Wichita Riverfest in Wichita Guide: May 29- June 6, 2026

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Wichita River Fest is the biggest festival in the Wichita community. This massive event is the region’s largest, longest-running, and most anticipated festival. The Wichita Riverfest is an annual festival held in Wichita, Kansas, celebrating the city’s vibrant culture and community. When is Riverfest 2026? It will start May 29 – June 6, 2026. 

There’s no shortage of fun activities this year at the Wichita River Festival. This is the best deal of the year. For the price of a button, you get admission into concerts, an ice cream social (Free ice Cream), the Sundown parade, the food court, and so much more.

Did you know your Riverfest button gets you more than just admission? All week long, you can score Discounts and Deals at Local Attractions with Button!

One of my favorite Riverfest deals is Family Fun Day! It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the festival without breaking the bank. On this special day, kids 12 and under get in completely free—no button required—as long as they’re with a paying adult.

Riverfest Button Discount

$5 off Riverfest Button

You can save $5 on your Riverest button if you buy early! They do this deal every year. Click the link to find all the details.

$5 off Riverfest Button

River Festival Regular Button Prices

Riverfest buttons are your admission into the festival, good for all 9 days AND for all concerts.

• $20 for adults
• $10 for kids 6-11
• Kids 5 and under are FREE

Where to get your Riverfestival Button: You can purchase your button at a local Quick Trip or Online.

When working on this article, there were over 150 Riverfest events; most are listed below if you keep scrolling, but this is my personal “Top Riverfest Events” short list.

May 29

• Sundown Parade
• Opening Night Fireworks
• Riverfest Photo Contest (May 29 – June 6)
• Wichita Eagle Medallion Hunt (all week)
• Hot Air Balloons (select mornings & evenings)

May 30

• River Run
• Cowboy Bathtub Races
• Tot Trot
• Admiral’s Pancake Feed
• Plein Air Painting Competition (May 30, 31 & June 6)
• 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament (May 30 – June 2)

May 31

• Cardboard Regatta
• Family Bike Tour
• FutureFest
• Children’s Business Fair
• Family Movie Night – Jurassic Park
• Funnel Cake Eating Contest

June 3

• Buckaroo Rodeo
• Ice Cream Social – FREE Ice Cream
• Midweek Fireworks

June 4

• Touch-A-Truck
• Cajun & Creole Fest

June 6

• Gravel Grinder Bike Race
• Fishing Derby
• Classic Car Show
• Fireworks Finale

Happening Multiple Days / Ongoing

• Food Court (open daily)
• Douglas Street Food Vendors (all week)
• Kids Corner & Inflatables (multiple days)

Riverfest 2026 Schedual of Events: 

I love Riverfest, but it can get overwhelming knowing what to go to and how to navigate their website, so here is a straightforward list. If you have followed me for a while, you know I love bullet points, so I hope this helps you choose what to go to and when. For more details, visit their website.

Friday, May 29
• All-Day First-aid Station / Missing Children’s Area / Lost and Found
• All-Day Wichita Eagle Medallion Hunt
• All-Day Riverfest 50/50 Raffle
• 11 AM – 10 PM Rideshare Drop off / Pick Up
• 11 AM – 11 PM Food Court
• All-Day Riverfest Photography Contest
• 11 AM – June 6 at 11 PM Douglas Street Food Vendors
• 11:30 AM – Noon Grand Opening Ceremony
• 5 – 10 PM Kids Corner & Inflatables
• 5 – 11 PM Bicycle Valet
• 5 – 11 PM Douglas Street Food Vendors
• 6 – 10 PM WEEE Carnival
• 6:30 – 8 PM Sundown Parade
• 6:30 – 8:30 PM Hot Air Balloons
• 7:30 – 8:45 PM DJ3
• 9 – 11 PM The Jacksons
• 10:45 – 11 PM Textron Aviation Opening Night Fireworks

Saturday, May 30
• 7 – 8 AM Hot Air Balloons
• 7 – 10:30 AM Fidelity Bank River Run
• 7 – 11 AM Party on the Plaza
• 7 – 11 AM Runners Village
• 7:30 – 10 AM Admiral’s Pancake Feed
• All-Day Riverfest 50/50 Raffle
• All-Day Riverfest Photography Contest
• 9 – 11:30 AM Plein Air: A Painting Competition Day 1
• 10 AM – 6 PM Artfest Pop Up Market
• 10:30 AM Lane Enterprises Tot Trot
• 11 AM – 2 PM Fiesta Del Rio Live Performances
• 11 AM – 6 PM Helicopter Rides
• 11 AM – 10 PM Kids Corner & Inflatables
• 11 AM – 10 PM Mercadito
• 11 AM – 11 PM Food Court
• 11 AM – 11 PM Bicycle Valet
• 11 AM – 11 PM Rideshare Drop off / Pick Up
• 11 AM – 11 PM Douglas Street Food Vendors
• 11 AM – June 6 at 6 PM Helicopter Rides
• Noon – 5 PM Riverfest 3 on 3 Basketball
• 1 – 3 PM Cowboy Bathtub Races
• 1 – 4 PM College Days: Newman
• 2 – 10 PM WEEE Carnival
• 4 – 5 PM DJ Tino Morales
• 5 – 6 PM Los Del Bajio
• 5:30 – 7 PM Michelob Ultra Soccer Shootout
• 6 – 7 PM Mariachi Mexico en la Piel
• 6:30 – 8:30 PM Hot Air Balloons
• 7 PM Si Se Pueda Award
• 7 – 9 PM Los Reyes Locos
• 7:30 PM Schooner Mate Annual Piñata Competition
• 8 – 11 PM El Fantasma
• 9 – 11:59 PM Rave at Wave

Sunday, May 31
• All-Day Riverfest 50/50 Raffle
• All-Day Riverfest Photography Contest
• 11 AM – 12:30 PM Family Bike Tour
• 11 AM – 2 PM Plein Air: A Painting Competition Day 2
• 11 AM – 3 PM Rivalry on the River
• 11 AM – 3 PM Cowtown Adventures
• 11 AM – 5:30 PM Book Bus
• 11 AM – 6 PM Helicopter Rides
• 11 AM – 6 PM Artfest Pop Up Market
• 11 AM – 6 PM Board Game Gathering
• 11 AM – 10 PM Kids Corner & Inflatables
• 11 AM – 10 PM Food Court
• 11 AM – 10 PM Douglas Street Food Vendors
• All-Day First-aid Station & Missing Children’s Area
• 11 AM – 11 PM Bicycle Valet
• 11 AM – 11 PM Rideshare Drop off / Pick Up
• 11:30 AM – 4 PM Riverfest Throwdown – Cornhole Tournament
• Noon – 5:30 PM Riverfest 3 on 3 Basketball
• 1 – 4 PM Admirals Button Swap and Sale
• 1 – 4 PM FutureFest
• 1 – 4 PM Children’s Business Fair
• 1 – 4 PM Keepers Challenge
• 1 – 8 PM ICT Mobile Golf
• 1:30 – 4 PM Cardboard Regatta
• 2 – 10 PM WEEE Carnival
• 4 – 5 PM Egg Toss Competition
• 5:30 – 6:30 PM Funnel Cake Eating Contest
• 5:30 – 7 PM YBG Studios Fashion Show
• 7:15 – 7:30 PM I Choose Wichita
• 8 – 10 PM Family Movie Night: Jurassic Park

Monday, June 1
• All-Day Riverfest 50/50 Raffle
• All-Day Riverfest Photography Contest
• 10 AM – 10 PM WEEE Carnival
• All-Day First-aid Station & Missing Children’s Area
• 11 AM – 10 PM Food Court
• 11 AM – 11 PM Rideshare Drop off / Pick Up
• 5 – 9 PM Helicopter Rides
• 5 – 10 PM Kids Corner & Inflatables
• 5 – 10 PM Bicycle Valet
• 5 – 10 PM Gospelfest Market
• 5 – 10 PM Douglas Street Food Vendors
• 6 – 9 PM Gospelfest Concerts
• 6 – 10 PM WEEE Carnival
• 7 – 8 PM Brent Jones
• 9 – 10 PM Jonathan McReynolds

