This Labor Day weekend in Wichita is a great one, with awesome weather forecast and plenty of fun, frugal (or FREE) things to do. Labor Day 2026 is on Monday, September 7. For many of us, it’s a long weekend, so you might be looking for fun and inexpensive things to do for Labor Day.
Labor Day is a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
This year has been another full of laborers (whether seen or not) who have contributed to the strength and prosperity of our country. We are excited to give you this list of what is happening in Wichita this Labor Day weekend.
Note if you’re heading out on a Kansas day trip: Fill up the tank before you leave with the cheapest gas prices in Wichita.
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
- Wichita Event Calendar
Note to military: This will be your last weekend until next year to take advantage of FREE museum admission through Blue Star Museums!
Things to do over Labor Day Weekend in Wichita
We have several fun ideas for your holiday weekend. Be sure to scroll down to see things happening in Wichita each day of Labor Day weekend!
Labor Day weekend in Wichita is a time to relax, enjoy family, and make the most of that last taste of summer. The weather in Kansas can be unpredictable, but the good news is Wichita has plenty of affordable things to do both indoors and outdoors. Whether you’re looking to beat the heat inside or soak up the sunshine outside, here are some great ways to spend the holiday weekend without overspending.
Labor Day Activites & Ideas
Free Museums in Wichita
FREE Museums:
Free Only On Sundays:
*certain months
My Top Free Things to Do:
PLAY Kids Craft Area at Wichita Art Museum
Bingo on Sunday at Chicken N Pickle
Summer Only:
Labor Day Deals in Wichita
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Labor Day Road Trips
Road Trips Close to Wichita
This is the ultimate road trip list with 25+ destinations in Kansas and 10+ easy drives outside the state. Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or a full weekend getaway, there’s something here for every kind of adventure.
Before you hit the road, don’t forget to check out the Cheapest Gas Prices article for updated daily prices to help you save even more. Fill up, pack the snacks, and go explore. The memories you make will absolutely be worth it.
Aquariums Near Wichita
This is my Ultimate Guide to Aquariums Near Wichita. If your family loves sea creatures, there are several great aquariums within driving distance that make easy and memorable road trips. From quick overnighters to full weekend adventures, these destinations offer sharks, sea turtles, penguins, and hands-on exhibits all close to Wichita.
Lakes Close to Wichita
This is my Guide to Lakes close to Wichita. This will help you see how far away they are, whether you can swim, whether it has a Kansas beach, camping & more.
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Labor Day Closings in Wichita
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Things to do Over Labor Day Weekend in Wichita
Visit Exploration Place
Spend the day exploring hands-on science fun. With all-inclusive admission, you’ll get exhibits, live shows, dome theater movies, and laser shows for one price.
- Traveling Exhibit: Barbie at Exploration Place
Plan a Date Night
From Walking Paths to Bowling Alleys to local Restaurants’ Specials, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Date Night without breaking the bank.
Fall is Coming
Start planning to attend a Fall Festival or Fall Events this year! I just updated both of those articles and there are lots of fun things coming up!
Happy Hours and Restaurant Specials
Take advantage of Happy Hour Deals across Wichita. Discounted appetizers and drinks make for a tasty (and cheap) night out. On Mondays, there are also some great Hamburger Deals.
Go Shopping
Holiday weekends are prime bargain-hunting time to check out a Consignment Shop, Outlet, and Bin Stores.
More Things to Do:
- Top 25 Free Things to Do in Wichita
- Wichita Arcades
- Chicken N Pickle (indoor games, pickleball, and family specials)
- Top Golf Wichita: 1/2 Price Play
- Advanced Learning Library
- Indoor Kids’ Play Places
- Free Storytimes
Last Chance to Swim
Most pools close on Labor Day, but Wichita Splash stays open until September, so you’ve still got time to cool off.
