Explore Lawrence

08/29/2026

There's something special about wandering through South Park during the city’s oldest running art festival. Music drifts from the gazebo, artists chat with visitors about their work, and every turn reveals another booth filled with original, handmade pieces of art. It's an experience that has become a Lawrence tradition for more than six decades. Learn more about Art in the Park, happening September 19-20, in our latest blog:
https://www.explorelawrence.com/blog/post/spend-a-creative-weekend-at-art-in-the-park/

There's something special about wandering through South Park during the city’s oldest running art festival. Music drifts from the gazebo, artists chat with visitors about their work, and every turn reveals another booth filled with original, handmade pieces of art. It's an experience that has beco...

08/27/2026

August's Final Friday is happening TOMORROW! Make plans for a fun night out on the town. Check out exhibits from local artists, listen to some tunes, and maybe even treat yourself to dinner at a local restaurant. It's shaping up to be a fun one! Check out this month's line up here:
https://www.explorelawrence.com/events/annual-events/final-fridays/

On the last Friday of every month (all year long!) from 5-9 PM, the streets of Downtown Lawrence, the Warehouse Arts District, and random places city-wide come alive with a range of arts and culture events. Storefronts convert into flash spaces and performances and exhibits spill in and out of galle...

08/27/2026

August's Final Friday is happening TOMORROW! Make plans for a fun night out on the town. Check out exhibits from local artists, listen to some tunes, and maybe even treat yourself to dinner at a local restaurant. August's line up includes shows at Cider Gallery, Phoenix Gallery, Be Moved Studio, Art Emergency, The Bourgeois Pig, Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence Creative Therapy Center, OpenStudios at 745 New Hampshire St, Nostalgia Room, and American Shaman. It's shaping up to be a fun one! Get more details at the link in our bio.

08/26/2026

🌻 Sunflower Season has begun! 🌻 Hunsinger Sunflower Patch is open for visitors. Thank you so much to Debbie Debbie Nikodim Jensen for the lovely photos.

Located south of Lawrence at 923 E 1450 Rd. Here are the details from the Hunsinger page: "We are open! Come enjoy our state flower. Free to the public, how ever if you would like to make a free will donation, we very much appreciate it. We do ask you pay for the flower heads if choose to take some. Flower heads are 2.00 ea. we are open sunup to sundown, and we ask if you bring your pets, they must be on a leash. Thank you, and god bless."

Other patches in the area are still getting ready to bloom - keep an eye on our page for updates!

08/26/2026

September is almost here, and that means the Haskell Indian Art Market is just around the corner! Plan to head to Haskell Indian Nations University on Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13. for this one-of-a-kind market showcasing original, handmade items made by Native American artists from across the country. Browse tables laid with jewelry, paintings, pottery, and sculptures, grab lunch or a snack at the traditional food vendors, and be sure to stick around for the entertainment and performances happening throughout the day. Saturday from 10 AM - 6 PM and Sunday from 10 AM - 5 PM at 2535 West Perimeter Rd, Lawrence, KS, 66046. 💜💛

08/23/2026

There's always something happening in Lawrence, Kansas! Here are 7 ideas for this week.

Don't forget to check out our full Events Calendar for even more Lawrence events! https://www.explorelawrence.com/events/

08/18/2026

This Sunday, spend a perfect afternoon beneath the trees in South Park for the 45th Annual Kansas "FidPick", featuring Grammy Award winner Dom Flemons. 🪕 From 12-5 PM, you'll find competitions, a band contest and jamming galore, plus kid activities, art vendors, food trucks, and fresh beer from Free State Brewing Company. This free event is fun for the whole family- all you need is a lawn chair or blanket to sit on! See you there.

08/18/2026

🔹Date: September 19, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
🔹Location: Lawrence Arts Center - 940 New Hampshire St.
🔹Price: It’s free!

The City of Lawrence, Kansas - Municipal Government, Lawrence Transit, Explore Lawrence and the Lawrence Arts Center are proud to present a preview screening of the new short film, The Name for Blue, by Marc Havener. The screening will be accompanied by a Q&A, sample bus rides, live poetry, and bus stop artwork.

Film by Resonate Pictures

08/17/2026

It's the best week of the year for history buffs! For over 30 years, the Civil War on the Border series put on by @[watkinsmuseum] has marked the anniversary of Quantrill’s Raid on Lawrence with bus and walking tours, historical talks, and a moving memorial service for the victims of the raid. Every annual series has a theme, and in 2026 they'll acknowledge connections between 1776 and 1863 by rebranding the series as American Revolution AND Civil War on the Border. From August 20-23, check out Quantrill's Raid and Early Churches of Lawrence walking tours, talks and exhibits about the Revolution and the Civil War, and attend the annual memorial service for the victims of Quantrill’s Raid. The service will be Saturday at First United Methodist Church at 10 AM, followed by a historical talk by Donna Rae Pearson: The Taste of Freedom: A Juneteenth Foodways Journey. Join us for this amazing event and learn more about local history! More details can be found here: https://bit.ly/4g3JwUR