Tuesday, June 2
• All-Day Half-Priced Wichita Wind Surge Tickets
• All-Day Riverfest Photography Contest
• All-Day Riverfest 50/50 Raffle
• 11 AM – 7 PM Red Cross Blood Drive
• All-Day First-aid Station & Missing Children’s Area
• 11 AM – 10 PM Food Court
• 11 AM – 11 PM Rideshare Drop off / Pick Up
• Noon – 2 PM Networking at Noon
• 4 – 6 PM Riverfest 3 on 3 Basketball
• 5 – 9 PM Helicopter Rides
• 5 – 10 PM Kids Corner & Inflatables
• 5 – 10 PM Bicycle Valet
• 5 – 10 PM Douglas Street Food Vendors
• 6 – 7:30 PM Star Lumber A Salute to The Military
• 6 – 10 PM WEEE Carnival
• 7:30 – 8:30 PM Raptor: USAF Heartland of America
• 8:30 – 10 PM Sons of Legion

Wednesday, June 3
• All-Day Riverfest 50/50 Raffle
• All-Day Riverfest Photography Contest
• All-Day Half-Priced Wichita Wind Surge Tickets
• All-Day First-aid Station & Missing Children’s Area
• 11 AM – 10 PM Food Court
• 11 AM – 11 PM Rideshare Drop off / Pick Up
• 2 – 4 PM Children’s Performances & Entertainment
• 2 – 10 PM Kids Corner & Inflatables
• 4 – 8 PM Book Bus
• 5 – 9 PM Helicopter Rides
• 5 – 10 PM Bicycle Valet
• 5 – 10 PM Douglas Street Food Vendors
• 5:30 – 8:30 PM CASE New Holland Buckaroo Buckarette Rodeo
• 6 – 6:30 PM Bob Thompson Charity Ice Cream Sandwich Challenge
• 6 – 10 PM WEEE Carnival
• 6:30 – 8 PM Linwood Sexton Ice Cream Social
• 7 – 8 PM Portrait with the Admiral
• 7 – 8 PM Cam Allen
• 8:30 – 10 PM Jake Owen
• 9:45 – 10 PM Fidelity Bank Midweek Fireworks

Thursday, June 4
• All-Day Throwback Thursday
• All-Day Riverfest Photography Contest
• All-Day Half-Priced Wichita Wind Surge Tickets
• All-Day Riverfest 50/50 Raffle
• All-Day First-aid Station & Missing Children’s Area
• 11 AM – 10 PM Food Court
• 11 AM – 11 PM Rideshare Drop off / Pick Up
• 2 – 4 PM Children’s Performances & Entertainment
• 2 – 10 PM Kids Corner & Inflatables
• 5 – 6:45 PM Mudbugs
• 5 – 8:30 PM Cajun & Creole Fest
• 5 – 8:30 PM KAKE Touch-A-Truck
• 5 – 9 PM Helicopter Rides
• 5 – 10 PM Bicycle Valet
• 5 – 10 PM Douglas Street Food Vendors
• 6 – 10 PM WEEE Carnival
• 8:30 – 10 PM Keith Frank

Friday, June 5
• All-Day Riverfest 50/50 Raffle
• All-Day Riverfest Photography Contest
• All-Day Half-Priced Wichita Wind Surge Tickets
• 11 AM – 10 PM Kids Corner & Inflatables
• All-Day First-aid Station & Missing Children’s Area
• 11 AM – 11 PM Food Court
• 11 AM – 11 PM Rideshare Drop off / Pick Up
• 2 – 4 PM Children’s Performances & Entertainment
• 4 – 8 PM Book Bus
• 5 – 6:30 PM DJ Showcase
• 5 – 9 PM Helicopter Rides
• 5 – 11 PM Bicycle Valet
• 5 – 11 PM Douglas Street Food Vendors
• 6 – 10 PM WEEE Carnival
• 6:30 – 7:30 PM Battle of the Bands: Performance
• 6:30 – 8:30 PM Hot Air Balloons
• 8 – 9 PM Sage the Gemini
• 9 – 11 PM Gym Class Heroes

Saturday, June 6
• 8 AM – Noon Riverfest Gravel Grinder
• All-Day Riverfest 50/50 Raffle
• All-Day Half-Priced Wichita Wind Surge Tickets
• 9 – 11 AM Riverfest Fishing Derby
• 10 AM – 4 PM Pickleball Tournament “Dinks on the River”
• 11 AM – 5 PM Kids Corner & Inflatables
• 11 AM – 5 PM Riverfest Classic Car Show
• 11 AM – 5 PM The Garage
• 11 AM – 9 PM Helicopter Rides
• All-Day First-aid Station & Missing Children’s Area
• 11 AM – 11 PM Food Court
• 11 AM – 11 PM Bicycle Valet
• 11 AM – 11 PM Rideshare Drop off / Pick Up
• 11 AM – 11 PM Douglas Street Food Vendors
• 1 – 4 PM Plein Air Art Show & Judging
• 2 – 10 PM WEEE Carnival
• 4 – 6:30 PM Riverfest Native Expo “A Powwow Experience”
• 9 – 11 PM Hank Azaria & The EZ Street Band – A Springsteen Celebration
• 10:45 – 11 PM Capitol Federal Fireworks Finale

