Peacemaker, Red Dirt and Fort Smith
There is something special about hearing live music outdoors on an...
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October brings cooler temperatures to Arkansas, ushering in a season filled with vibrant festivals and fairs! Embrace the crisp air and enjoy all things pumpkin spice, football and hearty soups. This month also sparks a sense of mystery and spookiness, making it the perfect time to plan a weekend adventure. Get ready to explore all that Arkansas has to offer this fall!
Little Rock Coin Show
At the Little Rock Coin show, whether you’re a longtime collector or just getting started, you’ll have the opportunity to buy, sell, trade, and explore unique pieces from dealers and collectors across the region. You will be able to join fellow enthusiasts and uncover the history, artistry, and value behind the hobby of coin collecting.
Date: October 1-3
Venue: Arkansas Statehouse Convention Center
More Information: Click Here
SoMa Fiesta After Dark| Little Rock
Get ready to experience the ultimate SoMa after dark! You can taste your way through SoMa with a wide variety of Latin American cuisine, from tacos and tamales to empanadas, churros, and more. There will be live music and dance featuring salsa, bachata, mariachi, and DJ sets that keep the energy going all night. There will be cultural performances by local dance groups showcasing both traditional and contemporary styles. Make plans to attend.
Date: October 2
Venue: Main Street, Little Rock
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Goat Festival | Perryville
The Arkansas Goat Festival returns to Perryville so everyone can get their annual dose of goat costume contests, goat parades, goat games, goat races, goat contests and goat products. There will be fun, food and general goat-related shenanigans to delight the whole family.
Date: October 3
Venue: Perryville City Park
More Information: Click Here
TimberFest | Sheridan
TimberFest is an annual festival held on the first weekend in October of every year. The festival will have a Lumberjack competition, Baggo tournament, 5k, a car show, food, rides and live entertainment. This festival is one you don’t want to miss.
Date: October 2-3
Venue: Downtown Sheridan
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Apple Festival | Lincoln
At the Arkansas Apple Festival, you will find arts and crafts of the Ozarks, food, entertainment, a parade, vendors, a tractor show and many other activities.
Date: October 2-4
Venue: Lincoln Square (112 Boyer Ave)
More Information: Click Here
Greek Food Festival | Little Rock
The 2026 International Greek Food Festival is continuing the tradition of serving. For more than 40 years, the festival has brought together thousands of guests to celebrate food, culture and community in Central Arkansas. Over the years, the festival has donated more than $1.6 million to outstanding local charities and continues its commitment to giving back to the community. Guests will enjoy a vast array of authentic food and pastries, cultural experiences, family-friendly entertainment, shopping and more.
Date: October 2-3
Venue: 1100 Napa Valley Dr. (at St. Charles Blvd.)
More Information: Click Here
Annual Frontier Day Festival | Paris
The Frontier’s Day festival is a family-friendly event where you will be able to watch the Old West come to life! There will be bounce houses for the kids and live entertainment coming from local talent on the main stage, not to mention food and craft vendors.
Date: October 3
Venue: Downtown Paris on the Square
More Information: Click Here
Little Italy 99th Italian Festival | Roland
From 11:00 to 3:30pm, St. Francis of Assisi Church will be hosting its Famous Spaghetti and Sausage Dinner with food and games for all!
Date: October 4
Venue: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (33223 Highway 300, Roland, AR 72135)
More Information: Click Here
Hillberry Harvest Moon Festival | Eureka Springs
This festival lasts five nights across two stages with all the best of bluegrass, Americana, and Funk. The event is held at The Farm in Eureka Springs, which is a campground & concert venue located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Primitive camping is available onsite.
Date: October 7-11
Venue: The Farm
More Information: Click HereMagic Screams at Magic Springs | Hot Springs
Magic Springs hosts a Magic Screams event every Saturday and Sunday in October. There will be Halloween-themed activities every week. Check it out!
