August means back to school for most of us, but it’s also National Eye Exam Month (in case you’ve been putting that off), National Golf Month, and National Picnic Month! So this month, take the family on a picnic, play some mini-golf, or choose one of these incredible, family-friendly events NWA has to offer in August.
Free Evening Yoga at Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
On August 1st and 8th we will have a free evening yoga class in the garden with instructor Robbin Awn. She specializes in restorative yoga that anyone can do. It’s part of our Tyson Tuesday Nights, so the garden will be open for free from 5-8 pm and her class will take place from 7-7:45 on both of those nights.
Dates: Tuesdays, August 1 and 8
Time: 5:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville
More info: Click here
Michael Felix, Mid America Karate 
Michael Felix, an instructor with Fayetteville’s Mid America Karate, will demonstrate karate skills and encourage the audience to participate in karate exercises. Michael Felix’s mission is to get kids excited about discipline, respect and healthy habits.
Date: Wednesday, August 2
Time: 2:00 – 3:00pm
Location: Fayetteville Public Library
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, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Times: 4:00 – 7:30pm
Location: Scott Family Amazeum, Bentonville
More info: Click here
First Friday: Back to School
For First Friday, the Bentonville Square is turning into a giant Back to School block party! The square will be filled with live music and entertainment, food trucks, and family fun.
Date: Friday, August 4
Time: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Location: Bentonville Square
More info: Click here
First Friday Flix: The BFG
Date: Friday, August 4
Time: 8:30 – 10:30pm
Location: Lawrence Plaza
More info: Click here
National Farmer’s Market Week
The Fayetteville Farmer’s Market is celebrating the USDA-sponsored National Farmer’s Market Week with special events, giveaways, even an art exhibit! Even if you don’t usually head to the Farmer’s Market, head to one of the four markets that week (markets are held on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings) to participate in this special celebration. Kids can try to identify different local fruits and veggies to win prizes, and you can test how many local farmers you’re familiar with to win prizes too!
Dates: Saturday, August 5 – Saturday, August 12
Times: Vary
Location: Fayetteville Square
More info: Click here
Summer Reading Program Finale with Brady Rymer
To finish out the Summer Reading Program, the Fayetteville Public Library is hosting Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could, a Grammy-nominated children’s band!
Rymer’s rootsy, accordion-laced pop and rock music regularly wins critical acclaim and national awards including three children’s GRAMMY nominations as well as numerous Parents’ Choice Gold and NAPPA Gold Awards, and has earned him a growing fan base of enthusiastic families. Together with his longtime bandmates in the Little Band That Could, he performs live music for kids and families across the country.
Date: Saturday, August 5
Time: 10:30 – 11:30am
Location: Fayetteville Public Library
More info: Click here
113th Annual Benton County Fair
Who doesn’t love the county fair? Animal showing, carnival rides, corn dogs and funnel cakes, rodeo contests, tractor pulls, even yoga with goats! (No, we’re not kidding.) And what makes it even better is that admission to the Benton County Fair is FREE, thanks to some generous sponsors. This fair is definitely a good way to spend one of the last nights before school starts.
Dates: Tuesday, August 8 – Saturday, August 12
Times: Vary
Location: Benton County Fairgrounds, Bentonville
More info: Click here
In the Park Summer Series: Rock & Splash
Head to Lawrence Plaza in Bentonville to splash and play while 412 West Band plays in the background. Free admission, no registration is required.
Date: Thursday, August 10
Time: 6:00 – 7:30pm
Location: Lawrence Plaza, Bentonville
More info: Click here
Outdoor Movie Night at Crystal Bridges
Bring a blanket and enjoy The Lorax, a family-friendly movie! This showing is free, and no registration is required. Movie will be shown outside on the landing, so keep an eye on weather.
Date: Friday, August 11
Time: 8:30 – 9:30pm
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum of Art, Bentonville
More info: Click here
Summer Desserts Class at Ozark Natural Foods
Ozark Natural Foods is keeping summer around a little longer with this free cooking class in their store. Chef Heather will be leading the group in creating timeless summer desserts with a twist: peach dumplings, root beer float creamsicles, cantaloupe cream pie, and s’mores ice cream sandwiches! This is a great class for a little aspiring chef.
Date: Saturday, August 12
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Ozark Natural Foods, Fayetteville
More info: Click here
Preparing for the Great American Eclipse
The Fayetteville Public Library will have resources in their lobby to educate visitors on the upcoming Great American Eclipse! They will distribute eclipse viewing glasses so that you can safely view the eclipse. Drop by during library hours to brush up on what you need to know to enjoy the eclipse.