Recurring Favorites

• Scroll down for the Music Lineup
• Riverfest Food Court
• Kids Corner Schedual.
• Carnival Schedual.
• Paddle, Boat & Kayaks
• Helicopter Rides 
• Wagonmaster River Tour 
• Medallion Hunt

Riverfest Concerts 2026

Riverfest Concerts in Wichita this year will offer a mix of music for all tastes, with performances from May 30 through June 7 at the Kennedy Plaza Stage. All concerts are free with the purchase of a Riverfest button, which grants access to nine days of festivities, including concerts, food vendors, river activities, and more.

• The Jacksons (May 29)
• El Fantasma (May 30)
• Gospelfest Concerts (June 1)
• Jake Owen (June 3)
• Keith Frank (June 4)
• Gym Class Heroes (June 5)
• Hank Azaria & The EZ Street Band (June 6)

Riverfest buttons are available for purchase at participating QuikTrip locations, the Wichita Festivals office, and online. Adult buttons are $20, child buttons (ages 6–12) are $10, and children under 5 are free. Buttons are required for entry to all Riverfest events, including concerts.

Does it Cost Extra to attend Concerts at Riverfest?

• No. Admission to all concerts is included with your festival button.

For a complete schedule and more information, visit the official Riverfest website. Click HERE to visit the River Festival website. 

According to the Riverfest website, in 1970 at the City’s Centennial celebration, the goal was to bring the entire community together, to build community pride, and focus on Wichita’s beautiful natural resource, the Arkansas River. In 1971, board members selected May 27, 1972, to hold the Wichitennial River Festival. Activities included a bathtub race, maypole winding, and an antique auto parade. Around 2,000 buttons were sold at the festival for $1 each. The Coleman Company and KG&E were a couple of the early corporate supporters in 1973. 1974 was an important year for the festival because a group of leaders had the idea of establishing an organization for the festival made up of young business leaders. This same year, the Festival was extended to 10 days and featured the Sundown Parade, the Twilight Pops Concert, and fireworks. The festival officially became the Wichita River Festival in 1979.

The Wichita Riverfest is an annual festival held in Wichita, Kansas, celebrating the city’s vibrant culture and community. Here are some key details about the Wichita Riverfest:

1. Duration:
   • The Wichita Riverfest typically spans several days, offering a variety of events and activities for attendees.
2. Location:
   • The festival takes place in and around the downtown area of Wichita. Various venues and spaces are utilized for different events and attractions.
3. Events and Activities:
   • The Riverfest features a diverse range of events and activities, including live music performances, food and drink vendors, art exhibitions, cultural showcases, parades, fireworks displays, and family-friendly activities.
4. River Events:
   • As the name suggests, the festival often includes events along the Arkansas River, such as boat races, paddleboat rides, and other water-related activities.
5. Concerts and Entertainment:
   • Live music is a significant part of the festival, featuring performances by local and national artists across various genres. Concerts may take place on multiple stages throughout the festival grounds.
6. Food and Beverages:
   • A variety of food vendors offer a diverse selection of cuisines, allowing attendees to enjoy different culinary experiences. There are also options for refreshing beverages.
7. Fireworks Display:
   • The festival often opens and concludes with a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the night sky and providing a festive and celebratory atmosphere. – FREE to watch
8. Cultural and Community Engagement:
   • Riverfest is an opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate local culture, and engage in a wide range of activities that showcase the spirit of Wichita.
9. Family-Friendly Atmosphere:
   • Many events and attractions are family-friendly, making the festival suitable for people of all ages. There may be designated areas for children with activities and entertainment tailored to younger attendees.

The Wichita Riverfest highlights the city’s social calendar, offering a mix of entertainment, culture, and community engagement. If you plan to attend, check the specific details and schedule for the year you are interested in. Enjoy the festivities!

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