Festivals in Arkansas in September (2026)

September kicks off the fall festival season in the Natural State, and truly, some of our favorite Arkansas festivals happen this month.

It is a great time of year because the back-to-school rush is over, and Arkansas residents are all relieved to have made it through the heat of another Arkansas August.

Yes, it is usually still hot in September, but we know the worst is behind us and cooler, crisper days are just around the corner.

Here is our list of some of the best festivals in Arkansas in September. Be sure to let us know if we have missed any so that we can add them to the list.

Festivals in Arkansas in September

The festivals are listed roughly in order by date, with the host city in parentheses after each festival name.

Weather and other circumstances can affect festival schedules, so always check the event information before making a drive.

Mount Nebo Chicken Fry (Dardanelle)

This event has been happening since 1948! This is a fun-filled day with, as they say on their Facebook page, “chicken, pickin’, and politickin.'” The purpose is to raise money for organizations that contribute to the River Valley Community

  • Dates: August 29  (usually in September – happens to fall in August in 2026)
  • More Information: Mount Nebo Chicken Fry

National Championship Chuckwagon Race (Clinton)

The chuckwagon races have been a tradition in Clinton since 1986. It is an extravaganza of racing, rodeos, fun, friendship, trailrides, music, and more.

Arkansas Renaissance Festival (Mount Vernon)

Step back in time at the Arkansas Renaissance Festival! There will be jousting, live entertainment, artisan vendors, food, themed weekends, and all kinds of medieval fun. The festival takes place on weekends throughout September and is also open on Labor Day.

Ozark Folk Festival (Eureka Springs)

This is the 79th year of the Ozark Folk Festival. This happens to be the longest running folk festival in America. In addition to plenty of wonderful musical performances, you will find workshops and a songwriting contest.

If you are planning a getaway to Eureka Springs for the Ozark Folk Festival here is some more helpful information.

Festiville (Jacksonville)

The Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department and other community organizations host this city festival which bills itself as “Family Fun for Everyone!”

Caddo River Festival (Glenwood)

This festival has everything you might expect from a great small town festival including a 5K, a kids fun run, shopping and food vendors, a car show, a talent show, pageants…and the list goes on!

Prairie Grove Clothesline Fair (Prairie Grove)

This popular Labor Day weekend tradition features arts and crafts vendors from around the region. The fair is held at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, which makes for a beautiful setting for a day of shopping, food, and family fun.

Eureka Springs Jeep Jam (Eureka Springs)

A festival for all things Jeep, this event provides a great way to meet fellow jeepers from around the state. There will also be vendors, contests, scenic pavement tours, a duck crawl, and more.

A row of jeeps in different colors. There aren't any people in the photo just the fronts of the jeeps taken from an angle. This is on a post about the best festivals in Arkansas in September. The jeeps represent a festival called jeep jam.

St. Paul Pioneer Days (St. Paul)

This is the 59th annual St. Paul Pioneer Days celebration. Enjoy perusing the wares of various vendors, listening to live music, and experience the hospitality of a small town.

Arkansas Hot Air Balloon State Championship (Harrison)

This colorful festival is one of the most unique events in Arkansas! Watch hot air balloons fill the skies over Harrison during a weekend of balloon competitions and activities. There will also be balloon glows, tethered balloon rides, food vendors, and other family-friendly fun.

SouthArk Outdoor Expo (El Dorado)

This festival is a celebration of everything outdoors! There is a rib cook-off, an auto show, a 5K, and so much more! Admission is one canned or packaged food.

St. Anne International Food Festival (North Little Rock)

This is an event where the church parishioners sell food from their country of origin. There is also entertainment and games including a bounce house, bingo and a raffle for cash at the end of the evening.

Fiesta De La Independencia Hispana (Little Rock)

Immerse yourself in Little Rock’s vibrant Hispanic community with live performances, dancing, food & drinks, local vendors, fun games, and more!

Boston Mountain Paw Paw Festival (Chester)

This is a free festival held at the historic Beard and Lady Inn. There will be a corn hole tournament and all kinds of treats made with paw paws.

Wingstock (North Little Rock)

Want to discover who has the best wings in Central Arkansas? You can find out at Wingstock where local restaurants, wing experts, backyard grill legends, and Arkansas foodies all come together to compete for the Golden Wing Award.

  • Dates: September 12
  • More Information: Wingstock

Zoo Brew and Cocktails, Too (Little Rock)

Come out and taste dozens of craft beers and cocktails at the Little Rock Zoo! You can meet some new animal friends and listen to great live music. There will also be food trucks serving up local cuisine.

Maynard Pioneer Days (Maynard)

Celebrate Pioneer Days at the Maynard Pioneer Park and Museum. There will also be live music, great food, and contests.

Mountains, Music & Motorcycles (Mountain View)

Head to Mountain View for a weekend filled with motorcycles, music, and beautiful Ozark scenery. You can enjoy scenic rides through the mountains, live music, food and merchandise vendors, and plenty of opportunities to visit with other motorcycle enthusiasts.

Winfest Music Festival (Winslow)

Since 1983 talented musicians, vendors, and families from all over Northwest Arkansas have congregated in the small town of Winslow to enjoy a full day of food, fun, and entertainment.

Beautiful scenery, fresh mountain air, groovy tunes, and good vibrations provide a wonderful atmosphere for this community event. Proceeds from this festival are used to fund Winslow Community Meals and other valuable community programs.

Cane Hill Harvest Festival (Cane Hill)

Join in this community tradition! The Harvest Festival offers an experience which combines history, Ozark culture, and a natural setting with modern amenities and entertainment. 

