Burp Fest at Frost Fest 2026

Frost Fest was born in 2016 when Fossil Cove Brewing Company, one of Fayetteville's pioneering craft breweries, saw an opportunity to bring the craft beer community together during the cold winter months in Northwest Arkansas. What started as a modest outdoor beer festival has grown into Arkansas's largest outdoor craft beer celebration, drawing over 3,000 enthusiasts to the Washington County Fairgrounds each February.

The festival's winter timing is part of its identity and its name. While most beer festivals cluster in the warmer months, Frost Fest embraces the chill, creating a unique atmosphere where bundled-up beer lovers huddle around sampling stations, live music fills the crisp air, and the camaraderie of shared cold-weather revelry adds an extra layer of warmth. The event brings together more than 60 breweries from nine states, offering between 180 and 200 craft beer varieties that showcase the depth and creativity of the region's brewing scene.

Beyond the beer, Frost Fest has become a powerful force for good in the Fayetteville community. Organized in partnership with Barley, Hops & Water, the festival has donated over $250,000 to nonprofit partners since its inception, supporting organizations like Apple Seeds, the Arkansas Brewers Guild, the Arkansas Climbers Coalition, and the Ozark Off-Road Cyclists. This commitment to community uplift, combined with live music, art installations, food trucks, and an official after-party at George's Majestic Lounge, has cemented Frost Fest as one of the most beloved winter events in the Natural State.