Dinosaurs, Veterans Parades, and the First Holiday Markets 🦖 🇺🇸 🎄
Fall is showing off in Arkansas, and this weekend, November 6 to 8, is a full one. Veterans Day parades roll in Fort Smith and Fayetteville, the dinosaurs take over downtown Little Rock, front porches become concert stages in Hillcrest, and the first big holiday markets of the season open their doors from Springdale to Ft. Smith. Closer to home, the Cyclones close their regular season under the Friday night lights, Petit Jean packs the weekend with ranger led hikes and demonstrations, and Lake Dardanelle feeds its aquarium fish for an audience on Saturday.
One practical heads up before you head out: Hobbs State Park near Rogers has managed hunt closures on Saturday and Sunday, with several popular trails closed, so pick a different park for your hike this weekend. Petit Jean, Pinnacle Mountain, and Lake Dardanelle are all beautiful backups.
Weekend weather in Russellville: Friday is the warmest day, mostly sunny with a high near 70. Saturday and Sunday turn cooler, with highs in the low to mid 60s and lows in the upper 30s to mid 40s. There is a slight chance of rain Saturday night and Sunday, so keep an eye on the forecast as you make outdoor plans.
Browse the events below and click any red event title for details. Confirm times and availability with the organizer, grab your favorite people, and go make a few Arkansas memories.
Friday, November 6, 2026
Jurassic Quest
Little Rock, Statehouse Convention Center
Life size animatronic dinosaurs roar into downtown Little Rock for three days, with the Ancient Oceans and Frozen Frontier experiences alongside. It is built for kids roughly ages 2 to 10, and everyone age 2 and up needs a ticket. Friday hours are 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with tickets from $30.80.
GloWild Lantern Festival
Little Rock Zoo
The zoo after dark is filled with large handcrafted silk lanterns in animal, flower, and winter themes. GloWild runs Friday and Saturday this weekend, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. with last entry at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $22.50, or $19.50 for zoo members, and ages 2 and under are free.
NWA Holiday Market
Northwest Arkansas Convention Center, Springdale
The 8th annual market brings more than 160 booths of gifts, decor, and handmade goods to Springdale to kick off Christmas shopping in Northwest Arkansas. Friday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with Santa photos on Saturday. Admission is $5, and door proceeds benefit the Children's Safety Center of Washington County.
Aviation Cadet Museum Exhibit Grand Opening
Eureka Springs
Celebrate the grand opening of a new exhibit at the only museum dedicated to the Aviation Cadet program, which trained pilots for every branch of the U.S. military. The museum is open 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and grand opening admission is $20 for adults, cash only at the door. A fitting stop for Veterans Day weekend.
"Electra of Bellhaven," Arkansas Tech Theatre
Techionery Theatre, Arkansas Tech University, Russellville
ATU Theatre stages a Southern Gothic adaptation of the Electra story all weekend: Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m., with doors 30 minutes early. Tickets are $5 at the door, cash only. An easy, affordable night out right here in Russellville.
Russellville Cyclones Football vs. Siloam Springs
Russellville High School
The Cyclones close the regular season at home under the Friday night lights against Siloam Springs, with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are sold through GoFan. There is nothing quite like a small town Arkansas football Friday.
Cut Copy (DJ Set) and The Faint
The Momentary, Bentonville
When The Momentary reshaped its festival weekend, it kept this Friday night concert: Cut Copy's DJ set and The Faint at RØDE House, with Messy Sparkles also performing. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8:00 p.m. A fun grown ups night out in Northwest Arkansas, tickets sold through the venue.
Arkansas State Parks Events
Cedar Falls Overlook Stroll
Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton
Join a park interpreter at the Cedar Falls Overlook parking area at 1:00 p.m. for an easy, accessible quarter mile stroll to one of the most photographed views in Arkansas. The program lasts about 30 minutes, and fall color should be showing all along the overlook. Bring water and your camera.
Flintknapping Demonstration
Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton
Ever wonder how ancient Archaic and Mississippian people made stone tools like arrowheads, axes, and knives? A park interpreter demonstrates one of mankind's oldest crafts at 3:00 p.m., and the program lasts about 45 minutes. Pair it with the overlook stroll for a full Petit Jean afternoon.
Owl Prowl Hike
Woolly Hollow State Park, Greenbrier
Meet a park interpreter at the Enders Fault Bike Trail parking lot at 5:15 p.m. to learn about the owls that call the park home, then take a short hike to try calling a few in for a visit. Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes. It is a memorable Friday evening for curious kids and grown ups alike.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
3rd Annual Ghost-to-Gobble 1-Mile, 5K, and 8K
University of Central Arkansas, Conway
A Halloween to Thanksgiving themed fun run co-hosted by UCA's physical therapy and exercise science programs, with a certified 5K course past campus landmarks. The first start is 7:30 a.m. Entry is $20 for the mile, $35 for the 5K, and $45 for the 8K, and part of the proceeds benefits UCA Living Unleashed and Canine Companions.
