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As students in Arkansas head back to school this month, many families are settling back into their routines. However, August still offers plenty of opportunities for fun! Treat your family to the Watermelon Festival in Hope, or enjoy a classic drive-in movie night. If you have never experienced the National Chuckwagon Races, you should add that to your August bucket list. Make the most of the last days of summer at these awesome August 2025 events!
Arkansas Fiddle and Banjo Championships | Mountain View
The Arkansas Fiddle and Banjo Championships return to the Ozark Folk Center State Park, featuring two state contests in one day. Banjo players compete in the morning and fiddlers in the afternoon. Admission is free from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. That evening, enjoy a concert with Bruce Molsky and Tony Trischka, along with the Ozark Folk Center Square Dancers. The evening show is a ticketed event.
Venue: Ozark Fold Center State Park
Date: Aug. 2
More Information: Click Here
Tontitown Grape Festival | Tontitown
This beloved tradition features live music, delicious food (including the famous spaghetti dinner), a 5K, arts and crafts, and more. Don’t miss this unique celebration of heritage and community.
Venue: 154 E Henri De Tonti Blvd.
Date: Aug. 5-9
Schedule of Events: Click Here
More Information: Click Here
Watermelon Festival | Hope
Hope is home to the world’s largest watermelons—and this festival proves it! Enjoy a 5K, food vendors, the Watermelon Olympics, “Watermelon Idol” talent contest, car show, and Kidz Zone. Local civic clubs also serve classic Southern fare.
Watermelon History: In 2005, a 268.8-pound melon grown by Lloyd Bright was cut from the vine on the family’s farm, a record-worthy feat in watermelon lore.
Date: Aug. 7-9
More Information: Click Here
Amplify | Benton
Amplify Fest is a free, two-day Christian music event held on a 20-acre field. Sponsored by local businesses, churches, and individuals, it’s a powerful weekend of worship and outreach featuring top contemporary Christian artists.
Date: Aug. 8-9
More Information/ Tickets: Click Here
Fort Smith International Film Festival | Fort Smith
This growing festival aims to build a vibrant film culture in the River Valley by showcasing films of all genres and offering education opportunities. No production date limits apply.
Venue: Fort Smith Convention Center
Date: Aug. 7-9
More Information: Click Here
Hot Springs Baseball Weekend | Hot Springs
In an event-packed weekend designed to offer something for every baseball fan, attendees can meet Hall of Fame major league stars, revisit the time period when Hot Springs hosted major league spring training and buy and trade sports memorabilia. This exciting event celebrates Hot Springs’ rich baseball history and offers a unique opportunity to meet baseball legends like Bret Saberhagen, Johnny Bench, Bill “Spaceman” Lee, Fergie Jenkins, Al Hrabosky, and Steve Garvey.
Venue: Hot Springs Convention Center, 134 Convention Boulevard
Date: August 8-9
More Information: Click Here
Read more from OnlyinArk’s favorite Arkansas baseball historian, Jim Yeager.
21st Annual Mountains, Music and Motorcycles | Mountain View
Rev your engines! Downtown Mountain View comes alive with biker games, a poker run, scavenger hunts, food trucks, live music, stunt shows, and classic car displays.
Venue: Downtown Mountain View
Date: August 15-17
More Information: Click Here
Raza Dance Festival |Rogers
The Raza Dance Festival is a Latin dance celebration in Northwest Arkansas, bringing together instructors and dancers from around the world. Prepare to be inspired by champions of international competitions as they lead workshops and offer private lessons throughout the weekend.
Venue: Embassy Suites Northwest Arkansas
Date: Aug. 15-18
More Information: Click Here
Washington County Fair | Fayetteville
The Washington County Fair Association brings the agriculture and business worlds together to enrich the lives of the youth by giving them a platform to present their projects in an educational, competitive and safe environment. The fair provides an opportunity for 4-H and FFA members and residents of the county to exhibit their accomplishments in the areas of livestock, horticulture, home economics and art. During the week of August 19-23, go check it out.
Venue: Washington County Fairgrounds
Dates: August 19-23
More Information: Click Here
33rd Annual VW Festival | Eureka Springs
The 33rd Annual VW Weekend is the ultimate car show weekend in Eureka Springs. Eureka Springs will be buzzing with classic Beetles, Buses, and more! It’s not just for the fancy show cars. It is for bugs, vans and everything in between. There will be numerous vendors with those much-looked-for parts and accessories. Ride through the beautiful Ozark Mountains on a lovely summer weekend with all your new and old VW buddies.
Venue: Eureka Springs
Date: Aug. 22-24
Contact: Click Here
Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run | Mena
There will be over 200 hot rods at the Annual Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run on display. There will be a Hot Rod parade down Main Street for everyone to enjoy. On Saturday, the rods will be on display atop Rich Mountain at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. They then make their way to downtown Mena’s South Mena Street for the Saturday Night Street Dance and Concert. On Sunday at 10 a.m., everyone will gather at Queen Wilhelmina State Park for a Sunday morning church service and close out the event with awards and giveaways. This annual event is fun for all ages.
Venue: Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Date: Aug. 22-23
Contact: Click Here
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: August 23-31
Time: Click Here for Event Schedule
More Information: Click Here
Drive-In Movies
Catching a drive-in movie is a perfect way to wrap up a summer night with something fun before the kids go back to school in Arkansas. There are only two drive-in theatres in the state at the moment. Check out if one is close to you!
Stone Drive-In (Mountain View)
Kenda Drive-In (Marshall)
Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion Cox Concert Series | Rogers
The Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion has a full lineup of different genres. Which one of these would be your top pick to attend? There are still tickets available for some of these.
Weird Al Yankovic – Aug. 3
Jorge Medina & Josi Cuen – Aug. 14
Big Time Rush – Aug. 15
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony & Three 6 Mafia – Aug. 21
The Avett Brothers – Aug. 22
Train – Aug. 26
Jonas Brothers – Aug. 30
For Tickets: Click Here
Magic Springs Concert Series | Hot Springs
All concerts are free with park admission or a season pass. August concerts include:
- Dorothy with Cory Marks – Aug. 2
- Phil Vassar & Mark Wills – Aug. 9
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