Your guide to NWA's biggest summer festivals and events
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The unofficial start of summer — Memorial Day weekend — is just one week away. And that means it's time to mark your calendar and make plans so you don't miss what NWA has to offer this season.
Here are our ideas:
🍗 Bentonville BBQ Festival — Sample BBQ from pitmasters from nine states. May 31 at The Momentary. Get tickets.
🎡 Mudtown Days — Lowell's flagship community event is back June 6-7, with live music, games and a carnival.
👗 Bentonville Fashion Week — See local designers' work June 6-8 at Thaden School. Get tickets.
🎸 Gulley Park concert series — Enjoy free live music from local bands at Gulley Park in Fayetteville on each Thursday night from June 12-July 24, with the exception of July 3.
🎬 Bentonville Film Festival — The festival founded by actor Geena Davis is back for its 11th year June 16-22 with film screenings, panels and some free community events. Get tickets.
⭐️ Freedom Festival — Celebrate Juneteenth on June 21 at Luther George Park in Springdale.
🤠 Rodeo of the Ozarks — June 25-28 in Springdale. Get tickets.
🏳️🌈 Northwest Arkansas Pride weekend — Stay tuned for a schedule, but the largest LGBTQ celebration in Arkansas is set for June 27-29 in Fayetteville.
🍇 Tontitown Grape Festival — This long-running festival continues with a carnival, live music and, of course, spaghetti dinners Aug. 5-9.
🎈 Soar NWA Festival — Check out colorful hot air balloons and take a tethered ride Aug. 15-16 at the Benton County Fairground in Bentonville. Get tickets.
🎟 Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion summer concert series — NWA's largest concert venue has artists like Jason Aldean, Goo Goo Dolls and The Black Keys coming to Rogers this summer. See the lineup and get tickets.
😎 Bentonville First Friday and Fayetteville's Sundays on the Square — Catch these seasonal, free, kid-friendly community events that take over the downtown squares with live music, vendors and activities.
🎵 Railyard Live — This concert series is happening throughout most weekends all summer at Butterfield Stage in downtown Rogers. General admission tickets are free with some paid table seating options.
🍷 Art of Wine — Mark your calendars for a one-day food and wine festival July 11 at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. Get tickets.
🎤 Live! at Turnbow — Head to downtown Springdale for free concerts on the last Thursday of each month through September.