June is Pride Month, a time set aside to honor one of the most famous events in the queer liberation movement, the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. This historic event was a turning point in LGBTQ+ political activism, leading to America’s first gay pride parade on the one-year anniversary of the Uprising and serving as a catalyst for many gay rights organizations.
Pride Month is also a time when the LGBTQ+ community comes together to celebrate their identities and accomplishments, bringing alongside corporate and individual allies to amplify and show their support for this community.
Bentonville has a vibrant network of LGBTQ+ creatives, business owners, teachers, and allies. We’re grateful for everything LGBTQ+ people bring as part of our community, and we’re committed to reflecting and celebrating with them in June and throughout the year. And that goes for our LGBTQ+ visitors too!
Read on for ideas about celebrating Pride in Bentonville during June and throughout the whole year:
Event Spotlight: June 21st | 21c Museum Hotel Pride Party
Celebrating Pride Month at 21c Museum Hotel with a fashion-forward celebration of CAMP—the bold, exaggerated, and fiercely expressive aesthetic rooted in queer…
21c Museum Hotel in downtown Bentonville is an exceptional place to stay and a long-standing ally of the LGBTQIA+ community.
This year, celebrate Pride Month at 21c Museum Hotel with a fashion-forward celebration of CAMP—the bold, exaggerated, and fiercely expressive aesthetic rooted in queer culture. The full afternoon and evening of activities include:
3-5:30 PM a fashion forward trunk show with local designers and vintage pop up including: The Library Vintage, Big Sister Studio (with on site chain stitching), TheRealBraxtonC, Aubrey Costello, Darcy Ames, and Dandy Pantz.
6-10 PM Camp costume contest, dance party, cash bar and drag shows!
Hosted by beloved local drag performers Jasmania and Sugga Cookies with Her Set Her Sound DJ's providing the good vibes all night. Light snacks provided with a cash bar on site. All proceeds will be donated to Queer Camp, an inclusive summer camp experience for LGBTQIA+ youth.
Think you got what it takes to be crowned Queen Camp?
Costume contest is first-come first-serve and starts at 7 PM sharp! The first 30 participants will walk the Camp Runway for a chance at 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place.
Contest followed by drag performances anda dance party. Happy Pride!
Get your FREE tickets here.
The Bentonville Film Festival
Join us in Bentonville for the ninth annual Bentonville Film Festival, chaired by Academy Award Winning Actor Geena Davis! Championing inclusion in all forms of…
For the 11th year, the Bentonville Film Festival is returning to our city, giving platform to untold stories, especially the LGBTQIA+ community. BFF’s 2025 competition programming reflects its ongoing commitment to inclusion and authentic representation across all communities. Of this year’s selected competition films:
- 66% are from creators identifying as female or gender non-conforming
- 51% identify as BIPOC, Asian, or Pacific Islander
- 29% identify as LGBTQIA+
- 18% are filmmakers over the age of 50
- 12% identify as a person with a disability
Check out the full 2025 film program, or read the full scoop on the lineup.
Explore artwork by LGBTQ+ Artists at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Now is the perfect time to explore Crystal Bridges' online eMuseum collection featuring works by LGBTQ+ artists. With the museum currently undergoing a major expansion that will increase its size by 50% and open in 2026, many artworks are temporarily moving between galleries or resting in storage during the transition. While the works seen above may not be on display until the expansion opens, the digital collection offers uninterrupted access to discover and learn about the diverse stories and contributions of LGBTQ+ artists in American art history. As Crystal Bridges reimagines its galleries to tell richer, more inclusive American stories, their online collection serves as a valuable resource for exploring art that might not currently be on view in person.
General admission to the museum is free, so be sure to plan a visit and keep an eye out for these artworks by LGBTQ+ artists along the way.
Explore Pride Events:
Celebrate Love, Community & Pride:
NWA Pride Weekend Returns June 27-29!
Mark your calendars for the 21st Annual Northwest Arkansas Pride Weekend! Join us June 27-29 for three days of celebration, community, and unforgettable moments. Learn more about this annual event here.
Visit Bentonville's Commitment to Equity
Visit Bentonville is committed to ensuring that our work helps Northwest Arkansas become a more equitable destination, so all who travel to our region can enjoy their experience and feel welcome.
We’re happy to help you with any additional information needed during your stay in Bentonville. Our Visitor’s Center is open 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9 am to 3 pm on Saturdays. Stop by and see us at 406 SE 5th Street, Suite 6.