The Ultimate Guide to Summer Events in Arkansas (May–August 2026)

Summer in Arkansas is one of the best times of the year to experience everything The Natural State has to offer. From lake weekends and outdoor concerts to food festivals, rodeos, fireworks shows, farmers markets, and family-friendly community events, there is something happening across Central Arkansas and beyond nearly every weekend from May through August.

Whether you’re a local or considering a move to Central Arkansas, this guide highlights annual events buyers and residents plan around every year — making it easier to experience the lifestyle, entertainment, and community atmosphere that make Arkansas such a great place to live.

🗓️ MAY 2026 🌞

Festivals, Food & Outdoor Fun

May officially kicks off summer event season across Arkansas. The weather warms up, outdoor concerts return, and festivals begin popping up statewide.

🌼 EVENTS

📅 May 1-3 – Crawdad Days Festival

📍 Harrison🔗 https://www.harrisondaily.com/

📅 May 1-3 – Magnolia Blossom Festival

📍 Magnolia🔗 https://www.blossomfestival.org/

📅 May 1-3 – Toad Suck Daze

📍 Conway🔗 https://www.toadsuck.org/

📅 May 2 – Main Street Food Truck Festival

📍 Little Rock🔗 https://mainstreetfoodtrucks.com/

📅 May 2-3 – Mayhaw Festival

📍 El Dorado🔗 https://www.goeldorado.com/

📅 May 8-10 – Arkansas Scottish Festival

📍 Batesville🔗 https://www.arkansasscottishfest.com/

📅 May 9 – World Championship Steak Cook-Off

📍 Magnolia🔗 https://www.steakcookoff.com/

📅 May 9-10 – Old Timer’s Day Steampunk Festival

📍 Van Buren🔗 https://www.downtownvanburen.com/

📅 May 14-16 – Loose Caboose Festival

📍 Paragould🔗 https://www.loosecaboose.org/

📅 May 15-16 – Atkins Picklefest

📍 Atkins🔗 https://www.atkinspicklefest.com/

📅 May 15-16 – Dermott Crawfish Festival

📍 Dermott🔗 https://www.dermottcrawfishfestival.com/

📅 May 15-16 – Osceola Heritage Music Festival

📍Osceola🔗 https://www.osceolaheritagefestival.com/

📅 May 15-17 – Crawfish Festival

📍 Hot Springs🔗 https://www.hotsprings.org/

📅 May 16 – Forrest City Downtown Music and Art Fest

📍 Forrest City🔗 https://www.forrestcityarkansas.net/

📅 May 16 – Little Rock Water Lantern Festival

📍 Jacksonville🔗 https://www.waterlanternfestival.com/

📅 May 16 – Pioneer Days

📍 Norfork🔗 https://www.norforkarkansas.com/

📅 May 16 – Strawberry Festival

📍 Cabot🔗 https://www.cabotchamber.com/

📅 May 17 – Fayetteville Strawberry Festival

📍 Fayetteville🔗 https://www.fayettevillestrawberryfestival.com/

📅 May 19-24 – Whiskey Ridge Ranch Chuckwagon Races & Western Event

📍 Malvern🔗 https://www.whiskeyridgeranch.com/

📅 May 21-23 – Augusta Days

📍Augusta🔗 https://www.augustachamber.org/

📅 May 21-24 – Strings on the Kings

📍 Eureka Springs🔗 https://www.stringsonthekings.com/

📅 May 22-23 – Blues and BBQ

📍 Fairfield Bay🔗 https://www.visitfairfieldbay.com/

📅 May 22-23 – Felsenthal Bream Festival

📍 Felsenthal🔗 https://www.felsenthalar.com/

📅 May 22-25 – Dawn of Times Music & Float Festival

📍 Jasper🔗 https://www.buffaloriverchamber.com/

📅 May 23 – Good Ol’ Days Festival & Car Show

📍 Mount Ida🔗 https://www.mountidachamber.com/

📅 May 25-30 – Old Fort Days Futurity & Rodeo

📍Fort Smith🔗 https://www.oldfortdaysrodeo.com/

📅 May 28-30 – Mosquito Fest

📍 McCrory🔗 https://www.mccroryarkansas.org/

📅 May 28-30 – Wynne FarmFest

📍 Wynne🔗 https://www.wynnefarmfest.com/

📅 May 28-31 – Eureka Springs Blues Party

📍 Eureka Springs🔗 https://www.eurekaspringsbluesparty.com/

📅 May 29-30 – Greers Ferry Lake Fest

📍 Greers Ferry🔗 https://www.greersferrylakefest.com/

🎶 CONCERTS

📅 May 29 – Kali Uchis with Mariah The Scientist and Laila

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 May 30 – Buckcherry

 📍 The Hall, Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.littlerockhall.com/

📅 May 31 – Tigers Jaw

 📍 George's Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville

🎟️https://georgesmajesticlounge.com

🗓️ JUNE 2026 ⚾

Lake Life, Baseball & Summer Music

June is when Arkansas fully shifts into summer mode. Families spend weekends at the lakes, outdoor concerts fill amphitheaters, and tourism peaks across the state.

