Kaw River Roots Festival
2024-06-21 - 2024-06-23
The Kaw River Roots Fest returns to Downtown Lawrence! Celebrate incredible roots music, local food and drink, with multiple stages at Abe & Jake’s Landing and Lucia. Kids 12 & Under are FREE. Hotel accommodations located right next door to the music.

Welcome Back Jayhawks Weekend
2024-08-24 10:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS, 66044, United States
Welcome Back Jayhawks Weekend in Historic Downtown Lawrence is a celebration of our downtown community, the KU students and their families, and the kickoff of KU Football Season 2024!Enjoy exclusive Shopping offers, Dinning specials, Pop-up Performers on the sidewalks and the KU Football Kickoff Party at 5 pm in South Park.10 am – 8 pmSaturday, August 24

Rock Chalk Block Party
2024-09-27 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS, 66044, United States

Veterans Day Parade
2024-11-09 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS, 66044, United States
Let’s fill Mass St. to celebrate our local Veterans on Saturday, November 9th! Downtown Lawrence / Mass St from 11th to 7th street. All Veterans and Gold Star Families are welcome to participate. Meet at 10:30 AM, 1150 Mass St (DG Courthouse)RSVP @ Veteransday-Lawrence.orgor call/text 785-576-3765

Kansas Craft Brewers Expo
2025-03-01 12:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
Attendees enjoy sampling the finest craft beers from 40-plus Kansas breweries in the impressive setting of Abe & Jake’s landing. The experience includes food vendors, selfie station, merchandise shop, souvenir glasses, and a great social event. The event is produced by The Free State Brewing Company, Kansas Craft Brewers Guild, Downtown Lawrence, and Abe & Jakes Landing. Proceeds benefit the Brewers Guild and Downtown Lawrence.

St Patrick's Day Parade
2025-03-17 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
Join the community in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a colorful parade on Massachusetts Street, starting at South Park and heading north to the bridge. Enjoy Downtown Lawrence before and afterwards on this joyful day.

Busker Fest
2025-05-23 - 2025-05-25
Enjoy the wonder, dazzle, and fun of street buskers in Downtown Lawrence. 3 days of enjoyment for the entire family, from jugglers, to acrobats, to sky high unicycles. Event put on by Busker Fest Committee.

Friday, 5 pm – close
Saturday, 1 pm – close
Sunday, 1 pm – close

Lawrence Pride Parade/Fest
2025-06-07 11:00 - 23:50 (America/Chicago)
A parade down Massachusetts Street at 11am. After the parade finishes, a block party in South Park. It features live performances, vendors, drag performers and fun for all ages!

Juneteenth
2025-06-14 08:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Come downtown for a day of celebration and recognition. This all day event includes an underground railroad tour, parade and a community celebration in South Park. Enjoy live music, food, and crafts during the community celebration.

Midsummer Night on Mass
2025-06-20 16:00 - 22:00, 2026-06-19 16:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York)
Midsummer Night on Mass is a celebration of Downtown Lawrence. Take advantage of great deals that the downtown shops, restaurants, and drinking establishments offer for this event only. Stroll the downtown as sidewalk sales abound, street performers entertain, and restaurants provide tasty specials. Stores stay open until 10 pm! Participating businesses’ specials are featured on the event website: https://msnonmass.com/
Midsummer Night on Mass is produced by Downtown Lawrence, Inc. along with its partner downtown stakeholders.

Lawrence Realtors Casino Night
2025-06-21 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Maceli’s, 1031 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, 66049, United States
Lawrence Realtors host a Casino Night benefitting the Lawrence Realtors Community Foundation and organizations focused on improving housing in the community. Join them for a night of fun and gambling games like Texas Hold’em, Bingo, and Blackjack. Open to all skill levels!
Doors open at 5:30 pm. Beginner’s Poker class at 6:00 pm. Poker Tournament starts at 6:30 pm.
Get tickets before June 6 for early bird rates!

Texas Hold’em — $60 entrance into Poker Tournament and 2 drink tickets
Bingo — $30 one Bingo card and 1 drink ticket
Blackjack — $30 for $5,000 in Blackjack chips and 1 drink ticket
Additional Bingo cards $10 for any type of player all evening

After June 6 player registration is $70 for Poker and $40 for Bingo and Blackjack

Free State Festival
2025-06-26 17:00 - 2025-06-29 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N. Hampshire St, Lawrence, KS, 66044, United States

The Sandbar Block Party
2025-08-08 17:00 - 2025-08-09 23:00 (America/Chicago)
Enjoy great live music, delicious food and a variety of adult beverages while partying on the block of 8th Street between Massachusetts and New Hampshire Street. Hosted by The Sandbar.

