When planning your visit to Hot Springs, keep in mind - there's always something exciting happening, year round! From comic-conventions with out of this world entertainment, to mountain bike festivals, to thoroughbred horse races and of course, the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade. We've compiled a list of the top upcoming events to help you choose the best time to travel to Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. Read on below to check out the top 2025 events in Hot Springs!
Don't miss an exhilarating season of live thoroughbred horse racing at Oaklawn! Witness the electrifying atmosphere as these magnificent animals compete for glory. Enjoy the excitement trackside, with free general admission and don't miss out on prestigious races like the Rebel Stakes and the Arkansas Derby! For more information, click here.
The Persistence of Vision Film Festival, formerly known as Arkansas Shorts, is an annual event showcasing short films in 3 categories: Those made by Arkansas Natives and current residents of Arkansas; by North American Filmmakers; and by International filmmakers. Additionally, POV is a showcase for the work produced in Low Key Arts' filmmaking workshop, Inception to Projection. It is held at the Historic Malco Theatre, with films shown throughout the weekend as well as panels, workshops, and Q&A's. For more information and tickets, click here.
The Broyles Award recognizes excellence, dedication, skill, and courage in assistant coaching. Take a look at this video about the Broyles Award. Make plans to attend the Frank Broyles Award ceremony to honor college football's Assistant Coach of the Year Award. For more information, click here.
Garvan Woodland Gardens offers a spectacular sight of over 150,000 breathtaking tulips from the end of February to the end of March, depending on the weather for the peak bloom time. For more information, click here.
Get ready for the hottest hoops action in the state! The AAA State Basketball Championships are back in Hot Springs, and the energy is about to explode! Witness thrilling dunks, buzzer-beaters, and fierce competition as Arkansas' top high school teams battle for the coveted state title. For more information, click here.
Presented by Low Key Arts, this festival will have a lineup of musical artists from around the country performing for, and partying with, festival goers all. weekend. long. This rocking weekend is complete with incredible foods, vendors, art installations, camping, hiking, disc golf, kids activities and more. For more information on Valley of the Vapors, visit valleyofthevapors.com.
The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade brings incredibly quirky, green, festive fun to Hot Springs, Arkansas every year. In its 22nd year, tradition will remain in 40 floats — along with dancers, marchers, and leprechauns of course — parading down the 98-foot-long Bridge Street in historic downtown Hot Springs. This 22nd year will also bring celebrity guests and musical guests you won't want to miss! There will be a lot packed into this short parade, so put this free event on your “can’t-miss” list in 2025. For more information, click here.
Horse racing at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort is cherished and traditional, and there’s almost nothing better than dressing to the nines on a fine spring morning and heading to the track for the annual Arkansas Derby. Bet on a few Kentucky Derby hopefuls in this million-dollar stakes race, but also enjoy some of your day from the infield where you will find live music, foods and beverages of the variety (including Oaklawn’s famous corned beef sandwiches), and a good ole’ time. For more information, click here.
Arts & the Park is a 10-day arts festival hosted annually that includes live performances, workshops, artist talks & demonstrations, poetry, children’s activities, chalk walk, book signings, theatrical performances, culinary events, architectural tours, plein air painting, hiking and art exhibitions. Some of the past festival activities includes: Art Moves, Art Springs, A Sidewalk Chalk Event, A Children’s Book Giveaway, a Songwriting Competition, a Photography Exhibit, and Studio Tours. For more information, click here.
Mullet mania is coming to Hot Springs! Get ready to unleash your inner rockstar at the Northwoods Mullet Run & Beaver Bash. This ain't your average trail run – think vibrant colors, killer tunes, and a post-race party that will have you dancing all night. Lace up those kicks, let your mullet flow, and get ready to experience a run like no other! For more information, click here.
The annual free public fireworks display will be shot from the middle of Lake Hamilton from barges located on the east side of Highway 7 at the first Highway 7 bridge opposite the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel while being synced to the music on radio station 97.5 FM US97. Enjoy the shimmering sky from land or from the water! In case of rain, the fireworks will be rescheduled for the following evenings.
Memorial Day | May 25
Independence Day | July 4
Labor Day | August 31
Get ready for the ultimate bass fishing showdown as Lake Hamilton hosts the prestigious BFL All-American Championship from May 29-31, 2025. Watch top anglers battle it out for the coveted title and a massive cash prize. Don't miss this opportunity to witness world-class fishing and cheer on your favorite competitors!
To celebrate Hot Springs’ classic motto “We Bathe the World,” teams from all over get their best bathtubs all dolled up to bring to Hot Springs. Four bath attendants must push their bathtubs down Historic Bathhouse Row, while the team captain sits in the bathtub and steers. Throughout the course, teams will face various obstacles along the way, while dressed in elaborate costumes in hopes to become The World Champion Tub Runners - a sought out title, obviously. For more information, click here.
