20 Spook-tacular Weekend Events in Central Arkansas
It's Halloween weekend which means lots of spooky fall fun is headed your way! And in central Arkansas, there are plenty of options for the whole family: try a haunted zip line, chow down at the World Cheese Dip championship, head to a fall carnival and so much more!
Thursday, Oct. 26
Big Boo-seum Bash: It's the annual Boo-seum Bash where families can come for trick-or-treating and fun at nine different locations in downtown Little Rock! Some of the destinations include the Arkansas Arts Center, the Museum of Discovery and the Historic Arkansas Museum. Participants are encouraged to dress up. Click here for the full list of locations. The event takes place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26. FREE!
Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 26-29
Boo at the Zoo: Come for trick-or-treating in a safe environment along with a hay maze, carnival rides, zombie paintball, haunted train, face painting, food truck concessions, ghost roast s'mores and more! Event is daily from 6-9 p.m. Admission is $20 for non-members and $15 for zoo members. Visit the Little Rock Zoo website for details
"Goosebumps the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium": Relax and enjoy a classic Halloween production at the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre. Adapted from R. L. Stine’s "Phantom of the Auditorium," this weird and wacky musical is sure to bring a tickle and a chill. Follow Zeke and Brooke and all the other young thespians of Woods Mill Middle School as they put on a musical. "Pay What You Can" preview night is Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. Regular shows hit the stage Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 28 & 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for members and $12.50 for non-members. Click here for more details about the show.
Friday, Oct. 27
Jack Hanna’s Into The Wild Live at UCA's Reynolds Performance Hall: Jack Hanna, brings his three-time Emmy Award winning television series to the live stage with Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild Live! In this awe-inspiring event, Jungle Jack introduces you to some of the world’s most spectacular animals. For more details, call (501) 450-3265 or head to the website. Tickets are $27-$35 and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Kids' Night Out Halloween Swim Party: From 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, kids can splash back into summer with a night at the Little Rock Athletic Club's pool. Participants will get to play pool games and receive goody bags. Registration is $20 for members and $22 for non-members. Call (501) 225-3600 for more information and to register.
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28
The Wilds of Wild River Country: The waterpark has been transformed into Arkansas' most terrifying horror trail! No costumes or masks are permitted at this scary event, and it's not recommended for children under the age of 13. The Wilds is open Friday and Saturday 8-11 p.m. The trail takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. Admission is $18.09 plus tax. For photos, videos and more information, click here.
Lock-In at Third Realm Extreme Recreation Park: If you haven't visited Little Rock's newest adventurous attraction yet, now is the time. Third Realm will be hosting its first ever lock-in from Oct. 27-28. Check-in starts Friday at 11:30 p.m. and doors lock at 12:30 a.m. and do not re-open until 6 a.m. There will be a costume contest, dunk competition, dance-off and more. $35 admission includes pizza and drinks. For all the details about Third Realm click here and check out the Facebook event page for more details on the lock-in.
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 27-29
"Annie" at Wildwood Park for the Arts: Get ready to sing along and enjoy this production of "Annie" at the Cabe Festival Theatre stage in this beloved musical featuring local actors. You can catch the show at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Plus, the show features furry friends who you can learn all about right here. Tickets are $30 for reserved seating and $15 for students. For more info on the show, click here.
Saturday, Oct. 28
Tent or Treat at the Hillcrest Farmers Market: Time to bust out the pup tent. The Pulaski Heights Baptist Church parking lot will be covered with decorated tents handing out Halloween goodies, right alongside your favorite weekly market vendors. Just plan on taking home more candy than usual, and maybe even getting in on the games and pet costume contest. The fun lasts from 9 a.m.-noon. For more info, click here. FREE!
World Cheese Dip Championship: Skip lunch and leave room for lots and lots of cheese dip. Enjoy live music as you make the rounds at the Clinton Presidential Center grounds taste testing some of the world's best cheese dips from amateurs and professionals alike. Tickets are $11.25 and kids under 10 get in free. Chow down from noon-3 p.m. and head to the website for more information.
