This weekend marks the beginning of some exciting Halloween-themed events that will run through October. You can check out Shadows at Sixth Street, a spooky haunted drive-thru experience in downtown Little Rock, or you could head to Hot Springs to check out Fall Celebration Saturdays at Garvan Gardens and Halloweekends at Magic Springs. There are also other pandemic-safe activities like visiting one of the local outdoor dining rooms and enjoying Tinkerfest Part 3 at the Museum of Discovery. 

Friday

Food Truck Friday at Simmons Bank Arena 

Kick the weekend off early with a fun Friday lunch. Each Friday in October families can enjoy an outdoor meal in the Simmons Bank Arena VIP parking lot. This week, the fun has been extended until 1:30 p.m. and the truck lineup has been expanded from three to five. Come check out Jefferson’s Mobile Grilling, Riceland Mobile Café, Nach’yo Nachos N’ More, The Boil and Repecci’s Italian Ice. 

The Details: 

When: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  

Where: VIP parking lot at Simmons Bank Arena | 1 Simmons Bank Arena Drive, North Little Rock

Live Music Friday at the SoMa Outdoor Dining Room

This Friday you and the fam can enjoy food and live music. Grab your mask, the kids and order takeout from your favorite SoMa restaurant. 

The Details: 

When: 4-9 p.m. (live music starts at 7 p.m.)  

Where: SoMa Outdoor Dining Room | 1301 S. Main St. 

Guidelines: 

  • Use hand sanitizer before you grab a seat.

  • Wear a mask when not seated.

Saturday

Tinkerfest Part 3: Manipulating Materials 

The third installment of the Museum of Discovery's Tinkerfest event will be this Saturday, and the theme is Manipulating and Materials. Come get hands-on fun with projects like DIY maracas with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and recycling sorting with Sustain Little Rock. 

The Details: 

When: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.* 

Where: 100 block of Sherman Street just outside the museum’s main entrance

Guidelines: 

  • Wear a mask.

  • Social distancing encouraged.

*To limit crowd size, you need to purchase your tickets in advance (members should reserve tickets.) Tickets will be offered in two hour increments:

  • 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Purchase or reserve your tickets

Great Arkansas Cleanup at Murray Park 

Help keep our city beautiful by joining the clean up efforts at Murray Park on Saturday. Trash bags and disposable gloves will be provided. 

The Details: 

When: 9 a.m.-noon 

Where: Murray Park | 5900 Rebsamen Park Road, Little Rock

Register: Email info@klrb.org to volunteer — all ages welcome 

Guidelines: 

  • Pre-registration of volunteers is required. 

  • Face coverings will be required during check-in and check-out and when unable to maintain physical distancing during the cleanup. 

Little Readers Rock 

Part of CALS’ Six Bridges Festival and presented by the Junior League of Little Rock, Little Readers Rock is a family-friendly day of learning and fun. This virtual event is jampacked with storytimes, crafts and even animal yoga. 

The Details: 

When: Sessions start at 9 a.m. and run through 1:30 p.m. See all the details here.

Where: This is a virtual event. Register for the Zoom session(s) of your choice, here. 

Garvan Gardens Fall Celebration Saturdays 

Enjoy fall foliage, flowers and fun at Garvan Gardens this month. For a fun twist, the first 100 children to the Gardens will receive a free take-home fall project.

The Details:

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  

Where: Garvan Woodland Gardens | 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs

Admission: Members Free | $15 ages 13 and up | $5 ages 4-12 | Free ages 3 and younger | $5 dogs on a short leash

Guidelines: 

  • Masks required for entry.

  • Masks required in some garden areas. 

Fall Planting Workshop/Seed Swap/Houseplant Sale at Bernice Gardens

Come out to Bernice Gardens to learn about their organic gardening methods, meet their Master Gardener Laverne Davis and learn to plant for fall. They will provide some seeds for swapping and host Dunbar Garden for their houseplant sale!

The Details: 

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Bernice Garden | 1401 Main Street, Little Rock

Guidelines: Masks are required. 

Drive-Thru Girl Scout Animal Dance Party

Bring your girls out for a drive-thru Girl Scout party. Girls will learn about the connection animals and humans both have to dance, make animal-related crafts, learn an animal-themed dance and talk about how animals can help humans.

The Details: 

When: 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Where: United Methodist Church | 2003 S. Pine St., Cabot

Register: Event is free, but registration is required. Register here. 

Guidelines: 

  • Hand sanitizer will be at each station.

  • Families in vehicles should wear masks if possible for two-way precaution while interacting with staff and volunteers.

  • All families must remain in vehicles at all times.

Friday-Sunday

October River Market Outdoor Dining Room 

Enjoy the cooler weather and your favorite food from the River Market Entertainment District at their new outdoor dining area! 

The Details: 

When: 6-11 p.m. Friday | 2-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday  

Where: 300 & 400 Blocks of President Clinton Avenue 

Guidelines: 

  • Social distancing will be practiced.

  • Masks are required.

Shadows at Sixth Street

Buckle up for family-friendly, pandemic-safe fun with Shadows at Sixth Street, an elevated Halloween drive-through experience. Learn more here. 

The Details: 

Location: Best Park Parking Deck | 600 Scott St., Little Rock

Hours: 7-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday | 7-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday 

Admission: $25/car if purchased online | $30/car if purchased at the event 

Saturday-Sunday

Halloweekends at Magic Springs

This year Magic Screams is getting a family-friendly and social-distance makeover as Halloweekends at Magic Springs. Starting October 10, park-goers of all ages can enjoy Saturdays and Sundays full of fall family fun. Learn more here. 

 The Details: 

Hours: noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday 

Where: Magic Springs Theme and Water Park | 1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs 

Admission: 

  • At the gate: $29.99 plus tax for adults | $21.99 plus tax for juniors and seniors 

  • Online: $24.99 plus tax for adults | $19.99 plus tax for juniors and seniors 

  • 2021 Season Pass holders: Free

Anytime Fun: 

Still stumped? Here are a few other ideas:

Visit a Pumpkin Patch 

We rounded up the details for 10 local pumpkin patches. Check out our post for full details. 

Create Fall Treats

We found delicious pumpkin-based and apple-themed treats to take you from breakfast to dessert. Weekend plans, enhanced. 

Even more ideas: