Your Guide to Lake of the Ozarks Events August 24–30, 2026
If you love fast boats, lakefront parties, live music, poker runs, incredible boats, local businesses and the kind of energy that can only happen at Lake of the Ozarks, this is your week to be at the Lake of the Ozarks!
The final full week of August is bringing together some of the biggest and most charitable boating and entertainment events of the summer. The 38th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, Cannonball Run and Super Cat Fest 4 Kids are all happening across the Lake, giving visitors something to do from the Bagnell Dam Strip to Dog Days, Camden on the Lake, Captain Ron’s and beyond.
And LakeDays Rentals is especially excited to be part of the action this year as the Official Lodging Partner of the 2026 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout and a proud sponsor of the Cannonball Run.
Whether you’re here specifically for the boats or simply picked an exceptionally good week for a Lake of the Ozarks vacation, here’s what you need to know.
🏁 38th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout
August 25–30, 2026 | Lake Ozark & Osage Beach
The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout is one of the Lake’s signature annual events, and 2026 brings an exciting new chapter.
Race Headquarters are at Dog Days Bar & Grill in Osage Beach, with the racing action taking place on the Grand Glaize Arm of Lake of the Ozarks. But the Shootout is much more than two days of racing. Events stretch throughout the week, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to get involved before the first official race runs.
Stop by the Street Party Wednesday, or come by Dog Days Thursday through Sunday and say HI to our team – learn more about our lake stays, or just talk about your favorite things about Lake of the Ozarks! We can’t wait to meet you!
As the Official Lodging Partner of the 2026 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, LakeDays Rentals is proud to welcome race fans, teams, sponsors and visitors coming to experience one of the most exciting weeks of the year at the Lake.
Wednesday, August 26: Shootout on the Strip
📍 Bagnell Dam Strip
⏰ 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Wednesday night, the historic Bagnell Dam Strip becomes one enormous Shootout celebration.
The Shootout on the Strip Street Party gives fans the chance to see high-performance boats up close, meet racers and teams, explore vendor displays, grab food and drinks, listen to live music and experience the excitement building before race weekend.
For families and visitors who want to see the boats without being on the water, this is one of the best opportunities of the entire week. And admission to the street party is free.
Thursday, August 27: Shootout Showcase at Dog Days
📍 Dog Days Bar & Grill
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday brings the action to Dog Days for the Shootout Showcase & Demo Day.
Manufacturers, racers, sponsors and boating enthusiasts come together for an up-close look at high-performance and luxury boats, marine technology and some of the incredible craftsmanship behind the boats you’ll see throughout Shootout Weekend.
You don’t have to be a hardcore performance-boating enthusiast to appreciate this one. Seeing these boats up close is an experience in itself.
Friday, August 28: Poly Lift LOTO Shootout Poker Run
📍 Starting from Dog Days Bar & Grill plus All day fun at Dog Days Bar & Grill
Friday is Poker Run day!
The Poly Lift LOTO Shootout Poker Run sends participants across Lake of the Ozarks to popular waterfront destinations, combining boating, lake scenery and the social side of Shootout Week.
Expect plenty of impressive boats on the water throughout the day. If you’re boating recreationally Friday, remember that this is an especially busy weekend and give performance boats and event participants plenty of room.
Saturday & Sunday, August 29–30: SHOOTOUT!
📍 Race Headquarters: Dog Days Bar & Grill
🌊 Grand Glaize Arm
⏰ 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Then comes the main event. The 38th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout takes over the Grand Glaize Arm Saturday and Sunday for two days of racing. Saturday’s scheduled racing runs 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, with Sunday’s action scheduled from 8:30 AM–5:00 PM.
This year’s weekend includes top-speed runs along with Thundercats exhibition racing, side-by-side drag racing and air-show flyovers. If you’ve never experienced Shootout Weekend before, this is Lake of the Ozarks turned all the way up!!
💥 Cannonball Run: Shop Local, Play & Win
August 22–29, 2026
📍 Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill | Sunrise Beach
Over on the west side of the Lake, another major event is happening all week long. LakeDays Rentals is proud to sponsor the 2026 Cannonball Run, a community-driven event built around a pretty fantastic idea:
Support Lake-area businesses while having a chance to win.
