Watermelons have long been a calling card for the City of Hope.

The Hope Watermelon festival features numerous activities including arts & crafts, food, entertainment and other family-oriented activities. Local civic clubs hold dinners featuring such down-home fare as smokey pulled pork and golden fried catfish. What else can you do at the festival? You can participate in a 5k race, participate in Watermelon Olympics, enter the "Watermelon Idol" talent contest, browse the car show, and have a blast in the Kidz Zone. 

Vendors & Concessions:

WE WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AS LONG AS WE HAVE AVAILABLITY!

2026 Vendor Applications are COMMING SOON!

2026 Concession Application are COMING SOON!

We WILL NOT offer one day only vendor spaces.

Vendors Apply Here →   Concessions Apply Here →

2026 festival hours of operation:

Thursday, Aug 6th: 12pm-9pm

Friday, Aug 7th: 9am-9pm

Saturday, Aug 8th: 9am-9pm

50th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival Concert August 8th, 2026

After the Early Bird sale, advanced general admission tickets will be available for $25 for adults, while day-of-show tickets will be $30. Children’s tickets will remain $10 on the day of the event. For those looking for the best seats in the house, reserved seating tickets are available for $45.

The concert will take place at the Hope Fair Park grounds, with gates opening at 6:00 PM. The show kicks off at 7:00 PM, and the highly anticipated headliner will take the stage at 8:00 PM.

Stay tuned for the official announcement of our headliner and the Early Bird ticket sale date! For more information, contact the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce at 870-777-3640.