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.

Fiesta Friday Food Truck Festival at Outlets of Little Rock, September 19

Little Rock is a city on the go, and nothing epitomizes that more than our rocking food truck scene. This Friday night festival is your chance to treat your taste buds while benefiting the community, as the event supports the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and Arkansas Food Bank. While you’re there, take a stroll through the Outlets of Little Rock, one of Central Arkansas’s biggest shopping destinations, and the state’s only outlet shopping center.

Turkish Food Fest, September 21

The 9th Annual Turkish Food Fest 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.

Main Street Food Truck Festival, September 22

Feeling full yet? You better not be, because the Main Street 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 60 food trucks and over 40,000 attendees, this is a can’t-miss event.

9th Annual World Cheese Dip Championship, October 5

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, October 26

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.

Chili Fights in the Heights, October 26

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 stripe, 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.