This Month in Bentonville—May 2024

May is full of outdoor events, movement, and music! We’ve made an event guide for you to navigate the biggest events coming to Bentonville in May so you can have the best visit ever, From live music and art exhibitions to mountain biking, markets, and more—there’s always something to look forward to in Bentonville, Arkansas.

 

Check out our Visitors Guide to Bentonville in May! 

 

If you’re visiting this month, be sure to check out these exciting events happening around town:

May 1

Prepare to journey through a transcendent soundscape as Chicano Batman takes the stage at 6 pm!

 

Their genre-blurring magic fuses Chicano heritage with psychedelic and R&B influences, creating a musical experience like no other. Catch them live at the Momentary RØDE House to experience the magic up close and personal. Get your ticket here! 

 

May 2-4

Join Crystal Bridges Museum and the Momentary for four days of programming that uplifts art, nature, food, and community in a celebration of well-being.

 

Set during the opening of The Portal: An Art Experience by Jewel and featuring a variety of free and ticketed talks, workshops, culinary experiences, and family-friendly engagements by community partners, the festival showcases the profound connections between creative expression and personal health.

 

Come meet regional health and wellness providers, take part in wellness-boosting gallery activities, enjoy farm-to-table food demos, and more—all hosted across the campuses of Crystal Bridges and the Momentary. Check out the festival schedule and get your ticket here! 

 

 

May 3

Join us for Bentonville's May First Friday—Outdoor Adventure on May 3 from 3 to 9 pm! This event is a FREE, family-friendly, community event put on by Downtown Bentonville Inc. Featuring local artists, live music, a variety of vendors, and fun for the whole family.

 

May 3

Noon2Moon, Coler Mountain Bike Preserve’s 3rd annual mountain bike race, returns May 4! As Coler’s only fundraiser, Noon2Moon is your chance to support the Preserve and all the amazing people who make it the best mountain biking destination in the country!

 

Bring the whole family to Packet Pick-Up happening 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, May 3. Racers will have the opportunity to pre-ride the Noon2Moon course. Kids are welcome to drop in for a short Kids Camp experience or Kids Race hosted by our partners at Pedal Kids USA.

 

May 4, 11, 18, & 25 

From fresh produce and baked goods to beautiful arts and crafts, shop local goods between 7:30 am and 1 pm at Bentonville Square.

Image courtesy of Downtown Bentonville Inc. 

 

May 4

The Square 2 Square Bike Ride is a festive, family-friendly experience that allows participants to take in the scenery and camaraderie of the Razorback Greenway! The Spring ride starts at Walker Park in Fayetteville and ends at the Sam's Club Home office in Bentonville.

 

Get your ticket today! 

 

May 4 

Presented as a collaboration between Jewel and Crystal Bridges, The Portal features one-of-a-kind, 200-piece aerial drone shows choreographed by Jewel and set to an original score by the artist, a meditative art walk featuring works by prominent contemporary artists, a never-before-seen painting and sculpture by Jewel, and chef-crafted dining options as part of a complete experience for the body, mind, and spirit.

 

Get your ticket here!

 

May 10

The craggin’s are a party with a heart. Play hard on world-class rock, revel and frolic with the climbing community, learn some new skills, and give back to the crag—at the biggest climbing festival series in the US! 

 

Each event offers films, presentations, vendor villages, local food, and craft beer. Best of all, connect with new friends and old, locals and travelers, seasoned rock-wranglers and climbers just learning to climb outdoors. Celebrate and connect with what inspires your climbing.

 

Join the Craggin’ Classic community—you belong here!

 

May 17 + 18

Set amongst the beauty of the Ozarks, FreshGrass | Bentonville is a two-day, all-ages festival with the best of today’s bluegrass and progressive roots music filling multiple outdoor stages, courtyards, and galleries at the Momentary (exhibitions are always free to view!).

Two-Day General Admission and VIP Tickets are available now at theMomentary.org! Get your Guide to Freshgrass Bentonville here.

 

May 23-26

The Bentonville Bike Fest returns to Ole Applegate from May 23 to 26 this Memorial Weekend!

 

This year we plan on bringing all the action back with tricks you usually only see on Youtube, from the world's best freestylers!

 

If you like bikes, music, action, kid's entertainment, and a great atmosphere overall, then the Bentonville Bike Fest is the place to be! 

FREE entry. See you May 23-26 at Ole Applegate right of Coler MTB Preserve.

 

May 25

A new monthly club night hosted by the Momentary, COLLIDE promises to be the best new spot in NWA to move and groove your way into 2024. Experience new artists each night, DJ sets and live musicians, dancers, friends, lovers, and more. Bring a friend, or come by yourself, and get ready to dance!

 

Tickets are $5, reserve your spot online or with the Box Office at (479) 657-2335 today.

 

May 31

Shine bright for Run Bentonville’s only night time race! This 2-mile race is fun for the whole family. Starting outside Melvin Ford Aquatic Center at Memorial Park. Dogs are not allowed on the race course due to safety concerns. 

 

Register by April 30 to guarantee your shirt size! Registration closes May 29, 11:59 pm.