2026 in America's Semiquincentennial 

If you haven't heard by now, America will be having its 250th birthday in 2026. All year long, you can find celebratory events and festivals happening in Kansas, all designed to match every interest. Whether you love history, adore natural scenery, or just enjoy a good ole anniversary, then don't forget to check the special guide on how you can find ways to celebrate America's 250th in Kansas.

Learn about Irish roots in Kansas

Believe it or not, Kansans take this holiday very seriously! Since the state has significant Irish heritage dating back to the earliest days of Kansas settlement, it makes sense for Kansas to celebrate this day with lots of pride! You’ll be able to find so many places hosting parades, 5k runs, and other festivities as you watch Kansas turn completely green!

Olathe

Qlathe BBQ Competition 

We sure hope you came prepared to eat some BBQ! Get ready for the "Q"-lathe BBQ Competition on March 20-21. Held each year in Olathe's Lone Elm Park, this event will be going into its 9th year, and you won't want to miss out.
 

Lindsborg

Våffeldagen

Våffeldagen might be the quirkiest festival in Kansas. The entire purpose of this event is for the entire town of Lindsborg to dress up as waffles and eat waffles all day long... yep, that's the event. If you have a friend who's the type to wear a banana costume in public, then you should absolutely take them to Vaffeldagen in Lindsborg. Of course, you don't have to dress up as a waffle for this event, but showing up in plain clothes might make you feel a bit out of place. Afterall, it is Våffeldagen!

Kansas City, KS

KCK Taco Trail Bus Tours (Weekly on Tuesdays)

You'll have to act quickly and get your tickets ASAP because this sells out fast! The KCK Taco Trail still has a few spots left on its Red Machine Party Bus for weekly tours on each Tuesday evening. It's okay if you can't make it in March, either, since the tours run through April. The pickup spot is at the Hilton Garden Inn, and the tours last for about 2-3 hours, so it's very much worth the $36 you spend for the experience.

Click here to get your tickets for the KCK Taco Trail Bus Tours.

Kansas 250 - Outdoor Recreation Challenge

Get ready for the Outdoor Recreation Challenge that will be happening all throughout the year in 2026. Since March is also the month that brings us Spring in Kansas, this is easily the best month to get started on the Kansas 250 - Outdoor Recreation Challenge.

Fishing Time!

March is the time when dedicated anglers awake from their winter slumber and begin scouting the various lakes in Kansas for the best catch they can find! The combination of mild temperatures, wind, and light rain creates fishing conditions that are perfect for anyone hitting the lake that day. Don’t forget to check out the Kansas Wildlife and Parks fishing reports to see when and where the fish are biting in Kansas!

Disc Golf & Golf

March is also the month for getting outside and hitting the driving range! Whether you prefer classic 18-hole golf or enjoy the newer sport of disc golf, Kansas has hundreds of courses dedicated to both activities. 

- Disc Golf Courses in Kansas

- Golf Courses in Kansas

Independence

Independence Historical Museum & Art Center

Get ready to celebrate International Women's Day in Kansas by viewing a play dedicated to one of the most famous authors to have lived in the state. For those who might not be aware, Laura Ingalls Wilder, a woman who briefly grew up near Independence, authored the famous novel: Little House on the Prairie. The book's legacy in Kansas lives on to this very day, which is why the Independence Historical Museum & Art Center is inviting the public to view the play: Laura Ingalls Wilder: Voice of the Prairie. The play will run March 6-8, with performances starting at 2 PM on March 6-7, and at 7 PM on March 8th.

Iola

Bowlus Fine Arts Center

The ultimate entertainment venue of Southeast Kansas is in Iola. The Bowlus Fine Arts Center is home to a main stage, a smaller recital hall, and an art gallery, as well as the regular performance hall for the Iola Area Symphony Orchestra.

Upcoming March Events:

• Declaration 1776 Tour (Until March 6th)
• Circus EVO "Solstice: A Winter Circus Experience" (March 7)
• A Night of Songs & Stories with Jenn & Emily (March 28)

Wichita

The Cotillion

One of the premier multi-purpose event spaces in Kansas. The Cotillion brings in award-winning musicians, along with hosting private events for businesses, fan clubs, and weddings!
 

