Frost Fest / Courtesy photo
The holidays are over, UA students are back in school, and things are starting to get back to normal around here in northwest Arkansas.
By normal, we mean busy. Really busy.
Along those lines, here’s a list of fun music festivals, street parties, conventions, and other types of large events coming up in the next several months in and around Fayetteville to put on your calendar.
Arkansas Makers Summit
When: January 30, 2020
Where: The Apollo on Emma, Springdale
What: The Scott Family Amazeum will host the third statewide Maker Summit on Thursday, January 30, 2020 in downtown Springdale, Arkansas.
The Arkansas Maker Summit will explore the impact and value of the robust maker movement emerging around the state of Arkansas.
The event will include technologists, educators, and thought leaders with a maker-mindset from across multiple industries and sectors, topics exploring “a variety of contexts, including Makerspaces in K-12 schools, extracurricular environments, business and manufacturing, and entrepreneurial settings.”
Tickets are $49. For more information, visit amazeum.org.
Culinary Events Series – Mount Sequoyah
When: Jan. 31-Dec. 12
Where: Mount Sequoyah, Fayetteville
What: Mount Sequoyah recently announced a series of twelve culinary events on the mountain, featuring food by executive chef Justus Moll paired with local brews and spirits by NWA breweries and mixologists.
The series kicks off with a Spirits Dinner on Jan. 31. The first event will include a five-course dinner by Moll, paired with craft cocktails by local mixologist, Charlie Rausch. In addition, spirits will be utilized in the cooking process, and both the chef and mixologist will be on hand to discuss the cocktails, the food and how they complement each other.
After that, a Valentine’s Dinner is planned on Feb. 14, followed by a Brewmaster Dinner with Ozark Beer Company on March 14, a Crawfish Boil featuring brews by Columbus House, a “dining in the dark” sensory event, and several others.
For the full list and more information, check out our story about the series.
Frost Fest
When: Feb. 1, 2020
Where: 2463 N McConnell Ave (next to the Washington County Fairgrounds)
What: Fossil Cove’s annual winter craft beer festival is returning for a fifth year.
The event features dozens of breweries from Arkansas and the surrounding region sampling their craft brews, and was attended by more than 2,000 folks last year.
Frost Fest debuted in 2016, and became a hit with beer lovers due to its practice of bringing in brewers and representatives from the actual participating breweries (as opposed to volunteers) to pour the beer and interact with festival attendees.
In addition to the beer, the festival will include food from local food trucks, live music by String Deft (with members of Arkansauce, The Vine Brothers and Opal Agafia & The Sweet Nothings), Jamie Lou and The Hullabaloo and Monk Is King, among other festivities.
Tickets are $60, and include a sampling glass, plus all the samples you can drink. Beer Enthusiast tickets are also available for $80, and include early access to the festival, a larger sampling glass, and a few other perks.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Apple Seeds, Inc.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit frostfest2020.eventbrite.com.
Time Being – The Momentary Opening Festival
When: Feb. 21-23, 2020
Where: The Momentary, Bentonville
What: TIME BEING is the Momentary’s inaugural festival of performance taking place during the Momentary’s opening weekend—Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23, with a Momentary Member preview Friday, February 21.
Featuring artists from around the world, including dance, music, and theater experiences.
Performers include Courtney Barnett, FM Belfast, Annie Dorsen, For You, Bobbi Jene Smith, and several others.
For more info, visit themomentary.org.
Fayetteville Mardi Gras – Fat Saturday Parade of Fools
When: Feb. 22, 2020
Where: Dickson Street, Fayetteville
What: The annual Mardi Gras celebration in Fayetteville with a parade on Dickson Street set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22.
The parade will include floats created by local krewes and businesses, and of course, plenty of beads.
The event is family friendly.
For more info, visit fayettevillemardigras.com.
Fayetteville Mardi Gras / Courtesy photo
Fayetteville Comic Show
When: Feb. 29-March 1, 2020
Where: Fayetteville Town Center, Fayetteville
What: A pop culture convention in Fayetteville celebrating fantasy, Sci-Fi, anime, and more.
