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 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 Labor Day weekend things to do
Be sure to scroll down to see things happening in Wichita all weekend and other Labor Day weekend events we on our calendar!
Friday night
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. Plus, this could be our final Final Friday! (Have you heard Wichita is switching to First Fridays?)
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.
Saturday
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.
The music at WAVE continues Saturday with heavy metal band PhaseOne. This all ages show is sure to get you on your feet.
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.
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.
Sunday
On Sunday, September 1, enjoy the fireworks display at the Ninnescah Sailing Association on the West Shore of Cheney Reservoir in Cheney State Park.
Monday
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!)
O.J. Watson Park will be OPEN from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with rides open from noon until 8 p.m. This is a great, fun Wichita park for kids.
The last day to swim in the YMCA Waterparks this year is Labor Day Monday.
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.
Wichita golf courses, Riverside Tennis Center, and Botanica are also open (regular hours) on Monday, Labor Day.
All 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!
Check out the 15 lego sculptures at Botanica designed by Sean Kenney. This exhibit closes on September 19.
Even more Labor Day weekend events around Wichita
Looking for more? Check out the Wichita on the Cheap Events Calendar to see every event.
Monday, July 13, 2020
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Labor Day Holiday Closures
These City of Wichita services and places will be closed on the Labor Day holiday:
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, and Riverside Tennis Center are open regular hours on Monday. OJ Watson Park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with rides available from noon to 8 p.m.
Labor Day weekend getaways
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.
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
Cowley State Lake Waterfall (and we’ve had some rain, so there might be water in it!)
Henry’s Candy Co. in Dexter, KS
Coronado Heights (We’re not sure if it’s open yet; it was damaged earlier this year from rain/flooding.)
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.
Monday, July 13, 2020
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Do remember to ask about any restaurant special before you order. (Maybe even call ahead!) Not all locations participate in these national promotions.
Copyright Living on the Cheap. The post Labor Day weekend freebies and deals appeared first on Living On The Cheap.
