April showers bring May flowers! Aren’t they beautiful this year? Now the pollen, on the other hand. Bleh.
There’s lots to do this merry month of May, mamas. Read on:
Infants 6 to 17 months old and their favorite adult will play together in activities that encourage physical growth, social-emotional development, and emerging language skills. A new topic is explored each month at 10-11am. Fee per child/adult pair: Amazeum members $10 , non-members $15. Advanced registration and payment required.
Date: May 1
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Location: Scott Family Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville
Join Crystal Bridges and Play with Passion outdoors on the south lawn for an evening of nature-inspired fun. Play with Passion is a volunteer organization through Bentonville Schools that visits community sites once a month to promote activities and athletics for youth with disabilities and their families. The event at Crystal Bridges will feature art projects and activities related to nature with a cookout and yoga.
Register for this free event by contacting Sheila Munn at smunn@bentonvillek12.org or Kathy Breed at breedmack1014@aol.com for more information.
Date: May 1
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: South Lawn of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art 600 Museum Way, Bentonville
The 31st annual May Festival of the Arts is packed with one-of-a-kind art exhibits, demonstrations, performances, culinary arts, free music in the park, and a wild street party thrown by artists called The White Street Walk. This year 350 artists are participating. See website for a full schedule, locations and times.
Date: May 1
Time: All month long
Location: various in Eureka Springs
It’s time to celebrate the arrival of spring with friends by enjoying live jazz, appealing appetizers, dinner on the Great Lawn, drinks, entertaining auctions, a wine pull, Diamond Dig play-to-win game and more. Tickets are still $125 per person or $1,200 per table of 10. Proceeds will support the Garden’s mission to Learn, Play, Grow.
Date: May 3
Time: 6-10 pm
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks 4703 N Crossover Rd, Fayetteville
The Amazeum teams up with Arkansas Children’s Northwest to present a one-day examination and exploration of the science of health. Join the Amazeum with special activities during the day, including the amazing teddy bear emergency room staffed by Arkansas Children’s Northwest. Make Saturday, May 4, a healthy day. Healthy Amazing Me activities are included in paid daily admission or membership.
Date: May 4
Time: All Day
Location: Scott Family Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville
Discover the Grounds: Salamanders of Arkansas
Discover the native salamanders of Arkansas, their ecological benefits, and the endangered Ozark Hellbender species. The program will begin with a presentation on the various species found here on our grounds, ending with a walk to Crystal Springs where we may see some salamanders. Registration required for this free event.
Date: May 4
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art 600 Museum Way, Bentonville
Downtown Rogers Farmer’s Market
The DTR Market opens May 4. It attracts growers and makers from all over the region to sell their goods. It’s become a home for local vendors as well as a gathering place for the community to enjoy food, drinks, and access to all the revitalized downtown district has to offer.
Date: May 4
Time: Opens 8 a.m.
Location: 101 E. Cherry St. in Downtown Rogers
Here are links to other Northwest Arkansas Farmer’s Markets:
- Fayetteville Farmer’s Market
- Springdale Farmer’s Market (at The Jones Center)
- Downtown Evening Springdale Farmer’s Market
- Bentonville Farmer’s Market
- Siloam Springs Farmer’s Market
The Tellers of Tales storytelling group will meet Saturday, May 4. All tellers and listeners are invited. For more information, call 750-8165.
Date: May 4
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Shiloh Museum of Ozark History 118 W. Johnson Avenue, Springdale
The 10th annual Autism Involves Me Walk and 5K is a free family event. It will include a one mile family fun walk, kids zone, bounce houses, face painting, silent auction, talking tent, food trucks, t-shirt contest and more. All donations remain local and benefit families living with autism.
Date: May 4
Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: Benton County Fairgrounds 7640 SW Regional Airport Blvd Bentonville
The Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas (HWOA) invites you to participate in the 20th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, a free family event with live entertainment and food from different cultures and games.
Date: May 4
Time: Noon-8 p.m.
Location: The Jones Center, 922 E Emma Ave, Springdale
The library is combining two popular celebrations, Free Comic Book Day and Star Wars Day, into one big celebration. Free Comic Book Day is an annual celebration on the first Saturday in May and was created and promoted by the North American comic book industry to create new comic book enthusiasts. The library is a supporter of the literacy benefits of comic books and hopes to help you find your new favorite book at this event. The Diamond Garrison of the 501st Legion, a regional chapter of Star Wars cosplayers, will be at the library in force to make sure there aren’t any rebels in the library and to take some great pictures with non-rebels.
Enjoy a craft, bounce house, temporary tattoos, popcorn, and of course a free comic to take home. This event will feature “Galactic Hero Training: Train to be a Jedi with Everyone’s Favorite Galactic War Heroes” presented by local performers, Spotlight Characters at 10:30 am in the Children’s Library. All are encouraged to dress up in their favorite comic costume.