See Sunflowers in Bloom
Sunflower season peaks right around Labor Day. The Kansas Maze Sunflower Festival is happening this weekend, and there are several Sunflower Fields in and around Kansas worth visiting.
Enjoy Chicken N Pickle Outdoors
Beyond pickleball, Chicken N Pickle has outdoor yard games and often hosts free events. Check out our tips for experiencing it on a budget. They are also having some great Fall Deals at Chicken N Pickle and dont forget they have FREE Live Music on Fridays.
Get on the Water
Rent a Kayak at one of Wichita’s self-service rental stations and enjoy a relaxing paddle.
Explore Downtown Wichita
- Cowtown (free admission on Sundays)
- Historical Museum (free on Sundays)
- Kansas Wildlife Exhibit in Riverside
- Keeper of the Plains and the Wichita Troll
- Free Yoga and Parkrun (Both Free on Saturdays at Exploration Palace)
- Farmers Market
Play Golf
Wichita has several Public Golf Courses with deals and discounts for weekend play. Also, don’t forget the Balls & Beer Golf Deal.
Adult Time
From nightlife to wine tastings, there are plenty of Adult Activities geared toward adults looking for a night out. Check out our Local Gems & Must-Visit Places.
Play Disc Golf
Wichita has multiple Disc Golf Courses, and most are free to play.
Take Your Dog on an Adventure
Bring your pup to a Dog-friendly Patio, restaurant, or one of Wichita’s Dog Parks.
Play Outside
- O.J. Watson Park
- Walking and Biking Trails around town
- Great Plains Nature Center
- Best Parks in & around Wichita
- Best Places to Fly a Kite
- Pickleball Open Play
Things to Look Forward To:
- Free Heritage Square Concerts in September
- Wichita Asian Festival at Century II
- Monarch Migration will start soon!
- Autumn & Art Free Event
- PickleFest at Blood Orchard
- Woofstock
- Orie’s Garlic Fest
- Taste of Newton
- Wagon Master Chili CookOff
- Kansas Rail Fest
- Twilight Tunes on the Terrace
- Fall Renaissance Festival
My girls and I love Labor Day weekend because it’s the perfect mix of summer fun and fall anticipation. We usually spend one day outdoors, like visiting a sunflower field or walking the Keeper of the Plains, and then another day indoors at a free museum or Chicken N Pickle. Wichita really makes it easy to live the good life for less.
Labor Day Weekend Deals
I will be updating this section as Deals become available. Most restaurants don’t release until right before Labor Day.
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. You do need to double-check that the restaurant location you choose is participating in the deal, and that there’s no blackout on discounts for holiday weekends.
- Get 20% off a Tallpass for the Wichita Tallgrass Film Festival
- Full Article: Tallgrass Film Fest Deal
- Fazoli’s
- $15.99 Fresh-Tossed Family Meal (serves four) with promo code FAMILY1599
- BOGO Fettuccine Alfredo (Aug 29–Sept 2) using promo code LABORDAY25
- Top Golf
- When you make a reservation and play August 2?9-September 1, they will give you a FREE BONUS HOUR OF GAME PLAY to come back and use through October 31. Book Here.
- Papa Johns Pizza Deal
- From August 21 through September 3, 2025, Papa John’s is making dinner easy on the wallet with a tasty deal. You can score two large one-topping pizzas for just $9.99 each—that’s dinner for under $20! To get the discount, you’ll need to order two pizzas. The offer is open to everyone, but it’s only available when you order online at papajohns.com or through the Papa John’s app.
Do remember to ask about any restaurant specials before you order. (Maybe even call ahead!) Not all locations participate in these national promotions.
Labor Day Weekend Getaways
And 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:
Tallgrass Prairie National Park
Mushroom Rock and Kanopolis State Park
Henry’s Candy Co. in Dexter, KS
Spring Creek Nature Trail at Cheney Lake
Lindsborg, Kansas (best on Saturday since some of the attractions will be closed on Sunday and Monday)
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