50 Things To Do In Ruston This Fall

Cooler temperatures make for a perfect time to get out and discover all that Ruston has to offer. Here are 50 things to add to your Ruston bucket list this fall.

Credit: Set up camp in Lincoln Parish Park | Photo credit: Greg Graham

With its perfect blend of college-town atmosphere and quaint coziness, Ruston is a must-visit destination, especially in the fall. Cooler temperatures make for a perfect time to get out and discover all that Ruston has to offer. Here are 50 things to add to your Ruston bucket list this fall.

Play a round of disc golf at Hideaway Park
Attend a NCLAC fall art event
Brush up on your football facts at the Eddie G Robinson Museum
Delight in an Uptown Downton fall sweet
Shop for cozy fall decor at Ivy & Stone
Camp out at Lincoln Parish Park
Catch local live music on the Sundown Tavern patio
Grab some buddies and test your throwing skills at Bandit Ax
Get game day ready at Fanbase and Qualitees
Attend one of the many downtown events on the calendar this fall
Jog or bike down the Rock Island Greenway
Enjoy a seasonal brew or cocktail at Utility Brewing
Get creative with a paint party at The Studio at Walker & Co.
Grab your binoculars for bird watching at James Lake
Watch a game at the Ruston Sports Complex
Take a horse riding lesson at Collins Natural Horsemanship
Dive into history at the North Louisiana Military Museum
Have Sunday brunch on the patio at Trio's
Workout at the Ruston Fitness Court
Experience all 3 days of a Loyal Blue Weekend

Credit: Loyal Blue Weekend Pep Rally | Photo: Buie Photography

21. Get spooked on the Screaming Woods Haunted Trails

22. Have a family picnic in Railroad Park

23. Try a seasonal coffee or tea at Railway Coffee

24. Cheer on the Lady Techsters volleyball team at a home game

25. Enjoy a fireside date with custard from Eskamoe's

26. Experience a Grambling State University football game

27. Go paintballing at Ultra Zone Paintball

28. Take an Instagram tour of each Ruston Mural

29. Watch a rodeo at the North Louisiana Exhibition Center

30. Treat yourself to a seasonal pastry at Common Goods

Pumpkin cream cheese muffin from Common Goods

31. Take a swing at Duncan's 19th Hole

32. Get a head start on your holiday shopping in Downtown Ruston

33. Be entertained by a Ruston Community Theatre performance at The Dixie

34. Watch an away game with friends at Dawg House Sports Grill

35. View the latest art exhibit at Ruston Artisans

36. Enjoy seasonal specials at the food trucks in the Heard Freighthouse Food Truck Park

37. Find all 11 bulldog statues of The Bulldog Project

38. Explore the woodsy trails at Huckleberry Trails Park

39. Cheer on the Lady Tigers at a Grambling Women's Soccer game

40. Stock up on seasonal produce at the Ruston Farmers Market

Seasonal produce at the Ruston Farmers Market

41. Hit the world-class biking trails at Lincoln Parish Park

42. Enjoy happy hour on the patio at Portico

43. Take your pup to the new 4 Paws Dog Park

44. Dress up the kiddos for the Annual Monster Mash

45. Sharpen your baseball skills at the D/Bat batting cages

46. Spend an afternoon relaxing in your hammock at Hideaway Park

47. Visit the Autrey House Museum - the oldest surviving structure in Lincoln Parish

48. Test your skills at the new Lincoln Parish Park Archery Range

49. Order a seasonal cocktail at White Lightnin' Cocktail & Culinary Company

50. Swing by the Ruston Visitors Center for some swag & more info on fun things to do this fall

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, Lincoln Parish comes alive with a vibrant array of fall events and activities. From pumpkins downtown to spooky decorations, there's something for everyone to enjoy this fall season. Grab your sweater and a fall flavored latte, and let's explore what this season has in store!

Pumpkins in the Park - October 7th

Join us for a fantastic evening at Pumpkins in the Park on Saturday, October 7th, from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. Downtown Ruston's Railroad Park will have pumpkins everywhere, awesome photo opportunities, and fun games! If you need some delicious fall snacks, Uptown Downtown will be serving up great food and sweet treats. Here's the real treat, we're screening the classic movie Hocus Pocus right in the park. So grab your friends, bring a comfy blanket or chair, and enjoy the movie under the starry sky. Don't miss out on this unforgettable event!

Farmers Market - October 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th

Fall is finally here, and it’s definitely the perfect time to check out the Ruston Farmers Market! Walk into this lively atmosphere hosted every Saturday and shop products from local farmers and crafty artists in the community. You'll find tasty fresh produce and all the yummy fall eats. Plus, there is live music to make it even more fun for everyone. Whether you want to munch on delicious treats or get some cute decorations for your home, the Ruston Farmers Market has all your fall needs covered!

Anne of Green Gables - October 12th-15th

The Ruston Community Theatre is getting ready for their fall play, "Anne of Green Gables." It's a classic tale about a girl named Anne who goes on many adventures. This play is the perfect way to spend a fall evening and support your local theatre. The actors and crew have worked so hard to make it special and it's a great show for people of all ages to enjoy. You don’t want to miss out on this fun night at the theatre!

Credit: Photo: Ruston Community Theatre

Park Fest - October 14th

Are you looking for a fun fall event that the whole family can enjoy? Park Fest 2023 is sure to be an exciting one! Head to Lincoln Parish Park to discover local vendors while snacking on some delicious eats. You can also enjoy live music and check out the antique car show. Be sure to take a stroll along the trails and take in the beautiful scenery while you're there.

NCLAC’s Artoberfest - October 20th

Get ready to toast to creativity at the 13th Annual ARToberfest event, set to take place on Friday, October 20th at the Farmer's Market in downtown Ruston. This fundraising event is a true treat for art and beer enthusiasts alike. It brings together regional home brewers and micro-breweries for an evening of beer tasting, all for a great cause. With a blend of beer, food, art, live music, and more, ARToberfest promises to be a memorable night out that you won’t want to miss!

Monster Mash - October 26th

This year we have an awesome option for your trick-or-treating fun! The community Monster Mash event will be hosted at the Ruston Sports Complex. This spooktacular will feature vendors, organizations, and local businesses from all around our city to pass out candy and make this a fun event. So gather your whole family, get all dressed up in your favorite costumes, and enjoy the excitement at Monster Mash!

Downtown Wine Walk - October 27th

This community favorite Wine Walk event is taking place on Friday, October 27. Spend the evening strolling through scenic downtown and stopping by local businesses for wine tasting, delicious snacks, entertainment, and more. It’s spooky season, so costumes are welcome for a little extra festive fun! Get your tickets early, as this is always a sell-out event.

Dixie Center for the Arts Live Entertainment

This fall season there is a huge variety of performances coming to the Dixie stage. With a diverse range of genres, you are sure to enjoy these musical events. From Ruston local musicians to America’s longest-running band, you will find many nights of entertainment at the Dixie. You can check out the Dixie website for more details and dates on all of these upcoming shows.

As you can see, there is so much to do this fall season in Lincoln Parish. We hope to see you at every event and make sure to tag #RustonLA when posting all of your fun photos!