Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events: May 2023

May 2023: Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events

Hello, May 2023! To help you choose wisely, here’s a curated list of family-friendly events happening in Northwest Arkansas this month.

If you’re looking for things for the kids to do when school’s out, our Summer Camp Guide is filling up!

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

Loop at the Amazeum

Loop is free and open to the public in the Amazeum’s parking lot through May 11 from 8 am to 10 pm. Loop is an interactive work that plays short flipbook-style movies inspired by Quebec literature. At the center of each giant wheel is a music box to provide accompaniment for the hand-drawn animations. The work is inspired by the zoetrope, an optical toy invented in the 19th century.

Date: Now through May 11

Time: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: Scott Family Amazeum

Artosphere 

With locations across Northwest Arkansas, Artosphere has events happening May 4-24, 2023. Artosphere is a celebration of art, music and nature with exciting performances, activities and events for the whole family.  The multi-week festival features a mix of free and low-cost events. Whether you’re looking for a concert in a garden, a fun art exhibition, performers on the trails or in bars, free film screenings or even yoga with live music, Artosphere has something creative, unexpected and accessible for all.  

Date: May 2-24

Time: Varies

Location: Varies (events happening across NWA)

First Thursday

First Thursday is a vibrant, free monthly arts & culture festival brought to you by Experience Fayetteville. Each event features live music, a robust vendor market, community activations, group bike rides, and different activities based on a theme. The 2023 season kicks off on Thursday, May 4 with a May the Fourth theme evoking daring outer space adventures.

Date: May 4

Time: 5:30-9 p.m.

Location: Downtown Fayetteville Square

First Friday

Each month, downtown Bentonville celebrates with a huge block party. The May theme is Pet-A-Palooza.

Date: May 5

Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Location: Downtown Bentonville Square

Weekend Starts, Lower Ramble

An art-infused series of Friday evening “compact creativity festivals” that will take place in the Lower Ramble. Kick off the weekend with a burst of creativity and fun. Every Friday April 28* – June 30 from 5 to 7 p.m., weather permitting. FREE, open to the public and all ages are welcome. 

Friday, May 5

Time: 5-7 p.m.

Location: 255 S. West Ave., Lower Ramble, Fayetteville

Free Comic Book Day

Kids of all ages are invited to join Fayetteville Public Library for this two-hour event with free comics and other fun activities, including bounce houses, costumed characters, games, crafts, photo ops, a comics workshop for teens and adults, a superhero-themed trivia contest, prizes, and more. Feel free to show your fandom by wearing your favorite superhero t-shirt or even come dressed as your favorite superhero or cosplay character.

Date: May 6

Time: 10 a.m. to noon

Location: Fayetteville Public Library

Annie

Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination; and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in a new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most. This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way. Recommended for ages 5+

Date: May 6-7

Time: Varies

Location: Walton Arts Center

Trout Fishing in America

With four Grammy® nominations under their belts, Ozark natives Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet return to Northwest Arkansas to perform the music that has captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences of all ages for more than four decades. Join us for a family-friendly concert at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks – featuring songs full of tongue twisters, mind-benders, spooky situations and instantly identifiable slices of a kid’s life. Free with tickets.

Date: May 9

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (rain location is Walton Arts Center)

Trail Mix

Walton Arts Center’s Artosphere signature event features live art, music and activities for kids and families. This year, Trail Mix will be at the Lower Ramble, exploring the convergence of art and nature in the new forest canopy and pathways through Tanglewood Creek and Fay Jones Woods. Trail Mix performers include The Crumbs, StoneLion Puppet Theatre, Backyard Bugs, Violin Duo- Miho Sakon and Andrew Chu, and Harpist Devanee Williams with Cellist Michael Puryear. The Community Creative Center will lead a fun family craft. Humongous Fungus artist, Gina Gallina, will also teach how to crochet flowers. Free and open to the public.

Date: May 12

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Location: The Lower Ramble, Fayetteville

POP! Club Activity Day

POP! is a kid-friendly event that takes place during the Bentonville Farmers Market. POP! is every 2nd Saturday of the month (it started in April) through October. All children (kindergarten through 5th grade) will receive $2 vouchers to spend on local fruits and vegetables at the Bentonville Farmers market, allowing them to make healthy shopping decisions. Alongside the $2 coupon, participants will be able to engage in fun, FREE, educational activities at the POP! Club Program tent on Main Street. These activities will be available while supplies last. This event is free and no registration is required. 

Date: May 13

Time: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Downtown Bentonville Square

Goat Yoga

The Jones Center in Springdale is hosting the Outdoor Fitness Series May through August 2023. These are drop-in classes the second Saturday of the month. With open-air Goat Yoga, Zumba and STRONG, the series is a great way to exercise and socialize outside of the gym. The classes are affordable (free for members) and open to everyone. Each class is held on a Saturday morning, well before the heat of the day. Stop by for one, two or all four of the classes in the series. $10 (free for Jones Center members)

Date: Saturday, May 13

Time: 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Location: Community Park (The Community Park surrounds the Jones Center campus and includes a one mile walking trail, eight fitness stations, an universally accessible playground, picnic tables and a basketball court.)

Mother’s Day at the Garden

At this annual Mother’s Day at the Garden event, BGO members’ mothers & mother figures get in FREE! Enjoy spring weather in the Garden, activities for all ages, a food truck and community partners, and more. All moms will receive a free succulent. $10 FREE/members & members’ mothers/mother figures or $5-10/nonmembers. 

Date: May 14

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks

Outdoor Movie: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

It’s free outdoor movie night at the Fayetteville Public Library. Enjoy a screening of the comedy mockumentary Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (rated PG). The movie will begin at 8pm or when it is dark enough. Free popcorn will be available. Seating is first come, first served. Bring a seat or blanket or find a good spot in the grass. In case of rain, this event will be canceled. 

Date: May 19

Time: 8-10 p.m.

Location: Hunt Family Gathering Glade, Fayetteville Public Library