Searching for ideas on what to do in Wichita this week or what’s ahead? We got you covered with What’s Happening This Week In Wichita.
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the Wichita Event Calendar
FEATURED EVENTS
■ Haunted Hops | Oct. 12
Where: Botanica
Join us for the first Haunted Hops at Botanica on Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Take a stroll through the haunted gardens while sipping on more than 15 spooky-themed craft beers and hard ciders provided by local and regional breweries. There will also be signature cocktails, mocktails and seasonal brews available throughout the gardens. Guests can sample small bites while enjoying live music by Annie Up and DJ Carbon. For football enthusiasts, there will also be several spaces around the gardens to watch the Chiefs vs. Broncos game.
■ ICT Bloktoberfest | Oct. 13-14
Where: Naftzger Park
Celebrate German heritage with local craft beer and brats at ICT Bloktoberfest. Naftzger Park in Wichita is transformed into a Biergarten as this giant block party brings together your favorite flavors with Wichita food trucks and breweries.
■ Shop & Grub | Oct. 15
Where: Exploration Place Festival Plaza
Shop & Grub is a monthly outdoor market featuring various vendors selling vintage clothing, art, jewelry, accessories, home goods, wine, delicious food, and more. Free Admission for All Ages.
BEST THINGS TO DO
■ Opening Night of Wild Lights | Oct. 11
Where: Sedgwick County Zoo
Wild Lights is back with ALL NEW light displays and this year’s theme will leave you smiling like the Cheshire Cat. Wichita’s most unique fall event will return with larger-than-life Asian Lantern sculptures illuminating the Zoo with dazzling scenes of glowing wildlife, beautiful scenery, and Alice in Wonderland themed displays.
■ 1 Million Cups | Oct. 11
Where: Groover Labs
1 Million Cups is a free, weekly national program designed to educate, engage, and connect entrepreneurs. Every Wednesday morning at 8:45 a.m., one or two early-stage startups present their companies to a diverse audience of their peers, mentors, educators, and advisors.
■ Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night | Oct. 11
Where: Headshots Bar & Grill
Modeled after pub quizzes in Ireland and the U.K., Geeks Who Drink is an authentic homegrown trivia quiz. It’s a great way to drink with friends, without burning brain cells. And it’s where useless knowledge means everything. Our quizzes cover everything from Hungary to The Hunger Games, from science to sports, from the Billboard Hot 100 to Better Call Saul. Each quiz consists of seven rounds of eight questions each, in a variety of formats, including audio and visual rounds. Teams can be up to six players, so bring your smartest friends (or some likable dummies)—or come solo. We can always help you join a team! No reservations needed! Winning teams get bar cash and other prizes, depending on the venue. Bonus questions sprinkled throughout the quiz will net you additional goodies.
■ Charlie Berens Live | Oct. 12
Where: Wichita Orpheum Theatre
CHARLIE BERENS is an Emmy-winning journalist, comedian, host, and creator of the Manitowoc Minute. The Wisconsin native has been featured on Fox, CBS, Funny or Die, TBS Digital, Variety, MTV News, and more. Most recently, Charlie’s Midwest-focused sketch comedy videos have garnered hundreds of millions of views. In addition to sketch comedy and the Manitowoc Minute, Charlie also hosts Dark Side Of on Discovery ID.
■ Wichita Wurlitzer The Phantom of the Opera | Oct. 12
Where: Century II
■ First Man Brewery 1st Anniversary Celebration | Oct. 13
Where: First Man Brewery
Join the Celebration! First Man Brewery’s 1st Anniversary Celebration We can hardly believe it’s been a whole year since we opened our doors and became a part of this amazing Derby craft beer community. To mark this momentous occasion, we’re throwing an anniversary party like no other, and you’re invited!
■ Jack-o-lantern Spectacular | Oct. 13-14
Where: Botanica
Celebrate the spooky season at Botanica’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular! Join us the first two weekends of October to marvel at over 1,000 Jack-o-lanterns carved by volunteer groups in the Wichita community. Each evening, family and friends will be captivated by talented aerial acrobatics and have their pulse race during the Haunted Woodland Walk. DJ Carbon will keep the beats pumping and food trucks will be available for an evening snack. Kids will enjoy a petting zoo, carousel rides and so much more at this family-friendly event. Ranging from spooky to fun, everyone will find something to enjoy!
