Labor Day 2019 is on Monday, September 2. For many of us it’s a long weekend, so you might be looking for fun and inexpensive ways to close out the summer. This Labor Day weekend in Wichita is a great one, with lots of fun, frugal and/or FREE things to do.
Note to military: This will be your last weekend until next year to take advantage of FREE museum admission through Blue Star Museums.
Note if you’re heading out of town: Fill up before you leave. So far it looks like Costco and Sam’s (once again) have the cheapest gas prices.
In this article:
- Things to do in Wichita Labor Day Weekend (and holiday closures)
- Kansas Road Trips/Day Trips from Wichita
- Labor Day Weekend Restaurant Freebies and Deals
Things to do in Wichita on Labor Day weekend
It starts with Final Friday downtown. If you haven’t seen them yet, I highly recommend that you head down to Old Town Square (where the Old Town Warren and City Arts are) and watch the fire dancers, Phlox. It’s a unique thing to do and a neat place to be on a Final Friday night.
You can also kick it old school at the WAVE Back to the 8o’s party on Friday night. This 21 and up dance party is sure to be a fun blast from the past. Free entrance if you dress in 80’s attire.
The music at WAVE continues Saturday with heavy metal band PhaseOne. This all ages show is sure to get you on your feet.
Remember that the weekend stretches into Monday for many of us, so there’s more fun to be had then. (Or you can spend the day resting up from all the weekend activities!) The last day to swim in the YMCA Waterparks this year is Labor Day Monday.
If a drive in the country is more your style, be sure not to miss the awesome Sunflower Trails this weekend near Lindsborg. Head out immediately after work on Friday and see the sunflower fields during the golden hours, or wait until Saturday when you’ll have more time to explore and snap pictures to your heart’s content.
See gunfights, take a stagecoach ride, enjoy food truck fare, and more on Saturday, August 31, at the People of the Plains event at Old Cowtown Museum.
Watch the flag raising, get your face painted, splash, join the cornhole tournament, meet Nico Hernandez, listen to live music and more at the Splash Aqua Park flag raising on Saturday, August 31.
On Sunday, September 1, enjoy the fireworks display at the Ninnescah Sailing Association on the West Shore of Cheney Reservoir in Cheney State Park.
Check out the 15 lego sculptures at Botanica designed by Sean Kenney. This exhibit closes on September 19.
Enjoy the last weekend to see the “Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not” traveling exhibit at Exploration Place. The last day to experience it is September 2.
Labor Day Holiday Closures
We won’t hear about closings until nearer to Labor Day, but these were City of Wichita services and places that were closed on Labor Day last year:
City Hall, Neighborhood Resource Centers, Wichita Public Library locations, Park & Recreation Centers, Great Plains Nature Center, Old Cowtown Museum, Mid-America All-Indian Center, Century II administrative offices, Wichita TIX administrative offices, Transit administrative offices, CityArts, Wichita Art Museum, Animal Shelter, Brooks Landfill, WATER Center and Environmental Health.
There will be no Wichita Transit, Paratransit or Q-Line service on Monday.
City of Wichita Golf Courses, Botanica, OJ Watson Park and Riverside Tennis Center are open regular hours on Monday.
Here are things to do and deals we found in or near Wichita this Labor Day weekend.
Things to do around Wichita Labor Day weekend
Celebrate Labor Day at Tanganyika Wildlife Park. First Responders will receive 25% off the price of admission August 31st through September 2, 2019. TWP will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. all weekend long.
On Saturday, grab some fresh veggies and other homegrown and homemade goodies at one of the farmers markets in the area.
Check out the Large Dangerous Rocket Ships (LDRS) as they launch from the Argonia, KS Rocket Pasture during AIRfest 24 from August 29 to September 2, 2019. Bring your blankets, cameras and lawn chairs!
If you’re up for a little drive, Emporia is hosting HALFWAY TO EVERYWHERE FEST in downtown Emporia, Kansas on Saturday, August 31. This FREE music festival features dozens of bands, vendors, art and more.
Looking for more? Check out the Wichita on the Cheap Events Calendar to see every event.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Monday, August 19, 2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Labor Day weekend getaways
You’ll definitely want to check out our Getaways page to get ideas for fun family road trips, day trips from Kansas, etc.
First, make sure you’ve packed the car with these Kansas Road Trip Essentials. Then, head to any of these awesome destinations:
Mushroom Rock and Kanopolis State Park
Cowley State Lake Waterfall (and we’ve had some rain, so there might be water in it!)
Henry’s Candy Co. in Dexter, KS
Labor Day weekend restaurant deals
Many restaurants are offering Labor Day weekend discounts and freebies in case you don’t want to cook over the holiday. Some of the deals are only valid on Labor Day; others are good before and after, so click on the links below for more details. We’ll update the list as more deals come in, so make sure you check back often.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Monday, August 19, 2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Do remember to ask about any restaurant special before you order. (Maybe even call ahead!) Not all locations participate in these national promotions.
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