Looking for the best music festivals in Arkansas to experience in 2024? You’ve come to the right place, because we are here to bring you the ultimate list of epic upcoming Arkansas festivals.
So whether you are living in Arkansas, traveling through the state, or looking for your next epic adventure, this guide has got everything covered!
The southern state of Arkansas is blessed with natural treasures including mountains, rivers, hot springs, and caves. The state is known for its hiking trails and limestone caves, live music, and so many other things that make Arkansans an adventurer’s heaven with plenty to explore. And from folk to rock, buzz to hip-hop, there are a ton of music festivals celebrated all around Arkansas every year.
Also, be sure to read my guides on Festival Hydration Backpacks, Festival Camping Packing List, Festival Shoes, and Festival Gadgets to help you make the most of your time!
1) King Biscuit Blues Festival
The BEST Arkansas Music Festival you can’t miss! | Credit: King Biscuit Blues Festival
Where: Helena, Arkansas
When: October 9-12, 2024
https://kingbiscuitfestival.com/
4-day Blues Festival on the Mississippi River • Unparalleled Lineup of Past, Present & Future Blues
“King Biscuit Blues is a four-day music festival that attracts thousands of people to the banks of the Mississippi River in Helena. It is held during October, and the name of the festival stems from King Biscuit Time, the longest-running daily radio show. The festival is among the old music festivals of the United States as it was established in 1986 under the guidance of the “Main Street Helena” organization. Today, after years this music festival has a lineup of some of the world’s most talented bands and megastar artists. The lineup of King Biscuit festival has dozens of events with 60+ bands. They also offer merchandise, craft vendors, and top-notch food & drinks. Pack your backpack, and get ready for a magical weekend experience of your life.”
2) Peacemaker Festival
Where: Fort Smith, Arkansas
When: July 26-27, 2024
Peacemaker – a music festival by music lovers for music lovers is held on the banks of the Arkansas River in Downtown Fort Smith at the beautiful Riverfront Amphitheater. This is one of Arkansas’s most liked music festivals that attract thousands of attendees from around the state. Peacemaker has comprised of a volunteer-led team focused on giving back to local charities and the arts community. They have been featuring some of the finest American and international artists and bands including Zach Bryan, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Charley Crockett, The Steel Woods, Tanner Usrey, Jacob Stelly, Graycie York, and more. From lodging to parking, food to drinks, the festival is equipped with all services and facilities.
3) Delta Roots Music Festival
Where: Helena, Arkansas
When: April, 2024
https://www.facebook.com/deltarootsmusicfest/
The Delta Roots Music Festival is single-day music celebrated as a tribute to Levon Helm who was a legendary American musician. You’ll be hearing and celebrating Levon Helm’s rich heritage with The Weight Band led by the guitarist who was closest to him. Looking for something related to cultural and old-time music? there is nothing better than attending the Delta Roots Music Festival. Although It is a single-day musical event featuring a single band, the festival offers world-class food vendors, crafts, and arts. There are a few more things to experience such as Raffle for Custom Painted Drumhead, Harmonica Workshop, Delta Beat Drum Lessons, Delta Cultural Center’s Beans, at this wonderful event.
4) Yadaloo Music & Arts Festival
Credit: Yadaloo Music & Arts Festival
When: May, 2024
Where: Little Rock, Arkansas
The Yadaloo music and arts festival is known as the ultimate Arkansas music festival experience. You’ll have the pleasure of attending this festival as it features 20+ world-famous bands and some incredibly talented artists. It’s held at North Shore Riverwalk Park overlooking the Arkansas River in North Little Rock and the location of the event is quite amazing. From a great venue to a crowded stage full of hot live music, this festival offers more than you can imagine. Food and drinks, craft arts and vendors, as well as ATM and parking facilities at this event will make the whole experience much smoother for a day.
5) Freshgrass Bentonville
Credit: Freshgrass Bentonville
Where: Bentonville, Arkansas
When: May 17-18, 2024
https://freshgrass.com/bentonville/
“A bluegrass festival with a great lineup, workshops with pros, a band contest, slushies and late night hoe-downs in an amazing venue!”
Freshgrass is an all-ages music festival celebrating the best of today’s bluegrass and progressive roots music. It’s held during the month of May every year at The Momentary museum complex spanning two days and multiple stages across The Momentary. It’s one of the unique live event experiences that will be hard for you to forget. Knockout performances will be accompanied by fun family-friendly activities, great local food and drink, homegrown retail vendors, artist merchandise, and more. The stage productions are amazing, the line-ups are always incredible and stacked with the best international artists. Looking to meet locals, and want to dance with them? This festival is a must to experience.
6) Byrdfest Music Festival
When: September, 2024 (TBC)
Where: Ozark, Arkansas
Byrdfest festival is a two-day musical event held two times each year in Byrds Adventure Center, Ozark. The weekend campout concert is set in an 800+ acre campground on the banks of Mulberry River in Arkansas. The festival also offers shaded camping, swimming, canoe float trips, general store, restaurant, electric campsites, updated shower house, RV sites, and live music.
It’s a wonderful experience in itself that attracts thousands of local visitors from around the US as well as international music lovers from around the world. The festival features bands including The Schwag, Nonstop Reggae, Sabbath + Metallica, OG Acoustic Trio, and more. Some great artists of EDM stages such as Atomix & The Vocalist, Jon Dent, The Most Evil Charlie, LostGirl are also featured many times. Along with offering all these things, the venue has all other services like parking, food, etc.