6th Annual Patio on Park Hill: Park Hill Elementary School at the corner of JFK Boulevard and H Street was constructed 1923-1924; this is the only time the public will be able to tour the original school building before it’s sold. The playground will be open, the public is welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets (no coolers allowed) and enjoy live music. Dogs are welcome but must be licensed and on a leash. $3 admission, free for kids 12 & under. The event goes from noon-6 p.m.
Creep N Crawl 10K/5K at Two Rivers Park: The Creep N Crawl 10K/5K celebrates the best of autumn with a healthy dose of physical fitness. Create a new family tradition while enjoying all the fall fun with friends. Grab your costume and get ready for a spectactular evening. Head to the website or Facebook page for more info. Registration is $20-$30 and the event kicks off at 5 p.m.
Maumelle Haunted House & Carnival: Play on inflatables, compete in the costume contest, try your luck at carnival games and more! This annual event is free to attend but you must purchase carnival tickets for games. The haunted house is $5 per person. The fun takes place at Jess Odom Community Center on Oct. 28 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Click here for details. FREE!
Halloween Fun at Petit Jean State Park: Celebrate the spooky season on Petit Jean Mountain (and enjoy the start of beautiful autumn foliage!). Enjoy family-friendly, nature-focused activities in the rec hall; costumes are welcome. Contact the park at (501) 727-5441 for a schedule of activities. The event goes from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 28. FREE!
Haunted Forest Zip Tour in Hot Springs: There's a local legend in Hot Springs that the forest surrounding the city is filled with uneasy ghosts! Here's your chance to join them via a very special zip line tour, offered through AdventureWorks, located at Catherine's Landing, 1700 Shady Grove Road in Hot Springs. The Haunted Forest Zip Tour will be held, rain or shine (barring high winds or lightning) on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The two hour experience is $75 per person and more info is available here.
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 28-29
BrickUniverse Little Rock LEGO Fan Expo at the Statehouse Convention Center: Experience hands-on Lego attractions and activities built to inspire, educate, and entertain. This fun, family-friendly event will have tons of amazing Lego creations to gawk at, building zones to unleash creative energy, guest speakers and more in the Lego theater, and vendors selling the latest Lego sets, mini-figures, and accessories. The fun goes from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Visit the website or Facebook page for more information. Admission is $15.
Halloween Hayrides at Pinnacle Mountain State Park: It's time for a spooky ride through the woods! Experience a different kind of Halloween complete with a roaring campfire and treats! Roast marshmallows and tell scary stories around the fire. Hayrides take place Oct. 28 & 29 from 5-7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 6-12; advance registration and payment are required. Click here for more information.
Magic Screams at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls: Get spooked on one of the many park rides, stock up on treats along the trick-or-treat trail, showcase your creativity in the family costume contest, visit haunted houses and more. Magic Screams takes place from 4-11 p.m. Saturday and 4-9 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $27.99 for adults and $21.99 for kids under 48 inches and seniors over age 55 and can be purchased online. Parking is $10 per vehicle. Click here for all the details on Magic Screams.
Sunday, Oct. 29
Masquerade Princess Tea Party at the Castle on Stagecoach: Ride onto the grounds at the Castle on Stagecoach in a princess carriage then head inside to meet Beauty, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Sing and dance with them and then enjoy tea complete with sandwiches, scones and mini desserts. Wear your most festive masks and attire to meet the princesses! Adults $60, children $50. Seatings at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Advance reservations required; call (501) 960-0658.
Catfish Road Festival at the Burns Park Soccer Complex: There can never be enough fall festivals. This time around, it comes in the form of food trucks, live music from Runaway Planet, local beer, bounce houses, face painting and more, all to fund the expansion of the One Heart Playground for children of all abilities. And don't forget the costumes to get a little trick or treating in. Admission is $1 and kids 12 and younger get in free. Event kicks off at 2 p.m. For more info, click here.