January 21, 2026
Copy by Jasmine Flores
Photos by Emma Stover
From Sept. 14-21, 2025, downtown Fayetteville became the central hub for music, energy and community while hosting Arkansas Music Week. The celebration showcased the state’s vibrant music scene while connecting local artists, fans and industry professionals.
The week kicked off with “Sunday on the Square” where artists such as Stepmom, Tristen and Malibu Moon. The performers were joined by food trucks, an arts market and even listening stations to sample Arkansas artists. Throughout the week, venues such as George’s Majestic Lounge, Kingfish, and the Fayetteville Public Library hosted concerts, jam sessions and late-night showcases.
Workshops and panels gave musicians a chance to learn, network and share their craft. Highlights included the Music Cities Convention at the Fayetteville Town Center, exploring how music strengthens communities and the always popular Song Swap Night at Kingfish.
More than just concerts, Arkansas Music Week was about connection. Fans and musicians came together in jam circles, workshops and at showcase events spotlighting Arkansas’s own homegrown talent.
Students, locals and visitors alike agreed that the week proved Arkansas’s music is not just heard but felt.
As local alumna Jennifer Nguyen said, “Arkansas Music Week isn’t just a festival, it’s a heartbeat for our state’s undermined creative spirit.”
Arkansas Music Week served as a reminder of how music brings people together and keeps the state’s creative culture thriving.
