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The big question for Arkansans in May 2026 is “How many festivals can you fit in your schedule?” Festival season kicks into high gear this month with noteworthy events happening every weekend this month. Warmer temperatures draw everyone out and everyone is ready to explore and welcome the change in season with outdoor fun, community, and food! 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.
5th Annual World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff | Searcy
Presented by OnlyInArk.com, the 5th Annual World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff returns to Downtown Searcy on Saturday, May 2, from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. The event will take place on Spring Street between the Courthouse and First Security Bank, with proceeds benefiting Main Street Searcy.
This one-of-a-kind, family-friendly cookoff celebrates a beloved Southern favorite: chocolate gravy. For some, it brings back sweet childhood memories. For others, it is a first taste of a truly unique tradition. Either way, it always sparks smiles, stories and great conversation. Come sample chocolate gravy, cheer on the competitors and enjoy a morning full of community, nostalgia and hometown fun in the heart of Searcy.
Venue: Downtown Searcy
Date: May 2
More Information: Click Here
Tickets: Click Here
Annual World-Famous Armadillo Festival | Hamburg
Hamburg is home to the Armadillo festival that 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 attend this small-town festival each year.
Venue: Downtown Hamburg
Date: April 29- 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 1-2
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 1-3. 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 1-3
More Information: Click Here
Block Party Beats & Eats | Searcy
The Searcy Block Party Beats & Festival is located in heart of Searcy’s Main Street district. There will be food trucks, games, legos, and a live DJ. This is a FREE event that you don’t want to miss! Besides the Block Party, the World Famous Chocolate Gravy Cook-Off will take place on May 2, and the Pioneer Village Open House is the same weekend! Make plans to head to Searcy!
Venue: Downtown Searcy
Date: Friday, May 1
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 2
More information: Click Here
Cupcakes for Goodness Sake | North Little Rock
Cupcakes for Goodness Sake, known as the sweetest street fest in Arkansas, is back and ready to take center stage, all to benifit CareLink. This year, talented local bakers will showcase their creativity, blending flavor, flair, and imagination to craft whimsical treats inspired by a Big-Top Circus theme—featuring cupcakes that truly are the greatest bakes on earth.
The event will also feature show-stopping vendors, kid-friendly activities, delicious food trucks, and plenty of surprises, all coming together to celebrate culinary creativity, community, and fun.
Venue: Argenta Plaza, 510 N Main Street, North Little Rock, AR
Date: May 2nd | 3 pm – 6 pm
More informations: 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 2
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Pottery Festival | Fayetteville
This annual event packs all things pottery into a three-day weekend full of demonstrations, presentations, showcases and sales! All activities, all of which are free and open to the public, are held 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 1-3
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 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 1-2
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 7-9
More Information: Click Here
Osceola Heritage Music Festival | Osceola
The 26th Annual Osceola Heritage Music Festival is a weekend of premium musical entertainment featuring a variety of music, including the sounds of the 80s, down-home delta blues, classic rock, and country. The headline act on Saturday night is Clay Walker. There will be plenty of activities and games to keep the little ones busy.
Venue: Downtown Osceola
Date: May 15-16
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, launching the Magnolia Blossom Festival in 1989 and the World Championship Steak Cook-off the following 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 15-16
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 offering nine days of fun, food, and entertainment for the whole family.
Venue: North Little Rock Riverfront Park
Date: May 15-24
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 16
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 23
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 25-30
More Information: Click Here
Other Arkansas Events to Enjoy this Month:
Hot Springs Gem and Mineral Show| Hot Springs
May 1-3
More Information: Click Here
Hot Springs Jeep Fest
May 1-3
More Information: Click Here
Fiesta Fest | DeQueen
May 2
More Information: Click Here
Peach Blossom Festival | Nashville
May 2
More Information: Click Here
Fiesta Fest | Fairfield Bay
May 3
More Information: Click Here
Texarkana Taco Festival
May 9
More Information: Click Here
Old Timer’s Day Steampunk Festival
May 9
More Information: Click Here
Loose Caboose Festival| Paragould
May 14-16
More Information: Click Here
Norfork Pioneer Days
May 16
More Information: Click Here
Strings on the Kings | Eureka Springs
May 21-24
More Information: Click Here
Good Ol’ Days Festival and Car Show | Mt. Ida
May 23
More Information: Click Here
Mosquitofest | McCrory
May 28-30
More Information: Click Here
Wynne Farm Fest
May 28-30
More Information: Click Here
Lake Fest | Greers Ferry
May 29-30
More Information: Click Here
Carpenter’s Country Fest | Ozark
May 31
More Information: Click Here
Pickle Fest | Atkins
May 15-16
More Information: Click Here
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