Summer is in full swing, as is the calendar of FUN in NWA! We could have made a list twice this long of incredible family-friendly events, but here are our favorites.
We’ll be adding to this list as the month draws on, so check back often! And we didn’t include any fireworks shows or patriotic Independence Day events here because we gave them their own page! CLICK HERE to view our complete list of Fourth of July fireworks shows and events in NWA.
Kids’ Day: Bike to the Market
Have the kids decorate their bikes and head to the Bike to Market Kids’ Day! The fun starts with a bike parade, followed by awards for the most festive bikes. Other activities will include bike maintenance and safety instructions, a bounce house, helmet decorating station, and more!
Date: Saturday, July 1
Time: 10am – 12pm
Location: Bentonville Farmer’s Market, Downtown
More info: Click here
Mountain Street Stage Summer Music Series
The 9th Annual Mountain Street Stage Summer Music Series finishes up this month, with five more incredible bands. All shows are free, family-friendly, and include room for dancing! Genres cover Americana, rockabilly, folk, rock, R&B, and more.
– July 2: Still on the Hill
– July 9: Boss Tweeds
– July 16: Sky City
– July 23: The Odds
– July 30: Arkansauce
Dates: July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 2 – 4pm
Location: Fayetteville Public Library
More info: Click here
Family Sundays at NWA Naturals Games
Note from the mamas: This actually isn’t a special event, because it happens at every Naturals Sunday home game! We just think it’s a good time of year to remind everyone of this awesome family-friendly special.
Sundays are all about the kids at Arvest Ballpark: kids eat FREE (12 & under) with a voucher for a hot dog, chips, and a soda, and then they get to run the bases after the game, just like the players! Take the whole family out to the ballgame for some inexpensive, all-American fun this summer.
Dates: Sundays, July 2, 23, 30
Times: Vary
Location: Arvest Ballpark, Springdale
More info: Click here
Priceless Nights at the Amazeum
Thanks to a gift from Tyson Foods, most Wednesday evenings are “Priceless Nights” at the Scott Family Amazeum! These evenings allow you to enter the museum with a pay-as-you-wish donation instead of the usual entrance fee. If you’ve never been to the Amazeum, this is a great opportunity to take the kids and try it out!
Dates: Wednesdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26
Times: 4:00 – 7:30pm
Location: Scott Family Amazeum, Bentonville
More info: Click here
Friday Morning Movies at FPL
The Fayetteville Public Library’s free Friday Morning Movies series continues this month with four new movies.
– July 7: Beauty & The Beast (G)
– July 14: Boss Baby (PG)
– July 21: Star Wars: A New Hope (PG)
– July 28: The LEGO Batman Movie (PG)
Dates: July 7, 14, 21, 28
Time: 10am – 12 noon
Location: Fayetteville Public Library
More info: Click here
First Friday: Americana Music
The Bentonville Square will be transformed into an Americana Music block party with live music & entertainment, local food options (think food trucks!), and loads of family friendly activities. This event is happening in conjunction with the Natural State Criterium cycling races, so come ready to cheer! Admission is free. Mainstage concerts begin at 4:30pm.
Date: Friday, July 7
Time: 11am to 8pm
Location: Bentonville Farmer’s Market, Downtown
More info: Click here
Sunday Funday: Free Skate at Jones Center
Thanks to a donation from Walmart, the Jones Center is offering a completely free afternoon of ice skating! Keep the whole family active and cool at the same time.
Date: Sunday, July 9
Time: 2:00 – 4:45pm
Location: Jones Center, Springdale
More info: Click here
3rd Annual Dog Days of Summer Family Play Day
Bring your whole family (dogs included) to explore and enjoy the beautiful Sassafras Springs Vineyard and support the Ozark Humane Society. Bring your dog’s favorite toy to let your dog play in the creek. Enjoy exceptional wines inside the wine tasting room or out on the decks. Many other drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. Admission is free, and Sassafras Springs Vineyard will donate 10% of food and drink sales to Humane Society of the Ozarks.
