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As May arrives, festival season kicks into high gear, with noteworthy events happening every week right through to fall. Warmer temperatures draw folks out of hibernation, and everyone is ready to welcome the change in season with a lot of festival fun. May is a great time to load up your family and friends to explore The Natural State and experience all the fun, beauty and hospitality Arkansas has to offer.
Annual World-Famous Armadillo Festival (Hamburg)
Hamburg is home to the Armadillo festival that prides itself in great entertainment and live music to all who attend. Entertainment will include an armadillo race, a hamburger eating contest, a frog-jumping race and much more! Thousands of people go each year to enjoy this small-town festival.
Venue: Downtown Hamburg
Date: May 3-7
More Information: Click Here
Steel Horse Rally (Fort Smith)
Experience one of the fastest-growing motorcycle rallies in the country as The Steel Horse Rally roars back into downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas, May 5 -6, 2023. Honoring all who serve, the rally is dedicated to veterans, military, law enforcement and first responders. The two-day, family-friendly rally features: concerts, rides, racing, a parade and vendors.
Venue: Downtown Fort Smith
Date: May 5-6
More Information: Click Here
Toad Suck Daze (Conway)
Toad Suck Daze is a festival full of food, family and fun held on the streets of downtown Conway, May 5-7. The mission of the festival is to provide fun for the whole family, and the proceeds support education in Faulkner County. Events include local entertainment, arts & crafts, carnival, a 5K/10K race, a tadpole trot for kids ages 4-10, and the World-Famous Championship Toad Races. Add this event to your weekend plan!
Venue: Downtown Conway
Date: May 5-7
More Information: Click Here
Balloons Over Russellville
Balloons over Russellville is a hot air balloon festival featuring 20 hot air balloons from several states that will be offering hot air balloon flights, tethered balloon rides and a balloon glow. There will be powered parachute flights and helicopter rides available each day, as well as vendors, food, music, and entertainment for all ages, including a chainsaw carving demonstration.
Venue: Russellville Soccer Complex
Date: May 5-7
More Information: Click Here
Cinco de Mayo Beats & Eats (Searcy)
Cinco de Mayo Midnight Mercado Festival in the heart of Searcy’s Main Street district, including food trucks, a dessert fundraiser, a traditional costume parade, pinatas and loteria, a cumbia & salsa dance performance with a tutorial, line dancing and a live DJ.
First Security Cotter Trout Festival (Cotter)
The annual Cotter Trout Festival features live music, craft vendors, food trucks, a parade, a car show, a poker run, a duck race, kids fishing and so much more!
Venue: Under the Cotter Bridge
Date: Saturday, May 6
Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
More information: Click Here
Date: Saturday, May 6
Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
More information: Click Here
Mayhaw Festival (El Dorado)
The Mayhaw Festival is an annual street festival with craft and food vendors, a vintage market, an antique car and motorcycle show, Newton House Museum tours and kid’s activities. It is a great day of family fun held on the grounds of the Newton House Museum. This event is free and open to the public.
Venue: Newton House Museum
Date: May 6
Time: 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.
More Information: Click Here
Cow Paddy Run (Fayetteville)
There’s a Cow Paddy 5K for adults and older kids and a 1K Fun Run for the little ones. Don’t worry, though, because there aren’t any real cow paddies to avoid. The name is just part of the tradition of this race, which has played a big part in developing Fayetteville’s pro-fitness, pro-fun culture over the years! The Cow Paddy Run is produced by The Spark Foundation with a focus on helping students and families build the habits for an active, healthy lifestyle. Proceeds directly support physical education in local schools through the school participation prize. As part of the school participation run series, the focus is for running to be fun and accessible for everyone. All runners get a chip time, participant shirt and finisher’s medal.
Venue: Fayetteville
Date: May 6
More Information: Click Here
Mountain View Iris Festival
The Mountain View Iris Festival is the first full weekend in May. There will be a quilt show, contests and live music. You can even enter an iris or iris photo for competition. On Saturday, there will be a “Children’s Painting of Iris.” It is fun to see the creations of the small artists, and the supplies will be provided. It is sure to be a fun weekend in Mountain View, with plenty of live music and beauty.
