Welcome to the Top 10 Events in Kansas
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) in Kansas, including events in Wichita, Independence and Dodge City.Messiah Festival of Music & Art
April
Lindsborg, Kansas
Celebrating over 127 seasons, The Messiah Festival of Music & Art presents Handel's Messiah and Bach's St. Matthew Passion. All performances take place in Presser Hall on the Bethany College campus.
The festival also includes a juried student art exhibition and performances by the Bethany College Symphonic Band as well as recitals and theatre productions.
For more information visit: www.bethanylb.edu/messiahfestivalofthearts.html
Wichita Riverfest
May
Wichita, Kansas
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2011, Riverfest is one of the longest-continuous-running festivals in the state of Kansas. A nine-day event with over 60 events to enjoy including great musical entertainment, fireworks displays, sporting events, traveling exhibits, children’s activities, cultural events, river events, a parade, food courts and shopping.
Featuring more than 100 hours of musical entertainment, performed by more than 40 bands, Riverfest is the only event of its size held in the Midwest during May.
For more information visit: www.wichitariverfestival.com
Smoky Hill River Festival
June
Salina, Kansas
More than just music and art, the Smoky Hill River Festival offers plenty of activities for Festival goers of all ages, from artist displays to The Big Band Dance on Festival Friday.
The Festival Fitness Five foot races get Festival goers to the park extra early for a competitive, but fun, run or walk race. There are races for children too!
For more information visit: www.riverfestival.com
OR ... TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOP EVENTS USA FEATURE PROFILE ABOUT THE SMOKY HILL RIVER FESTIVAL
Symphony in the Flint Hills
June
(Location changes each year) Kansas
Each spring there is a gathering, a coming together of art, nature and the kindred souls who appreciate them both. For one evening, the meadowlark’s song is joined by a Symphony in the Flint Hills.
Each year moving the symphony concert to different sites-traveling from county to county, Kansas honors the tallgrass prairie and plains heritage with music.
In addition to the concert, educational activities are available onsite including an afternoon full of opportunities to learn about and experience grassland culture and heritage.
For more information visit: www.symphonyintheflinthills.com
Dodge City Days
July / August
Dodge City, Kansas
This 10-day celebration of Kansas’ Western heritage attracts more than 100,000 people each year to experience the top-rated Dodge City Days Rodeo with the crowning of Miss Rodeo Kansas and Miss Rodeo Kansas Princess, a two-day craft show featuring more than 200 artists, a professional barbecue contest and western parade, along with many other events and activities.
For more information visit: www.dodgecitydays.com
OR ... TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOP EVENTS USA FEATURE PROFILE ABOUT DODGE CITY DAYS
McPherson Scottish Festival
September
McPherson, Kansas
The McPherson Scottish Festival is a weekend of traditional Scottish activities, including massed pipe bands, Celtic music, Scottish and Irish dance, Highland athletic competitions, and demonstrations of all kinds. A clan fire ceremony plus Scottish folk music and a free Scottish themed movie kick off the celebrations.
Throughout the weekend, guests can watch Highland athletes turn the caber, or listen to musicians. Visitors can shop for reproduction swords, handmade walking sticks, imported tartans and Celtic jewelry, and enjoy delicious Scottish food.
An indoor evening concert combines with a Scottish country dance gala to cap Saturday's events.
For more information visit: www.macfestival.org
Kansas State Fair
September
Hutchinson, Kansas
For 10 days each September, Hutchinson is home to the largest event in Kansas - the Kansas State Fair featuring over 280-acres of the best of Kansas' agriculture, livestock and commerce, as well as live entertainment.
Popular Fair attractions include an animal birthing center and an exotic animal petting zoo. Concerts range from country to pop at the 10,000-seat grandstand and three other stages throughout the grounds.
For more information visit: www.kansasstatefair.com
Neewollah Festival
October
Independence, Kansas
The oldest and largest annual festival in Kansas, Neewollah festival (Halloween spelled backwards) attracts more than 65,000 visitors in the final days of the 10-day celebration.
Originally begun in 1919, today's festival now includes 3 parades, Chili Cook-off, a hometown musical and queen's pageant. The main downtown is filled with 30 plus food vendors, a large carnival and bandstand for nightly entertainment. The Arts and Craft show, Great Pumpkin contest along with the Band Competition, Fun Run and Bike Ride provide activities for everyone. A Children's show and Professional Saturday night Entertainment bring a conclusion to the diligent efforts of over 500 community volunteers.
For more information visit: www.Neewollah.com
OZtoberfest
October
Wamego, Kansas
Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz or The Wizard of OZ on stage, Oztoberfest is a weekend filled with activities for everyone.
Munchkins from the original movie are on hand to sign autographs, and visitors can catch a production of The Wizard of Oz at The Columbian Theatre and visit The Oz Museum. There is a Munchkinland inflatable play area for kids, along with food and craft vendors.
Favorites include the Flying Monkey Toss, Yellow Brick Road Cupcake walk, pin the heart on the Tin Man, face painting, and much more!
For more information visit: www.oztoberfest.com
Downtown Lawrence Old Fashioned Christmas Parade
December
Lawrence, Kansas
The Downtown Lawrence Old Fashioned Christmas Parade features exclusively horse-drawn carriages, wagons, coaches and riders decorated for the season. More than 300 horses from eight states are expected to follow the route, which begins at 7th & Massachusetts streets and continues south down Massachusetts through Downtown to 13th Street. The parade, which takes place the first Saturday in December at 11am, has always featured a variety of horses and wagons, stagecoaches, carts, riding groups and sleighs. Santa on his sleigh is the parade's grand finale.
For more information visit: www.lawrencechristmasparade.org
