Little Rock’s Fall Food Festivals

An Eater’s Guide to Little Rock’s Fall Food Festivals. With summer coming to a close, Little Rock is gearing up for one of the most exciting times of the year: the fall food festival season. There’s no better time to visit the city than when cooler temperatures make for weekends full of family-friendly, foodie fun. With a calendar that’s almost overflowing with festivals, we took the liberty of making this handy guide to treating yourself (and your tummy!) right this fall.

Downtown Food Truck Festival

September 22 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Downtown, Little Rock, AR 72201

Feeling full yet? You better not be, because the Downtown Food Truck Festival is the biggest festival of them all! This free festival spans six blocks on Main Street and three blocks on Capitol Avenue in the heart of downtown. With more than 80 food trucks and thousands of attendees, this is a can’t-miss event. Whether you're a foodie with a spice tolerance or a sweet treat enthusiast, you'll find decadent bites for all palettes.

A couple eating funnel cake, and a pineapple smoothie with a crowd walking behind them going to different food trucks.

Turkish Food Festival

October 5 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Arkansas Culture and Dialog Center, 1501 Market St. Little Rock, AR 72211

The annual Turkish Food Festival brings the flavors of central Asia to Little Rock. Get ready for kebabs, gyros, lahmajoun, vegetarian dishes galore and a rich variety of desserts, pastries, and appetizers. There will also be a selection of handmade gifts and souvenirs and calligraphy and tile painting demonstrations.

Chicken, pepper, and onion kebab with flames behind it.

World Cheese Dip Championship

October 5 | 12-3 p.m. | Dickey-Stephens Park, 400 W. Broadway St., North Little Rock, AR 72114

Brace yourselves, because the cheese dip is coming. Fresh chips and some of the world’s greatest dips await festival goers at what has become one of Little Rock’s signature events. In addition to the ooey, gooey goodness, there will be plenty of music and beer, so don’t miss out on your chance to vote for the new World Cheese Dip Champion.

Arkansas Cornbread Festival

November 9 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 14th and Main St., Little Rock, AR 72202

Held in the heart of the South Main neighborhood, the Arkansas Cornbread Festival is a showcase for southern food and culture. Local beer and musicians set the backdrop for a taste test like no other: dozens of competitors offering up their finest cornbread to attendees. There’s a winner, of course, and that’s where you come in – your vote will decide who takes home the prize.

A cartoon skillet cornbread mascot holding out its hands with a crowd and booths behind it during the Little Rock Cornbread Festival.

Chili Fights in the Heights

November 9 | Kavanaugh Boulevard, Little Rock, AR 72207

The food competitions continue with Chili Fights in the Heights. This neighborhood festival pits chili against chili with an expert panel of tasters serving as judges. There’s a chili here for every type, and if you’ve got a recipe that you think can hang with the big boys, you can enter to take your own shot at the title.