From festivals and markets to concerts and galas, the forecast is bright for the metro this weekend. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, April 10
Expressions Art Show at The Hall // Let there be art. Now in its 19th year, this event showcases tons of artwork created by individuals living with serious and persistent mental illness who are part of the Birch Tree Communities program. The night also includes food, auctions and live entertainment, and proceeds benefit the nonprofit. It starts at 5:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Game Changer Casino Night at Next Level Events // Special Olympics Arkansas is starting the weekend with a sure thing. Its annual fundraiser includes rounds of blackjack, craps, roulette and three-card poker. The games (and food and drinks) begin at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
The Love Light Orchestra at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts // Next up in the AMFA concert series is this jazz-fueled ensemble featuring John Nemeth whose bluesy sound is “a blend of down-home musicality and sophistication reminiscent of packed nightclubs of yesteryears.” Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
The show goes on: Little Rock’s Spring & Summer Performing Arts Calendar
Friday, April 11
2nd Friday Art Night in Downtown Little Rock // It’s 2FAN time, aka the monthly roundup of downtown businesses opening their doors for an after-hours gallery walk. Highlights this month include art vendors at the CALS Rock It! Lab, some DIY jewelry at Bella Vita and live music at the Old State House Museum and Historic Arkansas Museum. Plus, the Quapaw Quarter Association is getting in on the festivities with art, music and barbecue at Curran Hall. The fun lasts 5-8 p.m. Learn more here.
“The Sandlot” at Rose Creek Park // This little park in the Capitol View neighborhood is taking advantage of the spring weather by taking visitors on a nostalgia-fueled adventure. BYO chairs and blankets, snag some popcorn and join Benny and the gang out on the diamond. It starts at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
PSA: Camp Aldersgate’s signature event Aldersgate After Dark is sold out, but you can still donate to help the camp reach its fundraising goal. More on that here.
Saturday, April 12
Grand Opening at the Colony West ReStore // Wallets at the ready. Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas is ready to welcome shoppers to its brand new ReStore located at 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. Inside you’ll find new and gently used furniture, decor, lighting, building materials and more, all with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit. Come shop 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Walk MS: Little Rock at Argenta Plaza // The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is hosting its annual fun walk this weekend. Put on your orange, choose your route distance and join the mission. Start time is 9:15 a.m. Learn more here.
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Autism Festival & Walk at War Memorial Stadium // Happy Autism Awareness Month! The Arkansas Autism Foundation is keeping the month-long festivities going with this free fest. The family-friendly day includes food, games, entertainment, an egg hunt and a one-mile walk. Gates opens at 9:30 a.m. Learn more here.
National Library Week Party at Laman Library // CALS and the NLR Public Library System’s Rock, Paper, Run 5K may have been postponed last weekend due to weather, but what was meant to be the run’s after party is on for Saturday. The free bash includes food trucks, games, crafts and lots of chances to celebrate National Library Week. Stop by 10 a.m. – noon. Learn more here.
BoBrook Egg-stravaganza at BoBrook Farms // If fresh air is on your must list for Easter, the farm has you covered. Along with egg hunts and bunny photos, expect food trucks, hay rides, lawn games, wine tastings and more. Be there 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more here. (Can’t make it? Never fear. They’re doing it all again next Saturday.)
Hop on: The Foodie’s Guide to Easter in Little Rock
East Village Art Market at The Rail Yard // Over on Sixth Street, this monthly market invites guests to “sip, shop and stay a while,” which will be no problem thanks to the lineup of vendors, food trucks and lawn games. Stop by 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more here.
Phenomenal Women Luncheon at the Clinton Presidential Center // Let’s go, girls. Local nonprofit Real Images is all about uplifting and empowering women and girls, and this annual fundraising event is a showcase of just that. The 2025 event is themed “Being Bold for the Greater Good,” will feature a keynote by Rep. Tippi McCullough and will honor Gina Gomez and Furonda Brasfield. The luncheon starts at 11:30 a.m. Learn more here.
Arkansas Acton Children’s Business Fair at the Glenview Community Center // Can’t stop, won’t stop shopping local. This marketplace showcases a slew of local vendors with goods to buy, and each entrepreneur is between the ages of 6 and 18. Come revel in their talent and support the next gen of movers and shakers. Check it out noon – 4 p.m. Learn more here.
PSA: Tickets to Ballet Arkansas’ black-tie gala Turning Pointe are sold out, but you can still show your support through the online silent auction. More on that here. And don’t miss our February cover story with event co-chairs Stacey and Shay Sebree.
Thursday – Saturday, April 10-12
Classic Movies at Ron Robinson Theater // The popcorn is flowing once again at the CALS theater in the River Market. Up first is “The Prestige” on Thursday, then “Friday” on Friday, both at 7 p.m. On Saturday is “The Land Before Time” at 12:30 p.m., the next Exhibition on Screen installment “The Artist’s Garden: American Impressionism” at 4 p.m., followed by an interactive screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 8 p.m. Learn more here.
Friday & Saturday, April 11 & 12
Dogtown Throwdown in Argenta // The Main Street fun is back, baby. This weekend, the NLR neighborhood shuts down the streets for outdoor dining, vendors and local entertainment. Highlights for the season’s kickoff include Four Quarter’s annual crawfish boil, a pop-up market at Flyway, lots of champagne and even more live music. From Friday happy hour to last call on Saturday night, you’ll find all kinds of fun in Argenta. Learn more here.
Across the river: 501Fest Returns to Downtown Little Rock With New Location
Sunday, April 13
Misfit Maker Market at Fassler Hall // One more market to close out the weekend? Don’t mind if we do. Expect everything from jewelry to art to vintage pieces, and all with a bit of that signature Misfit flair. Plus, proceeds this month help support Trust Tree. The market runs 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more here.
16th Anniversary Celebration at The Pantry // Time to party in delicious style. The WLR location is celebrating the occasion with a day of menu specials, and yes, that means the giant paella pan is coming out of storage. Stop by starting at noon, and get there early if you want paella. Learn more here.
Keep the pan hot: Paella for the People
Thursday – Sunday, April 10-13
Lanterns! Festival at Wildwood Park for the Arts // Leave the passport at home. This annual favorite fest turns 105 acres of parkland into a cultural playground lit with luminaries and fire pits, winding around areas designed to represent different exotic locales and eras. At this year’s festival, guests will be transported to (and enjoy the tastes of) Australia, China, Germany, Portugal, St. Louis and even Neverland. Festival hours are 6-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 4-10 p.m. Saturday and 4-9 p.m. Sunday. Learn more here.
Arkansas Travelers Season Opener at Dickey-Stephens Park // It’s an unofficial requirement of springtime that you must relish the ballpark and throw back a couple hot dogs while you’re at it. Lucky for you rule followers, the Travs are heading into their season at Dickey-Stephens this weekend with a series against the Tulsa Drillers. Learn more here.
Pop-Up Plant Sales // For the green thumbs among us (and the wannabes with aspirations), there are multiple plant sales happening around the metro, many that also support the community, including:
Bonus: It’s also opening weekend for “Gypsy” at the Argenta Contemporary Theatre, but tickets flew fast. Click here to see what’s left.