Annual Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Giveaway
Laurel Park, Conway
The Conway Tree Board hosts its annual fall Arbor Day festival from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with free native trees loaded into your trunk while they last, plus food and performances by the Marguerite Vann and Ellen Smith school choirs. It is free, family friendly, and a lovely way to plant a little future shade.
Arkansas Cornbread Festival
SoMa District, South Main Street, Little Rock
An amateur cornbread cookoff, tastings, and live music take over South Main from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., benefiting the Arkansas Foodbank. Admission is free, and the cornbread tasting ticket is a paid extra. This is a signature fall Saturday in Little Rock.
Hillcrest Porchfest
Hillcrest Neighborhood, Little Rock
Front porches become stages for 17 local acts, with sets running 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the whole neighborhood turning into a block party. It is free to wander, listen, and fall a little more in love with one of Little Rock's most charming neighborhoods.
14th Annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony
Chaffee Crossing Historic District, Fort Smith
Billed as Arkansas's largest Veterans Day celebration, the day starts with an honors ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at 10:00 a.m., followed by a parade at noon with veterans, military vehicles, and classic cars. This year's theme marks America's 250th anniversary. Free to attend.
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys Football vs. Oklahoma Baptist
Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium, Arkansas Tech University, Russellville
The Wonder Boys host Oklahoma Baptist for a Saturday afternoon home game, with kickoff at 2:00 p.m. It is the biggest home sporting event in Russellville this weekend, and a great excuse for a hometown Saturday. Tickets are available through Arkansas Tech.
Arkansas River Holiday Market
Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center, Fort Smith
The 14th annual market fills the expo center with more than 150 booths of arts, crafts, boutiques, and children's items, plus food trucks and Santa, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for ages 12 and up, and the first 25 customers receive a free swag bag.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire
Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock
Hot Wheels monster trucks perform in a glow in the dark arena show that kids who love big trucks will talk about all week. Showtimes are Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m., and ages 2 and up need a ticket.
Arkansas State Parks Events
Bear Cave Hike
Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton
Start Saturday on the mountain with a park interpreter at the Bear Cave trailhead at 9:00 a.m. for a walk among the giant sandstone boulders and slot canyons of the Bear Cave area. It is an easy quarter mile hike, great for the whole family, and free. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
What's for Lunch?
Lake Dardanelle State Park, Russellville
The park's visitor center holds 8,000 gallons of aquariums filled with fish species found in Lake Dardanelle, and at 11:30 a.m. the staff feeds them live food while you watch. It is a quick, fun stop for kids right here in Russellville, and an easy add to a Saturday at the lake.
Birding 101 Walk
Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton
A park interpreter leads an easy introduction to birding walk around the visitor center lawn and Lake Bailey from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Binoculars are available to borrow, the group meets at the Visitor Center Breezeway, and it is free. Fall color on the mountain makes it even better.
The Heat of History: Groundhog Kiln Wood Firing, Opening Day
Ozark Folk Center State Park, Mountain View
The 23rd annual Groundhog Kiln pottery wood firing wraps up Saturday, when the wood fired kiln is opened and the finished pottery is unloaded in front of the public from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is a rare, dramatic heritage craft moment to watch. Check the park's page for Craft Village admission details.
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Christmas Open House at The Kitchen Store & More
Downtown Conway
The Locust Street kitchen shop kicks off the holiday season from noon to 4:00 p.m. with festive displays, holiday tastings, promotions, and giveaways. Entry is free, and it is a relaxed Sunday afternoon stop for early Christmas inspiration.
Spa City Book Fair
The Club House Hot Springs, Hot Springs
Regional authors and presses close out the second annual Hot Springs Poetry Festival with a book fair from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The festival bills itself as free poetry for all, so the fair is a free, bookish Sunday outing in the Spa City.
Also running Sunday
Jurassic Quest (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), the "Electra of Bellhaven" matinee at Arkansas Tech (2:00 p.m.), Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live (1:30 p.m.), and the Aviation Cadet Museum grand opening (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) all continue on Sunday. See their listings above for details.
Live Love Arkansas is It's More Than Real Estate. We love living here, and we love helping other people find their place here too. If this weekend has you dreaming about a porch in Hillcrest, a home near Petit Jean, or a fresh start in the River Valley, message us. We would love to help you find your way home.
