Events & Festivals
There’s almost always something to celebrate in the Arkansas River Valley. The region’s rich history, agricultural abundance, and stunning scenic beauty give our residents reason to let loose with timely festivities in every season!
Conway County
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Early April
Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton. Wildflower walks, demonstrations, and green games.
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Late September
Held at Museum of Automobiles atop Petit Jean Mountain, Morrilton.
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The Christmas light show at the Depot is synced to classic Christmas songs. Set your radio station and sit back and enjoy. Normally displayed the first week of December and continues through New Years Eve.
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Mid- June
Petit Jean Mountain, Morrilton. Annual car show at the Museum of Automobiles.
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Weekend after Thanksgiving
Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton. Learn the skills of the mountain men and Native Americans.
Johnson County
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Mid-July.
Held at Clarksville, it’s the oldest ongoing festival in the state of Arkansas. The festival includes food and craft vendors, a 5k race, a peach pit spitting contest, water balloon toss, diaper derby, terrapin derby and more. The parade is held on the Saturday morning in downtown Clarksville.
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Late November.
Clarksville merchants hold Open Houses before Thanksgiving, and then offer Early Bird Sales the Firday after Thanksgiving from 7-10am. Lighting Ceremony & Annual Christmas Parade is the 1st Saturday in December.
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Johnson County’s two rodeo arenas schedule several rodeo events throughout the year, playing host to local, state and National competitions.
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Late August
Held at the Johnson County Fair Grounds.
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The weekend before Christmas
See Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves travel in the lighted boat parade along Dardanelle Lake in Clarksville – best seen from the bluffs of Spadra Park(two miles off I-40 on Exit 58)–6 pm nightly.
Logan County
Springtime in Paris Festival, Logan County
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First Saturday in May.
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Last weekend in May.
Bikes Travel from Queen Wilhelmina to Mt. Magazine for a beautiful scenic ride. Stop in Paris for music, food, crafts, and fun.
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Mid August
Held at North Logan County Fair grounds in Paris. A week of family fun with carnival rides, animal show and pageant.
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Sunday after Thanksgiving
Join the local Paris businesses for an open house from 1 pm to 5 pm as they offer specials, sales and kick off the holiday season.
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Saturday after Thanksgiving Starting at the Cloyes gear parking lot and continuing down HWY 22, around the court house and finishing on the corner of 5th St and Hwy 22. Prize money will be awarded in the float category.
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Labor Day weekend
Held in Paris. Games, food, entertainment, and rummage sale.
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July 3rd
Watch the beautiful firework display from the Wood Street Park. The city of Paris welcomes you to bring your lawn chair and enjoy the show.
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1st weekend in October.
The famous pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pony rides, helicopter rides, nail driving, log sawing, pageant and parade.
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December
Held in Paris. Visit the courthouse full of lights from top to bottom and see over 50 decorated trees on the North side lawn. The Eiffel Tower is a great place to take a selfie or have your picture made with Santa Clause!
Perry County
Goat Festival, Perry County
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Second weekend in March
Held in Bigelow. Features seven acres of daffodils in 30 varieties, arts and crafts, and barbecue.
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Mid May
Held at the Perry County Fair Grounds.
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Second weekend in July.
Hundreds of folks gather at Adona to play or listen to bluegrass music over a three-day period.
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Mid October
Heifer International celebrates its Annual Global Village Day with international entertainment and education at Heifer Ranch, near Perryville, Arkansas.
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Early April
Cypress Creek Park at Adona is the setting for a weekend of camping, cooking, and old-time bluegrass music.
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Late April
Held on the courthouse square in Perryville. Car & truck show, horseshoe tournament, bunco tournament and lots of entertainment. Admission is Free.
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Late September.
Entertainment, food, games, ATV/tractor pulls, pageants, and live music.
Pope County
Festival vendor, Pope County
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Early April
Russellville. Participants start and finish the 13.1-mile course through the streets of Historic Downtown. Friday night events include a kid’s mile, 5K Glow Run, car show, bands, food, and an expo.
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Early May
Russellville. The Festival includes 20 hot-air balloons, a team of sky divers, powered parachutes, music concerts, a dog walk, and food vendors.
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Late April
Russellville. Award-winning tasting party features the River Valley’s finest food.
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Late May
Russellville Old Post Park.
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Late September
Dover. Craft booths, food, parade, artisan exhibits, and music.
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Mid-August
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Late April
Russellville and Lake Dardanelle State Park.
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Third weekend in August
Atkins is home to the Picklefest.
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Last Saturday in October
Held in historic downtown Russellville, includes a fun run.
Yell County
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Early April
Dardanelle. Re-enactment of the skirmish at Boggs Mill, January 1865.
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Late August
Mount Nebo. Hang gliders from across the country demonstrate this exciting sport.
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Late September
Children’s activities, events, great food, and politicians.
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Early June
Hosted in Ola. A fun-filled day of arts and crafts, games, and good food.
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Late August
Mount Nebo State Park, Dardanelle. Civil War encampment, drills, marches, living history demonstrations.
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Mother’s Day weekend
Multi-County
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Second weekend in August.
180 miles of flea markets and sidewalk sales on State Highway 64 from Altus to Morrilton.
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April.
Area wide yard sales on and off scenic Highway 22 from Dardanelle, AR to Barling, AR. This annual event is a big attraction from surrounding states as well as many visitors from all over the state of Arkansas. Don’t miss out on a great bargain.