Date: Sunday, August 13
Time: 1:30 – 5:00pm
Location: Fayetteville Public Library
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, August 13
Time: 2:00 – 4:45pm
Location: Jones Center, Springdale
More info: Click here
Colorín, Colorado: English/Spanish Storytime
The Rogers Public Library is hosting two Spanish/English bilingual storytimes in August. The group will make a craft after the story is over. Children of all ages are welcome, but children under 7 must be accompanied by their adult at all times.
Dates: Tuesdays, August 15, 29
Time: 6:30 – 7:30pm
Location: Rogers Public Library
More info: Click here
Botanical Garden Free Garden Education
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is hosting free garden education programs + a documentary film screening + yoga! Garden Living, NWA Master Naturalists and BGO’s horticulture staff will have booths on various gardening topics. Trailside Yoga will lead a class at 7 pm. Finally, “Mike the Birdman” will make its screen debut: it follows a Fayetteville bird watcher who has some unique techniques and has been collecting bird data for the last 30 years. Still on the Hill will perform live music before the screening.
Date: Tuesday, August 15
Time: 5:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville
More info: Click here
In the Park Summer Series: Magic in the Park
The Bentonville Parks and Rec department is hosting a 1.5 hour long magic show with local magician Joey Williams on Lawrence Plaza! Admission is free, no registration is required.
Date: Thursday, August 17
Time: 6:00 – 7:30pm
Location: Lawrence Plaza
More info: Click here
JC Movie Night: Finding Dory
#JCmovienight is back for Season 3. July’s movie is the Disney classic Finding Dory! Admission is free, so bring the whole family for this one.
Date: Friday, August 18
Time: 6:30 – 8:30pm
Location: Jones Center, Springdale
More info: Click here
Geek at Rogers Public Library
The Rogers Public Library Geek event is an all-day program to spotlight library services, technology, and community organizations in NWA. This event is full of interactive activities and fun for all ages! This Geek event is “Back-to-School” themed: folks will be onsite to explain tutoring services, 3D printing, the work of local authors, and after-school activities. The Friendly Bookstore and Adult Wellness Center will be onsite too. The Anime Club will host activities, and there will be plenty of crafts in the Children’s Area. Warm up to back-t0-school with this fun, educational event!
Date: Saturday, August 19
Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Location: Rogers Public Library
More info: Click here
Washington County Historical Society Ice Cream Social
The 46th Annual Washington County Historical Society Ice Cream Social is coming up this month. Enjoy ice cream and cake while you tour the Headquarters House and view the special exhibit “The Great War: Arkansas in WWI.”
Date: Saturday, August 19
Time: 3:00 – 6:00pm
Location: Washington County Historical Society, Fayetteville
More info: Click here
Solar Eclipse
On Monday, August 21, North America will be directly in the path of a total solar eclipse! To experience the total eclipse, you would need to travel to cities in places like Missouri or Kentucky. However, weather permitting, the eclipse is visible throughout the United States and Fayetteville is in the 90% solar eclipse viewing zone. We can’t emphasize how incredible this opportunity is to teach and enjoy astronomy with your kids! Find a local party, buy or make an eclipse viewer, and enjoy this rare occurrence! The last total eclipse visible to North America was in 1979, and the next one will be in 2024! Remember: DO NOT look at the eclipse without special glasses (not sunglasses). It could be blinding.
Date: Monday, August 21
Time: 11:43 a.m. to 2:41 p.m., according to this info from the University of Arkansas
Location: Wherever you are in NWA!
More info: Click here
Back to School Bash with Lowell Historical Museum
The Lowell Historical Museum is holding a back-to-school bash to raise money for their new building. Tickets are $5, and give you access to carnival games with prizes, face painting, cotton candy, and more! The Lowell Fire Department will be onsite to spray kids with a real firetruck hose, so bring towels!
Date: Thursday, August 24
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Lowell Historical Museum Foundation
More info: Click here
Champions on Wheels family fun event
The Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter is hosting a family-friendly, child-friendly event to promote healthy relationships for families. Champions on Wheels is a fun event for the whole family that supports other families who are in crisis. The event will feature a bike ride, bike decorating, a bike parade, scavenger hunt, food trucks, games and more! This event is also pet friendly and a pet parade will be incorporated for those who bring a furry friend.
Date: Aug. 25
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Bella Vista Lake Pavilion
More info: Click here
Botanical Garden International Celebration
Join the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks for their second annual International Celebration! This event will showcase traditional dance performances from different nations, interactive booths and displays, food, and family friendly activities. It’s FREE and open to the entire community! The celebration begins at 5:00 pm and lasts until dark.
Date: Tuesday, August 29
Time: 5:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville
More info: Click here
Washington County Fair
The Washington County Fair is Arkansas’ largest county fair! With the carnival midway, fair food, bull riding, Washington County Fair Pageant, and a free petting zoo, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy!
Dates: Tuesday, August 29 – Saturday, September 2
Times: Vary
Location: Washington County Fairgrounds, Fayetteville
More info: Click here
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!
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