☀️EVENTS

📅 June 4-6 – Petit Jean Balloon Festival

📍 Morrilton🔗 https://www.petitjeanballoonfest.com/

📅 June 5-6 – Lum and Abner Music & Arts Festival

📍 Mena🔗 https://www.visitmena.com/

📅 June 5-6 – Delta Arts Festival

📍 Newport🔗 https://www.newportar.org/

📅 June 5-7 – Hot Springs Music Festival

📍 Hot Springs🔗 https://www.hotmusic.org/

📅 June 6 – Arkansas Cornbread Festival

📍 Little Rock🔗 https://www.arkansascornbreadfestival.com/

📅 June 6 – Festival on the Ridge

📍 Harrisburg🔗 https://www.harrisburgar.org/

📅 June 6 – Lavaca Berry Festival

📍 Lavaca🔗 https://www.cityoflavaca.org/

📅 June 6 – Lawrence County Takes Flight

📍 Walnut Ridge🔗 https://www.walnutridgear.org/

📅 June 6-7 – Arkansas Highland Games

📍 Mt. Vernon🔗 https://www.arkansashighlandgames.com/

📅 June 9-14 – Bentonville Bike Fest

📍 Bentonville🔗 https://www.bentonvillebikefest.com/

📅 June 11-13 – Timberfest

📍 Sheridan🔗 https://www.timberfest.net/

📅 June 11-13 – Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival

📍 Waldron🔗 https://www.turkeytrackbluegrass.com/

📅 June 12-13 – Amplify Festival

📍 Benton🔗 https://www.amplifyfest.org/

📅 June 12-13 – Berryville Ice Cream Social

📍Berryville🔗 https://www.berryvillechamber.com/

📅 June 12-13 – Arkansas Lavender Festival

📍 Hot Springs🔗 https://www.lavenderfestivalarkansas.com/

📅 June 12-13 – Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival

📍 Warren🔗 https://www.pinktomatofestival.com/

📅 June 12-14 – Eureka Springs Blues Weekend

📍 Eureka Springs🔗 https://www.eurekasprings.org/

📅 June 13 – Northeast Arkansas PRIDEfest

📍 Jonesboro🔗 https://www.neapride.org/

📅 June 13 – SoMa Pride

📍 Little Rock🔗 https://www.somapride.com/

📅 June 18-20 – River Valley Crawfish Festival

📍 Greenwood🔗 https://www.greenwoodar.org/

📅 June 18-20 – Rose Bud Summerfest

📍 Rose Bud🔗 https://www.rosebudchamber.com/

📅 June 18-21 – Juneteenth Arkansas Festival

📍 Little Rock🔗 https://www.juneteentharkansas.com/

📅 June 19 – Juneteenth in the Bluff Arts & Culture Festival

📍 Pine Bluff🔗 https://www.experiencepinebluff.com/

📅 June 19 – Russellville Juneteenth

📍 Russellville🔗 https://www.russellvillearkansas.org/

📅 June 19-21 – River Valley Food Truck Festival

📍 Fort Smith🔗 https://www.visitfortsmith.org/

📅 June 20 – NWA Juneteenth Celebration

📍 Fayetteville🔗 https://www.nwajuneteenth.com/

📅 June 20 – Surf the Bay

📍 Shirley🔗 https://www.visitgreersferry.com/

📅 June 20 – Freedom Festival

📍 Springdale🔗 https://www.springdale.com/

📅 June 20 – Summer Market on Main

