Twilight Tunes on the Terrace at Botanica 2026
Botanica is hosting Twilight Tunes on the Terrace this year, formerly known as “Tuesdays on the Terrace.” This concert series, held in the evenings in the gardens, features food, drinks, and live music. Relax and unwind at Botanica with their new concert series this Spring. Twilight Tunes on the Terrace at Botanica is a treat […]
Storytime at Naftzger Park in Downtown Wichita 2026
Storytime in the Park is FREE at Naftzger Park in downtown Wichita. Read along with stories on the big screen and enjoy music, snacks, free books, and an activity for the kids. Admission is FREE, and this event is open to the public. Storytime Village helps put on these storytimes with Wichita Parks & Recreation. They […]
Wichita Summer Concerts 2026
One of the best things about summer is the music! When the weather warms up, Wichita puts on some great community gatherings with music as the focal point, and they’re almost always affordable, family-friendly, and outside! This is where we’ll keep track of the outdoor and free concerts we hear of. It will update automatically […]
Riverside Play Days: Free Summer Fun at the Wildlife Exhibit
Looking for a fun and FREE activity for kids this summer? Check out Riverside Play Days, a weekly summer program held at the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit in Riverside Park. The Kansas Wildlife Exhibit is one of Wichita’s hidden gems. Located next to Riverside Park, this free outdoor wildlife exhibit is home to native Kansas animals […]
Free Swimming at McAfee Pool in Wichita
Great news, Wichita! The City of Wichita’s Park & Recreation Department just made your summer a little cooler (and cheaper). McAfee Pool is offering FREE swim every other Saturday all summer long! Whether you’re looking for a way to beat the heat, entertain the kids, or just enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the water, McAfee […]
Where to Fish in Wichita
Fishing is available at public lakes and parks throughout the Wichita metro area. Fishing can be a Fun Family Activity that lets everyone get outside in nice weather, requires minimal equipment, and is practically free (outside of the cost of a fishing license and worms). Plus, those Kansas sunsets over lakes and ponds are the […]
FREE Admission to America’s National Parks 2026
Here’s a big deal: The National Park Service offers five fee-free days in 2026. On these FREE days at U.S. National Parks, you’ll pay nothing to get in to more than 100 national parks across the country that normally charge a fee. During the fee-free days, the parks waive entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and […]
Smoke on the Plains, Derby BBQ & Music Fest: Free Event
The annual Derby BBQ & Music Festival in Derby’s High Park is a family favorite! This FREE event will be held June 12 & 13, 2026! This annual family-friendly event includes live music, food, and kid’s activities. Admission is FREE. There are an average of about 50 professional BBQ teams from the Midwest. There will […]
Fountains at WaterWalk
The Fountains at WaterWalk in Wichita are back and worth a visit in the evening. The Fountains at WaterWalk, often called the Waltzing Waters, have returned after a three-year absence and are once again lighting up with their choreographed water displays. If you haven’t visited WaterWalk lately, now is the perfect time. After being shut […]
Shakespeare in the Park in Wichita 2026: Free
The Wichita Shakespeare Company is back for Shakespeare in the Park. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and bug spray to enjoy one of the many free performances at parks across the Wichita area. This September, Shakespeare in the Park returns with one of the most beloved plays of all time, As You Like It. The best […]
Haysville, Kansas 4th of July 2026
Haysville, KS, is celebrating the 4th of July all day long at Riggs Park, and it’s FREE! These activities are being held on THE day, Friday, July 4, 2026. The Haysville fireworks and other activities are put on by Haysville Rec and the City of Haysville. Since it’s roughly 5 miles south of Wichita, Haysville […]
Goddard, KS 4th of July Celebration: Fireworks, Food & Live Music
The Fourth of July in Goddard is packed with family-friendly fun all day long. Visitors can enjoy swimming, food vendors, live music, and a fireworks show to cap off the celebration. Located just about 13 miles west of Wichita, Goddard is an easy drive and makes a great option for families looking for a fun […]
City Crew Kids Club in Wichita is FREE: Free Events & More
