As the weather starts to warm up, everyone is eager to get back outside and enjoy some fun events and festivals in the Natural State. Good news—there are plenty of events popping up across the state in April 2023.
Marrs Mercantile Grand Opening (Centerton)
If you have watched any programs on HGTV lately, you have probably been cheering for Arkansans Jenny and Dave Marrs as they show us grace, charm and great home makeovers on their hit tv show Fixer to Fabulous. We are so excited about their success and are looking forward to the grand opening of Marrs Mercantile on April 1. Jenny and Dave say, “The Mercantile is a place where we want our community to pause from the pressures of daily life. We want our guests to feel as though they stepped back to simpler times when they enter inside. We envision families meeting here to gather and shop and play. The goods we sell are some of our very favorite things, handmade by artisans and artists we have worked with for years.” Make plans to check it out this month!
Venue: Marrs Mercantile (289 N Main Street)
Date: April 1 (Grand Opening)
More Information: Click Here
Vintage Market Days (NWA)
Vintage Market Days is an upscale vintage-inspired market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings and more. The market is a three-day event and is a unique opportunity for vendors to display their talents and passions in different venues and for shoppers to enjoy and appreciate their creations.
Venue: Benton County Fairgrounds
Date: April 1-2
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Roots Music Festival (Dyess)
Head to Dyess for a day of music performances at the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home on April 1. Live music begins at noon and ends at 5 p.m. Performers include The Casey Penn Band, Rachel Ammons, Wyly Bigger, Marybeth Byrd and The Tina Cossey Band. Food vendors include Tacker’s Shake Shack and J & B’s Twizted BBQ. Live demonstrations include a blacksmith and woodcarver. Bring your chairs and makes plans to attend the Arkansas Roots Music Festival in Dyess
Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show is a powerful and stirring reinvention of the beloved favorite, celebrated the world over for its Grammy Award-winning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. Composer Bill Whelan has rerecorded his mesmerizing soundtrack while producer Moya Doherty and director John McColgan have completely reimagined the ground-breaking show with innovative and spectacular lighting, video, stage and costume designs. Grab your tickets and immerse yourself in the extraordinary power and grace of its music and dance–beloved by fans of all ages.
Venue: Robinson Center
Date: April 4
More Information: Click Here
Harding’s Spring Sing (Searcy)
This musical variety show will feature hundreds of students involved in multiple productions competing during four judged performances to determine winners in four individual categories. Since 1974, Searcy has been home to this musical extravaganza showcasing the talent and spirit of Harding. This year, more than 19 social clubs are represented in club performances, and it is sure to entertain! The theme for the year is “Stand Out.”
Date: April 6-8
Venue: Benson Auditorium at Harding University (201 S Blakeney, Searcy)
More Information: Click Here
Photo Credit: Mountain View Parks and Tourism
Arkansas Folk Festival (Mountain View)
The 61st Annual Arkansas Folk Festival will be held April 14-15 in Mountain View, AR. Take a walk around the historic downtown area and see the wonderful window displays, check out the Artisans Market featuring handmade arts and crafts, there will be antique cars, food vendors and of course, live music! The parade is Saturday at 10 a.m. The Ozark Folk Center State Park has free shuttle service to and from the court square. Bring your instruments and have some fun pickin’ and grinnin’!
Venue: Mountain View Square and the Ozark Folk Center State Park (1032 Park Ave, Mountain View)
Date: April 14-15
Photo Credit: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
Earth Day Festival (Fayetteville)
Join the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks as they celebrate Earth Day 2023. This year’s Earth Day Festival theme is “Invest in Our Planet.” The Garden will have live entertainment, as well as information on Earth Day! It will be a fun event for the whole family.
Venue: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
Date: April 21
Tickets: Click Here
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Opening (Little Rock)
The new Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts opens to the public on Saturday, April 22, 2023, and admission is always free. The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA), founded in 1937, is the oldest and largest cultural institution of its kind in the state and will open following an historic renovation project that is dramatically transforming the museum’s main building and its grounds in Little Rock’s MacArthur Park. AMFA’s full-service restaurant has indoor, outdoor, and private dining options with beautiful views of the Museum’s grounds and MacArthur Park and the Museum Store is a premier destination for artist and artisan-made products.
Venue: Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
501 East Ninth Street
Date: April 22
More Information: Click here
Delta Roots Musical Festival (Helena)
Visit the Delta and celebrate its roots with live music and a festival full of arts and crafts, plus a Beans, Greens and Cornbread competition. Don’t miss out!
Venue: Helena, Arkansas
Date: April 22
Time: 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Tickets: Click Here or call 870-572-5223 for more information
Southern Spring Social (Little Rock)
Enjoy an old-fashioned Southern Spring Social at the Old State House Museum, hosted by the Arkansas State House Society. Sip on mint juleps and other libations at the open bar, snack on hors d’oeuvres, play lawn games and more on the lawn of Arkansas’s first state capitol building. Wear your favorite Southern spring/summer attire; maybe you will be awarded the best-dressed lady and gentleman! All proceeds go to support the museum’s School Bus Fund program, which pays the cost of transportation for schools from across Arkansas to visit the Old State House on field trips.
Venue: Old State House Museum
Date: April 27
More Information: Click Here
Strawberry Festival (Cabot)
Strawberry Festival is focused on family fun and helps to promote business and farmers locally and around the state. There will be live entertainment, carnival rides, kids’ area, food trucks, vendors, 5K race, and, of course, strawberries!
Venue: Cabot, AR
Date: April 29 – 30
More Information: Click Here
Minor League Baseball in Arkansas
Arkansas is fortunate to be home to two minor league baseball clubs. The Arkansas Travelers, affiliated with the Seattle Mariners, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are based out of Springdale and are an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Attending the games of these ballclubs is always fun because they have activities for the crowds, themed nights and of course, ballpark food. Take time this month to head to a game with friends or family.
Arkansas Travelers Baseball
Date: Home Games will be April 11-16 and April 25-30
Venue: Dickey-Stephens Park (North Little Rock)
Tickets: Click Here
Arkansas Natural Baseball
Date: Home Games will be April 6-8 and April 18-23
Venue: Arvest Ballpark (Springdale)
Tickets: Click Here
Wine Making and Fondue Experience (Roland)
Roger and Wendy Quaid brought the art of winemaking back to the historic Little Italy, Arkansas, community by establishing their An Enchanting Evening small farm winery in 2013. They grow 1 acre of grape vines on the property, source juice from grape growers in northern Arkansas, plus Pinot juice from family friends in Oregon. They offer a unique date night experience at their venue on Friday and Saturday evenings. You start with a wine tasting, then tour the winery where you will go through the bottling process, filling corking, and wax sealing your own personalized blend of enchanting wine. This will be followed by the interactive fondue portion of the experience. Each course will include one of their wines as an ingredient to be mixed in. Dippables will be ready for you to enjoy with your cheese and chocolate fondue courses.
Venue: Roland, AR Date: Friday and Saturday Evenings through the year
More Information: Click Here
There’s always something to do, see, and experience in the Natural State in April 2023. Let’s get out and celebrate all our state has to offer.
