The Paul Thorn Band – headlining Big Steam & Roots Festival Friday night.
The Big Steam Blues & Roots Music Festival will return to downtown Hot Springs Friday and Saturday, September 25 – 26, for two days of live music, food, and fun at Hill Wheatley Plaza and the Bridge Street Entertainment District.
Admission is free, and festivalgoers will enjoy an outstanding lineup of national, regional, and Arkansas performers.
The Paul Thorn Band will headline Friday evening. Known for blending blues, rock, country, gospel, and Americana with honest storytelling and humor, Thorn has spent three decades building an enthusiastic following across the country. Friday’s lineup will also feature the Reba Russell Band, the Delta Hurricanes, and Mark Morgan.
Award-winning Louisiana guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter D.K. Harrell will headline Saturday evening. One of the rising stars of contemporary blues, Harrell won the 2024 Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist and received the 2026 Blues Music Awards for Album of the Year and Contemporary Blues Album for “Talkin’ Heavy.”
Saturday’s lineup will also feature Albert Cummings, Sheryl Youngblood, Hot Springs’ own OSO, the Arkadelics and Brady Roseberry.
“We are excited to celebrate Big Steam’s fifth year with an exceptional lineup of artists,” said Joe Powell, who curates the festival’s musical lineup. “I have known and worked with many of these performers personally, and I’m looking forward to bringing them together in Hot Springs for a great weekend of music.”
The Spa City Food Truck Festival will again be held in conjunction with Big Steam, offering festivalgoers a wide selection of food and beverages throughout the weekend. Together, the two festivals create a complete “Blues and Bites” experience in downtown Hot Springs.
Admission to the Big Steam Blues & Roots Music Festival is free. Festivalgoers should bring lawn chairs for general admission seating. Coolers are not permitted, but plenty of food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site.
A limited number of VIP tickets are available for reserved seating and other perks. VIP tickets, festival updates, and additional information are available at www.bigsteammusicfestival.com.
The Big Steam Blues & Roots Music Festival is an annual outdoor music festival held in downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas. Now in its fifth year, Big Steam presents nationally recognized blues and roots performers alongside regional and Arkansas artists. The festival is committed to keeping blues and roots music alive while creating an accessible community celebration for residents and visitors.
For more information, follow on Facebook: Big Steam Music Festival.
