September is one of the busiest months of the year for events in Wichita. It’s cooler weather, school’s back in session, Fall is around the corner and people are ready to enjoy being outside even more.
Here are events worth checking out in September
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Events Worth Checking Out In September
Saturday, September 2
Southside Food Truck Rally
Where: Blood Orchard – reBorn boutique & marketplace
Kick off your long Labor Day weekend with us and shop our amazing vendors from 10a-3p!! We also host the Southside Food Truck Rally on the same day! You can enjoy all of the yummy goodness from our food truck family from 11a-2p!
September 7- 9
ICT Fest
Where: WAVE / John Barleycorn’s / Norton’s Brewing Co. / Kirby’s Beer Store
Expect local, regional and national artists at this three-day, no genre restriction, no age restriction celebration of music at WAVE, Nortons Brewing Co., Kirby’s Beer Store and Barleycorn’s. Mark your calendars for Sept. 7-9 for ICT Fest and plan to see acts such as Tunic, Marrice Anthony, Keo & Them and Lorelei.
September 8 – 17
Kansas State Fair
Where: Kansas State Fairgrounds
The Monarch is back with a second round of Behind The Bar: Guest Bartending at The Monarch! As is the custom, they’ve invited someone in the community to work the bar and raise money for a charity that is near and dear to their hearts. This time it’s yours truly. I’ll be slinging drinks at The Monarch this Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. I’m also bringing along a friend to help, Taben Azad, the president of the Wichita Asian Association, who will be the benefactor of the tips. Come join a night of fun and watch me mess up behind the bar.
Saturday, September 9
Water Lantern Festival
Where: O.J. Watson Park
The Water Lantern Festival is a floating lantern event that is all about connections. Magical nights in cities across the U.S. include food, games, activities, vendors, music and the beauty of thousands of lanterns adorned with letters of love, hope and dreams reflected upon the water. As the sun begins to set on the evening sky, the Water Lantern Festival begins to shine with the launch of the lanterns onto the water as we Light The Water together. Watch your unique lantern drift out into the water as it joins other lanterns carrying hope, love, happiness, healing, peace, and connection. It’s a night that you’ll never forget.
Saturday, September 9
Zoobilee
Where: Sedgwick County Park
Enjoy live music, delicious drinks, and delectable bites from local establishments during Sedgwick County Zoo’s premier fundraiser.
Sunday, September 10
Orie’s Garlic Fest
Where: Public at the Brickyard
A celebration each September of all things garlic, brought to you by the owners of Orie’s Farm Fresh Enjoy walking the brick-lined streets of Wichita’s historic Old Town district while taking in the aroma of the city’s best garlicky fare. It’s here you’ll find dozens of local vendor businesses, including farms, ranches, food artisans and handmade artists, as well as garlicky products galore and our popular complimentary garlic shots.
Sunday, September 10
Fiesta Hispana
Where: Exploration Place
Enjoy crafts, play games, savor delicious food, party on with music and dance, rev your engines with low riders, and explore all of our exhibit galleries. Indoor stage performances featuring mariachi band, folklorico dancers, matachines dancers, singers, fashion show and more! Full details coming soon!
September 13 – 17
51st Annual Walnut Valley Festival
Where: Winfield, KS
The Walnut Valley Association was formed in 1972, with its sole purpose to produce the Walnut Valley National Guitar Flat-Picking Championships Festival, also known as the Flat-Picking Championships, now known as the “Walnut Valley Festival” or simply “Winfield” to the long time attendees.
September 15 – 17
Autumn & Art
Where: Bradley Fair
Autumn & Art is a boutique, high-quality, outdoor art show held at Bradley Fair in Wichita. The show caters to collectors, art enthusiasts, families, and visitors of all ages. Autumn & Art is free and open to the public. Art lovers will have the opportunity to shop for art and grab a bite to eat and drink from booths representing local restaurants and bars. This 14th annual event is happening September 15–17, 2023
Saturday, September 16
Taste and Tour
Where: WAVE
Join us for the Taste and Tour Food Festival! We will be featuring a variety of international foods. There will be different types of cuisine that are Asian, Latin, and American inspired! Take your taste buds on a tour across the world here in Wichita. Buy tickets online now or at the door.
Saturday, September 16
Latinfest
Where: Old Town
Wichita Bonding Company presents Latinfest ICT AT Old Town! As they team up to open Hispanic Heritage Month in Wichitas Old Town District! Come celebrate the traditions and heritage of Latin America with Authentic Food-Dance-Music-Culture-Art-Cultural Performances and much more!!! Enjoy Latinfest Old Town with numerous specials and special attractions!
Saturday, September 16
Kansas Rail Fest
Where: Great Plains Transportation Museum
Featuring music, food, vendors, raffles, rides, scavenger hunts, activities for young and old, and of course – TRAINS! This year we will have a special locomotive display from the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad with a demonstration. For more info see ksrailfest.org.
