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As part of the commemoration of America's 250th birthday, Hot Springs National Park will offer a variety of programming and partnerships throughout the year 2026 to provide local opportunities to celebrate our national story at America's oldest federal park.
All programs will be free to the public and many will be co-sponsored by local groups and organizations. See our calendar of events and our social media pages for more information.
Hundreds of participants walked in the July 4 community parade with floats and patriotic outfits.
NPS/TWaymouth
Upcoming Special Events
US Navy Band, July 25, 2026
The Navy Band Great Lakes popular music group "Horizon" will perform a free public concert on Arlington Lawn. Seating begins at 6:00pm and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. Shaded seating will be provided, though spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs. Spend the evening with a free public concert of modern music next to ancient waters.
Constitution Day, September 17, 2026
Hot Springs National Park hosts a Constitution Day event at the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center. The Hot Springs chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will bring a print of the Constitution for visitors to read and sign.
Hot Springs Water Festival, October, 10 2026
Celebrate America's beauty and the Natural State through the waters of the oldest national park. Hot Springs hosts booths to explore the wonders of the waters alongside federal, state, local, and non-profit groups who protect the area's precious water resources.
Archeology Day, October 17, 2026
Hot Springs hosts educational booths and professional archeologists to celebrate Archeology Month.
Volunteer efforts help restore native forest environments in Hot Springs National Park.
NPS/KBarat
Volunteer Opportunities
Community members and service organizations interested in contributing to Hot Springs National Park projects as part of our Freedom 250 celebrations will have many opportunities to do so throughout the year. Volunteer events will allow community members to contribute to the environmental management and historic preservation projects that maintain the natural and historic beauty of Hot Springs National Park. If your organization is interested, you may reach out to hosp_volunteers@nps.gov or find opportunities listed on volunteer.gov.
Service Opportunities
National Public Lands Day
Saturday, September 26, 2026
-Participate in one of the largest service days in the United States at your local national park.
Event Recap:
Ranger programs throughout the month offer multiple opportunities for the community to learn about Hot Springs National Park
Garland County Library
Special Programs
Hot Springs National Park has contributed immensely to the nation’s stories of medical science, veterans affairs, and environmental protection. Park rangers will provide numerous special-topic presentations and programs throughout the year to share these stories with the local and national community.
More information on our community programming can be found on our public events page and our park calendar.
Hot Springs Hikes
2nd Saturday, Monthly
Join rangers on moderate 1.5-to-3 mile hikes exploring the natural history and human stories of Hot Springs National Park. Starting location varies, follow social media for more information.
Park Chats Speaker Series
4th Wednesday, Monthly
Join park rangers and guest speakers for 1-hour in-depth presentations of the stories of America's oldest national park.
Education Programs
Hot Springs Park Rangers offer a variety of free education programs on Hot Springs’ history and science. To see our program options, visit the Hot Springs Education page.
Over 1,000 visitors attended the Hot Springs Junior Ranger Day, where they met park archaeologists, geologists, and firefighters. The event coincided with the U.S. Navy's National Park Service Fleet Week.
NPS
Completed Events
National Park Week-April 18-25, 2026
Saturday, April 18 Preserving the Natural State
As the oldest protected resource in the Natural State, Hot Springs will host federal, state, local, and non-profit groups who protect natural areas in Arkansas and share the legacy of preservationists who have contributed to the state across generations.
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Arlington Lawn Sunday, April 19 Hot Springs Junior Ranger Day
Learn about the life of a park ranger.The event will include multiple activity areas and large swearing in ceremonies. The event will also feature representatives from the U.S. Navy.
-Navy Week
Representatives from the United States Navy will be stationed along Bathhouse Row for small performances and public events.
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Arlington Lawn Monday, April 20 Hot Springs' 194th Birthday
Come celebrate 194 years as the oldest federally protected natural area for public use. There may be cake.
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Location: Fordyce Bathhouse Wednesday, April 22 Earth Day Celebration
Join rangers in front of the Administrative Building to learn about the nature and science protected within Hot Springs National Park.
Time
Park Chats
Discover the story of the Hunter and Dunbar Expedition. Their exploration of Hot Springs in 1804 brought the thermal waters into the national awareness for the first time.
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Location: Garland County Library
Saturday, April 25
Earth Day Stewardship
Participate in Earth Day through a local park stewardship program.
Time 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Location: Arlington Lawn
America's 250th Birthday, July 4, 2026
Saturday, July 4 - Red, White, & YOU: Parade and Picnic
Hot Springs National Park will celebrate America's 250th birthday with a full day of patriotic festivities on Saturday, July 4th. Hosted in partnership with the Friends of Hot Springs National Park and America's National Parks, the celebration features a community parade along Bathhouse Row, and the "Red, White and YOU" picnic on Arlington Lawn with live performances, games, activities, and ore. All events are free and open to the public.
9 a.m. - All-American Community Parade Hill Wheatley Plaza,625 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901
The All-American Community Parade will march through the heart of the park along Bathhouse Row. Participants will assemble at Hill Wheatley Plaza at 9:00 a.m. where the morning will begin with raising the American flag and a singing of the National Anthem.
This is a “no spectators” parade – if you show up, you get to be in it! The parade will proceed north to Arlington Lawn, following a timeline through Hot Springs history from a drop of rain falling 4,400 years ago to the present day. The entire route is paved, mostly flat and half a mile long.
Community members are encouraged to dress as Uncle Sam, a Founding Father or Mother, or simply wear their best red, white and blue! Small decorative wagon floats are welcome and encouraged!
Parade participation is free. Registration is helpful for organizers but not required to participate. Register your wagon float by June 30, 2026 by visiting the following registration link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/6taZxZGrM6
Please note that costumes should reflect that this is a commemorative, fun, and family-friendly community event. Leashed pets are welcome, provided they behave well with other pets and people.
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Red, White & YOU Community Picnic Arlington Lawn, 301 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901
Following the parade, the celebration will continue on Arlington Lawn. Activities and booths will be ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Activities include costume contests for children and pets, live performances, face painting, cupcake races, arts and crafts, games and photo booths.
Stage Line-Up
10 a.m. – Kids and Pets Costume Contest (no registration required)
10:15 a.m. - Dilly the Clown
10:30 a.m. – Sean Alexander Dixon, Musician
11 a.m. – American Heroes, Speaker Panel
11:30 a.m. – Jonathan Erlandson, Illusionist
12 p.m. – Dona Pettey and Steve Malec, Musicians
12:30 p.m. – Cupcake Races
1 p.m. – Laura Lee Williard, Musician
1:30 p.m. – The Diamond Dance Company Gems
2 p.m. – Big Papa Binns, Musician
All events on July 4, 2026, are free and open to the public. Hill Wheatley Plaza is located at 625 Central Avenue and Arlington Lawn is located at 301 Central Avenue in Hot Springs, AR.
Shade tents, tables, and cooling stations will be set up throughout Arlington Lawn and food vendors will be available with burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream for sale.