Date: May 4
Time: 10 a.m.-Noon
Location: Fayetteville Public Library 401 W Mountain St, Fayetteville
Arthritis Foundation Day at the Arkansas Naturals
Cheer on the NWA Naturals as they play the Midland Rockhound. Tickets are $9, but children ages 3 and under are free. The game will be at Bark in the Ballpark and kids eat free: a hot dog, CLIF Kid Z-Bar, and 12 oz. fountain drink. Mercy kids will run the bases. About half of the ticket sales will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation. Reserve your tickets today with Angela Harris, aharris@arthritis.org.
Date: May 5
Time: 2:05-5:05 p.m.
Location: Arvest Ballpark 3000 S. 56th St. Springdale
Enjoy a family friendly Cinco de Mayo celebration at War Eagle Mill with a Mexican-themed meal and activities for the kids.
Date: May 5
Time: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: War Eagle Mill 11045 War Eagle Mill Road, Rogers
Walk on the Wild Side with Tamara Walkingstick: Edible Trees and Plants Workshop
Wild plants can be used as food and medicine. In this comprehensive 4-hour workshop, you will learn to identify some edible species of Arkansas native and non-native vegetation and have the opportunity to sample some tasty dishes. The presentation covers conservation, history, culture, and plant identification. A total of 30 pages of wild edible recipes are included as well. Participants must pre-register. Cost is $25 per person and check or cash will be accepted on day of workshop. For more information and to register, call 479-789-5000.
Date: May 5
Time: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Location: Hobbs State Park visitor center on Hwy 12 just east of the Hwy 12/War Eagle Road intersection.
Bentonville Film Festival, Free Family-Friendly Movies
See family-friendly movies during BFF at the outdoor theatre in Lawrence Park from May 8-11.
Dates: May 8-11
Times: Vary
Location: Lawrence Plaza, Bentonville
Discovery Tots workshops are perfect for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregiver to participate in special hands-on playtime to develop language, big body, and fine motor skills. A new topic is explored each month at 10-11am.
Fee per child/adult pair: Amazeum members $10, non-members $15. Advanced registration and payment required.
Date: May 8
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Location: Scott Family Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville
One evening, Emily Brown and her old grey rabbit Stanley hear a Thing crying outside their window. He just can’t get to sleep. Tickets are $9 for children and $15 for adults.
Date: May 10
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Starr Theatre at the Walton Arts Center 495 W Dickson St, Fayetteville
This is a morning of exercise and learning the importance of proper hydration. It has an event for everyone in the family, starting with a 5K and one mile walk for all ages, a toddler trot for kids ages 2-5, a half mile fun run for students kindergarten-3rd grade and a one mile fun run for students 4th-8th grade.
Date: May 11
Time: 7:25 a.m.-10 a.m.
Location: Pinnacle Hills Promenade 2203 S. Promenade Blvd., Rogers
Auditions for 2-week Willy Wonka production camp, Arts Live Theatre
Auditions for grades 3-12 for our two- week musical theatre production camp of WILLY WONKA, JR. taking place July 15-19 and July 22-25, 9 AM-4 PM, Performances July 26 and 27. If you audition, by Monday, May 20th, you will receive an email notating who will be cast in the production. For our summer production camps we cast an ensemble of actors and do not cast specific roles until the first day of camp which will be, Monday, July 15th. Visit artslivetheatre.com for more info.
Date: Saturday May 11
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Arts Live Theatre, Fayetteville
Auditions for The Hundred Dresses, Arts Live Theatre
Auditions for grades 3-12 for THE HUNDRED DRESSES, at Arts Live Theatre, 818 N Sang. Rehearsals will be most weeknights 6-8 May 20- June 26; Performances June 27-June 30 at Arts Live Theatre Studio.
Date: Saturday, May 11
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Location: Arts Live Theatre, Fayetteville
SHAKY BUGS is a high-energy-singing-dancing-shaking-party for ages under 5 and their fans!
Date: Saturday May 11
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Ozark Folkways 22733 N. Highway 71, Winslow
Join FPL for an educational and interactive musical adventure with Dino O’Dell. This will be the final Super Saturday before the summer reading program begins, and to gear us up for the summer reading program, A Universe of Stories, Dino’s performance will be out of this world.
This free family event is open to the public.
Can’t make it to the library? Dino’s awesome show will also be livestreamed. You can watch this event live using this link: https://livestream.com/faylib/SuperSaturdays
Date: May 11
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Fayetteville Public Library 401 W Mountain St, Fayetteville
Turning Red: Learning to Choose Love
See this original play based on the Choose Love Movement that focuses on courage, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion. (The Choose Love Movement was founded by Scarlett Lewis, mother of Jesse Lewis who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012.)
Date: May 11th through May 18, 2019 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks.
