Fall weekends have a habit of filling up. Good thing Wichita gives you plenty of reasons to pack the kids in the car.
One weekend they can hunt for dragons at a Renaissance festival. Another they're tagging monarch butterflies. The next they're tasting garlic ice cream (if they're brave enough), climbing aboard trains or spending an afternoon with zoo animals.
These family-friendly festivals make it easy to turn an ordinary weekend into one they'll still be talking about on the drive home.
ICT Bee Fest
September 5
Not every superhero wears a cape.
Some have wings.
This free ICT Bee Fest at Mid-America All-Indian Museum celebrates bees, butterflies and Kansas' native pollinators through bug hunts, monarch butterfly tagging, seed giveaways, kid-friendly activities and nature experiences.
Best for: Nature lovers
Autumn & Art
September 11-13
Kids don't have to stay quiet at this art show.
Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair mixes nationally recognized artists with live demonstrations, hands-on activities and plenty of room to explore. Parents will appreciate the incredible artwork while younger visitors discover creativity around every corner.
Best for: Ages 4+
Orie's Garlic Fest
September 13
Yes, an entire festival dedicated to garlic.
No, it's not just for grown-ups.
At Orie's Garlic Fest, families can enjoy live music, food vendors, local artists, cooking demonstrations and enough garlic-inspired treats to convince even picky eaters to try something new.
Best for: Curious eaters
Open Streets ICT
September 20
Imagine four miles where bikes replace cars.
That's Open Streets ICT.
Families can bike, walk, scooter or stroll through downtown districts while stopping for games, music, food trucks and activities set up by local businesses. There aren't many places where kids can safely ride down the middle of a major street, and that's exactly what makes this event so memorable.
Best for: All ages
Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival
September 26-27
Knights. Princesses. Jousting. Need we say more?
Watch armored knights battle, listen to bagpipes, meet fairies and dragons and wander a medieval village filled with performers, artisans and interactive experiences at the beloved Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival.
Costumes encouraged.
Best for: Imaginative kids
Kansas Railfest
September 26
If your child points out every train that passes, this is their weekend.
Ride a train, climb aboard historic rail equipment, enjoy live music and learn how railroads helped shape Wichita.
Best for: Train lovers
Drone Light Festival
Sept. 25-27
Fireworks are fun. Three hundred drones choreographed into giant works of art? That's a different story. That's Drone Light Festival at Exploration Place.
Before the sun sets, families can enjoy food trucks, hands-on activities and Exploration Place exhibits. Then look up as hundreds of synchronized drones transform the Kansas sky into an unforgettable light show.
Best for: Everyone
Wichita Asian Festival
October 17
Travel across Asia without leaving Wichita.
Families can sample authentic food, watch colorful cultural performances, browse artisan vendors and experience traditions representing countries across Asia – all under one roof at Wichita Asian Festival.
Best for: Curious explorers
Tallgrass Film Festival
October 15-18
Movies become an adventure during Tallgrass Film Festival.
Along with independent films from around the world, families can often find kid-friendly screenings, filmmaker discussions and special events throughout downtown.
Best for: Older kids and teens
Make it a weekend
One festival is a great excuse for a road trip.
Two days means you can also:
- Meet four African baby elephants at Sedgwick County Zoo.
- Climb, swing and play at Exploration Place’s all-new Adventure Playscape.
- Watch the Ring of Fire at the Keeper of the Plains.
- End the weekend with an extreme ice cream shake at Papa’s Ice Cream & Treats before heading home.
Because around here, the festival is just the beginning.
