Fall is the season for festivals in Wichita. There’s something for everyone among the variety of events scheduled during the next couple of months.
Here’s a rundown of festivals in late August, September, October and early November. Be sure to check websites and social media channels for the latest schedule details and attendance guidelines.
ICT Fest
Expect local, regional and national artists at this three-day, no genre restriction, no age restriction celebration of music. ICT Fest is free and will feature more than 40 acts. It will be at City Skate Park on Sept. 2 and Naftzger Park on Sept. 3 and 4.
Zoobilee
Food and beverage stations featuring restaurants from throughout the area plus a great cause make the annual Sedgwick County Zoo fundraiser Zoobilee one of the most charitable parties of the year. This year’s event on Sept. 11 also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the seventh largest zoo in the country. Get your tickets early as it typically sells out.
Prost’s Oktoberfest
Wichita’s German restaurant Prost is bringing back its authentic, family-friendly Oktoberfest, transforming the Revolutsia center into a biergarten from Sept. 16 to 19. Expect German beers on tap, polka music, a special food menu, fun contests like a stein hoisting contest, kids activities and more from Prost’s owners, who have attended Oktoberfest in Germany several times.
Autumn & Art
Immerse yourself in culture by attending Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair, where juried artists show and sell their works. This is the 12th year for the free, alfresco fine-art show, scheduled for Sept. 17 to 19. There’s also live art demonstrations and art-themed activities for children.
ICT Yoga Fest
This two-day indoor/outdoor festival is packed with more than 30 classes, workshops and activities representing different styles of yoga and movement taught by teachers from all over Kansas. ICT Yoga Fest is Sept. 17-18 inside at the Wichita Boathouse and outside at the WaterWalk gardens.
Latin Fest ICT
The fourth annual Latin Fest ICT is Sept. 18 in Old Town. Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with cultural performances, authentic food, two live bands and more. Bring your lawn chair for this free event.
Crave Culinary Festival
From a Foodie Fair featuring local and national experts to a variety of culinary and drink workshops, Crave Culinary Festival is an artistic fusion of food and friends that benefits regional art hub Mark Arts. Check out the lineup of events scheduled from Tuesday, Sept. 21 through Saturday, Sept. 25 and sign up today; advance registration is required for all events.
Photo: Tyler Cooper
Wagonmaster’s Downtown Chili Cookoff
Get your tasting kit and sample the best chili in the Midwest at the Wagonmaster's Downtown Chili Cookoff. The Sept. 25 event takes up several downtown blocks with more than 70 teams of chili makers, live music and silly contests.
Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival
Held biannually, the fall Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival happens Sept. 25 to 26 at Sedgwick County Park with a full royal court and exotic features only seen in Wichita. There will be jousts and jests, knights and knaves, bagpipes and blacksmiths, fire breathers, fairies, the Scottish Highland games and more.
Wichita Pride Parade
Although the indoor festivities have been canceled, the annual Pride Parade for Wichita and south-central Kansas is still on for celebrating LGBT+ pride on Sept. 26.
Wichita Riverfest
Normally a nine-day festival in the early summer, Riverfest was split into a June event and a fall event this year. From Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, downtown Wichita will have the Safelite Autoglass Sundown Parade, festival food courts, Capitol Federal Fireworks and four days of outdoor concerts.
Kansas Railfest
Learn about the history of trains and the railroad in Wichita with the Great Plains Transportation Museum’s annual Kansas Railfest. The 2021 event is Oct. 2 to 3 and Oct. 9 to 10 at Union Station in downtown Wichita, with proceeds helping restoration projects. Among the special visiting rail equipment on display this year is “Sadie the Steam Engine,” a restored 90-year-old coal-fired steam engine that will be giving short rides.
ICT Bloktoberfest
ICT Bloktoberfest is a family-friendly, free event scheduled for Oct. 8 to 9 at Union Station. This Wichita block party with a traditional Oktoberfest flair features music, food, beer, games and entertaining contests from the Wiener Dog Olympics to the stein hoist.
Prairie Fire Fall Marathon
The Prairie Fire Race Series offers spring and fall races on flat, fast courses for all skill levels. The 2021 fall event is Oct. 10 and you can register for a marathon (Boston Marathon qualifier), half marathon, 5K and Family 5K.
Photo: Tallgrass Film Festival
Tallgrass Film Festival
2021 marks the 19th year of the Tallgrass Film Festival, and plans are in the works for both in-person and virtual experience from Oct. 20 to 24. The festival typically screens more than 200 short and feature films from around the world.
Wichita Asian Festival
The Wichita Asian Festival is the only time in Wichita that you can taste authentic food from as many as 15 Asian countries under one roof. The 40th annual event is Oct. 23 at Century II and organized by the Wichita Asian Association. The festival is free, but bring cash for food and merchandise booths.
Open Streets ICT
And More...
- Kansas Maze Sunflower Festival at Gaeddert Farms – Aug. 21
- Harley Angel Mega Bash at Twister City Harley-Davidson – Aug. 28
- Avenue Art Days 2021 at Douglas Design District – Sept. 10 to 12
- Comic Con and Science Fiction Expo - Year 5.0 at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center – Sept. 11 to 12
- Orie’s Garlic Fest at Public at the Brickyard – Sept. 12
- Wichita Festival of the Arts at Riverside Park – Sept. 18
- Open Streets ICT along Douglas Avenue – Sept. 19
- Air Capital Comic Con 2021 at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center – Nov. 13 to 14
- Women's Fair - Holiday 2021 at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center – Oct. 8 to 10
Head to our calendar of events for more fall fun in Wichita!