Things to Do in Searcy, AR (November 2026)

Searcy has been the seat of White County since the county was organized in 1835, and it sits on the Little Red River near the middle of the county. It is the county's commercial, education and healthcare center and the home of Harding University, the largest private university in Arkansas. Visitors come for the historic courthouse square downtown, a string of city parks and river trails, and big annual draws such as Harding's Spring Sing in April and the Holiday of Lights season each winter.

8 events this weekend and 103 upcoming events in Searcy. Updated every night; last updated . Calendar feed.

Nearby: Newport (3) · Batesville (198)

Know of an event that’s missing? Submit it here, or email it to [email protected]. Something wrong? Report a problem.

This weekend in Searcy (Nov 6–8)

  • Homecoming

    Searcy

    Community

This weekend in Searcy, on its own page

Coming up in Searcy

Today ·

Tomorrow ·

Searcy guide: parks, museums, attractions and annual events

Checked against official and public sources on . Hours and prices change, so check each place’s own page before you go.

Attractions

  • Searcy Mural Tour and Art Alley

    A self-guided walk past a dozen murals on downtown buildings plus Art Alley, a changing collection of small murals by local artists. Each stop has a QR code that plays a short video from the artist.

    Where: Downtown Searcy; Art Alley is at 218 W Arch Ave

  • Searcy Swim Center

    The city aquatic center has two indoor pools open all year for laps, lessons and open swim, plus an outdoor pool for kids in summer.

    Where: 525 Recreation Way

Parks

  • Little Red Riverpark (formerly Riverside Park)

    The city's 99-acre riverfront park on the Little Red River, with a river overlook, accessible hiking paths and two beginner-friendly mountain bike and hiking loops, Backwater and Monarch. There is also a playground, picnic areas with grills and two pavilions you can reserve.

    Where: 301 Riverside Park Road

  • Spring Park

    A shady park near downtown built around the capped sulphur springs that once drew health seekers to Searcy. It has a pavilion, a playground, a lighted walking trail and a seasonal skating rink.

    Where: 113 E Pleasure Ave

  • Berryhill Park

    A busy in-town park with an all-inclusive playground, a summer splash pad, a sand volleyball court and a walking trail. Its lighted courts, six for tennis and eight for pickleball, are big enough to host tournaments.

    Where: 501 Davis Drive

  • Yancey Park

    A 12.5-acre neighborhood park with a walking trail, lighted tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground and two pavilions. A creek runs through it and can be seen from the footbridge.

    Where: 950 Skyline Drive

Outdoors

  • Searcy Bike Trail

    A paved 4.8-mile path for walking and cycling that crosses town from Ella Street to Queensway.

    Where: Ella Street to Queensway

  • Searcy City Lake

    A regularly restocked community fishing pond in the Family and Community Fishing Program. Bass are catch and release, and only electric trolling motors are allowed.

    Where: Truman Baker Drive

Museums

  • Pioneer Village

    A collection of 1880s buildings, including a train depot and a windmill, kept by the White County Historical Society. The grounds are open for self-guided strolls, and volunteers stage open houses that show daily life in the 1800s.

    Where: 1200 Veterans Way

History

  • White County Courthouse

    Built in 1871 with wings added in 1912, the stone and brick courthouse with its clock cupola anchors downtown Searcy and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is often called the oldest courthouse in Arkansas still used for county government.

    Where: Court Square, downtown Searcy

  • Historic Benjamin Clayton Black House and Art Gallery

    An 1874 home built by Benjamin and Molly Black, furnished in period style and listed on the National Register. It now hosts rotating visual art exhibits through the year.

    Where: 300 E Race Ave

Arts and performance

  • Rialto Theater

    A single-screen movie house on the courthouse square that dates to the 1920s and got its Art Deco look and neon marquee in a 1940 remodel. It is on the National Register and still shows films.

    Where: 100 W Race Ave

  • Harding University Arts and Life Performance Series

    Harding's music department brings touring performers to Searcy each season, from jazz and classical to holiday concerts in the large Benson Auditorium. Many shows admit children 12 and under free.

    Where: Harding University campus

Annual events

  • Spring Sing at Harding University

    A big student musical revue in Benson Auditorium, with about a thousand students from campus social clubs on stage. Searcy has hosted it since 1974, and it draws more than 11,000 people each year.

    When: Second weekend of April. Where: Benson Auditorium, Harding University

  • Get Down Downtown

    A free two-day family festival put on by Main Street Searcy, with live music, vendors, rides and a Saturday kid zone. The Funnel Cake 5K kicks off the second day.

    When: Late September. Where: Downtown Searcy

  • White County Fair

    Held since 1935, the county fair brings a midway, livestock shows, 4-H and FFA events, a rodeo and a demolition derby to the fairgrounds.

    When: September. Where: White County Fairgrounds, 802 Davis Drive

  • Holiday of Lights

    Searcy's holiday season, with lights on the courthouse square and downtown buildings, lighting ceremonies, Santa visits, train rides in Berryhill Park and an old-fashioned Christmas at Pioneer Village.

    When: Late November through December. Where: Downtown Searcy and city parks

  • Searcy Christmas Parade

    An evening parade of lighted floats, vehicles and horses that winds through downtown and ends at Berryhill Park.

    When: Early December. Where: Downtown Searcy to Berryhill Park

Add to your calendar

Subscribe once and new Searcy events show up in your own calendar as they are listed.

SubscribeDownload .ics

Google Calendar

On a computer, next to Other calendars choose +, then From URL, and paste the calendar address.

Apple Calendar (iPhone, iPad, Mac)

Choose Subscribe above. Or on a Mac choose File, thenNew Calendar Subscription; on an iPhone or iPad go to Settings,Calendar, Accounts, Add Account, Other, thenAdd Subscribed Calendar, and paste the calendar address.

Outlook and other apps

Choose Subscribe above, or add a calendar “from the internet” and paste the calendar address.

Want everything instead? The all-events calendar covers every town and category.