2022 Wichita Fall Events

September 16–October 29

This uniquely Wichita holiday show is written by Carol Hughes and stars a cast of local favorites. As with all Mosley Street shows, the first act is the interactive comedy, followed by a musical comedy revue after intermission. Tickets are available for the show only or show plus dinner or brunch. Visit the Mosley Street Melodrama website to purchase.

September 28–October 2

The largest independent film festival in the state of Kansas, the Tallgrass Film Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year!

Tallgrass was named one of MovieMaker Magazine's "Top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee," and Flavorwire named the Wichita festival one of the "Best Under The Radar Film Festivals" in North America.

The festival includes premiere parties, screenings and galas at various locations around Wichita. Learn more here.

September 30–October 29

Fridays and Saturdays in October, you can explore the darkened trails of Field Station: Dinosaurs in Derby—encountering life-size dinos and movie monsters along the way! This spooky-not-scary event is fun for the whole family with songs, activities and take-home treats.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and trail tours start at 7. This is a special event separate from regular park admission, and features Pay Your Age pricing. The maximum ticket price is $12 for non-members and $10 for members. See the event page for more details.

September 30–October 23

Kechi Playhouse closes out its landmark 40th season with the return of a Halloween favorite. "IX'TICHA** Spider-God of the Amazon!!!" is a hilarious send-up of 1950s B-movie monster flicks, complete with a giant spider you just might be lucky enough to meet after the show. You'll be screaming…with laughter.

Friday and Saturday performances are $16 and start at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees are $15 and start at 2:30 p.m. Call for reservations: (316) 744-2152.

Boos and Brews

September 30

Take a ghost tour, catch a Victorian seance, and even try investigating ghosts! You'll have plenty of BBQ and brews to fortify you from The Bomb BBQ and Central Standard Brewing. Tickets are $15 (food and beer available for separate purchase), and Cowtown members get in free. 18 to enter, 21 to drink. The fun starts at 7 p.m. and lasts till midnight.

County Fair

October 8

Experience a county fair from the 1870s! Engage in a little friendly competition and try your hand at games of chance. Regular hours and admission rates apply: $9 for adults, $8 for seniors (62+), $7 for youth (12–17) and $6 for kids (5–11). Cowtown members, kids 4 and under, active military and educators get in free.

Hay, Hooves and Halloween

October 22

Looking for a kid-friendly alternative to haunted houses that's spooky but fun? Head to Old Cowtown where the Headless Horseman rides the town streets, undead cowboys get into gunfights, and ghosts haunt the historic houses. There's plenty of candy to be had for trick-or-treaters, too!

This special event runs from 2 p.m.–8 p.m. Admission is $5; Cowtown members and kids 4 and under get in free.

Echoes of Fear

October 28–29

For the more grown-up crowd, Old Cowtown holds a super scary Halloween party with haunted houses, live music, plus drinks and eats for sale. Come in costume!

Night One (Friday) is for ages 14 and up, 21 to drink. Parents must stay at Old Cowtown with anyone under 18. Night Two (Saturday) is adults only—18 to enter, 21 to drink.

The event runs 7 p.m. to midnight both nights. Admission is $15; Cowtown members, active military and educators get in free.

October 1

A fund-fetching good time! Woofstock is Kansas Humane Society's largest annual fundraiser. Spend the day at Sedgwick County Park for the finest furry festival for dogs and their people. Activities include a Woof Walk & Breakfast, live music, contests, photo booth, shopping, beer garden and food trucks.

General admission is $10; kids 12 and under are free. VIP and fundraiser packages are available. See the event website for details.

October 1

Withstanding tests of both time and taste, the Wagonmasters host another Downtown Chili Cookoff this year! More than 70 teams are expected to compete. Teams include cooks vying for a spot in the World Championship Chili Cookoff, local restaurants, non-profits, and groups of friends or coworkers competing for the fun of it.

Taking place in the heart of downtown, the event's block party environment boasts live music and lots of chili and salsa to taste. Admission is free but $5 gets you a tasting kit so you can sample all the spicy goodness.

Get all the details here.

October 7–8

The perfect fusion of block party and Oktoberfest! Union Station will be transformed into a Biergarten featuring live music, wiener dog races, contests, games, local vendors, food and of course, brews. The main event is free and family-and-Fido-friendly.

For the 21 and older crowd, Beer Fest is available for ticketed entry. The price of admission includes a sampling stein with open sampling from over 99 beers.

October 8–9

Knights. Pirates. Food bigger than your face. HUZZAH! Wichita's annual ren faire returns to Sedgwick County Park for a weekend of jousting, jesting and fun. The event runs from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. both days.