Venue: Magic Springs Theme and Water Park
More Information: Click Here
King Biscuit Blues Festival | Helena-West Helena
Founded in 1986, the King Biscuit Blues Festival is one of the nation’s foremost showcases of blues music. It lasts for three full days in October, and tens of thousands of blues enthusiasts from all over the world converge on historic downtown Helena to hear stirring and uplifting performances of an American art form on the banks of the Mississippi River. Consisting of five stages and a wide variety of buskers, the indescribable personality and culture of “Tent City,” where there are food and arts/crafts vendors galore, make this a weekend event worthy of adding to your plan this month.
Date: October 8-10
Venue: 198 Missouri Street
More Information: Click Here
CabotFest | Cabot
CabotFest has been a strong community tradition since 1978. It was initially a fundraiser to help Cabot rebuild after the damage of the 1976 tornado. Now, it has turned into a full-blown festival with a carnival, 5K, live music and tons of vendors.
Date: October 8-10
Venue: Downtown Cabot
More Information: Click Here
Vintage Market Days | Bentonville
Vintage Market Days is an upscale vintage-inspired market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings and more. The market is a three-day event and is a unique opportunity for vendors to display their talents and passions in different venues and for shoppers to enjoy and appreciate their creations.
Date: October 9-11
Venue: Benton County Fairgrounds
More Information: Click Here
35th Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival | Hot Springs
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute champions nonfiction storytelling by providing a platform for storytellers to entertain, educate, broaden perspectives and celebrate their love of documentaries. The Institute engages audience members with impactful cinematic experiences through an annual festival and year-round programming. Check out the schedule of events and choose what is best for you!
Date: October 9-17
Venue: Arlington Resort and Hotel
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Rice Festival | Weiner
The 50th Annual Arkansas Rice Festival in Weiner celebrates the rich heritage of rice farming in Arkansas and its harvest. The festival is held annually on the second weekend in October in conjunction with National Rice Promotion Month. There will be entertainment and events to enjoy, such as a rice cookoff, threshing demonstrations, street dance, car show, kid’s activities and more!
Date: October 10
Venue: Weiner
More Information: Click Here
Rendezvous in the Ozarks | Ozark
If you own a four-wheel drive vehicle and enjoy the overlanding lifestyle, or you want to learn more about this fast-growing passion, you are invited to join Natural State Overland at Mulberry Mountain Lodge in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. You will rendezvous with others who share your interest in overland-style travel and all the adventure it brings!
Date: October 15-17
Venue: Mulberry Mountain Lodge
More Information: Click Here
War Eagle Fair | Hindsville
The War Eagle Fair began in 1954. It was started as a way for crafters from across the Ozarks region to display their works. It continues today over 60 years later with the same idea. With more than 250 booths of all handcrafted products displayed by their creators, the War Eagle Fair takes place along the banks of the War Eagle Creek. A beautiful Fall setting of changing leaves makes the perfect weekend getaway experience for you and your family.
Date: October 15-18
Venue: Camp War Eagle (11037 High Sky Inn Rd, Hindsville, Arkansas)
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas State Fair | Little Rock
Since 1940, the Arkansas State Fair has been fun for the entire family, including various food vendors, carnival, midway rides, livestock show, arts and crafts, rodeo and musical entertainment featuring top-name performers.
Date: October 16-25
Venue: Arkansas State Fairgrounds
More Information: Click Here
Hillcrest Harvestfest | Little Rock
The best little neighborhood festival is returning this fall for its 32nd year! With a wide range of crafts and goods from over 100 vendors, plenty of your most popular food trucks, live music, local beer, kids’ activities, dog show and so much more, Hillcrest Harvestfest is the good time for the entire family!
Date: October 17
Venue: Hillcrest neighborhood
More Information: Click Here
Fallin’ Blackbird Festival & 5K | Beebe
In 2010, there was an odd occurrence in Beebe on New Year’s Eve when thousands of blackbirds mysteriously dropped from the sky. That event makes for a fun festival theme. There will be lots of activities for the entire family to enjoy, such as a 5K, blackbird pie-eating contest, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, entertainment and activities for kids!