📍 Benton🔗 https://www.bentonchamber.com/

📅 June 25-27 – Rodeo of the Ozarks

📍 Springdale🔗 https://rodeooftheozarks.org/

📅 June 26-27 – Buffalo River Elk Festival

📍 Jasper🔗 https://www.buffaloriverchamber.com/

📅 June 26-27 – Red White & Blue Festival

📍 Mountain Home🔗 https://www.mountainhomechamber.com/

📅 June 26-28 – Arkansas Folklife Festival

📍 North Little Rock🔗 https://www.arkansasheritage.com/

📅 June 27 – Firefly Fling Festival

📍Fayetteville🔗 https://www.bgozarks.org/

📅 June 27 – NWA Pride Festival

📍 Fayetteville🔗 https://www.nwapride.org/

📅 June 27 – Zoo Brews

📍 Little Rock🔗 https://www.littlerockzoo.com/

🎶CONCERTS

📅 June 2 – Forrest Frank

📍 Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.simmonsbankarena.com/

📅 June 4 – HARDY with Cameron Whitcomb & McCoy Moore

📍 Walmart AMP Rogers

🎟️https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 June 5 – Kansas & 38 Special

📍 Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.simmonsbankarena.com/

📅 June 6 – Justin Moore

📍 Magic Springs, Hot Springs

🎟️https://magicsprings.com/concerts/

📅 June 9 – Mumford & Sons

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 June 12 – Dierks Bentley

 📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 June 12 – Travis Tritt

📍 Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.simmonsbankarena.com/

📅 June 13 – Between the Buried and Me

 📍 The Hall, Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.littlerockhall.com/

📅 June 14 – Juvenile

 📍 The Hall, Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.littlerockhall.com/

📅 June 13 – Filter & Finger Eleven

📍 Magic Springs, Hot Springs

🎟️https://magicsprings.com/concerts/

📅June 17– Shakey Graves

 📍 The Hall, Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.littlerockhall.com/

📅 June 19– The Steeldrivers

 📍 The Hall, Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.littlerockhall.com/

📅 June 20 – Jeremy Camp

📍 Magic Springs, Hot Springs

🎟️https://magicsprings.com/concerts/

📅 June 20 – "Weird Al" Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour

📍 Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.simmonsbankarena.com/

📅 June 22 – Claypool Gold

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 June 27 – Halestorm

📍 Magic Springs, Hot Springs

🎟️https://magicsprings.com/concerts/

🗓️ JULY 2026🎆

Fireworks, Festivals & Outdoor Adventure

July is one of the busiest months in Arkansas, especially around Independence Day. Communities across the state host fireworks shows, lake events, and family festivals.