Tickets can be purchased online at a discounted rate, offering $3 off the gate price. Each adult ticket purchased online also comes with a free kids ticket (age 12 and under). If you prefer to buy in person, tickets are available at the gate and in advance at several area locations.

October 9

It's time to lace up your running shoes for the "hottest" race in the Midwest. The Prairie Fire Fall Race Series offers competitive Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K races. It's a flat and fast course through the streets and neighborhoods of Wichita. There's also a Youth Run, plus a mile-long family-friendly Fun Run & Walk along the Arkansas River.

Visit the official site for registration information, courses, start times and everything else you need to know.

October 12–15

If you love pumpkins, spice and everything nice, you won't want to miss this family-friendly event. Stroll through the botanical gardens to see over 1,600 carved and lighted pumpkins created by volunteer groups in the Wichita community. You can also take a walk in the Haunted Woods, watch aerial acrobatics and fire dancing, listen to DJ Carbon spin some tunes, and grab a bite and a cocktail from local food vendors.

The event runs from 5:30–9:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are $12—$9 for Botanica members and kids. Ages 2 and under free.

October 14–30

Do the Time Warp again! "The Rocky Horror Show" is now an annual Halloween tradition at the Crown Uptown Theatre. In this live theatrical experience, you'll travel with wholesome sweethearts Brad and Janet as they encounter libidinous mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter for a night of creation, lust and rock n' roll. This cult classic musical runs. Dressing up is encouraged, and prop packs are available for purchase at the door.

Note: This is the live theatre version, not the film. For the film, see the Wichita Orpheum listing below.

October 15

Now in its 41st year, the Wichita Asian Festival is an annual favorite that draws thousands for a celebration of Asian culture in our community. The event includes cultural stage performances, dozens of food and art vendors, and the Miss Wichita Asian Festival Scholarship Pageant.

This year's festival will have a $5 entry fee (ages 10 and under free). Half the proceeds will go towards academic scholarships for community students. The event runs from 5–9:30 p.m. at Century II.

October 22–23

Enjoy some spooky but not too scary Halloween fun at Sedgwick County Zoo. Costumes are encouraged! The event runs 9 a.m.–4 p.m. both days and regular zoo admission applies. Members get in free with ID.

October 27–29

Halloween fun for the littlest littles! Part of WCT&DC's Once Upon a Time Series, "Click Clack Boo" is a participatory theatre experience for kids ages 2 and up. The show is performed at the Crown Uptown Theatre by a professional acting company. See the WCT&DC website for tickets and details.

October 27–November 12

Roxy's continues their October tradition of B-movies made into musicals with their live production of "Carrie." Starring Christi Moore in a gripping adaptation set in the modern day, this production is sure to become a cult favorite. See available performances and buy tickets here.

Kids Halloween

October 27

Bring the kiddos to the Museum of World Treasures for an after-hours Halloween celebration! The first floor of the museum will be transformed with spooky yet family-friendly displays and plenty of stops for candy. Costumes are optional but encouraged. This special museum event is $6 and runs from 5–8 p.m.

SPOOKY Night of Treasures

October 28

Grown-ups deserve some Halloween fun, too. This creepy classic returns for a third year, featuring a buffet meal, open bar, spooky tour, silent auction and more. Tickets are $50. Get all the details on the event page.

Hocus Pocus Dome Experience

October 27–29

The Sanderson Sisters are back, and not just in the new sequel! You can catch your favorite witches in an interactive viewing of "Hocus Pocus" in the Exploration Place Dome Theater. Before the film, you can "run amok" in Salem with games and activities, themed cocktails and mocktails, vendors selling sweet treats, a costume contest and more.

A VIP experience is available with premium seating and surprises. Get tickets and more info here.

Gingerbread Village

November 12–13

Gingerbread Village is a beloved annual tradition for many families in the Wichita area. Presented in partnership with the Assistance League of Wichita, this event is a wonderful time of family creativity and fun. Admission gets you a gingerbread house kit complete with walls, frosting and a variety of decorations.

The event runs 10 a.m.–5 p.m. both days. Tickets include museum admission for the day and are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and children, and $6 for Exploration Place members. Gingerbread Village has limited space available, so buying tickets early is encouraged.

October 28

The Orpheum Theatre is doing something a little different with their annual "Rocky Horror Picture Show" event this year—they're adding a screening! You can now catch either an all-ages screening at 8 p.m. or the traditional midnight showing for ages 21+. (Keep in mind this is still an R-rated movie, so parental discretion is advised.) Costumes are encouraged!

Tickets are $10 with group rates available. Participation kits are $5. See the Orpheum website for details.

Note: This is the film, not the live theatre version. For the theatre version, see the Crown Uptown listing above.