7) Hillberry — The Harvest Moon Festival
Where: Eureka Springs, Arkansas
When: October, 2024
https://hillberryfestival.com/
Hillberry The Harvest Moon is a music festival that takes place in October every year in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It’s located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Eureka Springs and offers incredible 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding area and Mark Twain national forest. A few more great outdoor locations including Beaver Lake, Table Rock Lake, and the White River are located at a distance of a few miles from the venue. From classical to hip-hop legends the lineup of bands and artists is incredible. Leftover Salmon, Mr. Walker, Handmade Moments, ALO, Arkansauce, Dirtfoot, and many more were featured at this festival last year. There will be delicious food and craft vendors as well as beer tents onsite. With all these fresh things on the menu, this is one of the best music festivals in Arkansas.
8) Hot Springs Music Festival
When: April 5-8, 2024
Where: Hot Springs, Arkansas
https://www.hotmusicfestival.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HotSpringsMusicFestival
The Hot Spring Music Festival is the first-of-its-kind in concept and execution that brings together over 100 international musicians each June in the historic spa town of Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. Originally formed in 1996 it’s a non-profit educational music festival held in the first two weeks of June, where “pre-professional” musicians join professional mentor musicians in the performance of concert music. Over 10,000 people attend the festival every year, and these musicians form a unique community, presenting over 20 concerts and 250 open rehearsals for music lovers from around the globe. Being situated in the magnificent Ouachita mountains of central Arkansas it offers an outstanding experience of live music. In addition to its usual live concerts, the hot spring music festival brings a lot of things for its attendees.
9) Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain
Where: Mulberry Mountain, Ozark, Arkansas
When: June 7-9, 2024
https://backwoodsmusicfestival.com/
Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain is a 3 day and 4 nights music and art adventure organized annually in Ozark, Arkansas. And this festival is all about making good music, good people, good times. The beautiful landscape that surrounds the area at Mulberry Mountain creates incredible vibes for people attending the festival. To create a one-of-a-kind weekend experience this festival showcases some of the best independent bands in Middle America, alongside internationally recognized artists and musicians. The last year’s lineup featured top brands including Lotus, Greensky Bluegrass, Ganj White Night & Jones, The Floozies, and many more.”
10) Arkansas Folk Festival
Where: Mountain View, Arkansas
When: April, 2024
https://www.cityofmtnview.org/folk-festival
“Annual Spring celebration with handmade craft vendors, parade and lots of old time “Folk, Mountain, and Bluegrass” music”
If you consider yourself a music lover, Arkansas Folk Festival held in Mountain View is one event that you can look forward to. During this music festival in Arkansas, you will enjoy amazing music, great performances, and a fun jig dance contest. Food vendors crowd the streets, and the aroma of delicious fair food will make your experience unforgettable. This festival has always been known for its parades and lots of old-time “Folk, Mountain, and Bluegrass” music.”
11) Ozark Mountain Music Festival
When: January 18-21, 2024
Where: Eureka Springs, Arkansas
www.ozarkmountainmusicfestival.com
“With a unique vibe of an outdoor music festival on indoor stages, this up close & personal music festival is held over four days bringing American Roots and Modern Folk to the cool Mountain Town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Past headliners that have performed during OzMoMu include Kitchen Dwellers, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Ben Miller Band, Tall Tall Trees, Dirtfoot and many more. ”
12) Ozark Mountain Soul Fest
When: April 4-8, 2024
Where: Eureka Springs, Arkansas
https://www.facebook.com/OzarkMountainSoul/
“OMS is a multi-genre music festival placing its main focus on Americana Roots music.”
13) Pyro Eclipse
When: April 5-9, 2024
Where: Mount Ida, Arkansas
www.musicfestivaljunkie.com/event/pyro-eclipse
“Directly under the line of totality with 4:15. 5 minutes of totality!!! Gathering where the largest quartz deposit in the world is we are coming together for an eclipse gathering that will be centered around workshops including Uncle Mudd building a cob structure with the sparkly beautiful quartz embedded throughout the walls, permaculture, foraging, meditation, yoga, sound journey of vibrational exploration, pottery, food preservation and the community will organically take the shape as we all create this, art installations, The Oasis!!! Music and the eclipse!!!! Crystal trade tables will be set up too. The property and owner is an incredible human that many of us will make lifelong friends with.”
14) Spaceberry
Image: Corey Lamb Photography
When: May 2-4, 2024
Where: Eureka Springs, Arkansas
“Coming at you on May 2 – 4, 2024 for the 3 nights of music, camping, art, and vendors!”
“*This will be held at “The Farm” located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The venue boasts beautiful 360-degree panoramic views. It is sits on 160 acres and backs up to Mark Twain national forest. Beaver Lake, Table Rock Lake, and the White River are all within 5 miles of the venue.”
Am I missing any top Arkansas folk festivals in 2024?
If you’ve heard of any cool festivals, events, or concerts that deserve a place on this list, be sure to reach out! I’d love to keep my list of music festivals in Arkansas as up to date as possible!
Looking for more of the best music festivals in the USA?
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