Registered participants can collect receipts from Lake-area businesses from August 22–29 to become eligible for additional poker hands. Gas stations, restaurants, retail shops, hotels, marinas and other local businesses all count.
The event combines that local-shopping challenge with poker runs, entertainment, contests, music and activities at Captain Ron’s. And there is a LOT happening.
Thursday, August 27
Thursday includes the Sea Hag Poker Run, benefit auction, DJ Trainwreck and live music from ChristiAna.
Friday, August 28
Friday shifts onto land with the Land Lubbers Poker Run, plus a car show at Captain Ron’s, DJ Trainwreck and an evening performance by Caleb Michael & the Arrested.
Saturday, August 29
Saturday packs in another full day with a car show, the Shawnee Bend Sandcastle Building Contest, two Captain’s Collection Poker Run opportunities, music and the announcement of major prize winners.
One of our favorite parts of Cannonball Run is its focus on the entire Lake community. It’s not simply another boating event. It encourages visitors to get out, explore the area and put tourism dollars directly into the businesses that make Lake of the Ozarks such a special place to visit.
😎 Super Cat Fest Takes Over Camden on the Lake
August 27–29, 2026
📍 Camden on the Lake Resort
If your idea of a great weekend includes some of the most incredible performance boats you’ll see anywhere, big dock parties, live entertainment and a whole lot of Lake energy, add Super Cat Fest to your list.
Super Cat Fest returns to Camden on the Lake Resort August 27–29, bringing the performance-boating community together during Shootout Week.
The event is known for filling the Camden docks with incredible high-performance boats and creating one of the biggest social gatherings of the weekend.
The official 2026 event highlights include a Welcome Reception Party, Vintage Offshore Dinner Party, live entertainment, bikini contest, Lake of the Ozarks’ largest dock party and charity auction/cocktail party.
Super Cat Fest also has a bigger purpose behind the party. The organization uses its high-energy boating events to raise money for charitable causes, making fundraising an important part of the weekend.
For performance-boat fans, Camden on the Lake is absolutely worth adding to your Shootout Week itinerary.
🌊 Three Major Events. One Incredible Week at Lake of the Ozarks.
That’s what makes this week so much fun, you don’t have to choose just one experience! Spend Wednesday evening walking the Bagnell Dam Strip and checking out Shootout boats. Head to Dog Days Thursday for the Shootout Showcase. Explore the Cannonball Run festivities at Captain Ron’s. Watch incredible performance boats gather at Camden on the Lake during Super Cat Fest.
Catch a poker run. Listen to live music. Support Lake-area charities and businesses. Then spend Saturday and Sunday watching the Shootout action on the Grand Glaize Arm.
This is one of those weeks when the entire Lake feels like one enormous event, and we can’t wait to SEE YOU!
🚤 A Quick Note About Boating During Shootout Week
If you’re heading onto the water, plan ahead.
Shootout Week brings significantly more boat traffic to Lake of the Ozarks, including high-performance boats and organized boating events. Give yourself extra travel time, watch your surroundings, wear appropriate life jackets, designate a sober captain and be especially mindful of wakes and congestion.
Also remember that events are spread across different parts of a very large lake. A destination that looks close on a map may be a much longer trip by water than expected.
When possible, decide which part of the Lake you want to experience each day before leaving your vacation rental.
🏡 Make a LakeDays Stay as Your Home Base
Big Lake weekends are even better when you have the right place to come home to. LakeDays Rentals offers professionally managed vacation rentals throughout Lake of the Ozarks, from condos and pet-friendly stays to larger lakefront homes built for groups traveling together.
And as the Official Lodging Partner of the 2026 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, we’re especially proud to help visitors find a home base for this incredible week.
Our local team doesn’t simply hand you a door code and wish you luck. We’re here to help guests experience Lake of the Ozarks, understand the area and make the most of their time here. Coming for the Shootout? Cannonball Run? Super Cat Fest? Or maybe you’re coming for all three. Either way, you’re arriving during one of the most exciting weeks of the entire Lake of the Ozarks summer.
Come for the boats. Stay for the Lake. Make some memories. Because around here, Lake Days are the BEST Days! 🌊☀️
Find Your Lake of the Ozarks Vacation Rental
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