From year-round to seasonal events, Downtown is the preferred location for Wichita to celebrate throughout the year. A variety of events cater to the diverse interests of Wichita residents and many visitors from Kansas and throughout the regional area. 

The popular First Friday and Final Friday events bring regular opportunities to enjoy Downtown Wichita's cultural offerings. Final Friday began the trend with an evening in which galleries and art studios open their doors for special showings and receptions, all free to the public. First Fridays are all about music. For more information on First Friday, visit the Wichita First Friday website. More information on Final Friday can be found here.

On the 2nd Saturday of each month local merchants on and off Douglas Ave. present a special day of shopping in the heart of Wichita.  Shoppers receive a 15% discount at each participating merchant (some restrictions may appy, check with individual stores for details).  Simply purchase a reusable 2nd Saturday shopping bag for $5 and receive discounts at any of the participating merchants.  

The Old Town Farmers' Market (OTFM), a growers' market, is an exciting and bountiful place to buy your fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, eggs and plants. The market is open from 7 a.m. to noon each Saturday, May 14 through October 15, 2011, in the Old Town Farm & Art Market Square located at 2nd and Mosley. The market is a vital part of the community and a wonderful way to experience Old Town.

“I Bike Douglas” is a series of seasonal "pop-up" events and tours.  These events consist of activities and bike-related fun including photography, architectural, history and off-beat tours, workshops, clinics and ride-alongs with the Wichita Policy Dept. To join the pop-up events be sure to follow us at DowntownWichita on Twitter and Facebook.  

Wichita biggest celebration takes place each May. Centered in downtown, the Wichita River Festival has grown from a one-day event with an attendance of several thousand, to a nine-day event attracting over 350,000 participants from Wichita and across the State of Kansas. Get more information about this celebration here

 “LIV”(pronounced “el – eye – vee”)Is the Roman Numeral for 54, in reference to Highway 54 (Kellogg) that runs thorough Wichita. LIV is also used as an acronym for “Live In the Vortex”, in reference to the Allen Ginsberg poem “Wichita Vortex Sutra”.

2011 is the second year for the LIV Music and Arts Festival. This 2-day of music and art festival draws nearly 1500 patrons. Bands from around Wichita, the Region, and country will play on two-three stages for the public to enjoy. One stage will be dedicated to specifically local artists, showcasing the talent that we have here in Wichita. This will be a day to celebrate and raise awareness for the unique and diverse artistic talent in Wichita.

Thousands of vintage automobiles and motorcycles, together with their owners and car enthusiasts from around the globe, converge in Downtown Wichita for a big party! Eight bands, three food courts, a model car contest, swap meet and merchandise vendor court offer revved up entertainment, all free to the public. In its 17th year the event is one of Wichita's largest outdoor gatherings. See photos and learn more here.

In September, the 25+-year-old Wagonmasters Downtown Chili Cookoff brings out the zany and the serious competitors as over 50 teams and 8,000 spectators gather to regale the spicy concoction. The 600 block of Douglas Avenue is closed to create a street party atmosphere, complete with live music. As an official International Chili Society event a variety of chili dishes are offered according to the society's entry criteria. For more information about this tasty event click here.

The Tallgrass Film Festival is open to the public and features about 100 shorts and feature films each year. This four-day festival is the largest film festival in Kansas. Fans are invited to enjoy screenings at a variety of venues throughout Downtown Wichita. Visit the official website here.