Have you heard? City Crew (formerly known as Barry’s Crew) is a completely FREE program for kids to join. What is City Crew in Wichita? It’s a program for kids to connect with their community and learn more about city services. Managed by the City of Wichita, this program offers free activities, events, behind-the-scenes tours, […]
RiverFlix: Free Outdoor Movies at Exploration Place 2026
Riverflix at Exploration Place is a free outdoor movie series in Wichita. It will be held in the Exploration Place amphitheater right outside its downtown location, near the iconic Keeper of the Plains. The best part is that Riverflix is FREE. This outdoor event will be held in the Wichita Foundation Amphitheater, where everyone is […]
Best Playgrounds and Parks for kids in and around Wichita
I learned my lesson early one July morning when I took my toddler to the zoo. All she did was pick up pretty rocks on the ground! I realized she didn’t care (yet) that there was a giraffe standing a few feet away.After that experience, I began thinking about her perspective rather than my own […]
Splash Parks in and around Wichita 2026
Splash pads in Wichita are a big attraction during the summer months. These splash parks (aka water playgrounds, splash pads, or play fountains) are a great way to enjoy summer for free. They are cost-effective and require less maintenance. Therefore, several have been funded by the city in the past few years. In fact, a […]
Farmers Markets in Wichita
Farmer’s Markets in Wichita and surrounding communities with locally grown fresh food, plants, honey, handmade items, and more. Some markets offer kids’ activities and live entertainment; all offer an excellent opportunity to meet your neighbors, learn more about local produce, and share in the fun of discovering things produced right here in our own state […]
Treehouse Concerts at Bartlett Arboretum 2026
Super-affordable and a great way to spend an afternoon outside, the Treehouse Concerts at Bartlett Arboretum are just a short drive from Wichita …
Heritage Fest in Andover
You should add Heritage Fest in Andover to your spring calendar. This family-friendly festival is packed with fun and nostalgia and is free to attend. The City of Andover brings history to life with Heritage Fest, an exciting new event that honors the community’s rich railroad heritage. Guests will be able to step back in […]
Playing Across the Park: Wichita Symphony Free Concert
Musicians from the Wichita Symphony have partnered with Wichita Park & Recreation to bring you a FREE, family-friendly, all-ages event called Playing Across the Parks, and everyone is welcome. Musicians will play on April 25, 2026. Enjoy beautiful music with the entire family while you relax outdoors. You will be mesmerized by the Symphony musicians […]
Learn to Swim: Affordable Lessions & Swimming Scholarships
If you’ve been thinking about swim lessons in Wichita but weren’t sure about the cost, this is worth looking into. Wichita Park & Recreation offers already affordable swim lessons starting around $35, and I recently learned they also have scholarships that can make them completely free for qualifying families. Learning how to float, tread water, […]
Spring Work Day at Great Plains Nature Center & Free Lunch
The Great Plains Nature Center welcomes the community to its free Spring Work Day in the Park. This annual event is a crowd favorite in anticipation of the warmer months. Spring Work Day is a chance for people of all ages and abilities to get outside and help prepare Chisholm Creek Park for the warmer […]
Great Plains Renaissance Festival in Wichita: Ticket Discounts
The Great Plains Renaissance Festival and Wichita Scottish Festival is happening at Sedgwick County Park in Spring 2026. This beloved local event, known as the Wichita Renaissance Fest, offers a wide array of exciting activities and entertainment. At the Wichita Great Plains RenFest, you’ll find what the organizer’s dub “jests and jousts, fire-breathing daredevils, aerial […]
Art at the Arb – Music and Art at the Bartlett Arboretum
It must be Spring because Art at the Arb is back for 2026. This event celebrates springtime with a weekend-long celebration featuring local artists, live music, blooming tulips, great food, and the arboretum’s fantastic garden landscapes. On Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine will host “Art at the […]
Exploration Place Destination Playscape and Water Play: Now Open
Exploration Place is developing a 6.5-acre outdoor playscape along the Arkansas River, featuring a variety of play and learning elements, scheduled to open March 13, 2026. This new addition will include a Water Play Park, multiple Playgrounds, and unique experiences, such as the Exploration Place Outdoor Amphitheater, which offers views of the Keeper of the Plains […]