There will be a country breakfast, food truck provisions, live music, a market, sorghum pressing demonstrations, craft demonstrations, tours of historic buildings, and a quilt show.

Water Lantern Release Fall Festival (Fort Smith)

A magical day with yoga, live music, local artists, and unique vendors. Then as the night arrives you can release a lighted lantern that represents letting go of what no longer serves you.

St. Margaret Episcopal Church RibFest (Little Rock)

This is your chance to judge some of the best local rib teams in town. There will be live music, local craft vendors, and college football on the big screen.

Beatles at the Ridge (Walnut Ridge)

This annual celebration originated from a historic moment in 1964 when the Beatles unexpectedly landed in the small town of Walnut Ridge. This created an electrifying atmosphere for the town’s residents who had the opportunity to witness their departure and capture memorable photos.

Today, the festival stands as a homage to that occasion! This is a free festival with over 80 vendors, more than 15 food trucks, kids’ activities, and a car show. There is also live music throughout the day.

Lonoke County Fair (Lonoke)

The Lonoke County Fair is a beloved annual event which features classic carnival rides, agricultural showcases, and rodeo contests.

Downtown Food Truck Festival (Little Rock)

This is one of our favorite festivals! It is a big one with tens of thousands of attendees. Food trucks from all over the area come to downtown Little Rock. This is the tastiest festival around.

Faulkner County Fair (Conway)

Enjoy carnival rides, livestock exhibitions, and all the classic fair treats.

NEA District Fair (Jonesboro)

The Northeast Arkansas District Fair is packed with classic fair fun including carnival rides, livestock shows, competitions, food, vendors, and entertainment. The fair runs for two weekends, giving you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the festivities.

Downtown Jonesboro BBQ Fest (Jonesboro)

Head to downtown Jonesboro for a weekend of live music, great food, vendors, and plenty of fun! The 2026 music lineup includes the Spin Doctors, Jump, North Mississippi Allstars, and more. The festival is free to attend.

Spa City Food Truck Festival (Hot Springs)

Besides food trucks of all kinds to satisfy any craving, the festival will also include a Kids Fun Zone, a car show, El Chappo the riding bull and many more activities. 

Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair (Fort Smith)

This long-running fair in Fort Smith has all the things you expect from a great state fair including carnival rides, fair food, livestock shows, competitions, and plenty of entertainment.

Mount Ida Gem, Mineral, and Craft Show (Mount Ida)

Held in the “Quartz Crystal Capital of the World,” the Mount Ida Gem, Mineral, and Craft Show offers rockhounds and families a chance to shop for locally mined quartz, explore artisan crafts, and participate in guided crystal digs.

Get Down Downtown (Searcy)

This is a festival on the charming town square of Searcy, Arkansas with great free live music, a 5K race, a kid zone that includes a petting zoo, pony rides, kiddie karaoke, carnival games, and inflatables. There will also be food and other vendors.

Big Steam Blues & Roots Music Festival (Hot Springs)

Enjoy two days of blues, roots, and Americana music in downtown Hot Springs. This free, family-friendly festival brings regional and national musicians to Hill Wheatley Plaza for a great weekend of live music.

Hardy Homesteaders Day (Hardy)

This is a fun “step back in time” event in Loberg Park in Hardy, Arkansas. This festival transforms Hardy into a scene straight out of 1883, with open fire cooking, children’s games, music and other activities straight out of pioneer days.

Ozark Memories Day (Dover)

This hometown festival has been a tradition in Dover for almost 50 years! The day includes a parade, food and craft vendors, games, contests, a car show, and plenty of small-town fun for the whole family.

CottonFest (Wilson)

CottonFest is a day filled with authentic Southern hospitality, music, fresh food, and a rich celebration of cotton — the crop that has defined the Wilson legacy. You can enjoy a shrimp boil, take in college football, and soak in the culture with vendors and artists at Wilson Orchard and Gardens.

  • Dates: September 26
  • More Information: CottonFest
Cotton in a field on the stalks. The shot is taken from a low angle so all you see is the tops of the cotton plants and a pale blue sky behind.

More interesting information about the town of Wilson

Marked Tree Roots Fest (Marked Tree)

Marked Tree Roots Fest is a community festival celebrating deep roots, local pride, and strong community. There will be food, vendors, and hometown fun!

Cushman Miners Day (Cushman)

This celebration honors the town’s once-booming manganese mining heritage. The festival brings people together for a day of family fun, including a parade, craft and food vendors, children’s activities, live music, and a street dance.

Six Bridges Book Festival (Little Rock)

This is an excellent literary festival from the Central Arkansas Library System. Some of the many events include spotlights on local authors and featured presenters on a variety of topics.

There are also events for families with young children and young readers.

Close up of books standing on end. The shot is taken from the top to all you see are the tops of the books. This is on a post about the best festivals in Arkansas in September.

Bikes, Blues, and Barbecue (Rogers)

See more about this bike rally in our post about Arkansas festivals in October.

We hope this list helps you plan your schedule of fun festivals in Arkansas in September.

To help you plan the rest of your fall activities we also have a list of the Arkansas festivals in October that you might enjoy! If you want to narrow it down a little bit we also have a list of our favorite fall festivals!

Karen and Emily

Hey y'all! Thanks for stopping by.

We are Karen and Emily, a mother and daughter duo who write this blog together. We are based in Central Arkansas but love to travel all around our beautiful home state and share our discoveries with you!

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