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The first weekend in May 2025 is bursting with festivals across Arkansas, making it the perfect time to dive into everything the Natural State has to offer. From strawberry season to blooming flowers, scenic bike rides and outdoor adventures, May brings the best of Arkansas to life. Gather your family and friends and hit the road to explore the beauty, excitement and Southern hospitality that make Arkansas unforgettable this time of year.
Featured Festivals |World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff and the 36th Annual Free State of Yell Fest
World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff | Searcy
You do NOT want to miss the Chocolate Gravy Cookoff in Searcy! You can even sign up to compete. Chocolate gravy is a southern staple dish that everyone should learn to master and share with others. At the World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff, you will be able to sample some tried and true family recipes and vote for your favorite one. Enjoy!
Venue: Downtown Searcy
Date: May 4
More Information: Click Here
36th Annual Free State of Yell Fest | Dardanelle
Get ready for one of Arkansas’ favorite family festivals— the 36th Annual Free State of Yell Fest is set to take over Veterans Riverfront Park in Dardanelle, May 8–10! Hosted by the Dardanelle Area Chamber of Commerce, this FREE three-day celebration promises carnival thrills with Johnston’s Carnival, live music from local bands, food trucks, vendors and community fun for all ages. Don’t miss $2 carnival rides on Thursday, the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast on Saturday morning and the spectacular Bunting Electric Fireworks Show to close it all out Saturday night! With new lunchtime vendors, contests and excitement around every corner, now’s the time to make your plans—Yell Fest is the place to be this May!
Venue: Veterans Riverfront Park
Date: May 8-10
More Information: Click Here
Annual World-Famous Armadillo Festival | Hamburg
Hamburg is home to the Armadillo festival, which prides itself on great entertainment and live music for 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: April 30-May 3
More Information: Click Here
Strawberry Festival |Cabot
The Strawberry Festival is focused on family fun and helps promote local businesses and farmers around the state. There will be live entertainment, carnival rides, kids’ area, food trucks, vendors, 5K race, and, of course, strawberries! (YUM!)
Venue: Cabot
Date: May 1-3
More Information: Click Here
Cinco de Festival | Searcy Beats and Eats | Searcy
Cinco de Festival in the heart of Searcy’s Main Street district, including food trucks, games, a traditional costume parade and a live DJ. This is a FREE event that you don’t want to miss!
Venue: Downtown Searcy
Date: Friday, May 2
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 this May. 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 2-3
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 2-4. 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 2-4
More Information: Click Here
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 3
More information: Click Here
Mayhaw Festival | El Dorado
The Mayhaw Festival is an annual street festival featuring craft and food vendors, a vintage market, an antique car and motorcycle show, tours of the Newton House Museum, and kids’ 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 3
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Pottery Festival | Fayetteville
This annual event packs all things pottery into a three-day weekend filled with demonstrations, presentations, showcases and sales! All the activities are free and open to the public and are held at locations in and around Fayetteville. This exciting weekend will include pottery demonstrations and lectures by nationally recognized artists on Friday and Saturday, an exhibition and pottery sale of over 50 potters from around the state.
Venue: Fayetteville
Date: May 2-4
More Information: Click Here
Mountain View Iris Festival | Mountain View
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 the 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 2-3
More Information: Click Here
Osceola Heritage Music Festival | Osceola
The 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. There will be plenty of activities and games to keep the little ones busy.
Venue: Downtown Osceola
Date: May 16-17
More Information and Tickets: Click Here
Magnolia Blossom Festival | Magnolia
The Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Cook-Off began as the Sidewalk Art Show in 1950 and blossomed into the festival that it is today. The art show quickly gained traction and launched the Magnolia Blossom Festival in 1989 and the World Championship Steak Cook-off the subsequent year. Since then, the festival has become one of the most anticipated events for families and grillers from around the country. You won’t want to miss this!
Venue: Historic Downtown Square, Magnolia
Date: May 16-17
More Information: 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 Fairgrounds
Date: May 16-17
More Information: Click Here
Rockin’ Eureka Concert Festival | Eureka Springs
The Rockin’ Eureka Legends of Rock ‘n Roll Tribute Festival celebrates the legends that started it all in the rock ‘n roll world. You will be able to enjoy performances at the city auditorium by world-renowned Elvis Tribute Artists and Elvis’s fiancée, Ginger Alden.
Venue: Eureka Springs
Date: May 16-18
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 offers multiple days of fun, food, and entertainment for the whole family.
Venue: North Little Rock Riverfront Park
Date: May 16-26
More Information: Click Here
Bentonville Bike Fest | Bentonville
Bentonville is considered to be the Mountain Biking capital of the world, so it is fitting that there will be a bike fest in Bentonville. The Bentonville Bike Fest is a celebration of cycling and adventure like no other! There will be bike rides, performances by world-class athletes and vendors. Don’t miss out!
Venue: Downtown Bentonville
Date: May 23-25
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 24
More Information: Click Here
Old Fort Days Rodeo | Fort Smith
Since 1933, Fort Smith has been home to one of Arkansas’ most exciting rodeos. Cowboys from all over the world compete for one of the largest prize purses in Arkansas. You’ll see some of the rankest bulls and broncs in America. You will be able to watch bronc riding, bull riding, roping, steer wrestling and more!
Venue: Kay Rodgers Park
Date: May 26-31
More Information: Click Here
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