Hot Springs, Arkansas is known for an exciting lineup of events! From 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 events to help you choose the best time to travel to Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.
Gallery Walk
First Friday of Every Month
Discover Hot Springs' thriving arts community on the first Friday of every month! Galleries throughout downtown Hot Springs open their doors for an evening stroll featuring new exhibits, live music, and artist receptions. Visit hotspringsarts.org for a full list of participating galleries each month!
Oaklawn Race Meet
Holiday Meet | December 12 - January 4
Regular Meet | February 5 - May 2
Don't miss an exhilarating season of live thoroughbred horse racing at Oaklawn! 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.
Mardi Gras in the Spa
February 15 | Downtown Hot Springs
Catch the dazzling spirit of Mardi Gras right here in Hot Springs with a festive parade on historic Bridge Street! This family-friendly parade features music, food, and costumes - all supporting local charity, Jackson House. For more information, click here.
Tulip Extravaganza
Late February - Mid April | Garvan Woodland Gardens
Tip-toe through the tulips at Garvan Woodland Gardens! Each spring, Hot Springs' botanical gardens are painted in bright, beautiful blooms as millions of daffodils and tulips pop up, signaling the magnificent arrival of spring. Witness this breathtaking display as early as late February, lasting as late as Mid-April depending on the weather. For more information and to plan your visit to Garvan visit garvangardens.org.
AAA Basketball State Championships
March 12 - 14 | Bank OZK Arena
Get ready for the hottest hoop 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, electric team spirit, and fierce competition as Arkansas' top high school teams battle for the coveted state title. For more information, click here.
Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival (VOV)
March 13 - 15 | Whittington Place
Going into it's 22nd year, the Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival brings cutting-edge, independent artists to Hot Springs from all over the world for three days of unforgettable performances. For more information on VOV, visit valleyofthevapors.com.
DOOM MTB Race
March 13 - 15 | Northwoods Trails
DOOM Mountain Bike Race is headed to Hot Springs! Test your endurance on the challenging Northwoods Trails at this premier mountain biking event, featuring rugged terrain and a community celebrating the thrill of the ride. For more information on the DOOM MTB Race, click here.
World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 17 | Historic Bridge Street
The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, in it's 23rd year, brings incredibly quirky, green, festive fun to Hot Springs, Arkansas on historic Bridge Street! 40 floats along with dancers, marchers, and leprechauns of course parade down 98-foot-long Bridge Street with special celebrity guests and musical guests! This short parade is packed with all the fun, so put this free event on your “can’t-miss” list. For more information, click here.
Arkansas Derby
March 28 | Oaklawn Hot Springs
Part of the Racing Festival of the South, the Arkansas Derby is the pinnacle of Oaklawn's racing season! This Kentucky Derby prep race brings in the world's top three-year-old thoroughbreds and racing fans from all over the world. Grab your derby hat and hit the races! Find more information at oaklawn.com.
Northwoods Enduro
March 29 | Northwoods Trails
Experience the adrenaline of timed downhill stages in this challenging mountain bike enduro race, celebrating the world-class singletrack of the Northwoods Trail system. Register to ride at southernendurotour.com.
Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival
April 4 | Hot Springs Convention Center
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture at the Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival! Experience stunning performances, sake tastings, traditional arts, and family-friendly activities at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Learn more about the Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival here.
Mizuno J. Golf Championships
April 13 - 19 | Hot Springs Country Club
Watch future golf stars compete on Hot Springs' beautiful courses in this major junior golf tournament that showcases top talent from across the region at the Hot Springs Country Club. For more information, click here.
Arts & the Park
April 24 - May 3 | Various Galleries
Celebrate the visual, performing, and literary arts during thiis ten-day festival, featuring studio tours, live music, and the huge outdoor art fair, Art Springs! Learn more at hotspringsarts.org.
Hot Springs Gem & Mineral Show
May 1 | The Club House
This indoor and outdoor event showcases local and traveling experts of their craft with astounding collections of rocks, crystals, gems, and minerals for sale. Enjoy food trucks, artists, live music, entertainers, and geological speakers throughout the last weekend of Hot Springs Arts & The Park celebration. For more information, click here.
Mullet Run & Beaver Bash
May 9 | Northwoods Trails
Grow out your mullet, and get ready to race! The Mullet Run & Beaver Bash offers a 10K and 25K race through the Northwoods Trails, ending with the festive Beaver Bash post-race party. Awards will be handed out following the race to the top runners in each category and even to the Best Mullet! This race also offers a select amount of dog registrations, so trail runners who would like to race with their pups are welcome! Follow along for fun events at northwoodstrails.org.