🎇 EVENTS

📅 July 2 – Liberty Fest at Little Rock Air Force Base

📍 Jacksonville🔗 https://www.littlerock.af.mil/

📅 July 3-4 – Pops on the River

📍 Little Rock🔗 https://www.littlerock.com/

📅 July 3 – Red White & Boom

📍 Benton🔗 https://www.bentonchamber.com/

📅 July 3 – Sherwood Independence Day Celebration

📍 Sherwood🔗 https://www.cityofsherwood.net/

📅 July 4 – Freedom Fest

📍 Cabot🔗 https://www.cabotchamber.com/

📅 July 4 – Thunder on the Mountain

📍 Hot Springs🔗 https://www.hotsprings.org/

📅 July 4 – Heber Springs Freedom Fest

📍 Heber Springs🔗 https://www.heberspringschamber.com/

📅 July 4 – Gentry Freedom Fest

📍 Gentry🔗 https://www.gentryarkansas.us/

📅 July 4 – Fort Smith 4th of July Celebration

📍 Fort Smith🔗 https://www.visitfortsmith.org/

📅 July 4 – Freedom Festival

📍 Horseshoe Bend🔗 https://www.horseshoebendchamber.com/

📅 July 9-11 – Hope Watermelon Festival

📍 Hope🔗 https://www.hopemelonfest.com/

📅 July 10 – Art of Wine Festival

📍 Fayetteville🔗 https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/

📅 July 10-12 – Arkansas Goat Festival

📍 Perryville🔗 https://www.goatfest.com/

 📅July 12 – Dude Perfect Squad Games Tour

📍 North Little Rock 🔗 https://simmonsbankarena.com/

📅 July 16-18 – Johnson County Peach Festival

📍Clarksville🔗 https://www.peachfestival.com/

📅 July 17-18 – Grill Wars Triple Steak Cook-Off

📍 El Dorado🔗 https://www.goeldorado.com/

📅 July 18 – Rock City Margarita Festival & Arkansas Beer Festival

📍 Little Rock🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/

📅 July 18 – Malvern 150th Birthday Celebration

📍 Malvern🔗 https://www.malvernar.gov/

📅 July 23-25 – Cave City Watermelon Festival

📍 Cave City🔗 https://www.cavecitywatermelonfestival.com/

📅 July 24-25 – Altus Grape Festival

📍 Altus🔗 https://www.altusgrapefest.com/

📅 July 24-25 – Big Grass Bluegrass Festival

📍 Paragould🔗 https://www.paragouldchamber.com/

📅 July 25 – Cabot July Jubilee

📍 Cabot🔗 https://www.cabotchamber.com/

🎶CONCERTS

📅 July 3 – Bob Dylan

📍 Walmart AMP

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 July 4 – Crowder

📍 Magic Springs, Hot Springs

🎟️ https://magicsprings.com/concerts/

📅 July 11 –Daughtry

📍 Magic Springs, Hot Springs

🎟️ https://magicsprings.com/concerts/

📅 July 11 – Evanescence

📍 Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.simmonsbankarena.com/

📅 July 18 – Clay Walker

📍 Magic Springs, Hot Springs

🎟️ https://magicsprings.com/concerts/

📅 July 18 – Megan Moroney

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 July 21 – Lord Huron

📍 The Momentary, Bentonville

🎟️ https://themomentary.org

📅 July 21 – Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 July 23 – Kane Brown

📍 Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.simmonsbankarena.com/

📅 July 25 – Death Cab for Cutie

📍 The Momentary, Bentonville

🎟️ https://themomentary.org

📅 July 25 – Zach Top

📍 The Hall, Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.littlerockhall.com/

📅 July 25 – Turnpike Troubadours  

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️  https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 July 30 – Darius Rucker

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️  https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 July 30 – The Wallflowers

 📍 The Hall, Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.littlerockhall.com/

🗓️ AUGUST 2026🍉

Back-to-School & Late Summer Events

August closes out summer with community festivals, school events, county fairs, and late-summer concerts across Arkansas.

