August is here, and you can feel the back-to-school excitement whirling in the air as students and their families prepare to embark on a new academic year. Our city is getting involved too, with everything from back-to-school deals to themed community events.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor planning a last-minute family adventure in town, we’re here to help you get the school year started on the right foot. Read on for the full scoop!
Back-to-school Events
Mark your calendars, you don’t want to miss these important back-to-school dates:
August 4 | August First Friday: Back-to-School
Get excited for a brand new school year at First Friday, Bentonville’s city-wide block party held on the Downtown Square. Come out from 11 am to 9 pm on Friday, August 4 to enjoy live music, vendors, community, and good times. Presented by Downtown Bentonville Inc.
August 5–6 | Tax-free Weekend
It really is that time of year! Get ahead on your school shopping, and skip out on the tax for certain items, including back-to-school supplies, art supplies, clothing, and some electronic devices.
Saturdays in August | Sensory-friendly Hours at Walmart
Did you know—every Saturday in August, Walmart is offering sensory-friendly shopping hours from 8 to 10 am. Lights will be dimmed, radios turned off, and static images displayed on TVs in order to better serve sensory-sensitive shoppers.
![First Friday Stage](https://assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/c_fill,h_500,q_75,w_500/v1/clients/bentonville/FirstFriday_82640E50_5056_A36F_235FE19463986731_82647af1_5056_a36f_23bd4cc080847aa2_6910533e-7e39-4fb6-b2e2-0723b5452728.jpg)
Photo courtesy of Downtown Bentonville Inc.
Back-to-school Shopping
Whether you’re looking for a dazzling first-day-of-school outfit, stylish school supplies, or a quick pleasure read to breeze through before going back to class, there are so many unique boutiques and shops in Downtown Bentonville to shop at:
- Bear Hollow Kids
- Bentonville Mercantile
- Beautiful Lives Boutique
- Blue Moon Bentonville
- Eyes on The Square
- Gearhead Outfitters
- Happy State Co.
- In Season
- Label Boutique
- Moosejaw
- Oli & Meg
- Once Upon A Time Books
- Remedy Road
- Southern Style
Photo by Luke Allen
What makes back-to-school shopping better? An ice cream break, of course! Check out four iconic Bentonville ice cream shops.
Last-minute Family Fun
Enhance your back-to-school experience with an educational adventure in Bentonville! Browse our Museum Roundup Blog, and plan your visit.
![Children play at an exhibit in a museum](https://assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/c_fill,h_330,q_75,w_500/v1/clients/bentonville/DRAGER_VB_Madden5131_9ca27c87-0751-4897-8bef-9a7263999e1b.jpg)
Photo by Drager Creative
The fun in Bentonville doesn’t end when school starts, check out these exciting upcoming events
- 10 am, Saturdays | Free Guided Trail Ride with Bike School Bentonville
- August 18–19 | SOAR NWA
- Sep 1–3 | Amped Electric Games
- Sep 1–3 | Trifest for MS 2023
Photo courtesy of SOAR NWA
Browse all the Bentonville happenings on our events calendar.