■ Fridays 5:30 at Applejack Pumpkin Patch (21+ and older only) | Oct. 13
Where: Applejack Pumpkin Patch
Enjoy an evening out at Applejack! We turn the patch into an adult playground just for you! Must be 21+ to enter. ID will be requested at the gate. No children or infants please. We will have a food truck, outdoor games, and live music. Visit Applejack Store for fall seasonal handmade and homemade items and decor. Pumpkins and gourds will be available for purchase. Admission is $10 per person, including a water bottle and bag of kettle corn. Food and wine are available at an additional cost.
■ Spooky Sound Bath and Handpan Concert on Handpan Day | Oct. 13
Where: Body and Soul Therapeutic Massage
Come enjoy a spooky sound journey on Friday the 13th! A combination of handpans, didgeridoo, and singing bowls will help conjure in the Halloween spirit. Rest and relax while the haunting vibrations float through you. Yoga mats will be provided for comfort. Please bring pillows, blankets, or anything else that will help you relax. October 13th is also Handpan Day, the day designated to the invention of this instrument 24 years ago. To celebrate, the spooky sound journey will be followed by a handpan concert. We will also have handpan inspired snacks and refreshments.
■ Adult Skate Night | Oct. 13
Where: Carousel Skate Center
Join us for Adult Night every Friday! Must be 21 with a Valid ID. $10 Cover (skates included). Beer & mixed drinks available. Check out our feature at what to expect here.
■ Snow White by Grand Kyiv Ballet | Oct. 13
Where: Orpheum Theatre
We are thrilled to have the prime dancers from the National Opera and Ballet of Ukraine bring this enchanting tale to life on stage. Their talent and skill are unparalleled, and we know that audiences will be captivated by their exquisite performances. This performance of Snow White and Seven Dwarfs promises to be a magical experience for audiences of all ages. Don’t miss your chance to see these world-class dancers in action as they tell this beloved story through the beauty and grace of ballet. Mark your calendars for the performance and join us for an unforgettable evening of dance.
■ Fool House: The Ultimate 90’s Dance Party | Oct. 13
Where: The Cotillion
Fool House is THE ULTIMATE 90’s DANCE PARTY! A LIVE musical event paying homage to the golden era of boy bands, pop stars, hip hop, and pop punk. With a larger than life production, this show recreates the sights, sounds, and energy of the biggest stars of the 90’s. Nonstop sing alongs, party throwbacks and choreographed dance moves is what this show is all about! Come prepared to sing your heart out and dance all night long!
■ Rose Hill Market & Craft Fair | Oct. 14
Where: Multipurpose Building (Rose Hill)
The Market & Craft Fair is located in the Multipurpose Building on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can enter the Craft Fair from the entrance on the north. Must have a Fall Festival Button to enter the Craft Fair. Buttons will be for sale at the Craft Fair.
■ 20th Anniversary Parade of Stars Annual Walk | Oct. 14
Where: Central Riverside Park
t’s the annual Parade of Stars day, in recognition of the dynamic individuals we serve in our communities. For our 20th, we’re doing it big, bringing back the morning 5K run AND adding a cornhole tournament along with the traditional 1-mile walk.
■ 31st Annual St Peter Schulte Fall Bazaar | Oct. 14
Where: St. Peter Catholic School
Come join us for the 31st Annual St Peter Schulte Fall Bazaar with over 50 artisans at St. Peter Catholic School on K-42 between Maize and McArthur Road. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, October 14th, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Enjoy some fresh homemade cinnamon rolls, made from scratch bierocks or baked goods from our country general store. Lunch will also be available for purchase. We feature local & visiting artisans with a variety of hand made products in addition to some of your favorite commercial vendors. Unique jewelry, clothing, candles and much more will catch your eye at one of Wichita’s premier Fall Bazaars! This is the perfect place to shop that Christmas list for yourself or others! All of this for a $3 entrance fee.
■ Peerless Princess of the Plains Scavenger Hunt | Oct. 14
Where: Tor Brewing
Ever since Wichita was a Cowtown in the 1870s, there have been many women of consequence, often behind the scenes, who have helped build our Peerless Princess of the Plains. Join the Badass Women of Wichita to celebrate women who have shaped our past and who are making an impact today at our 2nd annual Scavenger hunt! Solve clues and find locations to discover how these women have helped make Wichita a place we are proud to call home.
