Wichita on the Cheap

Live the Good Life for Less & Never Miss a Deal

Sonic New $2.50 Munu for America’s 250th: Food Deals

If you’re looking for a cheap summer treat, SONIC has a new deal worth checking out. To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, SONIC is introducing a limited-time America $2.50 Menu, featuring several fan-favorite menu items for just $2.50 each. The promotion runs from June 22 through July 12 and is available through the SONIC App at […]

Wichita Summer Movie Deals 2026

Take a break from the heat by taking in a movie. Below is a round-up of the most budget-friendly summer movies in or near Wichita. If you’re looking for inexpensive movie options year-round, click here for Wichita Movie Deals. This is the ultimate guide to budget-friendly summer movie programs in and around Wichita. From $1 […]

You-pick Farms Near Wichita: Apples, Berries, Peaches & More

Every year, readers ask me where they can find “you-pick” places in the Wichita area. They’re talking about orchards and farms where families can go pick fresh produce right off the trees or vines. This is so much fun to do, and it’s a great way to enjoy fresh air and sunshine together as a […]

Twilight Tunes on the Terrace at Botanica 2026

Twilight Tunes on the Terrace

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 […]

Free Summer Meals for Kids: Summer Food Program 2026

This summer, kids can receive free breakfast and lunch at locations across Wichita. This wonderful Summer Food Program is back for 2026!  The program is open to any kid ages 18 and under. There are no qualifying guidelines or paperwork to complete—just a free meal provided by the WPS Summer Food Program.  Wichita Public Schools […]

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 […]

$1 Kids Movies at Regal Cinemas this Summer 2026

$1 summer kids movies at the Warren/Regal theaters in Wichita are back! This deal is called the Regal Summer Movie Express. During its Summer Movie Express, two G- or PG-rated movies are shown at 11 a.m. every Monday through Thursday. Both movies play on both days! List of movies and dates below. When school lets […]

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 […]

FREE Audacy Summer Concert Series 2026

Looking for something fun and free to do on Friday night in Wichita? The Audacy Summer Concert Series is back. It was previously known as the KEYN Summer Concert Series. Enjoy free concerts at Naftzger Park in the heart of downtown Wichita & at the Andover Amphitheater this summer! This concert series offers top-notch bands […]

Kansas Aviation Museum Block Party

Gather up a big group of friends or relatives and squeeze everyone in the car! The Kansas Aviation Museum Block Party will be a summer day of Flight, Fun, and Family … and carload admission pricing! Sunday, June 28, 2026, our favorite art deco airport-turned-museum will host a family-friendly block party from 1-6 p.m. It […]

Sonic Drive-In Happy Hour and Deals

Sonic is a personal favorite, and you can’t beat their Happy Hour with half-off drinks! If you’re trying to treat the kids or yourself without blowing the budget, Sonic is one of those places that just makes sense. Whether it’s a quick after-school drink stop or a cheap dinner night when you don’t feel like […]

Stearman Field Fathers Day Fly-In & Concert: Free

The annual Fly-In at Stearman Field in Benton, Kansas, returns on June 20, 2026. This unique event features a full day of aircraft flying into the restaurant’s runway, giving guests a front-row seat to the action and live music. Walk the tarmac, get up close to various planes, and watch them take off and land […]

Wichita 4th of July: Red, White, and Boom: Downtown Wichita 2026

Celebrate the 4th of July with Wichita’s biggest Independence Day party, Red, White & BOOM, in downtown Wichita. This FREE event is open to the public. The festivities will begin at 6 p.m., and food trucks will surround the area of Century II. Then, enjoy the fireworks in downtown Wichita. This spectacular event, presented by […]

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 Swimming Days at Wichita Pools

I remember when I first heard about Wichita’s FREE swimming days! They have them for each of the city’s pools throughout the summer. Can you believe that? Also, this year you can Swim for Free every other Saturday at McAfee Pool. Also see: Where to Swim in Wichita 2026 Pool Season is: May 25 – […]

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 […]

Citywide Neighborhood Garage Sales Wichita 2026

The most updated list! Here’s our list of 2026 Wichita-area citywide garage sales, which we update weekly (or more often, as necessary). This list is valid for spring, summer, and fall citywide sales surrounding Wichita. You’ll want to bookmark this page and return often, because we also add neighborhood garage sales, church and rummage sales, and […]

Free Family Fun Night at Botanica

Looking for a fun and affordable family night out in Wichita? Mark your calendar for Free Family Fun Night at Botanica on Friday, June 26, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This is one of those feel-good community events that combines beautiful gardens, family fun, and giving back all in one evening. A big thank […]

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 […]

Free Outdoor Performances from Metropolitan Ballet: Peter Pan

Metropolitan Ballet will once again host FREE outdoor ballet performances in Wichita-area parks this summer. This year’s annual Park Performances series brings Peter Pan to communities around the Wichita area on June 10–14, 2026, offering families a fun way to kick off summer with a little magic, adventure, and pixie dust. These free performances are […]

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 […]

Live Music Summer Series at Grace Hill Winery

Grace Hill Winery will host a live Summer Concert Series. If you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway that doesn’t require a long Road Trip, consider heading to Grace Hill Winery in Whitewater. Located about 30 minutes from Wichita, Grace Hill feels like a countryside escape with beautiful vineyard views, award-winning wines, and live music […]

Bradley Fair Summer Concert Series 2026

The summer concerts at Bradley Fair are among our favorite events of the year, and the best part is that they’re completely FREE! Here are the details for the 2026 Summer Concert series.  This summer’s Bradley Fair Summer Concert series begins June 11, 2026. In the past, the concerts have been solely jazz, but this […]