Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events: April 2024
April showers bring May flowers. April also brings lots of fun events to Northwest Arkansas! We’ve curated a great list of events for you to do with the kids this month. Click on the headline of any event below for even more information.
If you’re looking for NWA summer camps, see our 2024 Summer Camp Guide here.
First Friday: The Eclipse
Bentonville’s April First Friday will focus on The Eclipse. This event is a free, family-friendly, community event put on by Downtown Bentonville Inc. The event features local artists, live music, a variety of vendors and fun for the whole family.
Date: Friday, April 5
Time: 3-9 p.m.
Location: Downtown Bentonville
Northwest Arkansas Naturals Weekend Opener
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals will open the 2024 season at Arvest Ballpark on Friday, April 5th with a three-game series against the Tulsa Drillers, the Double-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Opening weekend is highlighted by back-to-back fireworks shows on Friday and Saturday night while the series finale is on a Family Sunday with Kids Run the Bases following the game.
Dates: Friday through Sunday, April 5-7
Time: 7:05 p.m. (gates open at 5:45 p.m.)
Location: Arvest Ballpark, Springdale
Tommy Terrific’s Space Magic Show
Easter events:3-2-1…Blast off! Take a celestial journey into space when Tommy Terrific brings his interactive magic show to FamJam! Tommy’s Space Magic Show teaches kids and families about the galaxy, planets and stars – and cool phenomena like the solar eclipse that will cross over North America on April 8. The Jones Center will have solar eclipse glasses for kids and families at the show. Young and old alike will have a magical time when fun-loving Tommy takes the stage. Learn about astronauts, rockets and space shuttles, while igniting your curiosity about the universe.
Date: April 6
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: The Jones Center, Springdale
Nature Reacts: Wildlife & The Eclipse
Thousands of people will be watching the eclipse on Monday, but they won’t be the only ones. Learn how wildlife great and small react to this phenomenon. Get ready to experience this historic event by fine tuning your senses to the flora and fauna around you. This program will inspire you to become part of nature as you experience this memorable event.
Date: Saturday, April 6
Time: 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. and 1:00-1:45 p.m.
Location: Hobbs State Park, Rogers
Eclipse Party
Experience the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044 at BGO’s Eclipse Party. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, completely blocking the sun and casting a shadow over the Earth. The eclipse in Fayetteville will be a deep partial (with magnitude 98.5%)! It’s not safe to view this phenomenon without specialized eye protection. In collaboration with Experience Fayetteville, the Garden is proud to provide free viewing glasses and reusable water bottles to the first 500 attendees. The Garden is typically closed on Mondays, but they are opening their gates for this special occasion. Admission is free. No registration is required. Additional parking in the lot south of the Garden.
Date: April 8
Time: Gates open at noon, the eclipse starts at 12:33 pm, and reaches it’s max at 1:51 pm. The Garden will close at 3 pm. Pack your picnic blankets, bring your friends and family, and join friends in marveling at the wonders of our universe.
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville
Little Sprouts
Spring has sprung in the garden and you will not want to miss this storytime and garden exploration. Hunt for new life exploding all around. Be amazed at what vegetables they are already harvesting out of the garden and maybe even taste some new flavors.
Date: April 10
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
Walk for Wishes
Walk For Wishes® is a nationwide Make-A-Wish fundraiser that supports granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. It’s a family-friendly event powered by wish families, volunteers, companies, donors and friends. By joining this caring community of people at one of the many walks across the U.S., you will help ensure that no child waits even one unnecessary day to experience the hope and joy that a wish brings. What do do: Register. Sign up today and invite friends, family and colleagues to join your team. Fundraise. Tell people why you are supporting Make-A-Wish and ask for their support. Make it personal to make it powerful. Walk Day. See the Make-A-Wish mission come to life and celebrate your fundraising success.
