Cinco de Mayo is on Monday, but some Wichita bars, attractions are throwing parties early

Cinco de Mayo isn’t until Monday, but most of the big parties in Wichita will happen on Cinco de Tres or Cinco de Cuatro, a.k.a this weekend.

Also this weekend, another installation of Open Streets ICT is happening, it’s First Friday, and Wichita has one last chance to see Exploration Place’s “Shark’s” exhibit before it closes.

Here are more details about some of the fun things happening in Wichita this weekend:

Cinco de Mayo all weekend

Various Wichita venues, today through Monday

Here’s a list of some of the bigger Cinco de Mayo events happening in the coming days:

Tacos & Tequila, noon-9 p.m., Saturday, Wichita Boathouse, 515 S. Wichita: This annual party, put on by Xclusive Events, will feature tacos and other Mexican food from local restaurants and food trucks as well as tequila, beer and cocktails served from Xclusive’s booze truck. It’ll also include live entertainment and yard games. Admission is free, though a $50 ticket is required for a separate tequila tasting that will last from 2 to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are available at tacosandtequilawichita.com

Zoo’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W Zoo Blvd.: This zoo party will feature food, exhibitors and live music on the main stage. It’s included with regular zoo admission.

Cinco de Mayo at Grow, 320 S. Market: This plant store/bar will have a party from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday that will include drink specials, patio games, a coloring station and food from Argentina’s Empanadas. Admission is free, and the party is family-friendly.

Cinco de Mayo at Public at the Brickyard, 129 N. Rock Island: This open-air bar will put on a party that starts at 4 p.m. on Monday and includes tacos served on the patio, margaritas served out of fresh coconuts and live mariachi music starting at 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Chicken N Pickle, 1240 N. Greenwich: This restaurant and pickleball venue is celebrating Cinco de Mayo on Friday, Sunday and Monday with drink specials, and it will also have pinatas for younger visitors on Saturday. Monday will bring a taco special.

Open Streets ICT NoMar

Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, 21st Street from NoMar Plaza to Woodland Park, 841 W. 21st St.

Open Streets ICT will land on Wichita’s North End this weekend. Open Streets NoMar, which will last from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, is a community building event that will shut down 21st Street from NoMar Plaza at 21st and Broadway to Woodland Park and will include biking, live music, dancing, food and activities set up along the 1-mile stretch of closed city street. Admission is free.

Last chance for ‘Sharks’ exhibit

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean

If you’ve been meaning to get to Exploration Place’s “Sharks” exhibit since it opened in February, your last chance has arrived. The exhibit will move on after Friday. The exhibit by the Australian Museum features 10 life-sized shark models plus an immersive simulation that allows visitors to watch projected digital images of sharks as they swim around. People can see the exhibit from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, and admission is $12 for ages 12-64, $10 for ages 3-11 and 65 and older, free for members and ages 2 and under.

It’s First Friday

Friday evening, many Wichita art galleries

First Friday in Wichita will again include a list of several local art galleries putting on free opening-night events. Among them will be the Reuben Saunders Gallery, 3215 E. Douglas, which will open an exhibition by local artist Curt Clonts called “I Am Poppy.” It’s a solo show featuring some of Clonts’ new work, and it will hang in the gallery from Friday until May 31. An opening-night reception will last from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the gallery. A full list of First Friday show openings can be found at downtownwichita.org/discover/things-to-see-and-do/first-friday

St. James Olde English Tea

10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, St. James Episcopal Church Guild Hall, 3750 E. Douglas

It bills itself as Kansas’ Biggest Tea Party, and it happens on Saturday at St. James Episcopal Church. The 2025 Olde English Tea has two seatings: from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m. It’s a traditional English tea that will include a fashion show, music and a raffle. It also will include an English Marketplace selling baked goods, flowers and designer purses. Tickets are $35 for adults and $10 for children ages 5-12. Proceeds will benefit Winfield Prison Spiritual Life Center and the church. Get tickets at www.stjameswichita.org/engage/olde-english-tea or at the parish office . Some tickets may be available at the door the day of the event.

Billy Goats on stage

10 a.m. and noon today-Saturday, Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center, 201 S. Lulu

The Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center is putting on its next kid-friendly stage play this weekend, a version of “Three Billy Goats Gruff.” Shows are at 10 a.m. and noon on Friday and Saturday at the theater, 201 S. Lulu. Tickets are $9. Those who attend the noon shows and want a pizza lunch that starts at 11:30 a.m. pay $11. Pizza must be reserved 24 hours in advance. The performances are appropriate for ages 2 and up. Call 316-262-2282 for reservations.