Full schedule of events:
2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Caricature drawings by NWA Caricatures
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Live Music by The Roving Gamblers
5 p.m. – 7p.m. Photographs by Carmen Carcamo Photography
5 p.m. – 7p.m. – Visit with HSO dogs up for adoption
Date: Sunday, July 9
Time: 11am – 7pm (drop-in)
Location: Sassafras Springs Vineyard, Springdale
More info: Click here
Jack and the Beanstalk at Rogers Public Library
The Opera in the Ozarks is performing selections from “Jack and the Beanstalk” at the Rogers Public Library. This opera will please children and the young at heart.
Date: Wednesday, July 12
Time: 10:00 – 11:00am
Location: Rogers Public Library
More info: Click here
123 Andrés Concert at Crystal Bridges
Get ready to dance and sing with 123 Andrés! 123 Andrés is a Latin Grammy (best children’s album 2016) and Parent’s Choice Gold Award winner. Andrés’ concerts create joyful sounds, passion for bilingualism, and a high-energy love of music that gets kids singing and dancing in Spanish and English.
Date: Thursday, July 13
Time: 7:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum, Bentonville
More info: Click here
Free Summer Concert Series at Gulley Park: Melody Pond
Local band Melody Pond will be playing a free show at Gulley Park as a part of the 21st Annual Gulley Park Summer Concert Series. Free admission, and food trucks onsite. Bring your own blankets, lawn chairs, and dancing shoes!
Date: Thursday, July 13
Time: 7 – 9pm
Location: Gulley Park, Fayetteville
More info: Click here
19th Annual Fat Tire Festival
The annual Fat Tire Festival in Eureka Springs attracts riders and spectators from all over Arkansas and surrounding states for three days of mountain bike racing. But the fun isn’t only for cyclists or the bike-obsessed—the whole family can get in on the action with casual group rides, live music, craft beer, arts and crafts, and a mobile food court. This event is a great opportunity to get out of town for the day and experience something new!
Dates: July 14, 15, 16
Times: 2pm Friday to 2pm Sunday
Location: Lake Leatherwood, Eureka Springs
More info: Click here
JC Movie Night: Lego Batman
#JCmovienight is back for Season 3. July’s movie will be popular with kids and adults alike—The LEGO Batman Movie! Admission is free, so bring the whole family for this one.
Date: Friday, July 14
Time: 6:30 – 8:30pm
Location: Jones Center, Springdale
More info: Click here
Dive-In Movie: Finding Dory
Springdale Parks and Recreation is hosting a free “dive-in” movie at the Springdale Aquatic Center! Your kids can swim and watch Finding Dory at the same time! Popcorn and drinks will be provided for free. The pool will open at 7:30, and the movie will start at dusk. Thanks to the Springdale Police Department for providing the screen and projector for this event!
Date: Friday, July 14
Time: 7:30 – 10:30pm
Location: Springdale Aquatic Center
More info: Click here
Yarnell’s Ice Cream Festival
The Bentonville Farmer’s Market is hosting the 6th Annual Yarnell’s Ice Cream Festival! Yarnell’s will be onsite with an ice cream truck, giving away ice cream and hosting ice cream eating competitions. Enough said.
Date: Saturday, July 15
Time: 7:30am – 1pm
Location: Bentonville Farmer’s Market
More info: Click here
Discover the Grounds: Native Crystals and Gems
Most people know that Arkansas soil still holds diamonds, but what about other crystals and gems? In this Discover the Grounds, J. Van Brahana will guide the group through a close look at Crystal Bridges’ large installation of crystals from Blue Springs, Arkansas, and discuss other sparkly rocks that are commonly found, such as diamonds, gems, and glass. This event is free, but registration is required.
