’s all in a day’s work for a mad scientist’s 21+ party. More here.
Ghouls & Games Masquerade Gala
When: Oct. 17, 6 p.m.
Where: Old State House Museum
Why: Masks encouraged, fun guaranteed at this ARPG Council fundraiser. More here.
Ghost Hunting & Investigation
When: Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m.
Where: MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
Why: If you like your hunts with a little extra haunt, this paranormal UA-PTC program has your name all over it. More here.
Candlelight Concert: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
When: Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Albert Pike Masonic Center
Why: Your favorite spooky songs only sound better when performed by a string quartet surrounded by candles. More here.
Howl-o-Ween Parties in the Plaza
When: Oct. 18 & 25
Where: Little Rock Zoo
Why: Right this way, tiny creatures. Head to the zoo to get in on fun like train rides, bubble displays, themed activities and showing off your costume to your favorite animals. More here.
Tales of the Crypt
When: Oct. 19, 2-4p.m.
Where: Mount Holly Cemetery
Why: Forget the creepy, this annual event is all about the crypt’s history. Stroll the cemetery grounds and hear the tales of locals past from the Parkview Theatre department. More here.
Witches Ride The Heights
When: Oct. 19, 5 p.m.
Where: Kavanaugh Boulevard
Why: Now in its fourth year, this not-so-petrifying parade invites locals to don their witchiest attire and make their way down Kavanaugh, ending in an after(life) party in the Boulevard Bread Company parking lot. More here.
True Crime & Urban Legends Trivia
When: Oct. 23, 7 p.m.
Where: Flying Saucer
Why: All those podcasts and documentaries are finally paying off. More here.
Hallow-Fest
When: Oct. 24, 3-7 p.m.
Where: Pink Olive
Why: Get a glimpse of the future with tarot readings, spooky bouquets and creepy coffee flavors. More here.
Baptist Health Trunk or Treat
When: Oct. 24, 5-8
Where: Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock
Why: Games, food trucks, a petting zoo and lots of treats await at this free community party for kids 12 and younger. More here.
Pet-Friendly Trunk-or-Treat
When: Oct. 24, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Interstate Animal Clinic
Why: Superheroes, princesses, little monsters, four-legged friends — all are welcome at this outdoor trunk-or-treating bash. More here.
Monster Bash
When: Oct. 24, 7-11 p.m.
Where: The Venue at Westwind
Why: Groove to live music, auctions, food, signature spooky cocktails and a costume contest all to benefit Home for Healing. More here.
The Great Pumpkin Party
When: Oct. 24-26
Where: The Good Earth Garden Center
Why: Three gourd-geous days of costumes, crafts, classes and cookouts. More here.
Market at Chenal Halloween Carnival
When: Oct. 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Rahling Circle
Why: Get the trick-or-treating started early at this free community event (and don’t skimp on the vendors, games and food trucks). More here. Update: This event has been canceled.
Enchanted Metaphysics & Mystics Market
When: Oct. 25
Where: Dreamland Ballroom
Why: Tarot, tea, mystics and misfits await. More here.
Monster Mash
When: Oct. 25, 10 a.m. – noon
Where: CALS Children’s Library
Why: Yes, October is full of creeptastic activities across all 14 of its branches, but this midtown branch is taking it to another (family-friendly) level. More here.
Haunted Arkansas Ghost Tours
When: Throughout October
Where: Argenta
Why: Lace up the comfy shoes and get ready to meet the spooky side of Dogtown. More here.
Halloween Market at Pettaway
When: Oct. 25, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Pettaway Square
Why: The poltergeists are out to play in Pettaway. The weekly neighborhood market is bringing the not-so-frightful fun with food trucks, costumes and a celebration of queer and Halloween vendors. More here.
Fright Fest
When: Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Only Option
Why: No judgement if you sleep with the light on after this showcase of Arkansas-made horror short films. More here.
Thriller Pre-Hallowen Party
When: Oct. 25, 8 p.m.
Where: GiGi’s Lounge
Why: Get the groove started early, ghouls. More here. Bonus: Come back for an extra thrilling thirsty Thursday on Oct. 30.