Saturday, September 16
Kansas Sneaker Fest
Where: Charles Koch Arena
Kansas Sneaker Fest is Wichita’s very own sneaker convention. A unique marketplace for sneaker enthusiasts to buy, sell, and trade sneakers amongst each other. The event features vendors selling and displaying the latest and most sought after sneakers, highly coveted vintage clothing, streetwear brands and accessories. Other activities include a a free throw competition where attendees face off for a chance to win a slew of prizes. Attendees also have the opportunity to win a pair of highly coveted sneakers by supporting the sock drive which benefits local shelters in the Wichita area.
Sunday, September 17
Open Streets ICT
Where: Downtown Wichita
Enjoy a day of biking, fun physical activities, music, dancing, and much more! All Wichitans are invited to get active and socialize at the five major activity hubs situated every mile along the four-mile stretch. Open Streets ICT brings Wichitans of all ages together for an active, fun, community building afternoon in Wichita’s historic Delano District all the way down to the College Hill area.Visitors will be able to cruise along Douglas Ave.on bikes, skateboards, or walk and stop at activity hubs, shop businesses on the route, and visit food and street vendors while listening to music. Please remember no motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed. Hubs will be located at West Douglas, Kennedy Plaza, Naftzger Park, East High School and College Hill.
September 19 – 23
Crave Culinary Festival
Where: Mark Arts
This five-day festival features an artistic fusion of food and friends benefiting Mark Arts. A variety of culinary and libation workshops will be held Tuesday through Friday evenings featuring local and national culinary experts. The festival culminates on Saturday, Sept. 23 with a Foodie Fair where guests can enjoy a keynote talk by food blogger Wichita by EB and sample food from local chefs and restaurants.
September 21 – 23
The Drone Light Festival
Where: Exploration Place
The festival will provide breathtaking views of 300 synchronized drones (100 more than last year!), fully choreographed with music. We are planning some exciting enhancements to the experience, including new custom drone formations, floating Chinese water lanterns, projections on the Exploration Place buildings and a concert lit by more than 2,000 candles.
September 22 – 24
Flying Monkey Con 2023
Where: Exploration Place
For those that are curious about tabletop gaming – the event is free! A variety of vendors will be present. This is a great opportunity to learn about tabletop gaming! For competitors – Expect some fun as we are expecting high caliber play taking place. Competitive gaming includes Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, Blood Bowl and Marvel Crisis Protocol.
Sunday, September 24
Fall Blues Crawl
Where: Exploration Place
Join us for our Fall Blues Crawl to celebrate our 40th anniversary! Doors open at 3, the bands start at 4. Crawl with us and be entertained by the best live musicians.
September 29 – October 1
Greater Andover Days
Where: Andover Central Park
The theme for this year’s Greater Andover Days Fall Festival is Celebrating Our Heritage. This is the perfect family-friendly event for all ages, a date night, or to get out of the house.
Friday, September 29
Final Friday Food Truck Rally
Where: Wichita Boathouse
A Friday evening of art, music, and food. Over 22 food trucks, live music and over 15 local artists and small business vendors will be set up inside and outside of the Wichita Boathouse.
September 30 – October 1
Wichita Brick Convention
Where: Century II
BRICK CONVENTION is an event like no other and brings all of the creative hands-on, minds-on fun of LEGO® building and experiences together in one activity- and entertainment-packed family event for children of all ages and builders of all skills and interests. A portion of the proceeds from each Brick Convention is donated to Creations for Charity. Creations for Charity is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that buy new LEGO sets for underprivileged children around the world during the holidays.
Saturday, September 30
Wichita Wagonmasters Downtown Chili Cookoff
Where: Downtown Wichita
Since the return to Douglas Avenue the crowds have responded in great numbers. And, the best part…the weather doesn’t matter! Hot, mild or even cold, it’s chili weather! We expect the crowd to be over 10,000 strong and all of them eager to taste some of the best chili in the Midwest! With teams from Kansas and surrounding states, the Wichita Wagonmasters Downtown Chili Cookoff has been a Wichita tradition for over 30 years. Since 2005 when the Wagonmasters took over the event and brought it back Downtown, the event has exploded with a renewed level of enthusiasm by contestants and attendees alike.
Saturday, September 30
Prairieland Beer and Music Festival
Where: Hyde Park
Come enjoy unlimited samples of 100+ beers with 40+ breweries from Kansas and beyond, featuring LIVE music throughout the festival. This year the festival will be held under the shade of old growth trees in Hyde Park across from Central Standard Brewing.
September 30 – October 1
23rd Annual Fall Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival 2023
Where: Sedgwick County Park
Come one, come all to the 23rd Annual Fall Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival! Wichita’s long standing fall tradition returns September 30th and October 1st, 2023 in Sedgwick County Park. Aye, there’ll be jests and jousts, falconry and fire breathing, damsels and daredevils, bagpipes and belly dancers, singing pirates, The Wichita Highland Games, Celtic music, kings and queens, Vikings and vagabonds, Kansas Authors Pavilion/renaissance in reading, fairies and fairy tales, fantastic artists, the siege engine competition marvelous merchants and much, much more!
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