The event will include appearances by comic book artists such as Jim Henson cartoonist Guy Gilchrist, Marvel/Valient Comics editor Jim Shooter, freelance artist Johnny Desjardins, DEAD@17 writer/illustrator Josh Howard, and several others.
Several actors are expected to attend as well, including John Wesley Shipp, C Thomas Howell, Felissa Rose, Ray Wise, Katherine Kamhi, Jonathan Tiersten, Maximo Sorrentino, Tamara Glynn, and several others.
Voice actors such as Aaron Roberts, Amber Lee Connors, Alejandro Saab, Dawn M. Bennett, Melissa Sternenberg, and Brittney Karbowski, and others will also be in attendance.
There’s a host of programming planned, including panels on Little House on the Prairie, Sleepaway Camp, a Twin Peaks reunion, and more.
Tickets are $40 for a two-day pass, $25 for Saturday only, and $20 for Sunday only.
For more info, visit their website.
Nutty Runner
When: March 14, 2020
Where: Downtown Fayetteville
What: Featuring its namesake beer at every mile, this 5K race caters to those that want the chance to exercise outdoors, enjoy craft beer, and give back to a local nonprofit all at the same time.
Starting and finishing at Columbus House Brewery, this 5K course will weave through Fayetteville’s historic downtown and Wilson Park neighborhood.
Cost to participate is $45, and that price will go up on Jan. 14. For more info, visit the event website.
FreshGrass
When: April 24-25, 2020
Where: The Momentary, Bentonville
What: Freshgrass, an event held annually at MASS MoCA museum in North Adams, Massachusetts recently announced they will hold a second event at the new Momentary contemporary art space in Bentonville on April 24-25 this spring.
For those who aren’t familiar, The Momentary is a satellite facility to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art that opens to the public on Feb. 22, 2020.
Performers this year include Alison Krauss, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sarah Jarosz, Steep Canyon Rangers, Alison Brown, Ruthie Foster, Flor de Toloache, Smokey and the Mirror and Leyla McCalla.
For more info, visit freshgrass.com.
Wizard Way of the Ozarks
When: March 21-22, 2020
Where: Fayetteville Town Center
What: The unofficial fan convention dedicated to your favorite world of witchcraft and wizardry that debuted in Fayetteville in 2018 is set to return for a third year in 2020.
Wizard Way of the Ozarks (formerly DiaCON Alley of the Ozakrs) is set for March 21-22, 2020 at the Fayetteville Town Center.
The event will include a host of activities related to the classic books by J.K. Rowling, including panel discussions, merchant booths, scavenger hunt, raffles, photo ops, costume contests, escape rooms, wizard duels, and more.
Tickets to the event go on sale on Jan. 26, and range from $28-50 for a weekend pass, with single tickets and VIP options also available.
The event this year will benefit Asbell Elementary PTO – A school in the Fayetteville School District that has the most Title I Students in the district.
For more info, visit wizardwayoftheozarks.com.
Wizard Way of the Ozarks / Courtesy
Beer and Bagel Run
When: March 21, 2020
Where: Hazel Valley Ranch
What: The Beer and Bagel Run is a 4(ish) mile fun run and party featuring local craft beer, bagels, tailgate games, and other festivities.
Hogeye Marathon
When: March 28, 2020
Where: Springdale, AR
What: The annual Hogeye Marathon includes a full marathon, a half marathon, a 5k run, and other festivities.
The races make their way through Springdale, with a start and finish in the downtown area on Emma Avenue.
Joe Martin Stage Race
When: April 2-5, 2020
Where: Downtown Fayetteville
What: The Joe Martin Stage Race is a 4-day, 4-stage professional men and women’s cycling race along with a 2-day, 2-stage amateur stage race held in early spring each year in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The Joe Martin Stage Race is part of both the USAC Pro Racing Tour (PRT) which is the pro and elite amateur cycling tour of USA Cycling and the UCI America Tour.