Thriller Night: An ’80s Halloween Event
When: Oct. 25, 9 p.m.
Where: White Water Tavern
Why: The NWA retro band is back in town and bringing the dastardly dance moves and costume contests. More here.
Arkansas Paranormal Expo
When: Oct. 25-26, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
Why: Bigfoot requests the honor of your presence. More here.
Lost & Found Market: Halloween Edition
When: Oct. 26, 1-6, p.m. Update: Due to rain, this has been rescheduled to Nov. 2.
Where: 1319 Main St. (SoMa parking lot)
Why: Spooky shopping with 60+ vendors and Halloween treats. More here.
Farmer Trunk-or-Treat
When: Oct. 26, 3-5 p.m.
Where: The Root Cafe (SoMa)
Why: Going door to door is so 2015, especially when you can meet some of the folks behind your favorite fresh eats. More here.
East Village Halloween Art Market
When: Oct. 26, 6-10 p.m.
Where: The Rail Yard
Why: Costumes, music, food, drinks and vendors battling the real nightmares: fast fashion and boring art. More here.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Annual Screenings
When: Oct. 29-31, 7 p.m.
Where: Riverdale 10 VIP Cinema
Why: Who’s bringing the newspapers? More here.
Trunk-or-Treat with the Little Rock Realtors Association
When: Oct. 30, 4-7 p.m.
Where: 300 Natural Resources Drive
Why: Give the kiddos another lap in their costumes with treats, games and crafts. More here.
Howl-O-Ween Yappy Hour
When: Oct. 30, 4 p.m.
Where: Stickyz Rock’n’Roll Chicken Shack
Why: “Cocktails, costumes and canine cuteness”? Sounds like this patio party hit the Halloween jackpot. More here. Bonus: Come back on Saturday for the Halloween Hangover Ball.
Big Boo!seum Bash
When: Oct. 30, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Clinton Presidential Center, Firehouse Museum, Historic Arkansas Museum, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Museum of Discovery, Old State House Museum, Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center
Why: Check out the sights at some of your fave museums in costume with free family-friendly games, prizes and trick-or-treating. More here.
Halloweekend at Brewski’s
When: Oct. 30 – Nov. 1
Where: Brewski’s Pub & Grub
Why: Three nights of costumes, dancing and karaoke. Dibs on “Witchy Woman.” More here.
Nightmare on Rebsamen
When: Oct. 31, noon – “late”
Where: Town Pump
Why: “Unhinged” costume and karaoke contests, tarot readings, beer pong and dastardly drinks await. More here.
The Veil Between: A Samhain Market & Costume Contest
When: Oct. 31, noon – 6 p.m.
Where: AlchemyXXII
Why: If your All Hallow’s Eve needs an extra shot of witchiness, come shop The Haunted Bazaar, get intuitive readings and show off your costume. More here.
Trick or Treat Argenta Fall Carnival
When: Oct. 31, 4-6 p.m.
Where: Argenta Public Library
Why: Kick off your candy hunt with the North Little Rock Public Library System, and don’t skip the games and spooky surprises. More here.
Munchkin Masquerade
When: Oct. 31, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Park Plaza
Why: The mall is the place to be for spooky mischief with indoor trick-or-treating, giveaways, crafts and a science show by the Museum of Discovery. More here.
Trick-or-Treat (and shop)
When: Oct. 31, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Outlets of Little Rock
Why: Load up the kiddos and get your candy gathering on while getting some shopping in while you’re at it. More here.
Even More Trick-or-Treating
When: Oct. 30-31
Where: City community centers
Why: So much candy, so little time. In LR, there are events at the Dunbar Community Center and Stephens Community Center on Thursday and the West Central Community Center on Friday. In NLR, Friday night brings the treats to the North Heights, Glenview, Rose City and Sherman Park community centers. More here.
Spooky Fridays on the Lawn
When: Oct. 31, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Why: If you’re looking for a chill way to send off spooky season, this outdoor Big Dam Horns concert — complete with glow-in-the-dark crafts and scary-good food and drinks — is howling your name. More here.
