Fall festivals near Wichita (2021)

It’s the season for small-town fall festivals in the Wichita area. Last year, every small town had to do their best to make a good call, which meant most of them didn’t happen. So, too, this year is proving to be a challenge for fall festival organizers working with shortages (especially in carnival availability) and shorter timeframes within which to plan. 

The good news is that, so far, many or most fall festivals near Wichita look like they’re going forward!

Let’s dive in and see which fall festivals are still planned, which ones are still making decisions, and which will have to wait until next year.

Normally each year, Kansas small-town fall festivals start happening as early as August, and they’re in full swing by September and October.

Community festivals like these always promise good old-fashioned (and cheap) family fun. Most include parades, games for kids, live music, and food vendors. Some require a button purchase for a nominal fee, but some are free. Carnival rides, if they have them, almost always cost extra.

Without a doubt, there will be changes even to the festivals that are still going ahead this year. 

You might want to bookmark this page or share it, because we’ll be adding to it as we get more information. Read on to see all the fun fall festivals near Wichita we know of, and whether they’re on or off for 2021.

Rose Hill Fall Festival

Keep checking back because we will be adding more news about fall festivals as we hear it. 

2021 Kansas Fall Festivals

Here is where we’ll update you on the status of this year’s fall festivals as we find out about them!

Quick reminder: As we always say with outdoor events, be sure to double-check the schedule at the festival website or Facebook page before you head out. We’ve included links whenever possible to make this easy for you. You know how unpredictable our Kansas weather can be sometimes!

Please note: Since plans can change on short notice, be sure to use the links in each post to double-check all events before you go.

Bonus: Summer Festivals in Wichita!

July 8-11, 2021 Sand Creek Summer Daze in Newton is a four-day festival with live entertainment, outdoor movie night, fishing derby, barbecue competition, human foosball, car show, kids activity area, and more. 

August Fall Festivals around Wichita 

Aug. 6-8, 2021 Country Threshing Days in Goessel, KS. Admission is $5 at the gate; children 11 and younger get in free. An old-fashioned country threshing demonstration, engine and tractor show. 

August 20-22, 2021 Mulvane Old Settlers Days is on for 2021. There may be some changes, but the event usually includes a hot rod show, carnival, arts and crafts, parade, talent show, turtle races and more. MOS buttons are sold at many Mulvane-area businesses.

August 20-21 Mount Hope Prairie Festival 2021 Includes a rodeo, lots of family-friendly activities, and concludes with a fireworks show! 

August 28 Yoder Heritage Day features a variety of free family fun, including pancake and sausage breakfast with donations suggested, vendors, entertainment, tractor pull, kids pedal pull, fireworks and other activities.

September Fall Festivals

September 2-4 ICT Fest continues its tradition of great local music across Wichita. This year, the concerts will be held from 6-10 p.m. on Friday at City Skate Park, from 2-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Naftzger Park. All ages are welcome, and the event is FREE. 

September 4-6 Atlanta, KS Labor Day Celebration generally features lots of activities and events, like a parade, FREE concert, fun tournaments, party at the ball fields, car show, a beer garden, BBQ lunch, and tons more to do that Labor Day weekend. This year’s theme is Atlanta Rising. 

September 10-12 Avenue Art Days in Wichita’s Douglas Design District turns murals into an interactive family event. Come find your favorite!

September 11  Burden Dayz is typically held the second Saturday of September in Burden, KS; however, that particular festival is no more. In its place this year will be a 9/11 tribute in the rodeo arena (info here) that starts at 8 p.m. Plans to date include an F16 flyover, a VFW Honor Guard, and rodeo action. Admission is $10 for adults, kids 7-12 $5, and kids 6 and under are free. Military and first responders are free.

The rest of the town intends to get involved as well, including a parade, a police-sponsored luncheon a, car show, and some great contests to raise money for local charities. Go early and spend the day!

September 12 Orie’s Garlic Fest is an annual food festival that pays homage to—what else? Garlic! It’s a celebration for more than just your tongue as local artisans roll out their handcrafted items as well—but don’t leave without trying some chocolate garlic ice cream.  Come hungry and leave with food, recipes, knowledge, and photos. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at The Brickyard. 

September 15-19, 2021 The Walnut Valley Festival is a celebration of acoustic music, especially bluegrass. It is affectionately known as “Winfield” throughout the world and attracts top artists from around the country, as well as a host of local and regional musicians. Here’s our article about the event.

September 17-18 Maize Fall Festival, Maize City Park, 401 S. Khedive, includes parade, vendors, and live music by the Adam Capps Band. The carnival begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, and reopens with the parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday. More information online

September 17-18 Colwich Heritage Festival is scheduled to happen this year and will include a rodeo on Friday night, big chili cook-off, turtle race and frog jump (seriously!), fishing derby, kiddie caravan parade, and a patriotic main parade starting off at Wichita and Colorado streets. More info

September 17-19 Sedgwick Fall Festival in the town of Sedgwick, KS, is on for 2021 after a year’s hiatus. 

