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Temperatures will be cooling off soon (we hope), and that means festival, football and event season is about to commence in Arkansas! There will be footballs and hot air balloons flying through the air, leaves changing from shades of green to red and orange, and of course, blinking carnival lights and fried food on a stick at county fairs. It is time for a wonderful September in the Natural State.
Festivals & Events
National Championship Chuckwagon Races | Clinton
The Chuckwagon Races are held Friday through Sunday every Labor Day weekend in Clinton, Arkansas. Each year, an estimated 20,000 people are on hand to watch the excitement of chuckwagon racing, bronc fanning and the Snowy River Race. In addition to the four performances, bands perform after the races and dances are held each weekend. Vendors of Western collectibles, crafts, art, saddles and tack are set up throughout the week at the Western Trade Show. Ozark Mountain trail rides begin on Tuesday and are included as a part of the weekend’s festivities. Make plans to check out the Chuckwagon Races in Arkansas!
Venue: 2484 Shake Rag Road
Date: Aug. 26-Sept. 3
Time: Click Here for Event Schedule
Contact: Click Here
JazzFest | Hot Springs
Sponsored by the Hot Springs Jazz Society, JazzFest takes place in venues throughout Hot Springs. Some events are free, and tickets range up to $50. Don’t miss the traditional free outdoor concert in Hot Springs’ Entertainment District.
Venue: Hot Springs
Date: Sept. 2
More Information: Click Here
FestiVille | Jacksonville
A two-day city festival by Jacksonville Parks and Recreation
The Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department, along with other community organizations, are hosting a City Festival in the Ville! The Annual FestiVille in Jacksonville will take place on September 2nd on Main Street. This fun-filled community event has everything you expect and more. Join us as we celebrate and create “Family Fun for Everyone”.
Venue: Main Street Jacksonville
Date: Sept. 2
More Information: Click Here
28th Annual Arkansas Hot Air Balloon State Championship | Hot Springs
This unique outdoor event began in 1995 and is held in beautiful Harrison, Arkansas. The festival will kick off Friday evening at the Anstaff Soccer Complex. The event will continue Saturday morning, with more balloon race competitions. The evening events will continue where balloons are tethered to the ground for the exciting Balloon Glow. In conjunction with the tethered balloons, there will be food and fun for the entire family.
Venue: Downtown Harrison
Date: Sept. 8-9
More Information: Click Here
31st Annual Antique Tractor & Engine Show | Scott
Arkansas wouldn’t be what it is today without agriculture, and agriculture wouldn’t be what it is today without tractors. The Plantation Agriculture Museum State Park will have some history-making machines on display on Sept. 9. Owners and operators of antique tractors and small engines will be set up on the museum grounds to show off and share their contraptions with the public, so make plans to check it out! In addition to the tractors and small engines, the event will also feature a children’s pedal tractor pull, lawn games, livestock demonstrations and a food truck.
Venue: Plantation Agriculture Museum (Scott)
Date: Sept. 9
More Information: Click Here
South Ark Outdoor Expo | El Dorado
Those who love the outdoors should head to the 24th Annual SouthArk Outdoor Expo in El Dorado. There will be contests such as a 5K run/walk, rib cook-off, a student art contest with cash prizes, and an auto show. Live music will be performed throughout the day. It will be a full day of hands-on activities and exhibits for outdoor enthusiasts, families and children. There will also be a chain saw wood carving demonstration, target shooting, archery, Kids World, craft vendors, food trucks and more. Admission is one canned or packaged food item per person, which will be given to a local food pantry.
Venue: El Dorado Conference Center
Date: Sept. 9
More Information: Click Here
TinkerFest | Pine Bluff
Celebrate music during ASC’s annual Tinkerfest; this year is MusicFest! The activities will be at The event is FREE and for all ages. ASC is partnering with world percussionist Stephin Booth to perform and teach an Afro-Caribbean drumming exhibition. Visitors can explore and learn about Afro-Caribbean music and instruments. At instrument-building stations, visitors can create, design, and paint their own instruments to jam with us during this event.
