The annual Stringband Music & Arts Festival is set to take place on October 9-10, 2026, at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. The event will feature two days of old-time stringband music, handcrafted arts, and family-friendly entertainment in the heart of the Ozarks.
Festival-goers can expect live music performances at the Ozark Highlands Theater, with evening shows scheduled for both Friday and Saturday nights. The performances will include a mix of acclaimed folk musicians and emerging artists. Friday night's lineup begins with a performance by the Ozark Folk Center Square Dancers at 7 p.m., followed by the Riggsville Ramblers at 7:05 p.m., and concluding with the John Depew Trio from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Saturday, festivities will continue with a matinee performance in the Craft Village by up-and-coming folksinger and old-time banjo player Murphy Campbell, set for 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The day wraps up with another evening show at the Ozark Highlands Theater. Saturday night’s schedule starts with the Ozark Folk Center Square Dancers at 7 p.m., the Music Roots Ensemble from 7:05 p.m. to 7:20 p.m., and additional performances leading up to a concluding set by Murphy Campbell from 8:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Festival tickets provide all-day access to the park’s Craft Village and Gardens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visitors can enjoy live mountain music, craft demonstrations, and old-fashioned fun in a setting that features 20 artisan shops showcasing traditional Ozark crafts.
This year’s performers include regional favorites like the Riggsville Ramblers, an old-time stringband with ties to Mountain View’s early history, and the Kansas-based John Depew Trio, known for blending traditional sounds with innovative songwriting. Murphy Campbell, an emerging artist from North Carolina with deep Appalachian roots, will also take the stage, showcasing ballads from her family’s musical heritage.
Festival organizers encourage attendees to purchase tickets in advance, noting that day-of admission will cost an additional $2. Tickets can be obtained through the Ozark Folk Center’s box office or gift shop. For more information, visitors can contact the Ozark Folk Center State Park at (870) 269-3851 or visit their location at 1032 Park Avenue, Mountain View, Arkansas.
Nestled in the scenic Ozark Mountains, Mountain View is known as the “Folk Music Capital of the World,” making it a fitting setting for this celebration of traditional music and crafts.