Kansas State Fiddling & Picking Championships
2025-08-24 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | South Park, 1141 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas, 66044
A 44-year tradition that is held in Downtown Lawrence. Spend a day listening to the best fiddlers and pickers in the region while taking in all the festivities.

Art in the Park
2025-09-13 10:00 - 2025-09-14 17:00 (America/Chicago)
This two-day event showcases local and regional artists in the beautiful setting of South Park. You can stroll and explore hundreds of booths while enjoying food vendors, fun for the kids, and live music. The event is produced by the Lawrence Art Guild.

Nightmare on Mass Street Halloween Pop Up at Lucia
2025-09-25 - 2025-11-02
Featuring tons of decor and photo ops, live music and events, costume contests, themed drinks and spooky eats!

Presented by 1313 Mockingbird Lane and Lucia.

Rev it Up Hot Rod Street Fest
2025-09-27 08:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
This Lawrence tradition showcases the full spectrum of hot rods, from vintage vehicles to modern muscle. There is plenty of live music, food vendors, activities for children, and plenty of pre and after festivities. Proceeds from the event benefit The Ballard Center.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes
2025-09-28 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Fleet Feet, 839 Massachusetts St
Come together to raise awareness around relationship violence and show support for survivors with Claire’s Community. This family-friendly walk for Domestic Violence Awareness Month is happening Sunday, September 28, starting at 11 am at Fleet Feet Lawrence. Get some steps in and stay for a free lunch at Johnny’s Tavern!
Costumes, decorated shoes, and signs are encouraged.

Autumn Harvest Festival
2025-10-05 11:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | South Park, 1141 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas, 66044
This even celebrates the harvest season in beautiful South Park. Explore some amazing handcrafted goods from local artists and entrepreneurs. This is event is produced by the City of Lawrence.

Zombie Walk 2025
2025-10-16 15:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Gather at South Park; walk down Massachusetts Street at sundown. Costume contests, prizes, make-up stations, and more!
A true night of the Living Dead. Community members of all ages outdo themselves with fabulous costumes and props. Make up artists assist at South Park. A legion of a thousand zombies annually makes the trek down Mass Street as the sidewalks and eateries are lined with spectators. The event is produced by 1313 Mockingbird Lane and The Granada Theater.

Downtown Trick or Treat
2025-10-31 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Thousands of community members of all ages flock to the streets of Downtown Lawrence as participating businesses hand out treats, starting at 5 pm. The costumes and props are beyond impressive and many businesses pull out all the stops. Downtown is alive with the Halloween spirit. The event is produced by Downtown Lawrence and its partner businesses.

Festival of Trees
2025-11-28 - 2025-12-07
The annual Festival of Trees in is a heartwarming holiday tradition! Celebrate the season with beautifully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, and festive displays, all created by local businesses, organizations, and community members. The proceeds from this event benefit O’Connell Children’s Shelter. It is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

Holiday Lights and Santa Rescue
2025-11-28 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago)
Make plans to attend this annual downtown Lawrence tradition when the twinkle lights along Massachusetts Street are lit up for the holiday season, and Santa needs a hand from Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical as he gets stuck atop Weaver’s Department store. There will also be a North Pole Post Office outpost tent where kiddos can drop off letters to Santa. Letter-writing supplies will be available, or you can download one of the templates below to complete and bring along. You can listen live to the entire event from our friends at KLWN FM 101.7 / AM1320 or stream it online. This festive event is made possible by Lawrence Central Rotary and the Lawrence Kids Calendar.

5:30 North Pole Mail tent opens
6:00 Santa arrives
6:30 Mail tent closes

Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade
2025-12-06 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
This Downtown Lawrence tradition truly rings in the Christmas spirit as horse drawn entries from all over the region, adorned with Christmas regalia, parade down Massachusetts Street. The sidewalks are packed with spectators and there is plenty of holiday spirit to share. The event is produced by the Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade Committee.

Mardi Gras Parade & Fat Tuesday
2026-02-17
Join us for a festive Mardi Gras celebration in Downtown Lawrence, February 17, 2026! Terrebonne will be serving up delicious beignets, coffee, libations, and plenty of good vibes. Enjoy the lively parade starting at Lucia and making its way to Terrebonne and other key stops. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled event for all ages!
