Russellville is known for its local music, art scene, and historic downtown area. The most notable of these events is the Art Walk, on the first Friday night of every month the city hosts the Downtown Art Walk, in which the public may listen to live music, taste wine and food, and appreciate, purchase and sell art while connecting with the community.

Russellville hosts a variety of sporting events and fishing tournaments, most notably Bassmaster fishing events, due to its location on Lake Dardanelle. Russellville is also close to Mt. Nebo and other state parks. Also many people commute to Russellville on a daily basis from its surrounding areas, for both work and recreation.

Russellville is also home to the Pope County Fairgrounds, which hosts a number of events ranging from horse racing to fairs and conventions. At the end of every summer, Russellville is also host to the annual Pope county fair; featuring rides, live music, livestock, games, and other various forms of entertainment. The county fair attracts over 50,000 visitors each year.

Recent economic growth is also turning Russellville into a regional shopping and dining destination, with new restaurants and businesses popping regularly along a new shopping center and hotel, featuring a convention center set for construction within the next several years; though both projects are running behind schedule, they are still moving forward.