Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events: May 2018

Weekly Painting – Disney Characters with Laura

Painters will paint a different Disney character each week and will go home on the last week with a painting of their favorite character on a canvas. Ages 7-12.

Date: Tuesday, May 1 (May 8, 15, 22)

Time: 3:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Location: Northwest Arkansas Fab Lab

More info: Click here

Circus Pages

Circus Pages, a mesmerizing show for all ages. Originating in Cuba in the 1960’s the world renowned Pages family has progressed from it’s initial talent on the flying trapeze, to its current array of international animal trainers, daredevils, aerialists, acrobats, and clowns. Circus Pages is proud to uphold the continued tradition of wholesome family entertainment.

Date: Wednesday, May 2

Time: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Location: Benton County Fair

More info: Click here

Downtown Springdale Evening Farmer’s Market 

In the heart of Downtown Springdale, the 2018 Evening Farmers Market each Thursday through October 25.

Date: Thursday, May 3

Time: 4 p.m – 8 p.m.

Location: Shiloh Square

More info: Click here

Super Saturday: Free Comic Book Day

In the Walker Community Room for crafts, super heroes, free caricature drawings, temporary spray-on tattoos and free comics. Then at 2 p.m., we will have a screening of Justice League in the Walmart Story Time Room. Supplies of comics are limited, so please arrive early if you want comics.

Date: Saturday, May 5

Time: 10 a.m. to noon

Location: Fayetteville Public Library

More info: Click here

ArtRageous Parade

Colorful, quirky, energetic and sometimes surprising, the ArtRageous Parade is the traditional kick-off of the May Festival of the Arts. Join the stream of floats, art cars, walkers, dancers, musicians, jugglers, drummers, and dancers.

Date: Saturday, May 5

Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Downtown Eureka Springs

More info: Click here

Spring Demolition Derby

Family-friendly night of action as drivers compete to see who will prevail as king or queen of the derby ring. Drivers will rev up their engines to compete for cash and bragging rights.

Date: Saturday, May 5

Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Location: Rodeo of the Ozarks

More info: Click here

2018 HWOA Cinco De Mayo Festival 

The Cinco de Mayo Festival is a family oriented event and free to the public, celebrating culture through music, dance, food, games, and more. Proceeds from the festival will go towards the HWOA Scholarship Fund to help Latino students in Arkansas access higher education.

Date: Saturday, May 5

Time: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Location: Jones Center in Springdale

More info: Click here

Junior League of Northwest Arkansas Touch-a-Truck

This springtime family festival will be kid-friendly and full-on-fun for all ages. This year’s event will once again feature crowd favorites – dozens of vehicles that kids (and kids-at-heart) can explore such as construction equipment, motorcycles, tractors and much more. There will also be special appearances and activities including mascots, costumed characters, fingernail painters, building projects and more. There will be concessions available offering lunch, refreshments, and ice cream. Tickets are $5 each or $20 per family (5 guests per family ticket). Children under 1 are free. 

Date: Saturday, May 5

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Location: Pinnacle Hills Promenade

More info: Click here

Jog With a Dog

5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk at, starting at the Marina. Bring your dog and enjoy a great run/walk and beautiful scenery of Lake Fayetteville. Giveaways, dog contests and breakfast after the race.

Date: Saturday, May 5

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Location: Lake Fayetteville

More info: Click here

Walk on the Wild Side with Tamara Walkingstick

A comprehensive 4-hour workshop where you will not only learn to identify some edible species of Arkansas native and non-native vegetation, you will also have the opportunity to sample tasty dishes including crepes with persimmon ice cream, acorn scones, and roaster Jerusalem Artichoke soup. The presentation covers the concepts of conservation, history, culture, and plant identification. Thirty pages of wild edible recipes are included as well.

Date: Saturday, May 5

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Location: Hobbs State Park Visitor Center

More info: Click here

Kids Cook, Parents Relax: Wine

Yes, that is correct. Come along and let your kids prepare you dinner, with the help of an excellent chef, Regina Bowman. While they are working hard cooking you dinner, you will be sipping a glass of wine. They will show you how to improve your skills in preparing, creating and matching wines with food. Then when the kids have created their loving recipes everyone will sit down and the adults will eat, drink and be happy knowing that for once there are no dishes to wash. (Limited space, total cost for family of 4 $180, children over 8 year old)

Date: Monday, May 7

Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Location: Brightwater NWA

More info: Click here

Chicken Story Time

Book by Sandra Asher. Once a week, children gather in the Children’s Reading Room to hear the Librarian read a story. One day, a book-loving Chicken shows up! Based on Sandra’s popular children’s book.

