Arkansas’s largest New Year’s festival, Last Night Fayetteville, will return to the downtown square on December 31 to celebrate the end of the year with hundreds of local performers, with Groovement, Galaxy Tour Guides, and National Park Radio headlining the Main Stage at Fayetteville Town Center. Ten additional indoor stages around the square will host more than 30 acts, with live music, comedy, theatre, dance, youth and kids’ performances, promising to provide a full evening of entertainment for revelers of all ages. The tradition continues as Fayetteville welcomes 2016 with the world famous Hog Drop countdown to midnight and a spectacular fireworks display.

The 5th annual performing arts festival is presenting its biggest lineup ever, along with new performances and stages. Perhaps most exciting is the addition of the official After Party, wherein guests can return to the Town Center after the fireworks and continue partying on into 2016 with DJ Purp Loder. Also new this year is a special edition of the popular NPR show “Tales from the South” hosted alongside a pre-festival dinner at The Chancellor Hotel’s 6494 Bistro. Youth will enjoy the new Battle of the Bands stage presented by School of Rock, featuring bands under 21 battling for more than $2,000 in prizes. Those who wish to get out of their seats and join the fun will enjoy the new Dance Stage, featuring live music paired with dance instructors including swing dance with The Silvershakers, square dance with Ozark Highballers, and Cajun dance with Jumpsuit Jamey & the Can’t Wait to Play Boys. For the 18+ crowd, the festival is introducing the new Cabaret Stage featuring comedy from Comedians NWA along with variety and burlesque performances from Cabaret Fayetteville.

Many other acts are scheduled to perform, including Tyrannosaurus Chicken, Candy Lee & the Sweets, illusionist Michael Weiss, Roughhouse Comedy Improv, Buffalo Hustle, and Cosmic American all making their festival debut. Local favorites Adam Cox, Artist’s Laboratory Theatre, Phunbags Comedy Improv, Jugglology, Word Wars, and the ever popular Aerial Dancers are all returning. Children’s activities include performances by Shaky Bugs, illusionist Michael Weiss, and juggling duo Jugglology, along with crafts by local artist Heather Younger.

Admission to the festival is $20-40 for ages 13+ and $5 for children 2-12. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $95, and include access to the VIP Lounge at Main Stage with catered hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and craft cocktails from Pink House Alchemy and Apple Blossom Brewing Co, a midnight champagne toast, priority seating, gift bag, and more. Tales from the South dinner available for an additional charge. 

Last Night Fayetteville is a performing arts festival presented by the NWA Creative Arts Network, a non-profit organization with the mission of connecting artists with economic opportunities through production, promotion, and education.

Tickets and more information are available at LastNightFayetteville.com.

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