Family-Friendly Fests: 12 Spring Festivals in Central Arkansas
It's officially festival season! In the final weekend of April and throughout the month of May, you'll find 12 springtime festivals in Little Rock and central Arkansas. At these family-friendly fests, you can sample cuisine from around the world, listen to live music, watch a robot street fight, discover Arkansas history and even sign up for a dragon boat race. Here are 12 family-friendly festivals in Little Rock and central Arkansas this spring!
5th Annual Turkish Food Festival at Raindrop Turkish House: Learn about a rich culture and taste authentic and delicious samples of historical Turkish cuisine like shish kebabs, gyro, baklava, and Turkish coffee. Handmade souvenirs, live music, folk dancing, and a children's area are just part of the day's festivities. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. April 30. For info: (501) 223-2155, TurkishFoodFest.com. FREE!
32nd Annual International Greek Food Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church: Families enjoy the kids’ area, complete with rides and games, the dance performances on the entertainment stage and delicious treats, such as hummus, gyros and calamari. The church will also be open for tours guided in which visitors can learn about the history and tradition of the Orthodox Christian faith. Free admission, parking and shuttle service. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. May 20-21 & 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 22. For info: (501) 221-5300, GreekFoodFest.com.
43rd Annual Territorial Fair at Historic Arkansas Museum: Experience life in downtown Little Rock during the territorial era with various living history performances, actors and musicians in period clothing and other live enactments, including blacksmith demonstrations. Hands-on activities and pioneer games are part of the experience. Kids can learn how to start a fire with a bow and can make homemade Mother's Day cards, too! 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 7. For info: (501) 324-9351, www.HistoricArkansas.org. FREE!
55th Annual Young Arkansas Artists Awards Ceremony & Family Festival at Arkansas Arts Center: Student recipients and their families are honored. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., free art activities are offered to the artists, their families and the general public, including a docent-led tour. Outside, you'll find a sun photo print project, a watercolor project and a drawing project. After a 20-minute docent-led tour ending in front of the Nevelson sculpture, kids can draw a portion of the sculpture themselves. And there will (of course!) be treats for the artists and their families. KATV’s Renee Shapiro will emcee the awards ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Afterward, everyone is encouraged to attend the 2 p.m. performance of “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit.” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 7. For info: (501) 372-4000, ArkansasArtsCenter.org. FREE!
Arts and the Park in Downtown Hot Springs: A celebration of arts and culture, the festival includes a gallery walk, craft fair, studio tours, poetry readings, live musical and dramatic performances, dance, culinary arts, artist workshops and sculpture walks. Check the website for a detailed schedule. April 29-May 8. For info: HotSpringsArts.org. FREE!
Arkansas Birth Fair at The Village at Hendrix in Conway: Don't miss this event for planning, expecting, and new parents in central Arkansas. The fair showcases local businesses and resources, as well as independent providers, with the aim to educate and inform parents. Fair-goers can meet providers, such as doulas, chiropractors, midwives, physicians. Families enjoy a prenatal yoga class, baby-wearing fashion show, drum circle, henna tattoos for the belly, belly dancing, and a hula hoop performance. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 21. For info: (501) 504-6994, BirthByDesignDoulas.com.
Bridge to the Future Festival at Clinton Presidential Center & Park: This free community festival brings together organizations—including HIPPY Arkansas and Special Olympics Arkansas—that support early childhood education and health in young children. Kids can take part in fun, interactive and educational activities, which parents learn about resources for their families. Special Olympics will also host a Unified Experience in which individuals with and without disabilities play sports together. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 21. For info: (501) 748-0472, ClintonPresidentialCenter.org. FREE!
IndiaFest at River Market Pavilion: Delve into the culture of India at this one-day festival with a wide variety of Indian cuisine, entertainment (dances, music, fashion shows), and exhibits that showcase the culture and products of India. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. May 15. For info: (501) 404-8939, IndiaFestAR.com. Admission FREE!
River Cities Dragon Boat Festival at Lake Willastein in North Little Rock: Paddles up! Teams compete in a Dragon Boat race benefitting local charities. Teams arrive at Lake Willastein to set up and decorate their tents 7-9 p.m. Friday, as music fills the air and food trucks line up to serve! Shortly after sunset, look to the sky for a professional fireworks display. On race day, May 21, the fun resumes at 9 a.m., with teams dressed in a variety of wild costumes, performing in the first heat of races. During races, folks onshore enjoy a DJ, food trucks, and a children’s activity area (arts & crafts, a bouncy castle, and more). May 20-21. For info: RiverCitiesDragonBoatFestival.com.
Toad Suck Daze in Downtown Conway: Grab your toads, kids and family for a three-day festival of food, family and fun held on the streets of downtown Conway. Pick up a fried snack on a stick at one of the food vendors, browse the wares of the Toad Market, and encourage the kids to race an amphibian in the "World Championship Toad Races." Listen to live acts, including Thompson Square, hop on a carnival ride, or head to the Toadal Kids Zone, which includes performances by Tommy Terrific, hula hoop workshops, a performance by princesses Anna and Elsa, and more. 4:30-11 p.m. April 29; 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m. April 30; and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 1. For info: (501) 327-7788, ToadSuck.org. FREE!
North Little Rock Mini Maker Faire at Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub: This all-ages event returns for its second year, combining science, art and technology to celebrate DIY creativity and tinkering. The one-day exhibition of creative making hosts exhibitors, vendors, workshop teachers, panelists and performers from around the region. This year's fair will feature even more maker worlds, including Flying World, Space World, Craft World, Education World, Build World, Robot World and more. Makers can also enter competitions, such as Power Tool Drag Racing, Outlaw Pine Derby Racing, Catapult/Trebuchet for Accuracy, Robot Street Fight and Mini 3-D Printed Diorama. Food trucks will be on site. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 7. $10. For info: MakerFaireNLR.com.
Legends of Argenta at Argenta Plaza in Downtown North Little Rock: This family- and dog-friendly event includes all-local art/craft vendors, food trucks, performing artists, live art performances, performances by Arkansas Circus Arts and Paul Prater, local live bands and all-Arkansas craft beer. Legends of Argenta will take place in the heart of Argenta Arts District at the Argenta Plaza on the corner of 6th and Main St. in downtown North Little Rock. All proceeds will benefit the larger Legends of Arkansas event which will be held September 10, 2016. Gates open and music begins at 4 p.m. May 14. $5, children 12 and under free. For info: (870) 540-9867, LegendsOfArkansas.com.