Riverfest 2026 Kickoff Weekend

Wichita's biggest annual festival returns to the banks of the Arkansas River for its 2026 edition, kicking off opening weekend with a full lineup of signature events that have made Riverfest a beloved Wichita tradition. The nine-day festival draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the downtown riverfront each year for live music, food, art, and community celebration.

Opening weekend highlights include the Sundown Parade on Friday evening, which rolls through downtown at dusk; the River Run 5K/10K road race on Saturday morning along the scenic riverfront path; and all-day main stage concerts Saturday featuring national and regional acts. More than 100 food vendors line the festival grounds alongside carnival rides, art installations, and the famous bathtub races.

One Riverfest Button — priced at $15 — grants access to all events for the full nine days of the festival. Buttons are available at Dillons grocery stores, QuikTrip locations throughout Wichita, and online at the Riverfest website. Free shuttle service runs continuously from satellite parking lots to the festival grounds. This is one of the great summer traditions in all of Kansas.