Date: Saturday, July 15
Time: 10:00 – 11:30am
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum, Bentonville
More info: Click here
Firefly Fling at the Botanical Gardens
One of NWA’s most anticipated midsummer events is back! Before dark, community groups will offer engaging and fun activities like fairy house building, a photo booth, obstacle course, giant bubbles, nature stations, crafts, puppet shows, and live music. After dark, families can join in glowing games, then gather on the lawn for glow-in-the-dark performances and fire dancing with Violetta Lotus Fireflies and a special Community Wishes Finale. Guests may bring blankets and picnics. Food trucks will be onsite for food and drinks. Tickets are required for admission to this event.
Date: Saturday, July 15
Time: 6 – 10pm
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville
More info: Click here
Outdoor Movie Night: The Sandlot
The Downtown Rogers Farmers Market hosts free outdoor movies each month, and this month they are showing 90’s classic The Sandlot! Bring lawn chairs, grab some concessions, and settle in for a throwback movie under the stars.
Date: Friday, July 21
Time: 8 – 11pm
Location: Downtown Rogers Farmers Market
More info: Click here
Sunset Kayak Tour at Hobbs State Park
To celebrate Lakes Appreciation Month, the Beaver Watershed Alliance and Hobbs State Park are working together to create a magical evening of paddling on Beaver Lake. A Hobbs park interpreter will be your guide as you learn the basics of paddling on the calm waters of the lake. Recreational kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided. This event is free and open to the public (ages 13 and up), but space is limited and reservations are required.
Date: Monday, July 24
Time: 8 – 10pm
Location: Hobbs State Park, Rogers
More info: Click here
BGO Free Summer Concert Series: Leah & The Mojo Doctors
Leah & The Mojo Doctors are playing some melt-your-socks-off blues and rock n roll on the Great Lawn at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. All concerts are family friendly and FREE to the public. Enjoy food & drink from local food trucks. Lawn chairs & picnic blankets are welcome (but dogs are not, sorry). For extra (sweaty) fun and eco-points, consider riding your bike! The Razorback Greenway leads right to the Gardens, which offers bike parking.
Date: Tuesday, July 25
Time: 7 – 9pm
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville
More info: Click here
End of Summer Celebration with Springdale Public Library
To celebrate the end of summer and the reading program, the Springdale Library is throwing a party in Murphy Park. Tommy Terrific, the accidental magician, will be performing his Wacky Magic show. You can also win prizes at the carnival, dance with the band, and have a hotdog and drink.
Date: Thursday, July 27
Time: 10:00am – 12 noon
Location: Murphy Park, Springdale
More info: Click here
The Wedding Singer at Arkansas Public Theatre
The community-based Arkansas Public Theatre is bringing the Tony-award winning musical The Wedding Singer (yes, like the Adam Sandler movie) to the stage in July and August. Set in 1985, rock-star-wannabe and wedding singer Robbie Hart is jilted at the altar. He then makes every wedding as disastrous as his own, until a waitress wins his heart—but she is engaged to a banker, and he must give the performance of his life to change her mind. If you’re looking for night on the town in downtown Rogers, this funny play held in the historic Victory Theatre is just the ticket!
Dates: July 28, 29, 30
Times:
Location: Arkansas Public Theatre, Rogers
More info: Click here
Back to School Readiness Event by Altrusa
Believe it or not, back-to-school events are already starting up, and Altrusa is hosting a helpful one. If you’re a resident of Farmington, Prairie Grove, Lincoln, Greenland, or West Fork (though no one from Washington County will be turned away), take your kids to Prairie Grove Elementary for a free backpack full of school supplies, a free haircut, and a free lunch (parents, you get a free lunch too!). Games, prizes, face painting, and a vendor fair for parents. Each child will be able to select two free books to take home.
Date: Saturday, July 29
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: Prairie Grove Elementary School
The Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events is sponsored by The Jones Center for Families in Springdale. There’s ALWAYS something fun happening at The Jones Center, plus they have all kinds of classes for adults and kids — and great birthday party options at the indoor swimming pool, gymnastics or ice skating rink! CLICK HERE to visit the Jones Center website to see more!
