Neighborhood festivals, grand openings, mountains of baklava — it’s all on the menu and so much more this jam-packed weekend. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, Oct. 2
A Day of Hope at City Center // Hosted by the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, this fundraising luncheon promises a menu by Heritage Catering, a celebration of ASPSF alumni and a chance to honor the nonprofit’s community partners. It starts at 11:30 a.m. Learn more here.
Read on: ASPSF CEO Jenn Morehead Has a Lesson Plan
First Thursday Shop & Sip in Hillcrest // It’s the first Thursday of the month, and that means it’s time to get your shop ‘n’ sip on. Soak up the Kavanaugh vibes while you take advantage of the later hours and extra fun like live music and local beer at Hocott’s Garden Center. It kicks off at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Luli Wine Dinner at One Eleven // Let’s enter the weekend with glasses raised. Luli Vineyards and Sara Floyd (only the ninth-ever female master sommelier) will be sharing award-winning wines alongside a five-course meal from The Capital Hotel’s executive chef Brad Izzard. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Maternal Health Storytelling at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre // It’s time for moms to tell their stories. As the state faces a maternal health crisis, Just Communities of Arkansas and The Yarn will give six local women the spotlight to share their personal experiences of pregnancy, birth and motherhood. Afterward, a panel discussion will feature experts from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, the Arkansas Birthing Project, Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health, The Doula Alliance of Arkansas and UAMS. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, but registration is required. Learn more here.
“Spamilton: An American Parody” at UA-PTC CHARTS // Anyone else in need of a good laugh? This show is just what it sounds like: a side-splitting parody of the smash hit “Hamilton,” complete with song-and-dance numbers. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
PSA: Women’s Initiative International’s annual Kigali Nights event is sold out, but you can still donate to help the nonprofit reach its fundraising goal. More on that here.
Friday, Oct. 3
Fiesta en SoMa on South Main Street // The Hispanic Heritage Month festivities are still going strong. Friday marks this street festival’s third year showcasing vendors, performances, food and family-friendly activities that “celebrate the rich tapestry of Latino cultures right here” in SoMa. The fun stretches from 12th-15th streets and includes the return of the Tamale Taste-off. Check it out from 4-9 p.m. Learn more here. Bonus: Don’t skip the after party at Club 27. More on that here.
Lanterns & Legends at the Historic Arkansas Museum // Ballet Arkansas is wasting zero time getting into the spooky spirit. With its season opener “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” taking the stage next week, the troupe is kicking things off with an immersive evening of music, bites, sips and a few preview performances, all within museum grounds that will be transformed into Sleepy Hollow itself. It begins at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
The Finest Gala at Argenta Plaza // It’s the best of both worlds. The Arkansas chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation combined its two most popular events — Breath of Life and Taste of the Finest — into one amazing night. Here guests will enjoy food from more than 20 eateries, craft cocktails, live entertainment and more. The al fresco evening begins at 6:30 p.m. Learn more here.
“Playing With Fire: After Frankenstein” Opening Night at The Weekend Theater // Up next in the downtown theater’s season is this fresh take on Mary Shelley’s masterpiece depicting the monster and his creation as they face their fears, wrongdoings and each other. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Speaking of monsters: What’s Brewing for Monster Bash
Thursday & Friday, Oct. 2 & 3
Local Exhibit Openings // It’s a great weekend for some gallery hopping in downtown Little Rock. On Thursday, the exhibit “Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See” opens at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center with a reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. On Friday, “Eddie Love: American Myths and Practical Treasures” opens at The Window on Sixth at 6 p.m., while the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts‘ “Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina” opens with a toast and tour for Circle Society members at 5 p.m.
Read on: Check out our recent Artist Spotlights on Eddie Love and Louise Nevelson.
Saturday, Oct. 4
Arkansas Senior Olympics Golf Tournament at Burns Park // Don’t let the title fool you, the competition is fierce for this open tourney. Golfers age 40 and older will battle it out on the greens, and the day includes lunch, T-shirts and a $10,000 hole-in-one prize. The shotgun start is set for 8:30 a.m. Learn more here.
