Hot Springs Celebrates America's 250th Birthday

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.

 

Hot Springs National Park will host a community parade and picnic for the 4th of July.

NPS

Upcoming Special Events

America's 250th Birthday, July 4, 2026

Saturday, July 4 - Red, White, & YOU: Parade and Picnic

Hot Springs National Park will celebrate America's 250^th 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.

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.

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.

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.

Constitution Day, September 17, 2026

Tuesday, September 17

Constitution Signing

The Hot Springs chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) offers a Constitution Day event at the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center.

Hot Springs Water Festival, October, 10 2026

Saturday, October 10

Hot Springs Water Festival

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
Saturday, October 17
Archeology Day

Hot Springs hosts educational booths and professional archeologists to celebrate Archeology Month.

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

 

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 [e-mail] or find opportunities listed on volunteer.gov.

Service Opportunities

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Servce

Saturday, January 17, 2026

-Join rangers in a park beautification event.

Event Recap: 14 volunteers contributed over 40 hours of community service work and contributed to park beautification by collecting over 30lbs of trash.

September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance

Date TBD

-Join rangers in a park service event

Event Recap:

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.