Free events in Lawrence, KS

Discover a lively open-air market in Downtown Lawrence featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers, baked favorites, meats, coffee, and a variety of artisan goods. Every item comes from Kansas vendors located within 50 miles, offering a direct connection to the people who grow and make your food. Shopping here supports small farms and local creators, keeps money circulating nearby, and helps cut down on travel-related impacts. Each summer brings family-friendly activities such as a kids scavenger hunt and other special happenings, along with nutrition incentive options for SNAP users and a loyalty program that rewards frequent shoppers. New finds arrive each week, making every visit a fresh experience.

Enjoy a free car cruise in downtown De Soto, Kansas celebrating the De Soto Dean Weller Car Cruise. Look for raffle prizes, a separate kids raffle, music, food, and a friendly community vibe, with no registration required. Bring canned goods to help the cause, and receive an extra raffle ticket for each can donated. A 50/50 pot and all canned donations support the De Soto food pantry.

Clear out unused gadgets at the 2026 Electronics Recycling Event, hosted by the City of Lawrence at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. This free opportunity is open to residents of Douglas County and is sponsored by Teknix Solutions. A wide range of items that plug in or use electricity can be brought, including computers, laptops, speakers, keyboards, mice, servers, printers, microwaves, TVs, gaming systems, light fixtures, stereos, radios, phones, audio and visual equipment, lab equipment, cables, battery backup systems, monitors and other small appliances. Some TVs and monitors require a fee, with CRT televisions and monitors and projection sets costing $40 each, and LCD TVs and monitors costing $10 each. Teknix Solutions accepts cash, PayPal or Venmo for these fees, and credit or debit cards are not accepted. Recycling here offers a responsible way to handle old electronics, protect personal data and keep e-waste out of the landfill. Not every electronic item is eligible, so review the accepted items list before loading your vehicle. Questions can be posted in the event discussion.

Ages 5 to 11 are invited to practice reading and build confidence with a warm, furry friend from Loving Paws Animal Therapy. Bring your own book or pick one from the library. No registration is needed, and you’ll be assigned a 15-minute reading time slot when you arrive.

Volunteers will support A Million Thanks by preparing thousands of handwritten letters for deployed service members overseas. Tasks include opening, organizing, and reviewing messages to ensure each one is ready to reach someone far from home. Participation is limited to 12 volunteers.

Settle in for a night under the stars at Miller Park with a big-screen showing of the live action Lilo & Stitch. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to get comfortable. Admission, popcorn, and parking are all free, and restrooms are available on site. Dogs are welcome if kept on a leash. Come early to pick a spot and enjoy a relaxed community movie night.

A casual Death Café brings people together for open conversation about death over tea and cake. Recognized around the world, this format fosters candid discussion in a relaxed setting. Free and open to all ages. For more information, contact Janet at 785-842-0543 or srccontact@dgcoks.gov. Co-sponsored by SRC and the Visiting Nurses Association.

Enjoy a free, beginner-friendly yoga session with an emphasis on strength and stability at Evergy Plaza, offered by Evergy Plaza and the Topeka Yoga Network of Downtown Topeka. The water will be on during class, so you can choose to practice in the water or stay dry. Bring a yoga mat and blocks, and consider packing one or two towels in case of splashes.

A free monthly support and education group from the LMH Health Diabetes Education Center welcomes anyone living with diabetes and their loved ones. Sessions focus on learning more about the condition and gaining practical support for everyday management. Attend in person at the LMH Health Main Campus in Conference Room D-North or participate online via Zoom. To find the room, head to the lower level of the building, follow the signs along the carpeted hallway to the conference rooms, and look for D-North at the very end. Topics include diabetes burnout and stress management, preventing and managing illness, understanding diabetes lab work, traveling with diabetes, and navigating holidays and recipes. For reminders and Zoom access, registration is available by phone at 785-505-3062 or by emailing James.Florez@lmh.org or Kim.McAuley@lmh.org.

Join a Senior Session to learn how art is displayed in public transportation stations connected to the Communist Bloc. Graduate intern Ellen Joo will share photographs taken in Pyongyang, North Korea, from the Spencer Museum of Art’s collection. Senior Sessions are designed for older adults but are open to everyone. Admission is free, and free parking is available in designated spots in the Mississippi Street garage across from the museum, with check-in at the welcome desk for parking validation.