■ Cars, Tunes & BBQ | Oct. 14
Where: McClelland
Free car show! Cars, Music, and maybe some adoptable dogs visiting courtesy of Wichita Animal Action League. Lunch available for purchase from Station 8 BBQ.
■ Art on the Trail | Oct. 14
Where: Great Plains Nature Center
Stroll through nature trails at the Great Plains Nature Center, purchase a glass of wine or craft beer from Grace Hill Wineries, and watch as more than 25 Wichita artists let their creativity flow. Each artist will create original art, live, throughout the park. Meet, greet, and enjoy! This interactive, outdoor event is designed to appreciate the beauty of native Kansas wildlife. Appreciate nature, art, and community during golden hour sunlight at the Great Plains Nature Center.
■ Running with the Weens | Oct. 14
Where: Naftzger Park
ICT Dachshunds is on their 4th year of holding this amazing event. They are a incorporated non-profit and 100% of their proceeds goes directly to the ICT Dachshunds Foundation which provides medical assistance to Kansas residents for dachshunds with back issues. They hold a double elimination race, have silent auction, raffles, merchandise, and a dachshund costume contest. They are the largest Dachshund Race in Kansas with 100+ dachshunds racing and draw crowds around 500-700 people.
■ Naftgzer Park Vendor Market | Oct. 14
Where: Naftzger Park
Please join us for an ALL-DAY local artist & small business vendor market during ICT Bloktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 14th at Naftzger Park The Market is FREE TO ATTEND & will run from Noon till 8 PM
■ Pumpkins at the Park | Oct. 14
Where: Tanganyika Wildlife Park
We’re back with Pumpkins at the Park! That’s right – Pumpkins at the Park, Wichita’s largest Halloween event, returns this year for a spooky good time for the entire family EVERY Saturday in October, 6pm – 10pm! The nights in October are the 14th, 21st, and 28th.
■ Kansas Grown! Farmers Market | Oct. 14
Where: 21st & Ridge Road
Enjoy over 100 local vendors supplying the market with delicious fruits, vegetables, meats, farm fresh eggs, hand harvested honey, baked goods, jams, jellies, salsas, fresh cut flowers, pet treats, unique artisan crafts, and more. Experience a true taste of local visiting with friendly growers, producers and artisans. Live music, cooking demonstrations, sample tastings, food trucks and local favorite Troubles the Clown are just some of the many features to see at our farmers’ market!
■ Old Town Farm & Art Market | Oct. 14
Where: 835 E. 1st St.
Weekly destination for thousands of area residents and a must-see for visitors to the city. Wichita’s downtown Farm & Art Market since 1991! – Food, Arts, Artisan Goods, Live Music, Street Entertainers, and so much more.
■ 88th Annual Lebanese Dinner & Food Sale | Oct. 14-15
Where: St. George Orthodox Christian Catherdral
Join us October 14th and 15th for our 88th Annual “Big Dinner!” The Big Dinner includes drive-through and dine-in options, Country Kitchen and cathedral tours.
■ BooFest | Oct. 14
Where: Exploration Place
Join us for a family-friendly party that embraces the fun and silly side of Halloween. Challenge your friends to interactive games in the Halloween Hall exhibit, trick or treat throughout the museum, take a spin around an old fashioned cupcake walk, cool off with a scoop of ice cream chilled by liquid nitrogen, breathe smoke like a dragon and be the star of kid karaoke in Kemper theater. Wear your costumes and invite your friends – BooFest is going to be a blast!
■ Broadway Unplugged: An Evening with Beth Leavel | Oct. 14
Where: Music Theatre of Wichita
Tony Award® winner Beth Leavel (The Prom, The Drowsy Chaperone) is bringing her award-winning cabaret act to Mary Jane Teall Theater for one fabulous night of fun! Join us for an evening of story and song as Beth takes you through her illustrious career as one of Broadway’s biggest, belting-est divas. Filled with laughs, surprises and some joyously chaotic misbehaving, this is one show you don’t want to miss!