Venue: ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St.
Date: Sept. 9
More Information: Click Here
Vintage Market Days | Little Rock
Vintage Market Days is an upscale vintage-inspired market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings consumable yummies, seasonal plantings and a little more. If you have never been, it makes for the perfect girls’ weekend in Little Rock. The September event is the perfect time to find new seasonal décor for your home.
Venue: Arkansas State Fairgrounds
Date: Sept. 15-17
More Information: Click Here
Cane Hill Harvest Festival | Cane Hill
The Harvest Festival offers visitors an experience combining history, Ozark culture, and a natural setting with modern amenities and entertainment. Visitors to the 2023 Festival can enjoy a country breakfast, food truck provisions, live music, an Arts and Eats market, sorghum pressing demonstrations, craft demonstrations, tours of historic buildings and a quilt show. New to the festival this year is the Kids Zone offering free face painting and activities from the Scott Family Amazeum, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, the University of Arkansas Entomology Department, Washington County 4-H, and more.
Venue: Historic Cane Hill
Date: Sept. 16
More Information: Click Here
26th Annual Petit Jean Fall Swap Meet
If you love checking out antique cars, then you need to make plans to head to Petit Jean Mountain in September. There will be over 300 spaces available with antique cars, parts, crafts, and more for sale or trade. On Saturday there will be an open car show, and military vehicles will rally on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The event will be located on the tree-shaded grounds of The Museum of Automobiles atop Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton, Arkansas.
Date: Sept. 21-23
Location: Petit Jean Mountain
More Information: Click Here
FORMAT Festival | Bentonville
FORMAT is a three-day multidisciplinary festival combining music, art and technology. FORMAT is unique for its artist-built venues, eclectic music lineup, and interactive art installations. FORMAT welcomes a diverse range of local and globally renowned musicians and artists alongside emerging talent.
Date: Sept. 22- 24
Location: Momentary (Bentonville)
More Information: Click Here
Spa-Con Comic & Pop Culture Convention | Hot Springs
Spa-con is a multi-genre entertainment and comic convention currently held annually. It includes not only comic books and science fiction/fantasy-related film, television and similar popular arts but also a larger range of pop culture and entertainment elements across virtually all genres, including horror, animation, anime, manga, toys, collectible card games, video games, web-comics and fantasy novels.
Venue: Hot Springs Convention Center
Date: Sept. 22-24
More Information: Click Here
Little Rocktoberfest 2023 | Little Rock
Little Rocktoberfest will be held at War Memorial Stadium. Local breweries will be there with the best brews that Arkansas has to offer. You will also get to sample one-of-a-kind beers that you cannot get anywhere else. There is also going to be a hotdog/potato salad dinner that comes with every ticket.
Venue: War Memorial Stadium
Date: Sept. 24
More Information: Click Here
Get Down Downtown and Funnel Cake 5K | Searcy
Get Down Downtown is a FREE, annual two-day, family-friendly outdoor festival featuring live music, vendors, games, rides and many more activities hosted by Main Street Searcy. Headlining the festival this year is David Lee Murphy. David Lee Murphy is best recognized by his massive hit single “Dust On The Bottle.” But he is also known as one of Country Music’s best songwriters. He has written songs for superstar artists like Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Hank Williams, Jr. and others. There will also be a Funnel Cake 5K on Saturday. Everyone who finishes the 5K will receive a voucher for a free funnel cake at the festival. There’s also the Cotton Candy Classic, a one-mile option that receives a cotton candy voucher.
Venue: Downtown Searcy
Date: Sept. 29-30
More Information: Click Here
Autumn on the Square | Marianna
Autumn on the Square is a hometown festival featuring delicious food from local vendors and food trucks. There will be a corn hole tournament, bingo, live music, Little Farmers Contest along with many other activities throughout the day.
Venue: Historic Downtown Square (West Chestnut and Poplar Street)
Date: Sept. 30
More Information: Call 870-821-2666
Sherwood Fest | Sherwood
Sherwood Fest is a family-oriented event that combines crafts, kid’s activities, and family entertainment. This year will make the 46th year the city has provided this free-admission event for the community.
