As diverse and appealing as the beautiful, varied landscape, festivals, and events in Arkansas celebrate an amazing array activities, including art, music, food, racing, crafts and more. Arkansas, also called The Natural State, presents a wide number of outdoor events like canoeing, mountain biking, and kayak races. There are fishing tournaments, duck calling challenges, and hunting contests. Theatrical performances, film, and music are also often celebrated arts featured in numerous Arkansas festivals. No matter what piques your interest, there is likely an Arkansas event celebrating it.

When planning Arkansas vacations, taking a look at the state's calender of events is a great way to add Arkansas festivals to your itinerary. Arkansas events are a great way to meet locals, enjoy terrific food and achieve a better understanding of the area's culture and people. The Mountain View Bluegrass Festival is one of the best Arkansas events when it comes to music. Dating back many years in state history, bluegrass is a longstanding type of music with deeply-seeded roots. Attracting some of the top names in bluegrass, this is one of the best festivals in Arkansas to attend in March. For seven years running, the annual Mountain View Spring Bluegrass Festival hosts great live music in the heart of the Ozarks. Mountain View is also renowned for excellent scenic beauty ideal for fishing, hiking, camping, and a host of other outdoor activities.

During the month of May in Harrison, locals gather for Crawdad Days, another of the fantastic Arkansas events happening in the spring. Crawdad Days Music Festival is one of the annual events in Arkansas that, over the years, has developed into one of the top must-go attractions. Held in the historic downtown square and along the beautiful banks of Lake Harrison, one of the many excellent state lakes, this festival offers a chance to enjoy traditional southern dining and music. Key attractions are the music, of course, and delectable crawfish, a state favorite. A long-standing tradition for seventeen years, this is another of the top musical events in Arkansas to attend. Other notable music festivals in Arkansas include Frisco Fest in Rogers, the Eureka Springs Blues Festival and Riverfest Arts & Music Festival in Little Rock.

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Founded in 1984, SpringFest in Heber Springs is a fun-filled annual event in April. Music, food, arts, and crafts are the main draws here at this fine spring festival. A slew of unique vendors set up in the heart of town selling a wealth of assorted art, clothing, food, and more. A small but excellent farmer's market is set up by Spring Park where fresh vegetables, fruits, and farm fresh foods are available. During the festival, the park's outdoor amphitheater buzzes with rich musical entertainment.

The immense number of Arkansas festivals create an incredible number of exciting possibilities for Arkansas vacations. Festivals always have a unique appeal as exceptional expressions of a specific destination. Festivals and events unique to a location speak volumes about a region's culture and heritage. Festivals in Arkansas, like the Arkansas Literary Festival in Little Rock, the Hope Watermelon Festival, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, and the Eureka Springs May Festival of the Arts are all part of a vibrant array of wonderful events representing the many colorful sides of Arkansas.