Date:  2026-10-01 08:09:54  |  

Exhibits, performances, and festivals around the state offer myriad ways to get your culture fix

Six Bridges Book Festival
September 27–October 4

Where do you turn for your next favorite read? Whether you’re drawn to the immersive world of historical fiction, the twists and turns of a good thriller, or the subtle spice of contemporary romance, Six Bridges Book Festival’s 2026 schedule covers it all. Presented by Central Arkansas Library System, this weeklong festival celebrates authors of all stripes and culminates in the festival’s ticketed fundraiser, An Evening with Ariel Lawhon, on Oct. 4. Perhaps best known for her 2023 bestseller The Frozen River, Lawhon will discuss her newest novel, The Pirate Queen, at Ron Robinson Theater. Tickets are $100 and include a cocktail hour with heavy hors d’oeuvres and the opportunity to meet the author and have your book signed. Visit sixbridgesbookfestival.org for the full lineup and schedule of events.

“The Age of Anxiety: German Expressionism in Art and Film”
October 9–January 10

In the aftermath of World War I, political, economic, and social anxieties crept into every corner of German life. That angst manifested itself in the period’s visual art through jagged brushstrokes, vibrant palettes, and distorted figures, all of which became hallmarks of German Expressionism. The movement bled into the world of cinema and was revealed in horror films such as Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari—now considered early icons of the genre. 

On Oct. 9, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts opens “The Age of Anxiety: German Expressionism in Art and Film” to explore the ways in which the cultural influence of Germany in the early 20th century continues today. This exhibit is free and open to the public in the museum’s Harriet and Warren Stephens Family Gallery. Visit arkmfa.org for museum hours and more information.

Peacemaker Festival
October 2-3

In Fort Smith, Peacemaker Festival returns for its 12th year on the banks of the Arkansas River. With a line-up featuring country, rock, blues, and Americana acts, Peacemaker is a volunteer-led, grassroots effort that prioritizes giving back to the community through both local charities and downtown development. In fact, over the years, the festival has been able to donate more than $1 million to nonprofit organizations. Ten acts are scheduled over the course of two days, including headliners Texas singer-songwriter William Clark Green and Southern blues-rock band J.J. Grey & Mofro. Visit peacemakerfest.com for tickets and more information.

“The Addams Family”
October 22-25 and 30-31

They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky—you know the ones. They’re the Addams family, and they’re here to delight and entertain thanks to Arts One Presents. With performances at The Medium in Springdale and Arkansas Arts Academy in Rogers, this beloved family comedy makes light of the macabre while celebrating what it means to stand out from the crowd. A cast of community actors bring to life Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, Pugsley, and the whole quirky crew just in time for Halloween. Visit artsonepresents.org for tickets and more information.

“The Great Gatsby”
OctOBER 23-25

Ballet Arkansas kicks off the 2026-2027 season with a reimagining of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic American novel The Great Gatsby at Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. Set against a backdrop of flappers and jazz tunes, Champagne and secrets, the story follows the newly monied Jay Gatsby and his ill-fated attempt to win back the love of Daisy Buchanan. “While tracing the journeys of the familiar characters, the production paints a broader portrait of an era in which ambition, longing, and indulgence propelled people toward both extraordinary success and devastating ruin,” says executive and artistic director Michael Fothergill. Visit balletarkansas.org for showtimes and ticket information.

Art of Home
November 7-8

How can art enrich our daily lives at home?  That is the question at the heart of Art of Home, an inspiring tour of residences presented by At Home in Arkansas and MIXD Gallery. This weekend event invites ticketholders to walk through four art-forward houses located in Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Rogers to admire the architectural details, interior finishes, beautiful furnishings, and, of course, well-curated art collections on display—some of which are available for purchase through MIXD Gallery. Art of Home is timed in conjunction with the gallery’s annual exhibit “By Design,” which explores the intersection of use and art with pieces like lamps, chairs, and vases on display. A portion of proceeds from Art of Home benefit New Beginnings, a bridge housing community based in Fayetteville. Tickets are $55 and available online at mixd.gallery.

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CULTURE CRAVINGS

More theater, music, and art experiences in Arkansas this fall

Sept. 29-Oct. 3: “Gridiron 2026” at Arkansas Repertory Theatre in Little Rock

OCT. 1: Show opening for “Matt McLeod:  Unexpected Perspective” at Art Group Gallery in Little Rock

OCT. 2: Music on the Mountain presents Trace Branch Ramblers and Square Dancing with Steve Green at Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville

OCT. 3: South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents “American Landscapes: From Sea to Shining Sea” at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium

OCT. 3: Show openings for artists Ray Parker and Jason McCann at Boswell Mourot Fine Art in Little Rock

OCT. 3-4:  Art Fair at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Arts in Bentonville

OCT. 4: Arts One Presents “Much Ado About Nothing” at Luther George Park in Springdale

OCT. 8-10: King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena

OCT. 9-17: 35th annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

OCT. 10: Outstanding in the Field with Chef Micah Klasky at The Momentary in Bentonville

OCT. 16-17: Mid-South Music Festival in Arkadelphia

OCT. 21-25: “Dirty Dancing: The Musical” at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville

OCT. 23-25: Arkansas Scottish Festival at Lyon College in Batesville

OCT. 23-25: “Much Ado About Murder” at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff

OCT. 30-NOV. 1: “Beetlejuice” musical at Robinson Center Music Hall in Little Rock

NOV. 7: Show opening for artist Eleanor Dickinson at Boswell Mourot Fine Art in Little Rock

NOV. 16: Kurt Vile and the Violators at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville

NOV. 18-DEC. 20: “Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women” at TheatreSquared in Fayetteville

DEC. 4: Darius Rucker at Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff

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