Blues, Ballads, And Square Dances In Downtown Springdale
The 3rd Annual Arkansas Blues & String Band Festival takes over Downtown Springdale with three days of roots music, hands-on workshops, and late-night square dances that’ll keep you moving until midnight.
THE DEETS
📅 Friday, November 14 through Sunday, November 16, 2025
📍 Multiple venues throughout Downtown Springdale (Luther George Park, The Jones Center, American Legion Post 139, Turnbow Park)
🎟️ All performances are free | Workshops range from free to $15
🔗 More info
Where the Delta Meets the Ozarks
This festival celebrates the musical traditions that shaped Arkansas, from Delta blues to Ozark string bands. Over three days, you’ll catch nationally recognized artists and regional musicians sharing stages across downtown Springdale. The programming includes Las Baladas, which connects Hispanic ballad traditions with Ozark heritage in a way you won’t find anywhere else in the region.
Friday night kicks off at Luther George Park with Larry and Joe at 5:30pm, followed by The Jake Leg Stompers at 6:45pm. The evening builds to Grammy winner Dom Flemons and The Traveling Wildfires at 8pm, with opening act Chicot Cheetah Stringband. Cap off your night at the American Legion Hall with a square dance starting at 10pm.
Saturday brings the festival’s fullest lineup at The Jones Center, running from 11am to 8pm. Highlights include Carolina Mendoza, Terry Harmonica Bean, and the special Las Baladas collaboration that bridges two musical traditions. The night moves to Turnbow Park at 9pm for the 4th Annual Ballad-Off, followed by another square dance at the American Legion.
Sunday offers Not Your Momma’s Gospel Brunch from 10:30am to 12:30pm at The Jones Center, then wraps with a Stringband Championship from 1pm to 3pm.
Get Your Hands Dirty
Workshops will also be available throughout Saturday if you’re looking to learn from the masters. The Jones Center hosts a free Banjo Roundtable at 11am, followed by paid sessions in guitar ($15 at noon), mash-making ($10 at 1pm), and fiddle ($15 at 2pm). Over at the American Legion Hall, you can take Intermediate Flatfooting ($10 at 11am), free Youth Flatfooting at noon, or Square Dance Calling ($10 at 2pm).
The festival features headliners Larry & Joe, The Jake Leg Stompers, Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires, Terry Harmonica Bean, and FERD, along with regional acts like Creek Rocks, The Ozark Highballers, and Carousel Orchestra. These performers bring deep connections to the traditions they’re sharing, not just playing through a setlist.
Downtown Springdale becomes the center of Arkansas roots music for three days. Bring your lawn chair for the outdoor sets and comfortable shoes for the square dances.