Grand Reopening Celebration at CALS Main Library // For two years, downtown Little Rock has watched the Central Arkansas Library System flagship undergo extensive renovations, and now the anticipation is paying off. Main Library is marking the occasion with a day full of entertainment, family-friendly activities, food trucks and the chance to explore the amazing new space. Come explore 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more here.
Read this month’s cover story: CALS’ Main Character Energy
Arkansas Rasta Fest + 5K & 10K at NLR Riverfront Park // This annual fun run/walk is all about celebrating peace, love and unity while breaking a sweat. And when it’s all over, you can jam by the river with live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, a fashion show and more. It all starts at 9 a.m. Learn more here. Bonus: Keep your sneakers handy. Saturday is also the Heroes Against Hunger 5K benefiting the Arkansas Foodbank. More on that here, plus even more fall runs to keep on your radar.
Turkish Food Festival at 1501 Market St. // Looking to learn about a different culture while enjoying delicious eats? It’s your lucky (and very tasty) day. Hosted by the Arkansas Culture and Dialog Center, this fest allows attendees to sample loads of Mediterranean and central Asian cuisine and live entertainment. The fest runs from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Hillcrest HarvestFest in Hillcrest // We wait all year for this local-favorite festival, and now it’s finally here. Sun is in the forecast for a whole day packed full of concerts, food trucks, games, puppies and tons of vendors on Kavanaugh. As always, a portion of the fest proceeds supports The Allen School. The festivities last 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Fest with the best of ’em: The 2025 Guide to Your Favorite Fall Festivals in the Little Rock Metro
Pocket Park Pop-Up at the Main Street Pocket Park // Attention, shoppers. This popular outdoor market is back with a full lineup of local vendors, artists, food trucks and vintage finds. Come shop 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more here.
Ferndale Fall Fest at Ferndale Market // Now this is what the season is all about. Out west, this market is inviting guests for an evening of live music, games, seasonal produce and a delectable community dinner. Get a taste 5-8 p.m. Learn more here.
St. Mark’s Shrimp Boil at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church // Hope you’re hungry. This 21st 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 Hot Water City Band 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.
Argenta Vibe Music Series at Argenta Plaza // These are the vibes you’re looking for. The NLR neighborhood’s free outdoor concert series concludes its 2025 season with live music from Arkansauce, plus nearby local eats, drinks, family activities and VIP tickets. Gates open at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Friday & Saturday, Oct. 3 & 4
International Greek Food Festival at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church // Let the cravings commence. After going curbside 2020-2022, this fest is back in full force for the first time since 2019, and the time has come to eat your weight in gyros. The weekend includes tons of food, of course, but also live entertainment, family-friendly activities and church tours. To help meet all your baklava needs, there will once again be a trolley service to nearby parking lots and a drive-thru to take your feast to go. Hours are 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. both days. Learn more here.
Stay hungry: 5 Fall Foodie Events That Give Back
Sunday, Oct. 5
QQA City Garden Party at Dunbar Garden // The Quapaw Quarter Association is bringing back this annual event to welcome fall with open arms. Stop by and celebrate the historic neighborhood with sips from Stone’s Throw, lawn games, music and “a harvest menu from the gardens.” Be there 4-6 p.m. Learn more here.
It’s fall, y’all: Your Guide to Pumpkin Patches in Central Arkansas
Thursday – Sunday, Oct. 2-5
Six Bridges Book Festival // Get excited, bookworms. Aside from CALS’ party at Main, its 22nd annual literary fest continues with author talks, demonstrations, kids’ events and more across the metro, including the always-popular pie bake-off and recipe swap at The Root Cafe. Learn more here.
Read on: 5 Can’t Miss Events at the Six Bridges Book Festival
Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 4 & 5
Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1” at the Robinson Center // Kicking off the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s 60th anniversary season, this concert features the talents of pianist Natasha Paremski and the music of Fung, Strauss and Tchaikovsky. Catch the show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday or 3 p.m. Sunday. Learn more here.
Need to catch your breath after all the action? Curl up with the brand new October issue.