Derby’s Third Thursday Free Event: Music, Art, Food Trucks
Have you heard about Derby’s Third Thursday? It’s a fantastic FREE event with live music, artist exhibits, adult beverages, food trucks, and more! Third Thursday in Derby, Kansas, happens in the Spring and Fall. Hop in your car, take Rock Road and head South, and you will run right into Derby. Derby is only about […]
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 […]
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 […]
O.J. Watson Park in Wichita
OJ Watson Park is a fantastic place for families, teens, and anyone who wants to get outside and enjoy a lot of Outdoor Activities. This is the Wichita park with the yellow brick road! The park operates year-round, but the opening weekend, when all rides and special activities open for the season, takes place just before Wichita […]
Where to Walk in Wichita
When the weather is nice, not much is cheaper or more relaxing than taking a walk outside. Thankfully, there are some really great walking trails in Wichita that ensure we never get bored with the scenery. Following is a list of a few that are favorites of my own and those I’ve been told about […]
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 […]
Lakes Near Wichita: Swimming, Camping & Kansas Beaches
Nothing says summer quite like a day at the lake, so I have put together the Best Public Lakes near Wichita. Whether you’re looking for a sandy beach, a weekend camping trip, kayaking, fishing, or simply a place to cool off, there are several great public lakes within an easy drive of Wichita. Here’s a […]
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 […]
Adult Sports Leagues in Wichita: Softball, Golf, Kickball & Valleyball
Are you looking for an adult sports league to join in Wichita? This year, consider participating in adult athletics with the Wichita Parks and Recreation Department. They offer affordable, organized sports, such as adult kickball, golf, sand volleyball, and softball. Participating offers a multitude of benefits. Firstly, it provides an avenue for physical activity, promoting […]
Open Streets ICT 2026 in Downtown Wichita is FREE
Wichita Parks and Recreation will host another Open Streets ICT – a FREE event in Wichita, KS. Over 100 vendors will be in attendance. Open Streets ICT brings Wichitans of all ages downtown for an active, fun, community-building afternoon on Wichita’s iconic Douglas Avenue. Open Street is one of my favorite community events. The city […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]