Over 750 athletes and teams from 27 countries and all 50 states are expected to attend the race.
Cow Paddy Run
When: April 11, 2020
Where: Gulley Park, Fayetteville
What: The 2019 Cow Paddy Run is set for Saturday, April 11 at Gulley Park in Fayetteville.
The annual event, which includes a 5K race, 10k, and a 1K Fun Run, is hosted by is hosted by The Spark Foundation and supports health and fitness education in local schools.
Local schools receive prize money for having the highest overall participation rate for students, families, teachers and alumni. This year both elementary and middle schools are eligible for cash prizes. The school with the most participation will receive $2,500, second place will get $1,000 and third place will receive $500.
Cow Paddy Run / Courtesy
Fayetteville Springfest
When: April 11, 2020
Where: Dickson Street, Fayetteville
What: Fayetteville Springfest is a day-long street festival held annually on Dickson Street. The event features local live music, a pancake breakfast, local arts and crafts vendors, and of course, the bed races up the street.
This year’s lineup is expected to be released at a later date.
For more, visit their Facebook page.
Update: Springfest has been cancelled.
NWA Fashion Week
When: April 16-18, 2020
Where: TBA, Bentonville, AR
What: NWA Fashion Week returns for their annual spring show, set for April 16-18 in Bentonville, AR.
The spring show will include special guests Gabrielle Korn, Kerin Rose Gold, and Brittany Allen.
Additional details are expected to be released soon at nwafw.com.
Springtime of Youth Festival
When: TBD (late April)
Where: TBA
What: The University of Arkansas’ Headliners Concert Committee told us that their Springtime of Youth music festival will return for a sixth year in 2020.
The event debuted in 2015, and was introduced as an alternative to of the once-per-semester concerts held in the past at Barnhill Arena.
The lineup for the event will likely be released sometime in March. Past performers include Diplo, Børns, Wiz Khalifa, Mutemath, MisterWives, Moon Taxi, Big Sean, and Young the Giant, and others.
Arkansas Brewgrass Festival
When: TBD (Late April / Early May)
Where: TBA
What: Bluegrass, the annual bluegrass and craft beer festival, is set to return to Fayetteville this spring.
The event will include local and regional bluegrass music, local arts & crafts, and of course, plenty of Arkansas craft beer as well.
It’s set to be a family-friendly event with plenty of activities for the kids. There will also be a market featuring handmade items from local makers and artists.
This year’s festival date, music lineup, and other details are expected in the coming months.
A full lineup of participating breweries, ticket info, and more will also be announced at a later date.
Springtime of Youth Festival / Courtesy, UA Headliners Committee
Bentonville Film Festival
When: April 29-May 2, 2020
Where: Downtown Bentonville
What: Bentonville Film Festival is set to return to Downtown Bentonville once again this spring.
The event, created by movie star Geena Davis and sponsored by Walmart, is set for May 7-11 at various locations around downtown Bentonville.
The week-long event will feature film screenings, panel discussions, and other events. The festival was created to celebrate diversity in films, and is entering its fifth year in 2019.
Backwoods Music Festival
When: June 4-7, 2020
Where: Mulberry Mountain
What: A music festival on Mulberry Mountain, featuring acts such as The Devil Makes Three, G Jones, Gramatik, Rebelution, Tycho, and others.
There are a variety of ticket options available. For more info, visit backwoodsmusicfestival.com.
Art of Wine
When: June 10-12, 2020
Where: Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville
What: The annual Art of Wine Festival at Walton Arts Center is set for June 10-12 this year.
The annual Winemaker’s Dinner will take place n June 10, and the ‘Uncorked’ event, featuring wine sampling, food, music, and more is set for Friday, June 12.
For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit waltonartscenter.org.
NWA Pride
When: June 19-21, 2020
Where: Fayetteville, AR
What: A three-day event organized by the NWA Center for Equality featuring a parade on Dickson Street, and other events to-be-announced.
For more info, visit nwapride.org.