Time: Varies
Location: Arts Center of the Ozarks
Moms play and learn along with their family everyday at the Amazeum. Join us Sunday, May 12 from 12 to 5 pm as we celebrate Mother’s Day. Make this Mother’s Day amazing by contributing towards a giant community card, take a family picture at a giant green-screen to make a postcard, or enjoy one of our mini-candy-bouquets.
Date: May 12
Time: All Day
Location: Scott Family Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville
Shiloh Saturday Family Program
An observation beehive will be on view at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. David Cheek, a member of the Northwest Arkansas Beekeepers Association, will be available to answer questions about bee behavior and beekeeping basics. The program is part of the museum’s Shiloh Saturday series for families. For more information, call 750-8165 or visit shilohmuseum.org.
Date: May 18
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Shiloh Museum of Ozark History 118 W. Johnson Avenue, Springdale
Join us for this special program for the museum’s youngest visitors, infants ages 3 to 24 months with a caregiver. You’ll spend time in the galleries looking at and talking to your baby about art before enjoying sensory playtime. Visit new artworks and make new discoveries together each month. $10 per baby, free tickets for 1-2 adults per baby ($8/members), register online or with Guest Services.
Date: May 18
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Bellows Studio at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art 600 Museum Way, Bentonville
This year’s Touch-a-Truck will once again feature crowd favorites – dozens of vehicles that kids (and kids-at-heart) can explore. There will also be special appearances and activities including mascots, costumed characters, fingernail painters, face painters, and building projects, just to name a few. In addition to equipment, vehicles, and entertainment, there will be concessions available offering lunch, refreshments, ice cream and all the tasty treats you’d expect to find at a family-fun event.
Tickets are $5 each or $20 per family (max 5 guests per family ticket). Children under 1 are free.
Birthday party packages are available and include a 1 hour time slot at a table under a tent for a group of 12 children.
Date: May 18
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (gates open at 9 a.m. for children with special needs)
Location: South side of the Pinnacle Hills Promenade parking lot, Rogers
Auditions for 2-week Willy Wonka production camp, Arts Live Theatre
Auditions for grades 3-12 for our two- week musical theatre production camp of WILLY WONKA, JR. taking place July 15-19 and July 22-25, 9 AM-4 PM, Performances July 26 and 27. If you audition, by Monday, May 20th, you will receive an email notating who will be cast in the production. For our summer production camps we cast an ensemble of actors and do not cast specific roles until the first day of camp which will be, Monday, July 15th. Visit artslivetheatre.com for more info.
Date: Saturday May 18
Time: 2-5 p.m.
Location: Arts Live Theatre, Fayetteville
Family Nature Workshop: Clouds
Discover different types of clouds, observe clouds outside, and create beautiful skyscapes. Free, register online or with Guest Services. One ticket per attendee, children must attend with an adult caregiver (best for ages 5-12)
Date: May 18
Time: 10:30 a.m.-Noon
Location: Durand Studio at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art 600 Museum Way, Bentonville
National Kids to Parks Day: Leave No Trace Outdoor Games
Fun, interactive programs and activities are scheduled throughout this day and are dedicated to kids, our future park ambassadors. Guided hikes, nature scavenger hunts, trivia challenges, and many more activities are available. Contact the park at (479) 369-1010 for more information.
Date: May 18
Location: The pavilion at Lake Fort Smith State Park 15458 Shepard Springs Road Mountainburg
14th Annual Books In Bloom Literary Festival
The 14th Annual Books in Bloom is a celebration for writers and readers. “Pete the Cat” creator James Dean is one of the many authors joining the festival this year. Books in Bloom is a free event that enhances, broadens, and deepens the uniquely human experience of reading. Attend author presentations and have conversations with writers who are very successful in their genres, as well as purchase books and have them signed by the authors.
Books in Bloom is presented by the Carroll and Madison Public Library Foundation. The Foundation serves the six libraries in Carroll and Madison counties. Books in Bloom is its signature event. Contact Jean Elderwind at 870-423-5300 or email jean@booksinbloom.org.
Date: May 19
Time: Noon- 5 pm
Location: Crescent Hotel 75 Prospect, Eureka Springs
Fishin’ Magicians at Crystal Bridges
Bring the whole family to the museum this summer for free fun that all ages will enjoy. Cast your nets to catch some wiggly, fishy fun. Come enjoy the kick-off of the museum’s Summer Family Fun series with Amy Short and Steve Craig as they take the stage as a hilarious duo.
No Registration required for this free event
Date: May 30
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Location: Walker Landing at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art 600 Museum Way, Bentonville
NOTE: We’re able to compile and publish all of this calendar information FREE for moms in Northwest Arkansas, thanks to the support of local companies like Blue Sun Vacations, which sponsors the monthly calendar. Blue Sun planned our last vacation (for free), and it was amazing. Check them out by clicking here.
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