Venue: Downtown Mountain View
Date: May 6-7
More Information: Click Here
Fiesta Fest (De Queen)
Fiesta Fest is De Queen’s largest community event. The event focuses on bringing the community together to celebrate all of the cultures of Southwest Arkansas. It is always a fun family day with cultural live music, heritage dancers, rides, and the best authentic Mexican food around!
Venue: Downtown De Queen
Date: May 7
Time: 1 p.m.- 7 p.m.
More Information: Click Here
Osceola Heritage Music Festival
The 23rd Annual Osceola Heritage Music Festival is a weekend of premium musical entertainment that brings a variety of music, from the sounds of the 80s, the down-home delta blues, classic rock, and country. The headline act on Saturday night is Rodney Atkins. There will be plenty of activities and games to keep the little ones busy.
Venue: Downtown Osceola
Date: May 19-20
More Information and Tickets: Click Here
Crawdad Days (Harrison)
Crawdad Days will be hosted in Harrison and has been a staple event in the area for over 30 years. It is a hometown festival with events for all ages to enjoy (especially if you like crawdads).
Venue: Harrison Fair Grounds
Date: May 19-21
More Information: Click Here
Pulaski County Fair (North Little Rock)
North Little Rock Parks & Recreation will be hosting the Pulaski County Fair at the North Little Rock Riverfront Park, situated along the picturesque banks of the Arkansas River. The fair is set to take place from May 19-29, offering nine days of fun, food, and entertainment for the whole family.
Venue: North Little Rock Riverfront Park
Date: May 19-29
More Information: Click Here
Catsmacker Trail Run (Perryville)
Trail runner enthusiasts love the 20-ish miles for the Catsmacker and 12-ish miles for the Kitty Run option during Catsmacker weekend. The course utilizes forest service roads and a small portion of the Ouachita Trail. There is a combination of pavement, gravel and single/double-track trails. Grab some friends and do this trail run together!
Location: Perryville
Date: May 20
More Information: Click Here
Snowball Adventure Race (Snowball)
The Snowball Adventure Race is the only of its kind to be hosted in Searcy County, Arkansas. This adventure will begin in Snowball with a 6-mile run to the Margaret White area on the Buffalo National River, with only a few hills, all gravel and great scenery. You will then jump in your boat for an 8.5-mile float down the beautiful Buffalo River to the Tyler Bend launch area. You will then pick up your bicycle at the Tyler Bend Pavilion and start the 11.5-mile gravel journey back to Snowball via the Ozark Grinder Trail. The bike portion has a few uphills, lots of gravel/dirt and amazing views of the Buffalo River. You can even sign up as a team where each member can do a different segment. There is also a kid’s version of an adventure race for ages 12 and under. Hurry though! Entries close May 5.
Venue: Snowball, AR
Date: May 25
More Information: Click Here
Hot Springs Fishing Challenge (Hot Springs)
The $100,000 Hot Springs Fishing Challenge returns, May 2 – July 31! 66 fish will be tagged and released on Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine, including the infamous Big Al – worth a whopping $20,000. The Hot Springs Fishing Challenge begins at 6 a.m. on May 2, 2023, and ends on July 31, 2023, at 5 p.m. Central time. The challenge provides anglers the opportunity to catch tagged fish that can be redeemed for cash prizes.
Venue: Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine
Date: May 2- July 31
More Information: Click Here
Other Arkansas Events to Enjoy this Month:
Arkansas Elvis Festival (Jonesboro)
May 18-20
tourjonesboro.com
Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cook-Off (Magnolia)
May 19-20
blossomfestival.org
Cataline 22 National Championship Regatta (Arkadelphia)
May 20-25
Lake De Gray
catalina22.org
Memorial Day Ceremony at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery (North Little Rock)
May 29
More info
Old Fort Days Rodeo (Fort Smith)
May 29- June 4
fortsmith.org
Did we miss an event in May 2023? Let us know in the comments, and we will add it!
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23rd annual osceola heritage music fest may 19th and 20th. Friday $15 for adults Saturday $25 dollars for adults Weekend pass $30 dollars for adults. OsceolaHeritageMusicFestival.com for more information.
Adding it! Thanks!