Date: October 17
Venue: Downtown Beebe
More Information: Click Here
Annual Bean Fest and Championship Outhouse Races | Mountain View
Do you think you have the best beans around? Show up and cook for your chance to win. Enjoy music and dancing on the Courthouse Square throughout the day and sample free beans and cornbread. There will be handmade craft vendors and outrageous outhouse races. The dinner bell will ring at noon, and the “Bean Fest Cooking Champion” will be crowned. Outhouse Races will follow dinner.
October 23-24
Venue: 109 N Peabody Ave, Mountain View
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Paranormal Expo | Little Rock
The Arkansas Paranormal Expo is a benefit supporting the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. The Tower Building, which was built in 1840, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur. It is their mission to raise funds to help preserve this beautiful, historic building. The Arkansas Paranormal Expo has grown to be one of the biggest and most popular events of its kind in all of Arkansas. Subjects such as UFOs, Bigfoot, Cryptozoology, psychic phenomena and ghost hunting will take the stage, providing in-depth education and intriguing insight.
Date: October 24-25
Venue: MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Scottish Festival | Batesville
Every year Batesville hosts one of America’s most popular Scottish festivals. Pipers, drummers, dancers, athletes, Scottish clans and vendors travel from all corners of the country to attend the event. Be sure to check it out and all the activities this festival has to offer.
Date: October 23-25
Venue: Lyon College
More Information: Click Here
3rd Annual Stars Hollow Saturday at Petit Jean Coffeehouse | Petit Jean Mountain
Stars Hollow Saturday is coming back bigger and better this year! The parking lot will be filled with all your favorite small-town stops, familiar characters, fall fun and a little bit of quirky town magic. Then head inside the Coffeehouse—aka Luke’s—for coffee, coffee, coffee, plus themed drinks, breakfast and plenty of good food. Not a coffee person? We’ve got you covered. The Soda Shoppe will be set up outside with something sweet to sip while you wander the “town.” Come spend the day on Petit Jean Mountain and see what all the town talk is about.
Date: October 31
Venue: Petit Jean Coffeehouse
More Information: Click Here
Other Events to take note of:
9/30-10-3- Bikes, Blues and BBQ — Rogers
10/9-10/10 – Bradford Fun Fest – Bradford
10/2-10/3 – Peacemaker – Fort Smith
10/3- Moonshine and Music Festival- Clinton
10/3- Ozark Trail Fest — Heber Springs
10/3- The Homegrown Festival — Siloam Springs
10/3- Manchester Pumpkin Day — Arkadelphia
10/3 – Harrison Harvest Homecoming Festival – Harrison
10/3– Turkish Food Festival – Little Rock
10/3 – High Cotton Festival – Scott
10/3 – Bay Harvest Festival – Lake City
10/7-10/10 – Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival II – Waldron
10/10 Little RocktoberFest — Little Rock
10/10–10/11 Parker Homestead Festival, Week I — Harrisburg
10/9–10/10 Yellville Turkey Trot — Yellville
10/10 – Mount Judea Heritage Fall Festival – Mount Judea
10/10 – Ozark Square Gathering – Ozark
10/10– Van Buren Fall Festival – Van Buren
10/13 – Taste of Texarkana – Texarkana
10/15–10/17 Wishing Spring Arts & Craft Fair — Bella Vista
10/24 – Corning Harvest Festival – Corning
10/24 – Apple Butter Festival – Petit Jean Mountain
10/24 Eureka Springs Zombie Crawl — Eureka Springs
10/24 – Atkins Heritage Festival – Atkins
10/24 – Fort Smith Fall Festival – Fort Smith
10/23–10/24 Lake Chicot Fall Festival — Lake Village
10/24–10/25 Rentopia Renaissance Faire — Bentonville
10/31- Downtown Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff — Russellville
10/31- Gurdon Forest Festival — Gurdon
10/31 – Bryant Fall Fest – Bryant
Also, check out this article for a list of pumpkin patches around the state. Or check out this article and make a Cinnamon Streusel Pumpkin Bundt Cake this month or click here to learn how to make some Donut Hole Pumpkin Pops.
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