World Championship Running of the Tubs

View on map
UniqueHot Springs
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesThe race is a costumed celebration of Hot
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

World Championship Running of the Tubs in Hot Springs

The Stueart Pennington World Championship Running of the Tubs is a June bathtub-racing event on Central Avenue in front of Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Teams push wheeled bathtubs through a downtown obstacle course while a team captain steers from inside, honoring the city's identity as a historic bathing destination.

Hot Springs built its reputation over more than a century as a bathing destination, a place where visitors came to soak in naturally heated mineral springs at a row of ornate bathhouses along Central Avenue.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The race is a costumed celebration of Hot Springs' identity as a 19th- and 20th-century thermal-bathing resort: competing teams of four push a wheeled bathtub down the historic downtown, past the row of preserved bathhouses that gave the city its name, while one team member rides inside and steers around obstacles along the course

02

The mystery stays covered

The event is named for Steuart Pennington, a longtime downtown merchant credited with pushing for the race, and winning teams receive the Steuart Pennington Cup in his honor

03

The city starts moving

Costumes are elaborate and central to the spectacle, turning four people pushing a tub on wheels through a street course into an annual comic set piece distinct from the city's more formal St

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The race repurposes the bathtub

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the literal symbol of Hot Springs' thermal-bathing tourism economy

The sacred route

Living ritual

as festival equipment

The local code

Living ritual

continuing a local tradition of civic events that playfully reference the city's historic identity as a spa destination

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Casual summer clothing suited to Arkansas June heat and humidity for spectators; participating teams typically wear elaborate, weather-appropriate costumes designed for physical exertion...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map34.50 N, 93.06 WOpen in Google Maps

Hot Springs, AR

Nearest airportHOT — Memorial Field
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Hot Springs via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Hot Springs, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearCasual summer clothing suited to Arkansas June heat and humidity for spectators; participating teams typically wear elaborate, weather-appropriate costumes designed for physical exertion while pushing a bathtub.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is World Championship Running of the Tubs?

World Championship Running of the Tubs is listed for Past edition: 5 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does World Championship Running of the Tubs take place?

The festival is listed in Hot Springs, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Hot Springs, AR

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLhotsprings.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Dubai Shopping Festival

Multiple months · Winter

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Photo pending

Choregies d'Orange

Multiple months · Summer

Orange, France
Photo pending

Boryeong Mud Festival

24 July–9 August 2026

Boryeong, South Korea
Photo pending

Taiwan Lantern Festival

Past edition: 3–15 March 2026

Taibao/Chiayi, Taiwan

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →