Things to Do in Newport, AR (November 2026)
Newport is the county seat of Jackson County, set on the White River where the Ozark foothills meet the Delta. The railroad turned it into a trade hub in the 1870s, it later led the nation's freshwater pearl market, and Sam Walton opened his first store here in 1945. Its clubs were rockabilly stops on what is now Rock and Roll Highway 67, and visitors today come for downtown festivals and the river port history at Jacksonport State Park.
1 event this weekend and 3 upcoming events in Newport. Updated every night; last updated . Calendar feed.
Nearby: Batesville (198) · Searcy (102) · Jonesboro (221)
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This weekend in Newport (Nov 6–8)
Newport High School Chili Cook-Off
Newport High School Cafeteria · Newport
Coming up in Newport
Newport Farmers Market Flea Market
Newport Farmers Market · Newport
A-State ASBTDC
Newport Tech Depot · Newport
Newport guide: parks, museums, attractions and annual events
Checked against official and public sources on . Hours and prices change, so check each place’s own page before you go.
Attractions
Downtown Newport Farmers Market
A seasonal market of local growers and makers that opens in early summer and runs on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Where: 201 Malcolm Ave
Parks
Jacksonport State Park
A riverside park at the meeting of the White and Black rivers, on the site of a busy steamboat port that was occupied by both armies in the Civil War. It has a swim beach, campsites, a boat ramp, picnic areas and the half-mile Tunstall Riverwalk trail.
Where: 111 Avenue St, about 3 miles north of Newport
Newport Lake and Lockwood Park
The city lake is a local spot for fishing and picnics, and Lockwood Park on its shore adds a playground, a fishing pier and picnic pavilions.
Where: Malcolm Avenue and Lakeshore Drive
Mary Alice Holden Conner Memorial Park
A neighborhood park with a playground, walking track, dog park, pavilion and zip line.
Where: Stegall Road and Galeria Drive
Outdoors
White River
The river that built Newport is open for fishing, kayaking, canoeing and float trips, with public boat ramps in town and at Jacksonport.
Where: Along the east side of town and at Jacksonport State Park
Museums
Jacksonport Courthouse Museum
The restored 1872 Italianate Jackson County courthouse, now a free museum with Civil War artifacts, pioneer household items and exhibits on Jacksonport's steamboat era.
Where: Jacksonport State Park, 111 Avenue St
History
Sam Walton First Store Marker
A historical marker on Front Street notes where Sam Walton opened a Ben Franklin variety store in 1945, the first store of his retail career, years before he founded Walmart.
Where: Front Street, downtown
Jackson County Courthouse
A three-story Victorian courthouse completed in 1892 with heavy stonework and columns, still the seat of county government and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Where: 208 Main St
Arts and performance
Front Street Entertainment Park
A downtown park with a permanent stage, seating and food truck parking that hosts the free Monster Series of live music and movie nights from May through October.
Where: Corner of Front and Hazel streets, downtown
Annual events
Delta Arts Festival
A free downtown festival with hundreds of visual artists, live music on several stages, author readings and film screenings.
When: First Friday and Saturday of June. Where: Downtown, including Front Street Entertainment Park and the old depot
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