🌻EVENTS

📅 Aug 1 – Dierks Pine Tree Festival

📍 Dierks🔗 https://www.dierksar.com/

📅 Aug 4-8 – Tontitown Grape Festival

📍 Tontitown🔗 https://tontitowngrapefestival.com/

📅 Aug 6-8 – Hope Watermelon Festival

📍 Hope🔗 https://www.hopemelonfest.com/

📅 Aug 6-8 – Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday Weekend – Statewide

📅 Aug 15 – Wingstock

📍 North Little Rock🔗 https://www.northlittlerock.org/

📅 Aug 21 – Arkansas Times All Arkansas Festival

📍 Little Rock🔗 https://arktimes.com/

📅 Aug 21-22 – Bluegrass & Fried Chicken Festival

📍 Mountain View🔗 https://www.visitmountainview.com/

📅 Aug 28-29 – Camden Hot-Air Balloon Fest

📍Camden🔗 https://www.camdenarkansas.org/

📅 Aug 28-29 – Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run

📍 Mena🔗 https://www.visitmena.com/

📅 Aug 29 – Mount Nebo Chicken Fry

📍 Dardanelle🔗 https://www.dardanellechamber.com/

📅 Aug 29-Oct 4– Arkansas Renaissance Festival

📍 Mt. Vernon🔗 https://www.arrenfest.com/

📅 Aug 28-Sept 5 – National Championship Chuckwagon Races

📍 Clinton🔗 https://www.chuckwagonraces.com/

🎶CONCERTS

📅 Aug 1 – Bryan Adams with Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

📍 Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.simmonsbankarena.com/

📅 Aug 4 – Wynonna Judd & Melissa Etheridge

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 Aug 5 – Kesha with Chromeo and MEEK

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 Aug 8 – Cody Johnson

📍 Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.simmonsbankarena.com/

📅 Aug 8 – Soulja Boy & Ying Yang Twins

📍 Magic Springs, Hot Springs

🎟️ https://magicsprings.com/concerts/

📅 Aug 12 – Motionless In White

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 Aug 15 – Frank Foster

📍 The Hall, Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.littlerockhall.com/

📅 Aug 15 – Pop 2000 Tour

📍 Magic Springs, Hot Springs

🎟️ https://magicsprings.com/concerts/

📅 Aug 16 – Lil Wayne with 2 Chainz

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 Aug 18 – 5 Seconds of Summer with The Band CAMINO

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 Aug 19 – Toadies with Local H, Olive Vox

 📍 The Hall, Little Rock

🎟️ https://www.littlerockhall.com/

📅 Aug 22 –Waylon Wyatt

📍 Magic Springs, Hot Springs

🎟️ https://magicsprings.com/concerts/

📅 Aug 26 – Dirty Heads & 311

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 Aug 29 – Benson Boone

📍 Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

🎟️https://simmonsbankarena.com/

📅 Aug 29 – Lynyrd Skynyrd & Foreigner

📍 Walmart AMP, Rogers

🎟️ https://www.walmartamp.com/

📅 Aug 29 – Chris Lake

📍 The Momentary, Bentonville

🎟️ https://themomentary.org

🌄 Additional Arkansas Summer Activities

📅 Crystal Bridges Summer Exhibits – Bentonville

📅 Arkansas State Parks Guided Kayak Tours – Statewide

📅 Buffalo National River Floating & Camping Season – North Arkansas

📅 Mount Magazine Summer Hiking & ATV Season – Paris

📅 Beaver Lake Cliff Jumping & Boat Rentals – Northwest Arkansas

📅 Lake Ouachita Houseboat & Marina Season – Hot Springs

📅 Petit Jean State Park Waterfall Hiking Season – Morrilton

📅 Arkansas Diamond Mine Summer Tourism Season – Murfreesboro

📅 Arkansas Travelers Baseball Home Games – North Little Rock

📅 Hot Springs Bathhouse Row Summer Tourism Peak – Hot Springs

📅 Fayetteville Farmers Market Summer Saturdays – Fayetteville

📅 Benton Farmers Market Summer Season – Benton

📅 Pinnacle Mountain Hiking Season – Little Rock