The Countdown Continues: Arkansas Music Week 2026 Wave 2 Lineup Reveal!

The second annual Arkansas Music Week (AMW2026) is officially returning to Fayetteville from August 23–30, 2026. Organized by the Arkansas Music Experience in partnership with Experience Fayetteville, this eight-day celebration builds on last year’s exciting debut to bring an even bigger, bolder mix of sounds to Northwest Arkansas, featuring a massive footprint of over 60 events across 18 venues.

We are thrilled to pull back the curtain on our second wave of artists, showcases, and music community events. Clear your calendars, grab your crew, and get ready to experience the heartbeat of the Natural State's music scene.

Spotlight On: The Inaugural Lantern Sessions at Stonebreaker

Among our most anticipated Wave 2 additions is a brand-new live music experience that honors the very core of musical creation: The Lantern Sessions at Stonebreaker.

Created to celebrate the art of songwriting in one of the most distinctive settings in Northwest Arkansas, this new series takes place on scenic Markham Hill. Hosted inside the Barn at The Stonebreaker, this intimate listening room experience invites guests to slow down, settle in, and hear the stories behind the songs from the artists who wrote them.

As part of Arkansas Music Week, the inaugural Lantern Sessions brings together three premier Arkansas singer-songwriters—Avery Lee, Paul Boatright, and Big Piph—for an unforgettable evening of conversation, live performances, and the kind of magic that only happens when artists and audiences share the exact same room. Aug 27

New Community Exhibition: The Art of the Show

Music isn't just felt through sound—it lives through the visual art that surrounds it. This year, we are incredibly proud to introduce The Art of the Show, a unique community exhibition celebrating the visual history of live music.

As printed promotional materials become increasingly rare in the digital age, items like concert posters, handbills, flyers, ticket stubs, backstage passes, and handwritten setlists have become important historical artifacts. This exhibition preserves the distinct stories of the regional artists, legendary venues, local festivals, and the passionate fans who were there.

Collectors, musicians, and music lovers are invited to share the artwork and memories behind their favorite gigs. Together, we are creating a living, physical archive of Arkansas's rich musical heritage and honoring the tangible art that helped bring live music to life. Aug 26

New Programming Addition: AME Presents: Breakout & Build

Arkansas Music Week is a platform built to lift up our creative economy. This wave, we are introducing a powerful afternoon seminar series designed for independent creatives looking to grow their platform: AME Presents: Breakout & Build. 

Hosted by Travis Smith (Arkansas Music Experience), this focused block of industry masterclasses will tackle business development, marketing, world building, and direct artist-to-fan communication strategies. Independent creatives can look forward to a diverse range of collaborative panels and learning opportunities, including:

• The Recording Academy in Arkansas: A rare, special conversation with the Recording Academy to discuss the developing infrastructure of the local Arkansas chapter.

  
  

• “Getting Started”: A foundational strategy guide focused on career entry and early-stage milestones.

  
  

• “Market Your Show Like a Pro”: An industry-insider workshop breaking down heavy-hitting promotional and live event marketing tactics.

  
  

Best of all? This entire breakout block is completely free to attend. Aug 29

Prairie Street Live’s Thursday Night Live

Get ready for an incredible evening of music under the open sky. We are thrilled to add Prairie Street Live’s signature Thursday Night Live concert series to this year's lineup. This special festival edition shines a spotlight on rising Arkansas country music artist Gavin Sumrall & his full band, bringing their powerful, authentic country sound to the stage. Making this night even more unforgettable, the evening kicks off with a performance by special guest Blaze Shaen. Aug 27

Step into the Spotlight: Celebrated Community Open Mics

Arkansas Music Week is all about amplifying the voice of our community. This wave, we are highlighting two powerhouse, multi-day open mic series that give local talent a platform to be heard—both on stage and on screen.

My Open Mic (Two-Night Special)

Arkansas Music Week scores with a two-night installment of My Open Mic, Northwest Arkansas's longest-running weekly open mic series. Hosted by the incredible Jen Cole and Sarah Hughes, this staple of the NWA music community offers a welcoming stage for seasoned local performers and brave first-timers alike to share their songs. Aug 23 & 30

Fayetteville Public Television's Open Mic FPTV (Two-Day Event)

Fayetteville Public Television (FPTV) is inviting local residents to step into the spotlight and share their talents with the community during its special two-day, Live FPTV Open Mic broadcast. This unique program awards participants five minutes of uninterrupted, live television airtime to showcase their musical skills. Best of all, the entire event broadcasts live on FPTV and YouTube, giving our homegrown artists an unprecedented reach. Aug 25 & Aug 27

Curated Showcases: Jammin Java Free Live Music Series

If you love great music without a price tag, Jammin Java is hosting a stellar weekend of all-ages, free shows. Catch these special performances live on their stage during the festival:

• Mark Winters takes the stage with special guest and regional favorite, Sally Jo. Aug 28

  
  

• A packed Local Artists Showcase featuring intimate performances from Grace Hutchins, Adam Goff, James Vorhees, and Olivia Wu. Aug 29

  
  

The Sunday Wrap-Up: Poolside Grooves & Patio Picnics

We are capping off an incredible festival week with two massive daytime events designed to let you unwind, catch great tunes, and soak up the summer sun.

• Mount Sequoyah Adult Swim Pool Party: If your perfect afternoon involves warm analog grooves and a sun-soaked deep dive, this oasis presented by the Odeon Collective is exactly where you need to be. The crew will be bringing out a premier lineup of guest DJs spinning strictly vinyl all day long beside the water. Pair those grooves with fresh, legendary pizza from Moff's for the ultimate mountainside escape. Aug 30

  
  

• The Big Sunday Picnic at Kingfish: Gather on the patio for a relaxed afternoon hang presented by the Arkansas Music Experience. Settle in for incredible live acoustic sets from Justin Larkin, Sam Fagen, and Pete Masri. To make the celebration complete, the pitmasters at Secondhand Smoke will be on-site selling their legendary, slow-smoked BBQ. Aug 30

In addition to these headlining events, curated music showcases are scattered across town all week long. Expect unforgettable performances from a massive roster of regional talent, including Ashtyn Barbaree, Bellweather Sirens, Ben Harris, Carolina Mendoza, Cate Brothers, Charlie Mellinger Band, Chasing Pictures, Cosmic Cream, Count Your Cards, Dawn Cate Band, Dominic B. Roy, Drew Hutson Rogers, Fight Dream, FRAWG!, Happiness Beast, Idle Valley, Jackson Jennings, Jeff Kearney's Bag Wine Band, Josh Brower, Kelly Mulholland, Liquid Courage, Lou Dog, Mai Tai Guy's, March to August, McKelvey-Lauffer, My Candy Dog, Patti Steel, Peyton Joy, Sean Harrison, Seaside Architecture, Senses Divide, Songs Woven, Speed Queen, Stephanie Smittle, Taylor Smith, TownHouseFire and more. View Full Schedule here.

Join the Celebration

Arkansas Music Week 2026 is more than a Festival—it is the heartbeat of our community. Clear your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready for an unforgettable week of music.

Follow @ArkansasMusicExperience for live updates.