WAVE

Wave is a "social" oasis in Downtown Wichita, home to music events, a beer garden, and a Mexican restaurant. This dynamic space has both indoor and outdoor space as well as being large enough to accommodate thousands of guests!
 

Century II Performing Arts Center

Century II is another multi-use event space in the heart of Wichita. On March 14-15, they will be hosting the USA Judo Youth National Championships, with weigh-ins on March 13th.

Lindsborg 

Birger Sandzen Museum

The Midwest Art Exhibition is back for the 128th year! The local Birger Sandzen Museum will be hosting the 128th Annual Midwest Art Exhibition, which will run through the months of February and March, and end on April 19th--so no need to worry if you can't make it during March.

The exhibition will feature these collections: 

• Din of Silence: paintings by Tim Stone of Wichita, Kansas
• Origen: prints by Marco Hernandez of Wichita, Kansas
• Noblesse Oblige: art by Genevieve Waller of Denver, CO
• Carvings from the Heart: wood-carved sculptures by Glenn Knak of Salina, Kansas
• Selections by Gretchen Elliott’s Smoky Valley Art Students

Sporting KC

While the MLS season started a bit sooner than normal, Sporting KC will be hosting 2 home games during the month of March. Their first home game will be against the relatively new San Diego FC on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The other home match will occur on Saturday, March 21st, and Sporting will go head-to-head against the longtime rival Colorado Rapids. Ever since Sporting moved to the Western Conference in 2014, the rivalry between Sporting and the Rapids has only gotten more intense, and there's no better way to see for yourself than to attend the game in person on March 21st!

KU vs. K-State at Allen Fieldhouse

Get ready for KU and K-State to go head-to-head at Allen Fieldhouse for KU's final home game of the 2025-26 season. The Sunflower Showdown is easily one of the most intense rivalries in all of college sports. K-State hasn't won in Allen Fieldhouse since 2006, so they most certainly will be looking to pull off the upset of the century against the heavily favored Jayhawks. 

KU vs. K-State - Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence (March 7)

The Globetrotters are back in Kansas!

2026 will go down in history as one that had countless centennial celebrations, and the Harlem Globetrotters are no exception. The Globetrotters will be celebrating their centennial year with the 100 Years of Wow Tour. 

- Topeka - March 20

- Wichita - March 26

Men's Junior College Tournament comes to Kansas!

Junior College Tournament (NJCAA) - Hutchinson is also a great place for sports fans. Hutch is now a regular host for the NJCAA Men’s Basketball tournament. With how important the transfer portal is these days in college sports, this event has gradually drawn the attention of some of the biggest scouts in college basketball. With so much hidden talent out there in the world of sports, you never know which of these Junior College prospects might be on your favorite team next season!

College Baseball

Kansas has various minor league and NCAA DI schools with excellent baseball programs. Last year, KU was off to one of the hottest starts in all of college baseball. They also made national news after they defeated Minnesota 29-1, forcing the game to end by Mercy Rule, and also for tying the record on consecutive home runs (5 in a row) during an inning. While KU had a truly historic season, both KU and K-State were selected for last year's Super Regionals in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Even though neither team made a run in the tournament, both will be looking to build off of last year's strong performances on the field. 

While this year will come with its own surprises, all three schools will be in the midst of their college seasons during the month of March, so don’t hesitate to grab some tickets for an upcoming home game!

Minor League Baseball & NBC World Series

Kansas hosts two minor league teams: the Wichita Wind Surge and the Kansas City Monarchs. The Wind Surge will begin their season in very early April, while the KC Monarchs start their season in May. The other big baseball event that occurs in Kansas is the NBC World Series, which happens during late July in Wichita. While you’ll have to wait until after March for baseball season to be fully underway in Kansas, now is the best time to grab your season tickets and game passes. 

Wichita Wind Surge – Season Tickets

KC Monarchs – Season Tickets

NBC World Series - Tickets and Game Passes

Motorsport

There's no doubt that Kansans love to race fast cars! Kansas has over 30 race tracks spread across all 6 regions of the state. Many people aren't aware of just how popular motorsport has become in Kansas. The truth is that once Spring and Summer arrive in the Sunflower State, many avid car enthusiasts, and even some professionals, put their driving skills to the test by participating in various racing events. By visiting our section on Auto Races in Kansas, you can already check out over 20 racing events from March 1 to August 31 (with more dates being announced each week).