August 2023: Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events -

Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events for August 2023

August 2023 already?! Northwest Arkansas has some fun on tap for the dogs days of summer.

Click on the name of any event below for more details:

Tontitown Grape Festival

Live entertainment, carnival rides, spaghetti dinners, grape stomp and more. Full schedule of events.

Date: Aug. 1-5

Time: Varies

Location: Tontitown

First Thursday August: Summer Soiree

Celebrate the simple joys of summertime in Downtown Fayetteville during the next First Thursday: “Summer Soirée.”

Date: Aug. 3

Time: 5:30-9 p.m.

Location: Downtown Fayetteville Square

An evening of drop-in, creative fun under the stars with music, food, artmaking, and more. Crystal Bridges is transforming the Art Trail into a glowing garden of light and imagination that’s fun for all ages. Kick off the night with a sunset view at Skyspace, then visit themed artmaking stations. Live music will be performed throughout the grounds. There will also be pop-up concessions and a bar area serving late-night snacks, sips, and brews.

Date: Aug. 4

Time: 8-11 p.m.

Location: Crystal Bridges Museum

Community Spotlight: Robotics with Ozark STEM Foundation

Explore robotic machines and mechanisms with the Ozark STEM foundation. Use tools, build scribble machines, and interact with a real robot. Cost included with general admission.

Date: Saturday, August 5

Time: 3-5 p.m.

Location: The Amazeum, Bentonville

Super Saturday: Artsy Craftsy

Get crafty at the Fayetteville Public Library. Families can drop in anytime between 10:00 a.m. and noon at the Children’s Library to enjoy a wide array of fun self-guided craft projects. Volunteers will be available for assistance. This event is free and no registration is required. Art projects are geared toward preschool-age children and older.

Date: Aug. 5

Time: 10 a.m. to noon

Location: Fayetteville Public Library

Terrific Tuesday Night: Ice Cream and Animals

The Garden will have various animals, including a 13 ft. python from the Reptile Refuge, a goat petting zoo from Greedy Goats, and a variety of animals from Backyard Buddies. Helping Paws NWA and the University of Arkansas’s Entomology Department will also be there. Fayetteville Adoption & Best Friends Animal Society NWA will have adoptable pets looking to find their forever homes. If you are considering adopting an animal, bring a lead, collar, or crate to ensure you can safely get them home. Grab a hotdog at Atomic Dog and ice cream from Blue Bell or Burton’s Creamery. There will be water slides and sprinklers to help everyone stay cool. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. No pets, please. The event is free, but registration is required. You present your barcode at the gate to check-in.

Date: Tuesday, Aug. 8

Time: 5-8:30 p.m.

Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks

Barbie Skate Night

With pink and neon vibes, skate the night away with special Barbie tunes, a custom Barbie Box (perfect for photos), special snack bar treats, and fun with friends. This is an all-ages event. Admission is $10 , which includes any type of skate rental (quad, inline, or speed). Skatemates will not be available during this event. Tickets are only sold at the door.

Date: Aug. 12

Time: 7-11 p.m.

Location: Starlight Skatium, Fayetteville

SOAR NWA

Hot air balloons, live music, circus performers, a kid zone, car exhibit, helicopter rides, beer garden, food trucks and more.

Date: Friday, Aug. 18

Time: 5-10 p.m.

Location: Benton County Fairgrounds

Ice Cream Social and Antique Engines Show (Arkansas Missouri Railroad)

Hour train rides at 11am, 1pm & 3pm from Springdale to Johnson. For reservation, call 479-725-4017 or visit our website: amtrainrides.com

Date: Saturday, Aug. 19

Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Downtown Springdale Train Depot

Washington County Fair

The largest county fair in Arkansas returns to Fayetteville. General admission: Cash, $5, card $7.50; Children 5 and under are free.

Date: Aug. 22-26

Time: Varies

Location: Washington County Fairgrounds, Fayetteville

Community Campout

Bring your family for an outdoor adventure at The Jones Center’s first-ever Community Campout. This full night of fun includes campfire cooking, s’mores, stories around the campfire, outdoor games, live music and more. This event is designed for those who have never tried camping and for those who camp regularly. Staff will be on hand to make this experience fun and easy. Located on The Jones Center campus, the campsite will be safe and secure, perfect for families with young children. Register here. Cost $50/person; $150 for a group of 4; $10 per each additional person; Tent rentals: $10/tent (Members receive 20% off). All ages; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Date: August 25-26

Time: August 25 at 5 pm to August 26 at 10am

Location: North Community Park at The Jones Center, Springdale

Teen Open House at the Amazeum

Paint a mural in the backyard, screen print in the Amazeum’s 3M Tinkering Workshop, snap an Insta-worthy pic in our selfie studio, or bust-a-move on the interactive outdoor dance floor. Bring your friends and take over the Amazeum for a night. Ages 13-19. $5 Amazeum members/$10 non-members. Register.

Date: Aug. 26

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Location: The Amazeum, Bentonville