Festivals
Planning your next trip to Top City? Make sure you’re here for one of our unique festivals. Topeka is home to a wide array of special events, local festivals, concerts of all sizes, and much more! If you can't find what you're looking for, make sure to check out our calendar of events for current events happening in Topeka, KS >>
Jump to: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
Spring
St. Patrick's Day Celebration
For more than 40 years, this parade has wound through downtown in celebration of the beloved Irish holiday. The parade is bookended by Topeka IrishFest, which includes a fun run, Irish food, live music and more.
Tulip Time
Spring is breathtaking in Topeka! See thousands of tulips and daffodils in picturesque gardens around town, including Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee, Old Prairie Town and Gage Park’s Reinisch Rose Garden and Doran Rock Garden. Takes place every year in April.
Summer
Mulvane Art Fair
Art comes alive at the Mulvane Mountain/Plains Art Fair held on Washburn University’s campus. View stunning works from more than 90 artists. Enjoy hands-on art-making activities, live music and a food court. First weekend in June.
GermanFest
Hosted by Topeka’s Sacred Heart - St. Joseph Parish, GermanFest is usually held in early June. What started as a Sunday afternoon church fundraiser has transformed into a two-day festival celebrating the parish’s history as home to German and Volga German immigrants. Germanfest features authentic German foods, a beer garden, vendors, live entertainment, games, a silent auction, “brat trot” fun run, and more!
Capital City Family and Food Truck Festival
Visit Topeka gathers more food trucks than anyone for this annual favorite. You'll find something for every palate and family member. Plus games, magicians and more!
Sunflower Music Festival
An annual series of donation-only orchestra concerts, chamber music and jazz at White Concert Hall on the Washburn University campus. World-renowned musicians from across the North and South America perform.
Heartland Military Day
Start your day with a pancake feed, followed by Civil War and WWII battle re-enactments, special exhibits, Big Band and Swing concerts and more at the Museum of the Kansas National Guard at Forbes Field. Check out this event in June of each year.
Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival
Sing the blues with musicians from all over the United States at the Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival at Lake Shawnee. Enjoy food and arts and craft alongside live rhythm and blues. Typically held the weekend of July 4th.
Fiesta Topeka
Celebrate Topeka’s Mexican culture during this annual event that includes a parade downtown and five nights of traditional Mexican food, music and dancing in the Oakland neighborhood every July- near Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
For the Culture KS
In 2023, For the Culture KS held its inaugural three-day festival in and around downtown Topeka’s Evergy Plaza to celebrate the region’s Black heritage, culture and excellence. Set to return in July 2024, this event features an opening gala; various performances by artists in gospel, hip hop, soul and other genres; comedy acts; panel discussions; wellness sessions; diverse vendors and food trucks; and much more. All are welcome at this soon-to-be annual festival!
India Mela
Celebrate the food, music, and culture of India with India Mela Topeka! Organized by the India Association of Topeka, the group held a lively one-day festival in 2023, put on a Bollywood Movie Night in 2024, and has more in the works for 2025. Keep an eye on India Mela Topeka’s Facebook page for updates on festivities to come!
Cruisin The Capitol
This car show at the Kansas Statehouse is one of a kind. Registration is open to all makes, models, years and styles. Free and open to the public. Food trucks, beer gardens and more on-site plus the August Second Saturday Concert Series follows at Celtic Fox. Rain or shine.
Fall
Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Festival
Watch more than 30 colorful hot air balloons launch over Lake Shawnee at 7 a.m. Beginning at 6 p.m., watch them tether and glow or experience a tethered balloon ride. Every September at Lake Shawnee.
Cider Days
Northeast Kansas’ largest arts and crafts festival also features food, a petting zoo, entertainment, live history re-enactments and more at the Stormont Vail Events Center annually in September.
Kansas Book Festival
Hear from fifty prominent and entertaining authors as they discuss topics raised by new books, whether nonfiction, fiction, or poetry. Kids will have fun too, attending presentations about new picture books or young adult novels. The festival happens every September at Washburn University and includes outdoor performances, a children's activity tent, food trucks, and exhibitors from across the region. Learn more at KansasBookFestival.com
Kansas Chocolate Festival
If you love chocolate, you can't miss this epic day. Learn how to cook with chocolate through a variety of stage demonstrations. Try the region's best chocolates as chocolatiers travel to Topeka to sell products and vendors have chocolate-themed items as well.
Salute our Heroes Festival & Veterans Parade
Organized by the Military Veteran Project, this festival carries on the traditions of honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans, offering the public the opportunity to show its support for those who serve on our nation's most visible stage, at the State Capitol of Kansas and along Kansas Avenue.
Touch-A-Truck
Always the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, this celebration of labor lets little ones climb in an explore their favorite machines: Trucks, diggers and so much more. No admission is charged but non-perishable food items are collected for Harvesters: The Community Food Bank.
Winter
Miracle on Kansas Avenue
If you love parades you won't want to miss this one, Thanksgiving Weekend, in Downtown Topeka. This annual favorite follows the lighting of the City of Topeka Christmas tree.
Zoo Lights
Visitors will stroll around the zoo and enjoy twinkling lights, dazzling displays, festive activities, and of course… Santa Claus! Zoo Lights will be a magical destination creating lasting memories and a new favorite tradition.
Winter Wonderland
Enjoy a spectacle of holiday lights as you drive a two-mile loop at Lake Shawnee. This is a fundraiser event that charges per car-load and runs nightly from late November through December.
Kansas Day
Commemorate Kansas’ statehood by visiting the Kansas Museum of History, the State Capitol and other historic sites throughout the state. January 29.
Kansas Silent Film Festival
Enjoy silent comedy and dramatic films with live musical accompaniment at the annual festival located at Washburn University’s White Concert Hall.
Arts and Culture Events
Topeka’s arts scene takes center stage every First Friday. Cultural festivals celebrate Topeka’s diversity. Outstanding community theatre, ballet, symphony and regional venues that host touring acts will give you myriad chances to enjoy what you love right here in Top City.
Stay in the know with our newsletter and Topeka365.com
Explore the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District
