Searching for ideas on what to do in Wichita this weekend? Looking to plan ahead for something in the future? We got you covered with the Best Things Happening This Weekend In Wichita.
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FEATURED EVENTS
■ The Drone Light Festival | September 20-22
Where: Exploration Place
Wichita’s drone light festival returns, building on two years of sold-out success! Experience an unforgettable evening where technology meets art and the sky becomes our canvas. As a special bonus for 2024, this event marks the grand opening of the new Wichita Foundation Amphitheater and an all-new event plaza at Exploration Place. 300 synchronized drones will illuminate the night sky with dazzling, music-choreographed formations, while new custom displays complement returning favorites. Decorate and launch your own floating water lantern with thousands of others, and immerse yourself in the glow of a magical candlelight concert in the new amphitheater.
■ Bark for Life of Sedgwick County | September 21
Where: Naftzger Park
Bark for Life of Sedgwick County unites the community behind the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives from cancer. There will be a walk to start off the event along with an auction and vendors.
■ ICT Restaurant Week | September 22-28
Where: Wichita, KS
This September, during Hunger Action Month, dine out at some of your favorite Wichita spots to help the Kansas Food Bank fight hunger and celebrate the places that make Wichita so special.
All week long from September 22nd – 28th, diners can make an impact by visiting participating restaurants, and check in to win cool prizes using our ICT Restaurant Week digital prizes!
Check out ICTRW.com to see which restaurants are participating, stay tuned for more details on our digital passport, and make your plans to celebrate our local dining scene this September. Every dollar raised during the week can help provide up to 4 meals for food insecure Kansans!
BEST THINGS TO DO
■ Valley Center Fall Festival | September 20-21
Where: Valley Center, KS
WEEE Entertainment Ride-A-Rama, Craft Vendors on Main Street, Food Court, Beer Garden, Pickleball and Washers Tournament, Saturday Morning Parade, Live Bands & Much More!
■ 52nd Walnut Valley Festival | September 20-22
Where: Winfield, KS
■ Improv Show at Flying Pig Improv | September 20-21
Where: Flying Pig Improv
Live Improv! Totally unscripted theater! We take your suggestions and create amazing scenes you have never seen and will never see again. We can’t wait to see you!
■ Crave Culintary Festival | September 20-21
Where: Mark Arts
This festival features an artistic fusion of food and friends benefiting Mark Arts. A variety of culinary and libation workshops will be held Tuesday through Saturday featuring local culinary experts. The festival culminates on Saturday, Sept. 21 with a Foodie Fair where guests can enjoy a keynote talk by restaurant industry veteran Scott Redler and sample food from local chefs and restaurants.
■ Dummy Apparel’s Birthday Bash | September 20-21
Where: Revolutsia
We’re beyond excited to celebrate FIVE amazing years in business, and we couldn’t have done it without YOU—our incredible supporters!
■ Free Take Flight Webinar | September 20
Where: Marina Point Office Park
Take Flight with our free one-hour online workshop to discover how to take your first small steps to make changes that last, redesign your change mindset, and strategies to create the future you want to live. This event is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome!
■ Adult Skate Night | September 20
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.
■ Paramount Antique Mall Outdoor Vintage Flea Market | September 21
Where: Paramount Antique Mall
Paramount Antique Mall’s Outdoor Vintage Flea Markets! 3rd Saturday of the month from April through October. Over 50 booths set up outside with antiques, vintage goods, home & garden décor, primitives, advertising, tools, industrial, furniture & so much more!! Paramount Antique Mall is located at 135th & West Kellogg in Wichita Kansas. Open 8 am – 3 pm. Shop inside the store on flea market days from 9 am – 6 pm and save 10% store-wide. Call 316-722-0500 to reserve a booth space! Spaces rent for $35! Hope to see you there!
■ Derby Small Business Fair Spring Market | September 21
Where: Hubbard Arts Center
Come down to the derby rec center’s Hubbard Arts building and visit over 45 amazing vendors that have great things to share with you. Come get all the things you need to fill out your Easter baskets.
■ ICT Bee Fest @ The Mid-America All-Indian Museum | September 21
Where: The Mid-America All-Indian Museum
The 2nd Annual ICT Bee Fest, the finest native plant and pollinator celebration in Kansas, returns to the Mid-America All-Indian Museum on Saturday, September 21st, 10am – 1pm! This free, all-ages event offers the opportunity to catch insects, tag monarchs, pet bumblebees, and learn from experts on how to build a native garden of your own. Local growers and vendors will be selling native plants, art, and more to help you bring a piece of the prairie home.
■ Oktoberfest at the Gnome | September 21
Where: Hopping Gnome
■ Midwest Supershow | September 21
Where: Century II
Wheel your way over to the Century II for an automobile-lovers dream. Over 300 exotic, luxury cars will be on display for attendees to peruse. Don’t miss this awesome event!
■ Latinfest | September 21
Where: Old Town Square
Experience dynamic performances, mouth-watering cuisine, and thrilling entertainment at our spectacular event celebrating Latin American culture!
■ Harvest 2024 | September 21
Where: Grace Hill Winery
It’s almost grape harvest season, which means we need your help, and lots of it! Participation in harvest is $12 for everyone of legal drinking age and $6 for those under 21 and includes lunch, wine and grape juice, a pair of Grace Hill sunglasses, and a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy! Lastly, harvest is a weather dependent activity, and if we are forced to cancel due to severe weather or unsatisfactory ripeness, we will fully refund your admission fees. We have had some hail issues this year, so while we hope to start the harvests at 8am, that may change from week to week due to a smaller crop than usual. We will hope to see you at Grace Hill for some picking soon!