September 18 Kechi Kite Festival is FREE fall event and loads of fun. Bring your own kite or get a personalized recommendation from my friends Mark & Susan at Wings of the Wind Kites and Toys. (They’ll be there with a booth at the event.) The 2021 event will be held on city property near Oliver and the entrance ramp to 254, beginning at 10 a.m. and running until 2 p.m., so you’ll have time to take in a second festival this weekend!  Info here on Facebook

September 18 Wichita Festival of the Arts in Central Riverside Park is FREE to shop and includes music, artists’ booths, food trucks, caretaker talks at the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit, and more. Event planners expect more than 50 local vendors on-site. 

September 24-25, 2021 Valley Center Fall Festival is on for this year (yay!) at 200 W. Main St. in Valley Center. It’s open Friday from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.- 10 p.m. Expect a midway, craft vendors, food trucks, and plenty of live music. Admission is FREE.

September 24-26 Clearwater KS Fall Festival 2021 planning is in the works for this annual fall festival in Kansas. In addition to carnival rides and live music, the town has a photo contest, chili contest, fishing tournament, corn hole tournament, car show, 3 on 3 basketball, and a ducky dash on tap. Hours are 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday.

September 25-26, 2021 Great Plains RenFest. It’s the ultimate costume party for knights and knaves who want to celebrate a Scottish Highland weekend. 

September 30 – October 3, 2021 Goddard Fall Festival is back with a Roaring ’20s theme this year. 

September 30  Taste of Newton, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the 500-800 blocks of  Main Street in Newton, includes food vendors, entertainment, free bike valet and free entry. This event kicks off the Bethel College Fall Festival. 

October Fall Festivals

October 1-3 Bethel College Fall Festival continues the fun in Newton with entertainment, including dance, music, jazz and martial arts, free entry, fees for some events.

October 2  Wamego OZtoberFest 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Wamego revolves around  a “Wizard of Oz” theme, with a street festival, beer and wine garden, street dance, indoor-outdoor marketplace, fun for children, costume contests, car show, BBQ cook-off and even a Toto lookalike competition. Plan to stay for the 7 p.m. showing of The Wizard of Oz synced to Pink Floyd’s Darkside of the Moon soundtrack. Entry is FREE with fees for some activities, 511 Lincoln St., Wamego 66547, information is on Wamego OZtoberFest website.

October 2 Winfield Art in the Park will again be held at Island Park (200 Main St.) in Winfield from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. You can look forward to FREE children’s art activities, live demonstrations, and wine tasting.   

October 2-3 Frederic Remington Festival in Whitewater includes 5K run/walk, car show, kids’ pedal tractor pull, ATV rodeo, vendors, book sale, handprint sign, parade, archery, art show, chess tournament and a strong man competition to see who can heave a hay bale the highest. Free entry, with fees for some activities, information is online.

October 8-9 Mosey over to Wichita’s Union Station this weekend—it’s been transformed into a giant biergarten for Bloktoberfest. The event is family friendly—you can bring Fido, too—but there are fees to participate in Friday night’s beer sampling. 

October 8-10  Rose Hill Fall Festival Rose Hill’s largest annual celebration! Rose Hill Fall Festival includes a car show, Run for the Roses 5k race, craft show, fishing derby, corn hole competition, chili cookoff, petting zoo, a money in the hay game for kids, community picnic and other fun. In previous years, entry for most activities is $2 festival button; kids 12 and younger enter for free. Keep an eye on The Rose Hill Fall Festival Facebook page for this year’s pricing. 

October 9 Halstead Brick Street Arts & Crafts Festival features traditional fall festival activities including live music, food vendors, and kids activities in addition to a fine arts and crafts fair. Event is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Main Street in Halstead, KS 67056. Admission is free, information is here on Facebook.

October 9 Geuda Fest is back this year for its 20th annual celebration. This event wasn’t announced until late August, so look for updated information on Facebook.

October 14-17, 2021 Greater Andover Days (GAD) is moving forward with its fall celebration. This year’s festival is a little later in the year than usual, but that means the game between Andover and Andover Central can be a part! 

October 15-17 Haysville Fall Festival, Festivities include a parade, booths, food vendors, kids activities, beer garden,  car show, inflatables and carnival. Festival buttons are usually $3 per person. Extra fees apply for some activities. The festival is in Riggs Park on Sarah Lane. Information is online.

October 16 Bel Aire KS Fall Festival is scheduled, with a car show, petting zoo, and live music among the activities on the docket. 

October 20-24 Tallgrass Film Festival will have limited capacity, and masks will be required indoors for everyone, including fully vaccinated patrons. Among the film features: Shrek, Leadbelly, The Room, and God Save the Wings. 

October 21-24, 2021 Conway Springs Fall Festival will have a fall/Halloween theme this year with fun kid-friendly and family-friendly activities, including an escape room and movie nights. Sneak peek of events on Facebook here.

Everything below this point was written last year, and I’m slowly but surely working to find updated event details for each…

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Last year’s fall festivals

October 11-12 Geuda Fest features horseshoe tournament, parade 1 p.m. October 12, fireworks show, dance, cornhole tournament & other fun, free entry, fees for some activities, information on Facebook

October 26 Red Brick Harvest Festival in Augusta, includes trick or treating &  other activities for youngsters, free family movie & chili competition,  information online  

2022 Kansas Fall Festivals

August 19-20, 2022 Mount Hope Prairie Festival

October 8, 2022 Bethel College Fall Festival (proposed)