Welcome to the Top 10 Events in Arkansas
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) in Arkansas, including events in Hot Springs, Little Rock and Fayetteville.Thoroughbred Racing at Oaklawn Park
January to April
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs showcases some of Mid-America’s finest thoroughbred racing at a first-rate track with a variety of dining options.
Surviving over 100 years, Oaklawn begins its season with exciting stakes races, including the Racing Festival of the South. Thanks to the successes of runners like Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex and Steppenwolfer over the past four years, a solid group of three-year-olds are anticipated for the Oaklawn series that includes the Southwest Stakes, Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby.
For more information visit: www.oaklawn.com
Annual Jonquil Festival
March
Washington, Arkansas
Celebration of spring in a 19th-century restoration village features thousands of blooming jonquils, many planted by early settlers, over 100 craft vendors, musicians performing varied types of music, surrey rides, food vendors, special interpretive programs and historic tours, and other added attractions.
For more information visit: www.historicwashingtonstatepark.com
Arkansas Folk Festival
April
Mountain View, Arkansas
An annual tradition since 1963, townspeople and visitors salute the folk culture of the Ozarks with musical performances and dancing on the Courthouse Square. A highlight of this festival is an old fashioned "hometown" parade, which brings out school bands, patriotic veterans groups, dudded-up horses, and decorated floats of all sorts.
Other activities available in the area include tours of Blanchard Springs Caverns, mountain biking, camping and hiking in the Ozark National Forest, and fishing on White River.
For more information visit: www.yourplaceinthemountains.com
Magnolia Blossom Festival, Sidewalk Art Show & World Championship Steak Cook-Off
May
Magnolia, Arkansas
A tradition since 1988, the Magnolia Blossom Festival, Sidewalk Art Show and World Championship Steak Cook-Off is a three-in-one event bringing over 40,000 visitors to Magnolia.
The festivities include music, art, crafts, sidewalk art show and sale, 5K run, fun run, fishing tournament, food booths, gospel singing, live entertainment, championship steak cook-off.
For more information visit: www.blossomfestival.org
Riverfest
May
Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas
Attracting more than 250,000 visitors, Riverfest is Arkansas’s largest arts and food festival and Little Rock's biggest summer festival boosting six stages and a whole weekend packed with all types of music, dance, theater, and food, a Kidstuff area just for children, arts and crafts, and fireworks.
Artists in previous years have included Huey Lewis & the News, Arrested Development, One Republic, Chaka Khan and ZZ Top.
For more information visit: www.riverfestarkansas.com
Rodeo of the Ozarks
July
Springdale, Arkansas
Festivities begin with authentic stagecoach rides, good food and entertainment at the Stagecoach Inn one week prior to the rodeo.
The rodeo features two rodeo parades, over 500 contestants and professional athletes competing in six PRCA and WPRA sanctioned events including calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronco riding and the popular bull riding.
Other activities include the Old West Film Fest, John Shaddox Wagon Train and Monster Trucks.
For more information visit: www.rodeooftheozarks.org
Annual World Championship Cardboard Boat Races
July
Heber Springs, Arkansas
Contestants put their creative talents – and boat building skills – to the test in three divisions of competition in both adult and children’s races including one or two person, team and mechanical. All participants race a 200-yard-course.
Past entries have been USS battleships, planes, trains and even the Starship Enterprise, and trophies awarded include the Pride of the Fleet, the Titantic Award, plus first, second and third places in each division for speed.
Other activities include a tug of war, a watermelon-eating contest, a treasure dig for kids, sand sculpting and the Cardboard Boat Demolition Derby.
For more information visit: www.heber-springs.com
Annual Hope Watermelon Festival
August
Hope, Arkansas
Features of this festival include watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, Watermelon Olympics, variety of live music all four days, fishing, archery, arm-wrestling and horseshoe tournaments, 5K run, more than 300 craft booths, food booths, antique engine and car shows, and motorcycle show.
For more information visit: www.hopemelonfest.com
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
October,
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Ten-day festival features screenings of over 90 domestic and international documentary films including Academy Award-winning and nominated films.
It is the oldest documentary film institute in the nation and second only to Amsterdam internationally.
Events include forums and lectures, question and answer sessions with filmmakers following many screening, a gala banquet and visiting scholars and celebrities.
For more information visit: www.hsdfi.org
Annual Lights of the Ozarks Festival
Thanksgiving – New Year
Fayetteville, Arkansas
During the winter holiday season, Lights of the Ozarks turns downtown Fayetteville into a sparkling wonderland. The community gathers to celebrate the holiday with appearances by Santa. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available and holiday music fills the air.
Each year Fayetteville Parks and Recreation workers spend over 2000 hours decorating the downtown square with 450,000 lights. Old Main, a landmark on the University of Arkansas main campus, is also outlined in lights.
For more information visit: www.experiencefayetteville.com