Halloween Party & Costume Contest
When: Oct. 31, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Caverns & Forests
Why: Because the costumes at a board game cafe are bound to be incredible. More here.
Halloween in The Alley
Where: Sterling Market
When: Oct. 31, 7 p.m.
Why: One of the city’s best outdoor spaces is switching to the spooky side with a night of devilish drinks, live music and costume contests. More here. Bonus: Hit the astroturf early on Oct. 24 for spooky karaoke or hit the family-friendly spooky brunch on Nov. 1.
Halloween Spooktacular
When: Oct. 31, 7 p.m.
Where: Good Weather gallery, 420 Byrd St.
Why: Good Weather and Cinema I/O are teaming up for a night of costumes, drinks, horror flicks and “dark immersive ambient music.” More here.
Monster Mash
When: Oct. 31, 7 p.m. – midnight
Where: Sixth House Wellness Studio
Why: This downtown studio is leaving the zen behind for a night of costumes, treats and drinks. More here.
A Nightmare on Main Street
When: Oct. 31, 9 p.m.
Where: The Xperience Kitchen + Lounge
Why: Music, hookah, spooky vibes and reverse happy hour are waiting at this late-night restaurant fun. More here.
Halloween Party
When: Oct. 31, 9 p.m.
Where: Electric Cowboy
Why: Whether you’re a regular, a first-timer or are haunted by some of your past nights there, Electric Cowboy is still packed with party people, especially when there’s a $500 costume contest to be won. More here. Bonus: Come back Saturday and do it all again for an even bigger cash prize.
Halloween Dance Party
When: Oct. 31, 9:15 p.m.
Where: Club 27
Why: Bachata has never been so spooky. More here.
Halloween Party
When: Oct. 31, 9 p.m.
Where: WXYZ Bar at Aloft Little Rock West
Why: Locals know this hotel bar can throw a party for the ages, and this one just might raise the dead, too. More here.
The Rocky Horror Pickin’ Show
When: Oct. 31, 9:30 p.m.
Where: Four Quarter Bar
Why: Bluegrass meets Transylvania. More here.
Halloween Party
When: Oct. 31 & Nov. 1.
Where: The Hillcrest Fountain
Why: Two nights of costumed fun at your favorite neighborhood bar? Say less. More here.
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EERIE EATS
Boo-zy Cocktails
When: Throughout October
Where: Sauce(d) Bar & Oven
Why: The only witch’s brew we’re interested in sipping. More here.
Bottoms up! Get Your Boos With These Local Halloween Spirits
Pints & Pumpkins
Where: Stone’s Throw Brewing
When: Oct. 11, noon – 8 p.m.
Why: Oktoberfest, schmoktoberfest. This annual evening of pumpkin carving contests and local brews sounds pretty good to us. More here.
Dead Man’s Party
When: Oct. 24, 6-9 p.m.
Where: SO
Why: When one of Hillcrest’s tastiest restaurants promises a curated menu and lots of music, you accept the invitation to “shake those bones.” More here. Bonus: Reanimate and do it all again on Halloween night.
Festival of Darkness: Nighty Night Release Party
When: Oct. 25, 5-9 p.m.
Where: Lost Forty Brewing
Why: Zombie lumberjacks wanted for this post-apocalyptic block party complete with music, food trucks and, of course, loads of dark beer. More here.
Howl-o-Weenie Drag Brunch
When: Oct. 26, noon
Where: Bark Bar
Why: Why should black cats get all the Halloween attention? This spooktacular event is back with themed menus and performances, plus extra treats if you match your canine’s costume. More here. Bonus: If you’ve gone full barkin’ mad, come back to party on Oct. 31.
“Practical Magic” Dinner & Crafting Night
When: Oct. 29, 6 p.m.
Where: The Baker House
Why: Ease Supper Club and Paper Hearts Bookstore are teaming up to host a night of witchy fun inspired by the iconic book and movie. And yes, chocolate cake is first on the menu. More here.
