From celebratory bourbon sipping to historic cemetery tours, there’s so much to explore in the capital city. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, Oct. 16
Pig & Swig at the River Market Pavilions // Come hungry. This premium whiskey and pork tasting event hosted by the Arkansas Times invites some of your favorite local restaurants to offer up their best pork dishes. All you have to do is partake as you sip top-notch whiskeys and enjoy live music. The eats last from 6-9 p.m. Learn more here.
Inspiration Gala at the Statehouse Convention Center // Honoring Dr. Karen Farst with the 2025 Inspire Award, this annual event (formerly known as the Woman of Inspiration Gala) features fine dining, a raffle and a stylish runway show. The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas fundraiser will also present the Blue Ribbon Award to Karen Wright. It all starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Read on: Dr. Karen Farst is Healing With Courage
“The Alabama Solution” at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts // As part of the Arkansas Cinema Society’s Sneak Series, attendees will be among the first to see this documentary following a group of incarcerated men exposing a systematic and deadly coverup. A Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the screening. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. Learn more here.
PSA: Tickets are no longer available for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Luncheon or UA Little Rock’s SpectacUALR, but you can still donate to help each reach its fundraising goal.
Friday, Oct. 17
Third Friday Art Walk in Argenta // This monthly walk invites you to stroll through the Argenta Arts District’s lineup of special exhibits and events. Highlights include spooky DIYs at The Hub, exhibit openings at Argenta Library and Acansa Gallery and an open studio with Mad Glass Art, Bang-Up Betty and Lee Lee Arts + Design. The Art Walk starts at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Fridays on the Lawn at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts // As if you needed another reason to visit AMFA, this Friday brings food, drinks and live music by Cody Dickinson to the MacArthur Park grounds. Stop by 5-8 p.m. Learn more here. Bonus: Come back on Saturday for Family Fest activities surrounding the “Architects of Being” exhibit, plus the debut of Flurffy’s new show. More on that here.
Nightmare at the Museum at the Museum of Discovery // Run for the hills! (And by “hills,” we mean the River Market.) This third annual MoD grownup bash is all about things that go bump in the night. Expect lightning shows, boo brews, vendors, barbecue and hands-on experiments. Come haunt 6-9 p.m. Learn more here.
i-LIVE for Boots & BBQ at Rusty Tractor Vineyards // Now in its fourth year, this fundraising feast brings barbecue and drinks to the table, plus boot scootin’ live music and silent auctions. Proceeds benefit equine-assisted therapy programs from i-LIVE to Work, Play & Dream. It starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Ghouls & Games Masquerade Gala at Old State House Museum // Ghoulish meets glamorous in this fundraiser for the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council with spooky cocktails and a historic setting, plus a dose of “games, magic and mystery.” It starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
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Saturday, Oct. 18
Howl-o-Ween at the Little Rock Zoo // Here’s to you, wolfman. The zoo is bringing the Halloween fun on Saturday with special activities, entertainment and costumes. It starts at 9 a.m. Learn more here.
Living Craft Saturday at Historic Arkansas Museum // Time travel, anyone? HAM’s monthly series gives guests an immersive, hands-on opportunity to learn about life in the early days of Arkansas. October’s event is about all things spooky in the 1850s. Stop by 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more here.
15th Anniversary Celebration at Rock Town Distillery // We’ll drink to this. Arkansas’ first legal distillery since Prohibition is marking 15 whole years of greatness, and it’s celebrating in style. Expect tastings, tours, new releases and an exclusive Barrel House experience. Doors open at 11 a.m. Learn more here.
Cheers: 4 Creepy Cocktail Recipes for Your Next Haunt
Creep ‘N’ Crawl at Two Rivers Park // Let’s balance out some of that Halloween candy, shall we? Gals and ghouls and freaks of all kinds are invited to this “wonderfully creepy” 5K, half marathon and “lil’ monsters dash” where walkers are welcome, undead and otherwise. The first group sets off at 3:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Oktoberfest in The Alley at Sterling Market // Keep those beers lifted high, friends. The East Village joint is hosting a tap takeover of German beers, plus plenty of bratwursts, pretzels, games and discounts for guests donning lederhosen and dirndls. Stop by 6-10 p.m. Learn more here.
NPR Tiny Desk Contest: Arkansas Showcase at The Hall // This is what The Natural State sounds like. Bringing a variety of genres from different corners of the state, this Little Rock Public Radio event showcases up-and-coming bands selected by a panel of judges to bring the house down. Showtime is 6 p.m. Learn more here.
“A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics” at the Albert Pike Masonic Center // This is how you set the mood for the spookiest of seasons. As part of the traveling Candlelight Concert series, this show promises songs from some of the biggest scary movies and creepy classical pieces played by the Listeso String Quartet, all while surrounded by (flameless) candles. Catch the show at 6:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Thursday – Saturday, Oct. 16-18
“The Rocky Horror Show” Opening Weekend at the Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church // The Actors Theatre of Little Rock is headed to the lab for its next production. Frank-N-Furter and the gang are getting all kinds of time warped in this cult classic that comes with the option for “immersive” seating and your own prop bag. IYKYK. Learn more here.
The Haunted Tavern at the Ron Robinson Theater // We could get used to these spirits. This pop-up cocktail experience promises a night of chilling tales and devilish drinks, all led by the descendants of Ichabod Crane. Learn more here.
Sunday, Oct. 19
Tales of the Crypt at Mount Holly Cemetery // Although it might sound 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 Tours Dig Up Local Lore in Argenta
Witches Ride The Heights on Kavanaugh Boulevard // Get on your bikes and ride, witches. This annual parade invites the community to don their witchiest gear and cruise down Kavanaugh or join the onlooking crowds. The ride wraps up at Boulevard Bread Co. with food, drinks, music and fun for the fam. The coven rides at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Thursday – Sunday, Oct. 16-19
Last Days of the Arkansas State Fair at the Fairgrounds // Some things never change, and one of those things is the fair. The lights, the sights and the deep fried perfection are all waiting for you. All you have to do is answer their siren call. Learn more here.
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Friday – Sunday, Oct. 17-19
“Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” in Concert at the Robinson Center // It’s intergalactic music to our ears. Next up in the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Pops Live! series is the 1983 space epic finale, which will play on the big screen while the ASO brings John Williams’ iconic score to life. Catch the show at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday or 3 p.m. Sunday. Learn more here.
Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 18 & 19
Central Arkansas PrideFest in Downtown // Get ready to celebrate, Little Rock. This annual festival makes its return on Saturday with a community parade, food trucks, live entertainment, vendors and so much more. It runs 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Then on Sunday is the yearly PrideFest Brunch with good eats, performances and a conversation about intersectionality and community from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. BYO rainbow. Learn more here.
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