Venue: Sherwood Sports Complex at the end of Bear Paw Road
Date: Sept. 30
More Information: Click Here
Fairs
White County Fair | Searcy
Since 1935, the White County Fair has been a gathering place for families. It is one of the 10 largest county fairs in the country and was named a Top-10 County Fair by the National Fair Managers Association. There will be events every night such as a demolition derby and rodeo. The fair has rides, food and fun activities for all ages. So, make plans to head to Searcy this month to enjoy the exhibits, funnel cakes, animals, rides, entertainment and more!
Venue: White County Fairgrounds (Searcy)
Date: Sept. 11-16
More Information: Click Here
Garland County Fair | Hot Springs
All the fair fun includes a demolition derby, carnival rides, an exhibit hall, a car show, livestock, a rodeo, a pageant and more!
Venue: Garland County Fairgrounds
Date: Sept 8-16
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair | Fort Smith
An annual event held at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith. Carnival rides, midway acts, live entertainment, games, competitions and more.
This year’s FREE entertainment features:
• The Battle of the Monster Trucks
• PRCA XTREME BULLS
• Los Cadetes De Linares De Horicio Mata
• Aussie Kingdom
• La Internacional Sonora Dynamita De Carlitos Xilvir
• Aerial Insanity Thrill Show
• XPOGO Stunt Team
• Puppies of Penzance
All entertainment is FREE WITH PAID GATE ADMISSION!
Venue: Kay Rodgers Park
Date: Sept. 22- Oct. 3
More Information: Click Here
Music
Beatles at the Ridge Music Festival | Walnut Ridge
Beatles at the Ridge Music Festival is one of the fastest-growing festivals in the South, covering Historic Downtown Walnut Ridge. It has some really interesting history that you can read about here.
Venue: Historic Downtown Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.
Date: Sept. 16
More Information: Click Here
The Big Steam Blues & Roots Festival | Hot Springs
Big Steam Blues & Roots Music Festival is back for the second year. A lineup of incredible blues, R&B, and rock musicians will take the stage in Hill Wheatley Plaza in beautiful downtown Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. The event is free, but VIP tickets are available for purchase.
Venue: Hill Wheatley Plaza
Date: September 29-30
More Information: Click Here
Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion Concert Series | Rogers
This month the Walmart AMP is hosting three concerts for you to choose from. Which one of these would be your top pick to attend? There are still tickets available for some of these.
Peso Pluma- Sept. 3-4
3 Doors Down- Sept. 5
Star Wars Concert- Sept. 8
Tenacious D – Sept. 11
Jason Aldean- Sept. 14
Queens of the Stone Age- Sept. 26
Koe Wetzel- Sept. 29
Football
Razorback Football – WOO PIG SOOIE!
Back-to-school always signals the start of football season. The Hogs play at home three times this month, so grab some tickets and head to the hill to call the Hogs!
September Home Games for the Razorbacks
Western Carolina @ War Memorial Stadium – Sept. 2
Kent State @ Fayetteville – Sept. 9
BYU @ Fayetteville- Sept. 16
September home games for some of our other favorite Arkansas teams:
Arkansas State University
vs. Memphis – Sept. 9
vs. Stony Brook – Sept. 16
vs. Southern Miss- Sept. 23
Harding
vs. Oklahoma Baptist- Sept. 9
vs. Ark- Monticello – Sept. 16
vs. Southwestern Oklahoma – Sept. 30
Arkansas Tech University
vs. Southern Nazarene – Sept. 9
vs. Henderson State – Sept. 16
vs. Northwestern Oklahoma – Sept. 30
University of Central Arkansas
vs. Texas College- Sept. 9
vs. Abilene Christian- Sept. 23
Ouachita Baptist University
vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State- Sept. 9
vs. Southern Arkansas – Sept. 16
vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State- Sept. 30
Southern Arkansas University
vs. Arkansas Tech University – Sept. 23
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