Events in Fort Smith

Like many cities, Fort Smith offers a plethora of events for lovers of music, arts, history and heritage.

Fort Smith celebrates its Wild West history with annual festivals, such as its Old Fort Days Rodeo, held each spring. The Unexpected is a 10-day festival featuring artwork painted by local and world-renowned artists on historic buildings in Fort Smith. Peacemaker Music and Arts Fest is a three day festival of the art and music. 

Anglers don’t want to miss out on the Big Bass Bonanza, Arkansas’s largest amateur fishing tournament that has five weigh-in sites. Fort Smith is one of them for this tournament that has $100,000 in guaranteed prize money with $50,000 to the biggest fish.

Bikers flock to the Steel Horse Rally, a charity motorcycle event featuring bike shows, concerts and family fun. Organizers donate the proceeds to local charities including Heroes on the Water and The Buddy Smith Home for Veterans.

Riverfront Blues Fest is an iconic event aimed at preserving and promoting the blues through performances by several artists. It takes place along the banks of the Arkansas River. 

There are plenty more events for all interests and seasons - pub crawls, holiday lights and parades, fireworks, marathons, bike rides and the list goes on…