10 Events for Weekend Fun: Halloween, Cheese Dip Championship & Holiday House
Having a little trouble deciding what to do this weekend? Us too! It's a packed weekend of Halloween fun, from trick-or-treating to haunted hayrides to pumpkin crafting.
If you're not a fan of Halloween, don't kid yourself: You won't be sitting home this weekend, either! Because it's also time for Holiday House, the annual shopping spectacular that takes over the Statehouse Convention Center. Plus, the 5th Annual World Cheese Dip Championship will delight foodies at Bernice Gardens.
Here are our top 10 events for family fun this weekend! (Parents, if you're looking for a Halloween date night, our sister publication, Little Rock Soiree, has a great list here.)
20th Annual Big Boo!seum Bash in Downtown Little Rock: Start the weekend early as little boys and ghouls take over downtown Little Rock on Thursday. Hosted by the Greater Little Rock Museums and Cultural Attractions Consortium and sponsored by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, the event coordinates free admission to area museums, all of which will offer fun, games, safe trick-or-treating and lots of prize drawings. Click here for a list of participating locations and more event details. 6-8:30 p.m. For info: (501) 376-4781, LittleRock.com. FREE!
Mac-O-Lantern Balloon Glow at MacArthur Park: This pumpkin decorating contest and event includes music, foodtrucks, Arkansas Craft Beer Guild, and new for 2015: hot air balloons lighting up the sky! Pumpkins are available for purchase and tethered balloon rides for a fee. Leashed dogs are welcome. Next door, the Arkansas Arts Center will be open during the festival for those who want to browse the gift shop or check out their newest exhibit, Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art. 5-9 p.m. Oct. 30. Price: Free admission; balloon rides are extra. For info: (501) 375-0121, MacArthurParkLR.com. FREE!
Halloween Happenings at The Outlets of Little Rock: Children 12 and under are invited to Little Rock’s newest shopping center for an afternoon of trick-or-treating. Kids can wear costumes (no face masks, please) and visit participating stores for candy, treats and games. 2-4 p.m. Oct. 31. For info: OutletsOfLittleRock.com. FREE!
Mall-o-ween at Park Plaza Mall: Rainy day? Visit Park Plaza for a mall-wide trick-or-treat event for kids 12 and under. Enjoy a safe and friendly trick-or-treating environment with participating retailers while supplies last! Please, no costumes or masks for adults. 5-6 p.m. Oct. 31. For info: (501) 664-4956, ParkPlazaMall.com. FREE!
Hayride and Haunted Musical Ride at Big Rock Mini Golf & Fun Park: The daytime educational hayride transitions into a slightly spooky (but mostly funny) musical adventure at night! At each stop, a creepy character—voodoo goblins, diva princesses and more—sing karaoke. Kids can expect to get involved with tambourines and other audience participation. Haunted Musical Ride times: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 30 & 31; 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 1. $8. For info: (501) 455-3750, BigRockFunPark.com.
Boo at the Zoo at Little Rock Zoo: Arkansas's largest Halloween festival is back and filled will with lots of howl-oween fun! Boo At The Zoo is appropriate for families with children of all ages, and features a safe environment for trick-or-treating along with other spooktacular amenities and attractions. Don your costumes and stroll through the colorful lights and Halloween themed decorations. Trick-or-treaters enjoy nightly dance contests, costume contests, free carousel rides, glitter tattoos, live music, and a dance party! Event hours: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 16 Adult Night ($25 admission); 6-9 p.m. Oct. 17 & 18; 6-9 p.m. Oct. 22-Nov. 1. $10; all inclusive arm bands are $20. For info: (501) 666-2406, LittleRockZoo.com.
The Painted Pig & Spirited Art Pumpkin Party: If scary stuff isn't for you, get your craft on with this dream team of The Painted Pig and Spirited Art. You’ll start the night at The Painted Pig making pumpkin mosaics. When finished, you’ll all walk down to Spirited Art to paint some real pumpkins. You can even bring kids ages 4 and older. 10 a.m. Oct. 31. For info: PaintedPigStudio.com.
Hillcrest Pumpkin Roll in Hillcrest: It’s November and it’s time to get rid of your jack-o-lantern. And there’s no better way to do that than by propelling it down a steep slope in your neighborhood. That’s exactly what’s going to happen on Sunday at Hill Road and Midland Street, just like it’s happened for the past 11 years. There are prizes for kids and adults, and proceeds benefit Camp Aldersgate. 2 p.m. Nov. 1. For info, click here.
5th Annual World Cheese Dip Championship at Bernice Gardens at South Main Street: Sample cheese dip from competitors around the nation! Winners of the championship, divided into Amateur and Professional divisions, are determined by a judge's panel. Your ticket lets you sample all the entries and cast a vote for the People's Choice Award. This year, live entertainment will be provided by the local band Whale Fire and family musicians, The Kinders. Proceeds benefit Harmony Health Clinic. Noon-3 p.m. Oct. 31. Price: $10, kids 10 and under are free. For info: CheeseDip.net.
25th Annual Holiday House at Statehouse Convention Center: Start your shopping season with a five-day shopping extravaganza that features more than 180 specialty merchants from across the United States. Special events include the family favorite, Cookies and Milk with Santa from noon-3 p.m. Nov. 1 ($10). Shopping hours: Noon- 9 p.m. Oct. 29; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 30; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 31; and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 1. Price: $10; four day pass is $40; children 5 and under are free. For info: (501) 375-5557, JLLR.org.