■ Princesses at the Wild Lights | Oct. 14
Where: Sedgwick County Park
Join the Red Rose Queen and the Curious Girl while marveling at the Wild Lights! They will be available for meet and greets, autographs, and photos from 6-830!
■ Prairie Hill Vineyards Fall Festival | October 15
Where: Prairie Hill Vineyards
View All Events On Our Calendar
THIS WEEK’S FALL FESTIVALS
October 13 – 14
ICT Bloktoberfest
Where: Naftzger Park
Celebrate German heritage with local craft beer and brats at ICT Bloktoberfest. Naftzger Park in Wichita is transformed into a Biergarten as this giant block party brings together your favorite flavors with Wichita food trucks and breweries.
October 13
Haven Fall Festival
Where: Haven, KS
Fun for the whole family! 5K fun run, bicycle ride, kids’ pedal pull, micro stock car races, alpaca/llama races and BBQ contest. Many, many free events! The Fall Festival is held on the second Saturday in October in downtown Haven.
October 12 – 15
Bethel College Fall Festival
Where: Newton, KS
The four-day event includes the Taste of Newton, Thresher Classic Golf Tournament and Fall Fest Fair on the Bethel campus.
October 13 – 14
Maize Fall Festival
Where: Maize, KS
Presenting “Maize Super Days – A City of Character”. There you’ll find the 9th Annual Pride Ag Ace Hardware Chidlren’s Miracle Network Car Show, the fall festival parade, a talent show and more.
October 13 – 14
Geuda Fest
Where: Geuda Springs, KS
Fun for the whole family! Bounce houses, ax throwing, pedal pull, horseshoe tournament, corn hole tournament, lawn mower races
October 13 – 14
Svensk Hyllningsfest
Where: Lindsborg, KS
Svensk Hyllningsfest is the biennial celebration of honoring the Swedish immigrants who settled in the Smoky Valley in 1869. Started in 1941, the festival features art, crafts, special foods, ethnic music, folk dancing, parade, smörgåsbord and special entertainment. Smörgåsbord tickets are popular and sell quickly., The festival coincides with the Bethany College Football Homecoming.
October 13 – 15
Rose Hill Fall Festival
Where: Rose Hill, KS
Rose Hill’s annual celebration includes a carnival, car show, parade, craft show, fishing derby and more!
October 15
Floyd’s Fall Fest
Where: Cheney, KS
Come shop our fabulous vendors and explore the museum at our first Fall Fest at Souder’s Historic Farm Museum.
AROUND THE CORNER
■ TsunamiCon 2023 | Oct. 20
Where: Wichita Holiday Inn
TsunamiCon is Wichita’s premiere tabletop gaming convention, presenting a variety of gaming opportunities and related geekery right here in America’s heartland. We gather annually in the great city of Wichita for a number of fun and exciting events throughout the weekend, including a variety of tabletop games and RPGs, featured events, demos, special guests, organized play, live entertainment, panels, contests, giveaways and more.
■ Wicked Pairings | Oct. 20
Where: Exploration Place
Join us for a night of mischief and fun as we take over the museum, blending sinister and sweet into a Halloween party like Wichita’s never seen. Wicked Pairings is a delightful celebration of drinks and desserts, exclusively for those 21 and over.
LIVE MUSIC
Visit this week and the schedule for the weeks ahead at our Live Music Calendar.
PERFORMING ARTS
Century II Performing Arts Center
■ October 12 | Wichita Wurlitzer Phantom of the Opera
■ October 14 | Beth Leavel
Crown Uptown Theatre
■ October 13-29 | Rocky Horror Show
■ October 27-28 | Wizard of Oz
Kechi Playhouse
■ October 6-29 | Crossing Delancey
Mosley Street Melodrama
■ September 15 – October 28 | Nightmare on Mosley Street
Prairie Pines Playhouse
■ November 17 – December 23 | Holiday Show 2023!
Roxy’s Downtown
■ September 15 – November 4 | The Golden Girls
Wichita Orpheum Theatre
■ October 12 | Charlie Berens
■ October 13 | Snow White By Grand Kyiv Ballet
■ October 14 | Amy Grant
■ October 18 | October ARTS MIXR
FOOD TRUCKS
Did you know the food truck schedule is back? Check out this weekend’s list of food trucks right here!
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For a Complete Schedule of What’s Going on in Wichita, visit our Event Calendar
