Oaklawn racing season
Oaklawn's 2026-27 live meet opens Friday, November 27, 2026, the earliest start in the track's history, and runs through May 1, 2027. Through February it races mostly Friday through Sunday, with a break January 11 to 17.
| Race | Date |
|---|---|
| Smarty Jones Stakes | January 2, 2027 |
| Southwest Stakes | February 6, 2027 |
| Rebel Stakes | March 13, 2027 |
| Arkansas Derby | April 10, 2027 |
| Apple Blossom and Oaklawn Handicap | April 17, 2027 |
Load these dates into your pricing calendar now. Big race weekends often book early, and a rate set months ago without them can fill at an ordinary price. A two- or three-night minimum on those weekends avoids single-night gaps.
The opening this year falls on Thanksgiving weekend, which already brings family travel, so price that weekend as a holiday and a race weekend together.
Summer on the lakes
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Lake Hamilton, Lake Catherine and Lake Ouachita draw families and groups. Homes with water access, a dock or a pool feel this most, but in-town rentals pick up summer travelers too.
The Fourth of July week is worth pricing on its own. Consider longer minimum stays for peak summer weeks so you are not left with short gaps between big bookings.
Fall and spring shoulder weeks
After the summer rush and before racing season, plan around fixed events. The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival runs October 9 to 17, 2026.
Weekdays are the hard part in shoulder months. Holding firm weekend prices while offering lower weekday rates, or using Airbnb's last-minute discount for gaps a few days out, usually works better than cutting every night.
Holidays
Thanksgiving, Christmas through New Year's and three-day weekends bring family gatherings to town. Set these dates by hand, since automated tools can miss holiday demand in smaller markets.
Using a pricing tool
Tools such as PriceLabs, Wheelhouse and Beyond connect to Airbnb and Vrbo and adjust rates from local booking data. Set your own minimum and maximum for each season, then let the tool move within them.
Most Airbnb hosts now pay a single 15.5% host fee and guests see the listed price with no added service fee. Check that your nightly rates still cover costs after that fee.
- Review booked rates against nearby comparable listings each month.
- Update the calendar when Oaklawn, the city or festivals post new dates.
- Look at how far ahead each season books and adjust when you raise or lower rates.
Questions about short-term rentals in Hot Springs?
Call or text 501.365.1001, or send a note and we will get back to you.