1. Ales & Tails
Fayetteville
April 7Drink beer and eat crawfish at Ales & Tails in Fayetteville
Drink beer and eat your fill of fresh crawfish from 2 to 5 p.m. at Ales & Tails at the Washington County Fairgrounds. This event benefits the Humane Society, the Lib Horn Fayetteville Animal Shelter and the Ranger’s Pantry Pet Food Bank. For $45, you can get all you can eat crawfish and corn. VIP tickets are also available. Kids 10 and under get in free.
alesandtails.org
2. Into the Woods at Wildwood Park for the Arts
Little Rock
April 13 – 14
See the legendary Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods from Wildwood Park and Praeclara during three performances Friday and Saturday. Reserved seating tickets in the Lucy Lockett Cabe Festival Theatre at Wildwood are $30 or $15 for students.
wildwoodpark.org/events/into-the-woods/
3. Arkansas Scottish Festival at Lyon College
Batesville
April 13 – 15
Visit Lyon College for the 39th annual Arkansas Scottish Festival, celebrating all things Celtic. Enjoy bagpiping competitions, food and crafts. There’s even a race called the Kilted Mile. Race registration is $15.
lyon.edu/arkansas-scottish-festival
4. Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn
Hot Springs
April 14
Spend your Saturday in beautiful Hot Springs National Park for the $1 million Arkansas Derby. Gates open at 11 a.m. on race day. Post time is 1 p.m. on Saturdays. General admission at Oaklawn Racing & Gaming is free every day.
oaklawn.com
5. Oxford American Presents ’50 Years of True Grit
Little Rock
April 14, 20-21
Celebrate 50 years of Charles Portis’ classic novel with the Oxford American magazine. The event series will include panel discussions, book readings, exhibits, film screenings and more. There’s even a bus tour. Some events are free, while others require tickets.
oxfordamerican.org/events
The Lion King musical in Little Rock
6. The Lion King at Robinson Center
Little Rock
April 19 – May 6
See the circle of life for the first time in Central Arkansas. This spring, The Lion King will have its Natural State premiere at Robinson Center. Tickets range from $33 to $150. For tickets, go online or call the Celebrity Attractions box office at 501-244-8800.
celebrityattractions.com/index.asp
Diamond Chef Arkansas 2018
7. Diamond Chef Arkansas
Little Rock
April 19
Join the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College Foundation and the UA – PTC Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute at this year’s Diamond Chef Arkansas, a fundraiser and competition. Seven chefs will compete to be the state’s next Diamond Chef. Individual tickets are $150. Kids’ tickets are $75.
uaptc.edu/diamondchef
8. Arkansas Italian Food & Culture Festival
North Little Rock
April 20 – 21
Head to North Shore Riverwalk Park for a weekend full of Italian film, a bocce ball competition, a gravy/sauce competition, a car show and more. Don’t miss the grape stomping! Event proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Arkansas. Tickets cost $5 and children 5 and under get in free.
aritalianfestival.com
9. Arkansas Literary Festival
Little Rock
April 26 – 29
Book lovers, rejoice. The Central Arkansas Library System is bringing the Arkansas Literary Festival to Little Rock for its 15th year. The roster of authors and presenters includes Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award winners, and events include concerts, films, lectures and more. Many events are free.
arkansasliteraryfestival.org
10. 2018 Central Arkansas Heart Walk
North Little Rock
April 28
Walk to fight heart disease and stroke at North Shore Riverwalk Park. Check in is at 8:30 a.m. and the walk kicks off at 9:30 a.m. You can walk for 1, 2 or 4 miles. You can join the walk as a team or as an individual. Not a walker? Donate to a participant or give directly to the American Heart Association.
www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=3124&pg=entry