Flavor of the Park
May 14 | Exchange Street Parking Plaza
Savor the best of the local culinary scene in one incredible event, hosted by the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce! Flavor of the Park gives local top chefs and restaurant owners a chance to showcase their signature dishes to a hungry audience as they enjoy live music and libations. For more information visit hotspringschamber.com.
Arkansas State High School Fishing Championships
May 23 | Lake Hamilton
See the state's best young anglers compete for the championship title, showcasing their skills on Lake Hamilton! Find more information here.
Memorial Day Fireworks
May 24 (Rain date, May 25) | Lake Hamilton
Kick off summer with a free firework display over Lake Hamilton! One of three firework displays on Lake Hamilton hosted by Visit Hot Springs, the Memorial Day Fireworks will be fired from barges in the middle of Lake Hamilton on the east side of Highway 7 at the first Highway 7 bridge opposite the DoubleTree Hot Springs hotel at dark. The fireworks will be synced with music on radio station 97.5 FM US97 Country when fans watch the display.
Bridge Street LIVE! June Series
Every Thursday in June | Bridge St. LIVE! Entertainment District
Every Thursday in June, we're dancing in the streets of Hot Springs! Enjoy the ultimate summer block party with this FREE, family-friendly concert series featuring live musical guests, food trucks, games, and cold drinks in the Bridge St. LIVE! Entertainment District from 5PM - 10PM. For more information click here.
World Championship Running of the Tubs
June 6 | Bathhouse Row, Downtown Hot Springs
Where else can you watch bathtubs race down the street on wheels? The World Championship Running of the Tubs is the cleanest fun around, with costumed teams pushing bathtubs on wheels down historic Bathhouse Row to honor Hot Springs' bathing history for the coveted Stueart Pennington Cup. Stay tuned for event updates here!
Independence Day Fireworks
July 4 (Rain date, July 5) | Lake Hamilton
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a FREE fireworks extravaganza lighting up the night sky over picturesque Lake Hamilton. One of three firework displays on Lake Hamilton hosted by Visit Hot Springs, the Independence Day Fireworks will be fired from barges in the middle of Lake Hamilton on the east side of Highway 7 at the first Highway 7 bridge opposite the DoubleTree Hot Springs hotel at dark. The fireworks will be synced with music on radio station 97.5 FM US97 Country when fans watch the display.
Hot Springs Baseball Weekend
August 7 - 8 | Hot Springs Convention Center
Honor Hot Springs' rich history as the 'Birthplace of Major League Spring Training' at the FREE Hot Springs Baseball Weekend! Baseball fans and historians will enjoy panels featuring legends of the game and Hall of Famers, and a baseball card show! For more information, click here.
Labor Day Fireworks
September 6 (Rain date, September 7) | Lake Hamilton
Close out summer with one last stunning, FREE fireworks show over Lake Hamilton, offering a beautiful finale to the holiday weekend. One of three firework displays on Lake Hamilton hosted by Visit Hot Springs, the Labor Day Fireworks will be fired from barges in the middle of Lake Hamilton on the east side of Highway 7 at the first Highway 7 bridge opposite the DoubleTree Hot Springs hotel at dark. The fireworks will be synced with music on radio station 97.5 FM US97 Country when fans watch the display.
Bridge Street LIVE! October Series
Every Thursday in October | Bridge St. LIVE! Entertainment District
There's no better place to be every Thursday in October than the Bridge St. LIVE! Entertainment District! Enjoy the ultimate fall block party with this FREE, family-friendly concert series featuring live music, food trucks, costume contests with cash prizes, games, and cold drinks from 5PM - 10PM. Dust off your dancing shoes, Bridge St. LIVE! October Series is calling your name! Stay tuned for information here.
2026 Bass Fishing World Championship
October 2 - 4 | Lake Hamilton
Witness the world's best professional anglers compete for the global title in this high-stakes tournament on the legendary bass fishing waters of Lake Hamilton. Stay up to date on all things the 2026 Bass Fishing World Championship here.
