Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables said, “I’m glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” I think this quote especially hold true for those of us who live in Arkansas.
By September we are tired of summer and ready for something different. In fact, I suspect that many Arkansans would say that October is their favorite month of the year.
The weather cools off…finally…the leaves begin to turn, hiking season begins, and best of all are the multitude of fall festivals in Arkansas!
October Fall Festivals in Arkansas
Here is our list of the best fall festivals in Arkansas that happen during the month of October. Let us know if we have missed one that you think should be included!
King Biscuit Blues Festival – Helena, Arkansas
The King Biscuit Blues Festival attracts tens of thousands of people to the banks of the Mississippi River in Helena, Arkansas. This festival is held the weekend before Columbus Day each October. The purpose is to preserve the music of the Delta. The name stems from King Biscuit Time, the longest-running daily radio show.
- Dates: October 4 – 7, 2023
- Information: King Biscuit Blues Festival
Musicfest – El Dorado
The south Arkansas town of El Dorado has one of the best music scenes in the state. This is a 2 day festival with 3 stages and a variety of musical acts. There will also be lots of activities for all ages and venders selling both food and merchandise.
- Dates: October 6-7
- Information: Musicfest El Dorado
Timberfest – Sheridan, Arkansas
At Timberfest you can see the Arkansas Lumberjack Championship! There will also be entertainment, food, a Baggo tournament and other fun activities. Best of all is the BBQ cookoff where you can taste some of the best BBQ around.
- Dates: October 6-7
- Information: Timberfest
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival – Hot Springs
This is the 32 annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. The main hub of the festival and two of the viewing venues are at the Arlington Resort and Spa. Another venue is at the Oaklawn Event Center. A number of documentary films are shown each day of the festival.
- Dates: October 6-14
- Information: Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
Hillberry Harvest Moon Festival – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
5 nights, 2 stages, all the best of bluegrass, Americana, and Funk. The event is held at The Farm in Eureka Springs which is a campground & concert venue located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Primitive camping is available onsite.
- Dates: October 4-8
- Information: Hillberry Harvest Moon Festival
Some More Great Things About Fall in Arkansas
Fall is truly a special time in the state of Arkansas. Besides the amazing Arkansas festivals, here is a list of some of the best things to do in fall in the Natural State.
Of course, October is also Halloween, the spooky season. If you like to be scared perhaps you would want to check out some of the great haunted houses in the state!
Even if you don’t like haunted houses you might enjoy learning the stories of some of the “real” haunted places in Arkansas. You could even want to stay in the countries most haunted hotel, the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs.
Of course, fall in Arkansas is the perfect time for outdoor activities. Check out this list of some of our favorite hikes in the state. Or you might want to visit one of the incredible Arkansas State Parks.
Fall is also the season for Arkansas apples! Enjoy our list of the best apple orchards in the state!
No matter what, you will enjoy fall in Arkansas!
Arkansas Goat Festival – Perryville
What a fun Arkansas festival! There is a goat parade, live music, food trucks, and even a goat lingerie show! There will be a baby goat petting area for the human “kids.”
- Dates: October 7
- Information: Arkansas Goat Festival
Arkansas State Fair – Little Rock
The Arkansas State Fair has it all! Exciting rides on the midway, all kinds of fried foods from the concession stands, concerts and entertainment on the Main Stage, and livestock shows and competitions. You can’t miss the Arkansas State Fair!
- Dates: October 13-22
- Information: Arkansas State Fair
Octoberfest Beer Festival – Rogers Downtown
Octoberfest is a beer festival in downtown Rogers with many different breweries participating. They even have a home brew section which should be super interesting. The price of the ticket includes as much beer as you want to drink. They also have wine for non-beer drinkers.
- Dates: October 14
- Information: Octoberfest Beer Festival
Arkansas Rice Festival – Weiner, Arkansas
This is a fun community festival that celebrates the fact that Arkansas is one of the largest producers of rice in the nation. The festival includes pageants, food and craft vendors, a rice cook-off, an old-time rice threshing demonstration, a parade, car show and so much more!
- Dates: October 14
- Information: Arkansas Rice Festival
Fallin’ Blackbird Festival – Beebe, Arkansas
This festival is named for a mysterious event that took place in Beebe on New Year’s in 2010 and again in 2011 when thousands of blackbirds fell from the sky. The festival provides a perfect opportunity for families and friends to come together and enjoy a day of fun, food, and live entertainment. The festival includes a 5k run, a fun run for kids, vendors, food trucks and a variety of entertainment.
- Dates: October 21
- Information: Fallin’ Blackbird Festival
War Eagle Fair – Rogers
This is one of the most impressive and largest crafts fairs that you will ever attend! It is held in a beautiful fall setting near the gorgeous War Eagle Mill on the banks of War Eagle Creek. There are more than 250 booths of all handcrafted products displayed by their creators.
- Dates: October 19-22
- Information: War Eagle Fair
ScotsFest – Batesville, Arkansas
Batesville is the oldest city in Arkansas and is host to Scotsfest which is one of America’s most popular Scottish festivals. Pipers, drummers, dancers, athletes, Scottish clans, and vendors travel from all over the country to attend this event.
- Dates: October 27-29
- Information: Arkansas Scottish Festival
Beanfest and Championship Outhouse Races – Mountain View
This is one of the quirkiest and most fun of the Arkansas Festivals. 30 or 40 teams compete for the title of BEST beans. In fact, approximately 2,000 lbs. of pinto beans are cooked all around the square in huge iron pots. At noon a lunch of beans and cornbread is served to the hungry crowds for free. After lunch everyone gathers to watch the outhouse races!
- Date: October 27-28
- Information: Beanfest
Downtown Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff – Russelleville
Events, vendors, and chili cooking teams will be set up all around the blocks of downtown Russelleville. Some of the events include pumpkin decorating, best kids costume, various length runs, and of course Chili tasting!
- Date: October 28
- Information: Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff
We hope that you enjoy attending some of the amazing and unique fall festivals in Arkansas! Let us know your favorites!