King Biscuit Blues Festival
Fall festival · Historic Downtown Helena · Arkansas
Helena's riverfront festival brings blues musicians to stages along the Mississippi each October, a tradition tracing back to the King Biscuit Time radio show first broadcast from this stretch of downtown. The 2026 festival runs October 8 to 10.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
October 8-10, 2026, Historic Downtown Helena, on the banks of the Mississippi River
Dates from the official announcement, checked August 20, 2026. Always confirm before you go.
Color nearby peaks: November 5–November 9
Color builds from October 30 · mostly bare by December 1
Sampled at King Biscuit Blues Festival’s own coordinates and elevation (60 m) rather than a regional average.
This window comes from 26 weather points across Arkansas, nudged 2 days earlier to match 1 published peak date from farmersalmanac.com. This year's weather has the peak running 7 days earlier than a normal year. How the forecast works
When to go to King Biscuit Blues Festival
The color window runs about 17 days, holding until around November 16. Against Arkansas overall, that is 4 days later.
From Memphis it is about 53 mi, close enough for a morning drive.
King Biscuit Blues Festival on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Arkansas, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
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Frequently asked
- When is King Biscuit Blues Festival open in 2026?
- The 2026 season runs Oct 8 – Oct 10. October 8-10, 2026, Historic Downtown Helena, on the banks of the Mississippi River. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
- When does King Biscuit Blues Festival peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for November 5–November 9 (best estimate November 7). Color starts around October 30 and is mostly bare by December 1.
- How do I get to King Biscuit Blues Festival?
- King Biscuit Blues Festival is in Historic Downtown Helena. The closest city is Memphis, about 53 mi away. It's part of Arkansas's fall lineup.
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