■ Burgers & Beer 2 Mile Walk/Run FUNdraiser | September 21
Where: Genesis Sports Complex
Join us Saturday, September 21st, for a Burgers & Beer Fundraiser event benefiting the Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis Kicks for Kids program! The 2-mile walk/run will start at 4 p.m., followed by a Burgers & Beer event from 5 p.m. until Sunset, with fireworks to follow. Enjoy food, music, games & a bounce house, fireworks, and more, held at the Genesis Sports Complex in Goddard.
■ Cinema Under the Stars | September 21
Where: Naftzger Park
Join us for a fun and immersive experience under the Wichita stars! We’ll be playing a classic movie on the Jumbo LED Screen for all to see 🙂 Featured Film🎞️ – the Romance classic: Dirty Dancing
■ Rusalka (The Little Mermaid) | September 21
Where: Century II
Wichita Grand Opera presents Rusalka (The Little Mermaid), a family-friendly opera performed in Czech.
■ 21st & Ridge Farmer’s Market | September 21
Where: 7001 W. 21st. St.
Warmer days and sunshine are reminding us that Spring is right around the corner! Come visit our outdoor weekly market for a variety of produce, eggs, meats, baked goods, pet treats, art and much more!
■ Old Town Farm & Art Market | September 21
Where: Old Town Wichita
A weekly destination for thousands of area residents and a must-see for visitors to the city. Old Town Farm & Art Market is a charming community gathering place situated in the heart of Kansas, where locals and visitors alike come together to celebrate a rich tapestry of art, agriculture, and culture.
View All Events On Our Calendar
What are this month’s happy hours and restaurant specials? We’ve got you covered here!
AROUND THE CORNER
■ TriggrCon | September 27-29
Where: Century II
TriggrCon is the premier firearms industry event in the Midwest and consists of a 2-day expo show (1st day for media & 2nd day open to the public) with the last day moving to the range for a live fire experience. This allows attendees to see it, then shoot it. This show is a professional event that allows the public, industry and media to connect, focusing on innovations and firearms technology. TriggrCon is more than a name. It stands for Tactical Research Innovation Guns Gear Review Convention. The focus and theme of the show is for manufacturers and exhibitors to highlight new products, innovation and technologies.
■ Nomar Eatz | September 27
Where: Nomar Plaza
Presenting Nomar Eatz, an extraordinary local food event that’s sure to captivate your taste buds. Festive ICT has partnered with Alma Negra Mexico and the Wichita Parks and Recreation department to create this unique food market experience. Nomar Eatz is more than just a market; it’s an outdoor celebration of local foodies, featuring food trucks, caterers, packaged good vendors, and produce sellers.
■ Greater Andover Days | September 27-29
Where: Andover Central Park
Greater Andover Days (GAD) is a festival that occurs the 4th weekend after Labor Day weekend. The event offers handfuls of fun, food, and entertainment for the entire family! Over 5,000 people attend GAD annually. The festival includes a food court, KidFest, parade, fishing clinic, car show, business expo/craft fair, carnival, live entertainment and a fireworks show in Central Park.
■ Wagonmasters Downtown Chili Cookoff | September 28
Where: Nomar Plaza
Competitors include cooks vying for a spot in the World Championship Chili Cookoff, groups of co-workers or friends cooking for fun, non-profits and restaurants.
You can get in on the action with a $5 tasting kit that can be purchased at the event. Public tasting starts at noon and you’ll be able to sample a wide variety of chili and salsa made by teams from Kansas and surrounding states. Don’t worry if your samples get a little spicy – there’s plenty of soda and beer available for purchase. The event is complete with several activities and live music. Get there early! Some booths begin running out of chili after just a couple hours.
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Sports
Wichita State Volleyball (Home Games)
■ September 20 | vs. Northern Colorado – 2 p.m.
■ September 21 | vs. Omaha – 4 p.m.
■ September 27 | vs. Temple – 7 p.m.
■ October 6 | vs. Rice – 1 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC
Visit this week and the schedule for the weeks ahead at our Live Music Calendar – Sponsored by Mort’s Martini Bar.
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PERFORMING ARTS
Century II Performing Arts Center
■ September 21-22 | Rusalka
■ September 26 | Intocable
■ October 4 | Tom’s Elton Tribute
Crown Uptown Theatre
■ October 10 | Shipwreck Saloon
Mosley Street Melodrama
■ September 13 – October 26: Halloween the 13th – Michael vs. Jason
■ November 8 – December 22: Die Hard Candy Christmas
Prairie Pines Playhouse
■ November 15 – December 23 | Catch That Falling Star
Roxy’s Downtown
■ August 21 – September 27 | The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Wichita Orpheum Theatre
■ September 27 | The Magic of Motown
■ September 28 | Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
■ September 29 | Take 36 Top 10 Showcase
■ October 4 | Celtic Thunder
■ October 5 | Cold Case Live
■ October 12 | Danea Hays
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Students, families, faculty, staff, alumni and the greater Shocker community are all invited to take part in Shocktoberfest, September 30 – October 5. This year’s week includes events centered around spirit, pride and welcomes families to campus for Family Weekend.
Did you know the ICT Food Trucks Schedule is back? Visit ICTFoodTrucks.com to see what trucks are out this week!
Food truck owners are also invited to add their schedules for free!
Have an event in Wichita you’d like to have considered for Best Things Happening This Weekend Wichita, please visit this form to submit your event.
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For a Complete Schedule of What’s Going on in Wichita, visit our Event Calendar