Wichita Riverfest will wrap up this weekend with fireworks, food and music
Wichita has plenty of reasons to get outdoors this weekend. Not only is the finale of Wichita Riverfest happening, but two ballet in the park series are launching, the Great Plains Nature Center is putting on its annual Walk with Wildlife, and the Kansas Grown Farmer’s Market is having Kids Day.
Here are some of the fun things to do both outside and inside this weekend:
Riverfest finale weekend
Friday and Saturday, downtown Wichita around Century II
The 2025 Wichita Riverfest is coming to a close, but there’s plenty to do over the festival’s final weekend. The big Fiesta del Rio will be back for its 10th annual installment on Friday and will include live music on the main stage starting at 4 p.m., which will conclude with headliner La Arrolladora Banda El Limon at 9:30 p.m. And the festival’s final day on Saturday will include the Cowboy Bathtub Races from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and musical headliner Chris Janson on the main stage at 9 p.m. The show will be followed by finale fireworks starting at around 10:45 p.m. Admission to all events is a Riverfest button, which costs $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 6 to 11 and can be purchased at the gate or at area QuikTrip stores. A complete list of activities can be found at wichitariverfest.com/events
It’s First Friday
Friday evening, galleries across Wichita
First Friday has rolled back around, and as usual, Wichita will be filled with art openings at galleries across town. Among those participating this month is Art House 310 at 310 S. Laura, which on Friday will have an opening reception for the Wichita Women’s Artists 75th Anniversary Group Show, featuring works from nearly 20 local artists. The reception is from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, and the show will hang through June 22. For a complete list of Final Friday shows, visit downtownwichita.org/discover/things-to-see-and-do/first-friday
Ballet in the Park
First two weekends in June, parks around the Wichita area
Two Wichita ballet troupes are about to start their annual ballet in the park series. One is Ballet Wichita, which this weekend will begin performances of “Sleeping Beauty.” The first will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas, followed by one at 7 p.m. Sunday at Riggs Park, 706 Sarah Lane in Haysville. Four more performances are on the calendar next weekend. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and to pack picnics. Admission to the shows is free. For a complete list of performances, visit balletwichita.com/performances. Also, Metropolitan Ballet will start its park series on Wednesday with a performance of “The Jungle Book” at 7 p.m. in the band shell at Forrest Park in El Dorado. It’ll also put on shows Thursday and June 13-15 at various parks around the area. Admission also is free to the Metropolitan Ballet shows, which last about 45 minutes. For a full schedule, visit www.metropolitanballetwichita.com/upcoming-events
Kids Day at the Farmers Market
7 a.m. to noon Saturday, 7001 W. 21st St.
Saturday is Kids Day at the Kansas Grown Farmers Market, 7001 W. 21st St., and organizers will fill the event with extras designed to appeal to younger shoppers, including face painting, fishing, a photo booth, a live bee hive, a planting station and free doughnuts while they last. The market is open from 7 am. to noon, and admission is free.
Walk With Wildlife
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. North
The Great Plains Nature Center is putting on its annual half-mile Walk with Wildlife event on Saturday, and it will include more than 50 species of native Kansas wildlife for visitors to meet. Assistants will be there to answer questions about the animals. The event lasts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and admission is $3 in advance or $5 at the gate. For more information, visit gpnc.org/programs-events.
Native Art Market
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Wichita Mid-America All-Indian Museum, 650 N. Seneca
The Wichita Mid-America All-Indian Museum is putting on a Native art market this weekend that will feature art by 18 Native artists for sale. Admission to the market, which lasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., is free, but those who want to visit the museum will need to purchase separate admission. (They’ll get a $2 discount with a Wichita Riverfest button.)