Halloween Smash-tacular Family Night
When: Oct. 29, 6:30-9 p.m.
Where: Pettaway Square
Why: The incomparable Smashed ‘N’ Stacked food truck is debuting its “one-night-only Trick-N’-Treat Burger” with a serving of costume contests and an outdoor screening of “Hocus Pocus” for dessert. More here.
Spooky Menu Specials
When: Oct. 29-31
Where: Kemuri
Why: Along with their creepy cocktails, this menu gets deliciously weird with dishes like The Venom Roll, Black Widow Cheesecake and 28 Filets Later. More here.
Halloween Menu & Music
When: Oct. 31, 10:45 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Southern Tail Brewing
Why: The menu includes vampire wings, themed drinks, costumes and live music starting at 8 p.m. More here.
Halloween & Weird Wines
When: Oct. 31, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Ease Supper Club & Bistro
Why: This spooky sip session calls for a wine selection that’s off the beaten (haunted) path. More here.
The Mad Hatter’s Halloween Feast
When: Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Petit & Keet
Why: This Wonderland-themed, multi-course meal with wine pairings is enough to make you lose your head. More here.
Deluca’s After Dark: One Killer Halloween Bash
When: Oct. 31, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Deluca’s Pizza
Why: The Breckenridge joint is marking an eerie first anniversary with a full-on pizza party, drinks, music and costumes. More here.
Spooky Scoops + Shakes
When: Throughout October
Where: Loblolly Creamery
Why: Slimy lime sorbet, murderously-good macarons, apple cider doughnut flavors… We’ll take one of everything. More here.
Spooky Cocktail Classes
When: Throughout October
Where: Rock Town Distillery
Why: This SoMa haunt’s recurring class lineup comes with extra spirits this month. More here.
Halloween Bar Crawl
When: Oct. 31 – Nov. 1
Where: Downtown Little Rock
Why: Why choose just one place to do your spooky sipping? More here.
Ghostly Gelato & Scary Sorbetto
When: Halloween week
Where: Zaza Fine Salad + Wood-Oven Pizza Co.
Why: With rotating scoops like these, no proper poltergeist could pass up flavors like Creature from the Black Lagoon and Blair Twix Project. More here.
Halloween Menu
When: Throughout October
Where: Scoops Homemade Ice Cream
Why: We’ll take a waffle cone of Sudden Death by Chocolate, please. More here.
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SPINE-CHILLING SWEATS
’80s Halloween Week
When: Oct. 5-11
Where: Gemini Fitness
Spooky Sprint Half Marathon/10K/5K/Kids Dash
When: Oct. 12, 8 a.m.
Where: Burns Park
Halloween Yoga
When: Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Arkansas Heretic
Creep ‘N’ Crawl Half Marathon/5K/Lil’ Monsters Dash
When: Oct. 18, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Two Rivers Park + virtual
Hallowell Festival
When: Oct. 25, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Pettaway Square
Halloween Yoga
When: Oct. 29, 6 p.m.
Where: Argenta Plaza
Spooky Sessions
When: Throughout October
Where: ZenStudio
Cauldron Core, Boo-ty Pilates, Spook & Sculpt & More
Where: Camp Yoga & Pilates
When: Throughout October
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HAUNTED HOUSES
Creepy Trail of Willow Creek
When: Weekends through Oct. 31
Where: 2811 Willow Springs Road
Fear Factory 501
When: Weekends through Oct. 26, every day Oct. 29 – Nov. 1
Where: 25120 Hwy. 107, Jacksonville
Gwat-Thrilla Haunted Car Wash
When: Oct. 24-25, 29-30, Nov. 1
Where: 1701 T P White Drive, Jacksonville
The Haunted Hotel
When: Weekends through Oct. 26, every day Oct. 29 – Nov. 1
Where: 10800 Arch St.
The Reaper Haunted House
When: Weekends through Nov. 1
Where: 15310 MacArthur Drive, North Little Rock
Village of Screams
When: Weekends through Nov. 2
Where: 347 S. James St., Jacksonville
Have some spooky fun to add? Send details to info@littlerocksoiree.com.
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