Date: April 13
Time: 10 a.m. program and short walk
Location: Arvest Ballpark, Springdale
Arkansas Math Discovery Day
Join the Fayetteville Public Library and the University of Arkansas Department of Mathematical Sciences for a day of mathematical fun. This community event explores the wonderful world of math beyond the classroom – with fascinating patterns, puzzles and questions. Members of the Department of Mathematical Sciences will share their love and joy of mathematics through a variety of hands-on activities for the whole family (preschool to high school!), including math games, puzzles, art and more. Information about some of the activities and additional math resources are available on the university’s webpage for Arkansas Math Discovery Day.
Date: April 13
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Fayetteville Public Library
VoiceJam Competition
Sick beats, dynamic choreography and mind-blowing harmonies – the VoiceJam Competition is back. The top high school, collegiate and community vocal bands from around the country come together in Northwest Arkansas to battle it out live on-stage. Join us to see which group is crowned VoiceJam Champion and cast your vote for Aca-Fan Favorite!
Date: April 13
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Walton Arts Center
2024 Farm Friends
During Farm Friends, the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena transforms the floor into a multi-station event where participants can walk through various agricultural products produced regionally. Live animals, informational posters, and farmers provide a learning opportunity for attendees to ask questions and learn about farming in the state. Kids really love this event. The event starts at 5 p.m. and is FREE to the public. Learn, engage and see the friendly faces of NWA farms.
Date: April 16
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center, Fayetteville
Earth Day Celebration at Hobbs State Park
Come celebrate the 54th anniversary of Earth Day at Hobbs. They will move activities indoors if it rains.
- 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Educational booths and kids crafts at the pavilion. Come and go as you please. This year they will have the Crystal Bridges mobile art lab helping kids make recycled art projects.
- 9:00 – 10:45 a.m.: Birds & Breakfast: See live songbirds captured in the park by ornithologists and then help them release the birds after learning more about them. Breakfast snacks, juice and coffee will be provided. Come and go as you please anytime during these hours. Event sponsors: Bluebird Shed, 3-D Pet Products, and Friends of Hobbs
- 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 – 1:45 p.m.: Wonders of Wildlife Live Animal Program: There are amazing creatures right in our own backyards! Take a trip through our most diverse habitats and discover wildlife that is found right here in the Ozarks.
- 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.: The Trial of Speck L. Kingsnake: Join Park Interpreter Chris to help determine the fate of the accused, Mr. Speck L. Kingsnake! During a mock trial in which participants will play various roles, we’ll hear the evidence for and against Mr. Kingsnake. Will the jury find him guilty or innocent? Meet the live suspect and one of his associates in person!
Date: Saturday, April 20
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Hobbs State Park, Rogers
Earth Day Festival
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks celebrates Earth Day each year with a family-friendly festival, complete with interactive activities, crafts, games, and live music. Guests are invited to celebrate our common home, the earth, and to commit to protecting and preserving it. Free for members.
Date: Sunday, April 21
Time: 3-6 p.m.
Location: BGO, Fayetteville
Holi Festival at the Momentary
Holi Festival returns to the Momentary on April 27 with vibrant colors, cuisine, and community. Presented in partnership with the Indian Cultural Association of NWA (ICANWA), the Holi Festival, also known as the Festival of Colors and the Festival of Love, marks the start of spring. Enjoy outdoor fun, a live DJ, traditional Indian foods, and more. Meet community partners out on the Momentary Green, or pick up an art kit from the Crystal Bridges Community Engagement team. Open to the community, free, and family friendly.
Date: April 27
Time: Drop by anytime between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: The Momentary, Bentonville
Spring Art Walk
Head to downtown Rogers April 25-27 for the Spring Art Walk. Expect three days of art experiences including live music at Turnbow Park on April 25, more than 20 artists showing their work throughout downtown, an Art Wine Crawl on April 26 & so much more. Look for the art table that kids can enjoy (it’s free).
Dates: April 25-27
Times: Vary
Location: Downtown Springdale
Paws Off 2024: Family Dog Walk
PAWS OFF will kick off at 11 am with a group Dog Walk, but the fun doesn’t end there. There are plenty of activities for you to enjoy all day with your best pal.
Date: Saturday, April 27
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Walker Park, Fayetteville