Bring your dancing shoes down for this FREE, family-friendly, block-party style music series! Free live music, vendors, games, food, and drinks! Bridge St. LIVE! every Thursday in June! This FREE event in Hot Springs, Arkansas will be scheduled for every Thursday in June on Bridge Street, the location of the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Live music, food, vendors, and a whole lot of fun. The Entertainment District opens at 5 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m.
Get ready for a home run of excitement! Hot Springs will be the epicenter of youth baseball this [month] as we welcome 18 teams from across the USA and even the globe for 10 days of intense competition. Witness the future of baseball unfold before your eyes as these incredibly talented young athletes showcase their skills on the diamond. Don't miss this chance to experience the thrill of world-class baseball action!
Celebrate Hot Springs’ legendary baseball history with us at the FREE Annual Hot Springs Baseball Weekend August 8 & 9 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. A baseball card show will be held as well as panels held by baseball legends.
Calling all comic book lovers, gamers, cosplayers, superfans, artists, otakus, collectors, and simply just the curious: check out this one-of-a-kind comic-con. Spa-Con — a comic-con & pop culture convention that appeals to the masses — is held each September at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Look for celebrity guest appearances and don't miss Saturday night's Cosplay Club Contest and dance party. For more information, click here.
Hot Springs' newest music festival, Big Steam Blues & Roots Music Festival, will return to Hill Wheatley Plaza in beautiful, historic downtown Hot Springs. Featuring top performers from across the nation as well as highlighting some up-and-coming regional musicians, Big Steam is sure to become an annual tradition for blues, R&B, and other traditional American music fans. For more information, click here.
The fun continues! Break out your dancing shoes again for another set of FREE, family-friendly, block-party style music! Free live music, vendors, games, food, and drinks! Bridge St. LIVE! every Thursday in October! This FREE event in Hot Springs, Arkansas will be scheduled for every Thursday in October on Bridge Street, the location of the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Live music, food, vendors, and a whole lot of fun. The Entertainment District opens at 5 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m.
Each year, with the help of a small staff and over 100 dedicated volunteers, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival attracts thousands of visitors to the 9-day multicultural and intergenerational event. Now in its third decade as the oldest all-documentary festival in North America and one of the longest-running non-fiction festivals in the world, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival remains a prominent champion and protector of the documentary film genre. For more information, click here.
This wicked 3-day Mountain Bike Festival is held each November, at the Northwoods Trails in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Güdrun MTB Festival incorporates activities, such as the Gudrun Slow Roll, Mini-Enduro AND Enduro, Jump Jam, Time Trial, Dual Slalom, AND the annual Attila the Hun Mountain Bike XC Race!
Calling all runners! Experience the fall foliage in Hot Springs National Park with a one-of-a-kind race - the Spa Running Festival! No matter what skill level you're at in your running journey, the Spa Running Festival has a race for you, with the 5k, 10k, or the Summit2Summit Half Marathon. Runners up for a challenge can take on the Half Marathon, conquering not one, but TWO mountains in Hot Springs National Park. For more information, click here.
We are using the month of November to celebrate the surprisingly diverse culinary delights of the Spa City! Celebrate with us just by dining at Hot Springs restaurants this month where many will offer Feast Month deals. Snap a photo of your tasty treats, post them to social media and be sure to tag #FeastMonth for a chance to be featured! Plus, vote for your favorite Hot Springs restaurants in twelve different categories for the Visitors Choice Awards! Need some inspiration to decide where to dine? Our FeastMode! video series is a great place to start! For more information, click here.
The Tom Daniel Chili Cook Off is a sign the holiday season has begun in Hot Springs! The Monday before Thanksgiving, Hot Springs business owners throw on their aprons to craft their signature chili. Who's recipe will take home the win? Stick around once the winners have been crowned to watch the downtown holiday lights turn on! The Tom Daniel Chili Cook Off is held in the Exchange Street Parking Plaza by the Hot Springs Downtown Association to raise funds for the beautiful holiday lights in downtown Hot Springs.
Celebrate the beauty of the season at Garvan Woodland Gardens holiday lights display! 210 acres of botanical gardens turned into a winter wonderland each holiday season. During your visit, stop by the Sugg Model Train, the ethereal Anthony Chapel, and of course the 4-story treehouse. For more information visit garvangardens.org.
It's the most wonderful time of the year! The Hot Springs Christmas Parade is packed with holly jolly delight, showcasing marching bands, local businesses, and of course Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Bundle up and take a stroll through the lights after the parade, as downtown Hot Springs twinkles with holiday spirit.