Date: Tuesday, May 8 (through May 19)

Time: 8 a.m. (times vary by day)

Location: Arts Center of the Ozarks

More info: Click here

Baby Bookworms

In this story time for children from birth to 24 months, parents and caregivers interact with their babies through a variety of nursery rhymes, action rhymes, songs and stories. Because Baby Bookworms have short attention spans, participants are encouraged to be on time as the program is brief, lasting between 20 and 25 minutes.

Date: Thursday, May 10

Time: 9:45 a.m.

Location: Fayetteville Public Library

More info: Click here

JC Movie Night: Shrek

Season 4. May’s movie is a family-favorite, Shrek. This is a totally free movie screening in our auditorium. The movie starts at 6:30 pm.

Date: Friday, May 11

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Jones Center

More info: Click here

Spring Market Days

They will be selling a couple of Saturdays at the Market before Mother’s Day. Birdhouses, bird feeders, baskets full of sedums and succulents, air plants, birdseed wreaths and more!

Date: Saturday, May 12

Time: 8 a.m.

Location: Farmer’s Market of the Ozarks

More info: Click here

Autism Involves Me Walk 2018

Join in for the 9th Annual AIM Walk. This is a free family event that includes a family fun walk, resource fair, kids zone, local food trucks, silent auction and more.

Date: Saturday, May 12

Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: Horton Farms, Gravette

More info: Click here

Fayetteville Foam Fest*

It’s almost time for Fayetteville Foamfest. All ticket holders will have access to the main beer garden with local, regional, national, & international brews. VIP Access starts at 4. In addition, Rachel B Table for 3 & Arkansauce will be pickin’ some great tunes and local food trucks will be on-site selling their tastiest grub.

Date: Saturday, May 12

Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Location: Fayetteville Historic Square

More info: Click here

The Little Craft Show – Downtown Springdale Spring 2018 

The Little Craft Show is excited to return to Downtown Springdale, Arkansas for the 4th annual event. Shop from over 100 of the best artists, crafters, and makers from across the region on Mother’s Day weekend. food trucks | photo booth | giveaways | live music

Date: Saturday, May 12

Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Shiloh Square

More info: Click here

Mother’s Day Mad Hatter Tea Party

Join Alice her one of her favorite princess friends as they host a Mother’s Day Tea Party Wonderland Style. There will be decorating cupcakes to look like all the fun mushrooms in wonderland, painting tea pot planters and matching heart canvases, making Mother’s Day cards for our special mama’s, and of course story time. This event is best suited for ages 2 and up. Pricing is 35.00 per couple (mother and child) a sibling ticket can be purchased for an additional 15.00.

Date:  Saturday, May 12

Time: Session 1: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Session 2: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Princess Party Palace Bentonville

More info: Click here

Elementary Storytime

Children grades K-5 are invited to join in for Elementary Storytime every Tuesday evening at 5:00 p.m.. These stories and crafts will be geared for older ages, for a fun-filled evening.

Date: Tuesday, May 15

Time: 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Bella Vista Library

More info: Click here

Rock and Splash

Join Bentonville Parks & Recreation for fun in the park this summer. A fun, free, family activity: On May 17th, we will feature School of Rock at Lawrence Plaza!

Date: Thursday, May 17

Time: 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location: The Splash Park at Lawrence Plaza

More info: Click here

Springdale Kids to Parks Day

Help Springdale Parks and Recreation celebrate National Kids to Parks Day 2018 at the re-opening for the season of the Springdale splash pad at C.L. “Charlie” & Willie George Park. There will be music and other fun activities.

Date: Saturday, May 19

Time: 9 a.m. – noon

Location: Springdale splash pad at C.L. “Charlie” & Willie George Park

More info: Click here

Moving Together

It’s finally time for Arkansas Support Network’s 6th annual Moving Together: Run-Walk-Roll.This year’s race features a chip-timed 5k paved run, chip-timed 10k trail run, and a 1-mile fun walk, roll. Dogs welcome. Race prices increase after May 5.

Date: Saturday, May 19

Time: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Location: Veterans Memorial Park in Fayetteville

More info: Click here

Spring Carnival

Pride Amusement brings the excitement with rides, concessions, games and a whole lot of family fun.

Date: May 23 – May 27

Time: varies by day

Location: Rodeo of the Ozarks

More info: Click here

Turnbow Tunes 

Free, family-friendly live music each month April through August. Turnbow Tunes will showcase live music as diverse as the community itself—and take place alongside Downtown Springdale’s Thursday Evening Market in Shiloh Square.

Date: Thursday, May 24 (through Aug. 23)

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Walter Turnbow Park

More info: Click here

Downtown Bentonville Art Stroll

Come to downtown Bentonville to celebrate the arts as local galleries and businesses invite you in to enjoy special art exhibitions, performances, live music, treats and more.

Date: Thursday, May 24

Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Location: Downtown Bentonville

More info: Click here

Gulley Park Summer Concert Series

Free live music at the park.

Date: Thursday, May 31

Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Location: Gulley Park

More info: Click here