October 1st is not only our First Friday, it’s also the official kickoff of Art & Culinary Week in Downtown Bentonville!

So prepare your taste buds, because here’s a list of what you can expect from the upcoming First Friday — in pictures, of course.

1. So...what's the theme?

The true tradition of Munich's famous annual festival comes to Bentonville for First Friday: Oktoberfest.

Downtown will be filled with live music, vibrant art, free family activities, authentically delicious German food featuring pretzels and brats, and a beer garden offering enticingly cold beer.‍

Big thanks to our First Friday season sponsors:  Walmart, Visit Bentonville, The Walmart Museum, City of Bentonville, Walton Family Foundation.

2.  Lunch hour yoga will give you all the fall feels.

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It’s fall, y’all! No more hot yoga, and the cool temperatures are here to stay (for awhile).

What: Free yoga class

Where: Bentonville Square

When:  Noon on Friday

Details: Bring water and a mat, all are welcome to attend!

3.  Der Biergarten. Need we say more?

You requested it and DBI is making it happen.  

Drop by the Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Journey Beer Garden for local brews provided by Bentonville Taproom.  As you raise your stein, authentic German music will fill the crisp fall air. 

Where is it?  Find the beer garden at the field on Central and A Street.  

Who can go?  Anyone over the age of 21.  

Where can I drink?  You must keep all drinks within the beer garden.  

4.  Try some authentic(ish) German and fall foods.

Come hungry and try one of everything!

Pretzels:  Find German pretzels at Carston Concessions food truck near the intersection of Central Avenue and Main Street.  

Brats:  Top off an authentic German brat with your favorite fixin’ at Downtown Dawgs food truck. 

Caramel Apples and Pumpkin Cupcakes:  You’ll find all the fall flavors at Buttercup’s Food truck.

Fall smoothies:  Wholesome Smoothie is mixing up autumn flavors like Pumpkin Spice, Cinnamon Roll, Chai Latte, and Banana Pumpkin.  Guten Appetit!

Specialty Hot and Cold Drinks:  Java Dudes is bringing in fall with specialty drinks, like Frozen Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew and Salted Hazelnut Turtle!

*A large array of food trucks will be available throughout the downtown area.  

5.  Take a leisurely stroll and shop. ‍

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While music fills the fall air on the Bentonville Square, take a leisurely stroll through Crafters Avenue and our Art Walk.  

Art Walk:  Located on A Street, you’ll find wonderfully talented artists showcasing their work. (available for purchase)

Crafters Avenue:  North Main Street will be the spot to find everything creative and crafty during First Friday.  

6. Dirndls and Lederhosen are not mandatory, but are absolutely encouraged (and will be rewarded).

If you bust out your lederhosen, we’ll provide photo opportunities a’plenty.  Our team will hand out prizes for the best Oktoberfest attire.

7.   Kids Zone is back!  

Kids Zone returns to Northeast A Street for First Friday: Oktoberfest.  Here’s what the kiddos can expect:

Jumping Castle

Climbing Wall

Obstacle Course 

Bungee Trampoline

Games

Crafts

Ozark Axe house will be on site accepting donations for Cancer NWA.

8.  Expect lots of live music (and possibly some polka!)

Festivities begin on the Bay Cities Mainstage at 5 PM.  In the true spirit of Oktoberfest, expect a few spirited surprises on the stage throughout the evening.

Here’s our scheduled lineup of local musicians: 

5:00 - Mia Gjeldum

6:00 - Church Street

7:30 - Jukebox Confession

9.  The vaccine clinic is open.

A COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be available to walk-ins from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at 105 South Main Street. 

The clinic will offer first and second doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to all walk-ins. No appointment is needed. Walk-ins will be accepted for first and second doses.  Minors aged 12 and above attending the clinic will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in order to receive a vaccine.  

The vaccinations are free; insurance is not required. Those attending the clinics do not need to provide identification or social security card to get vaccinated. Vaccine clinics will be held indoors, in a private space, removed from the event footprint.  

10. Now let’s talk...Parking. 

We want to offer as much guidance as possible when it comes to parking downtown because we know it can get…tricky.

Please remember that roads directly around the Bentonville Square will be closed to accommodate the crowds.  

Here’s a map of available free downtown parking courtesy of our friends at Visit Bentonville.   

 11.  When does it all begin?  End?

First Fridays will now run from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. 

Please be advised and respectful of downtown street closures during this time.  We’re all in this together!

 12. Share your photos with us & follow along.

@DowntownBentonville is the official social media account for Downtown Bentonville Inc.  We’ll post all event updates on our accounts first, so follow us for the latest news.  

If you attend First Friday, make sure to tag us on Instagram.  We’ll share your story!