Each year, the wonderful wilderness of Arkansas hosts lots of exciting events and festivals. These offer a diverse range of themes, including food, boats, music, rodeo, oil, surfing and the very heritage and history of Arkansas itself. The state has a great program throughout the year, and can delight and excite on any given day of the calendar.
Riverfest, Arkansas’ very biggest music festival, is a fun family frenzy of music, alongside performances, art sales, carnival rides, visual arts and firework displays. Every year, famous faces in the world of music grace the big stages with spectacular performances. Previous artists have included names from pop, rock and more, such as The Flaming Lips and Goo Goo Dolls. There are also treats aplenty from loads of local and international food vendors, with ales, wines and food to keep your taste buds busy.
Hot Springs Music Festival is also full to the brim with tunes and tones, but with a focus on choral, classical and orchestral compositions. It’s a place to hear over 250 musical renditions of iconic and modern classical pieces, and prides itself on offering performance opportunities to the very best international pre-professional musicians. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of smooth strings or a newcomer to the genre, it’s a great event to discover a whole range of styles.
One of the largest rodeos in the U.S. also calls Arkansas its home. Every July, cowboys, cowgirls and cowkids are cordially invited to join together in a festival of all things rodeo! Since 1944, Rodeo of the Ozarks has invited willing cowboys to be bucked and kicked, and onlookers can watch a plethora of roping, riding, racing and wrestling. It’s patriotic, it packs a punch and it’s full of family fun!
If you fancy attending the type of event that your wistful grandmother always told you about, then you’re in luck – Des Arc Steamboat Days is a festival that proudly does it just like the good ol’ days. The event has all the best bits of years gone by, with a car show, a beauty pageant, carnival attractions, arts, crafts, a cook-off, a BBQ, a dog show and more. It’s a traditional-style family event with all the modern trimmings.
Arkansas has a festival for everyone, so hurry along, find one you love, put your feet up and make yourself at home.