Birding Festival of the South
October 8 - 10 | Hot Springs
Flight Path Confirmed: The First-Ever Birding Festival of the South is Coming to Hot Springs! Get your binoculars ready and look to the skies—something spectacular is landing in October 2026! We are incredibly proud to announce that Hot Springs National Park will host the inaugural Birding Festival of the South. Whether you can identify a warbler by its silhouette or you just love a good walk in the woods, this festival is designed for you. We are rolling out the red carpet (or perhaps the green canopy) for everyone—from absolute beginners to seasoned ornithologists. Follow along here for updates to come.
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
October 9 - 17 | Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa
Don't miss the longest-running all-documentary film festival in North America, right in Hot Springs at the historic Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa! The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival showcases compelling stories from around the globe with 9 days of screenings, filmmaker forums, Q&A sessions, after parties, and more! Visit hsdfi.org for more information.
Arkansas Elvis Festival
October 22 - 24 | Hot Springs Convention Center
Celebrate the King of Rock 'n' Roll with three days of exciting performances featuring the best Elvis tribute artists around, honoring the music and legacy of Elvis Presley at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Find more information on the Arkansas Elvis Festival here.
Güdrun Mountain Bike Festival
October 23 - 25 | Northwoods Trails
Head to the hilltop at Cedar Glades Park for three-days of mountain biking through the mountain bike paradise that is the Northwoods Trails! Güdrun Mountain Bike Festival features a variety of events including the Slow Roll Fun Ride through the Arlington Hotel Lobby, the Enduro and Mini Enduro, the Waffles & Coffee Time Trial, and the legendary Attila the Hun XC Race. Stay up to date on all things Güdrun here.
Glow on the Row
October 31 | Downtown Hot Springs
Watch as downtown Hot Springs transforms into a Halloween town! Prepare your Halloween costume and head down Bathhouse Row and Central Avenue for Glow on the Row Trick r Treat and Harvest Festival! Take the whole family downtown on Halloween night as local bussinesses will pass out candy, cupcakes, glow sticks and more. Stay up to date on all things Glow on the Row here.
Feast Month
All November Long!
Indulge your inner foodie all November in Hot Springs as we celebrate our diverse dining scene! Celebrate with us just by dining at Hot Springs restaurants, redeeming deals at participating restaurants, and voting for your favorite Hot Springs restaurants in the Feast Month 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.
Spa Running Festival
November 14 | Hot Springs National Park
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.
Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens
November 21 - December 31
Stroll through a breathtaking winter wonderland as the Gardens illuminate the night with 8 million sparkling lights, creating a magical holiday experience. Prepare to be dazzled by spectacular displays, including the magnificent 50-foot tall color-changing Rose Tree, which performs an enchanting show synchronized to music. Learn more about golf cart tours through the lights, how to purchase tickets, and more at garvangardens.org.
Hot Springs Chili Cook Off & Downtown Holiday Lights Kick Off
November 23 | Exchange Street Parking Plaza
Warm up with this fiery competition where local cooks vie for the title of best chili, offering all-you-can-eat samples for a flavorful day of fun and fundraising. After the cook off ends stick around to see us flip the switch to over 1 million lights in historic downtown Hot Springs! For updates on this years event, click here.
Ice on Ice
December 3 | Hamp Williams Building
Enjoy an unforgettable evening of sophistication and sparkle at Ice on Ice, the unofficial start to the holiday season! Indulge in signature drinks, each crafted with precision and an ice cube that may be embedded with a real diamond, right from Lauray's the Diamond Center! Savor delectable cuisine and dance the night away to live music. Dress up for an evening of elegance and entertainment while raising money for Project HOPE Food Bank! Visit hotspringschamber.com for more details.
Hot Springs Christmas Parade
December 7 | Downtown Hot Springs
The Hot Springs Christmas Parade is packed with holly jolly delight, showcasing marching bands, local businesses, and of course Mr. and Mrs. Claus in historic Downtown Hot Springs! Bundle up and take a stroll through the lights after the parade, as downtown Hot Springs twinkles with all the holiday spirit. Follow Oaklawn Rotary Club for information on this years parade!
Persistence of Vision Film Festival
January 2027 | Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa
The Persistence of Vision Film Festival, formerly known as Arkansas Shorts, is an annual event showcasing 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. Enjoy three days of film at the Arlington Resort Hotel, with panels, workshops, after parties, and Q&A's. For more information and tickets, click here.
Wolf Creek Hot Springs Half Marathon
January 2027 | Northwoods Trails
Challenge yourself at the Wolf Creek Hot Springs Half Marathon! This half marathon treats runners to stunning forest views at the Northwoods Trails and an unforgettable outdoor experience. For more information, click here.
View a full list of events on our calendar of events.
