This weekend in Lawrence, KS

The outing begins in the southwest parking lot and follows the River Trail to the east. If bird activity is strong, the route continues north to the center road and then turns back to the west. Birds commonly seen include Indigo Buntings, Common Yellowthroats, and Dickcissels. Participants will also watch for Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Pileated Woodpeckers, Willow Flycatchers, and Eastern Wood-Pewees, with both Baltimore and Orchard Orioles likely in the area. Additional possibilities include Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak, and Bell’s Vireo. The pace and path adjust to the sightings to make the most of the outing.

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.

Choose from triathlon, duathlon, aquabike, or aquathlon at Kill Creek Park, designed to welcome both newcomers and experienced multisport athletes. Many treat this event as a celebratory finale to the season, with a course that highlights the area from start to finish. Athletes take on a swim that is easy for spectators to follow, ride through the rolling hills of western Johnson County, and close with a run along the well maintained trails of the park. Packet pickup is available at Elite Cycling, with an additional option on race morning at Kill Creek Park. An Athlete Guide with pre-race details, schedules, and important updates is sent by email ahead of the event. This race is USA Triathlon sanctioned and recognized as Paratriathlon Friendly by the USA Triathlon Paratriathlon Committee. For paratriathlete information or registration assistance, contact Race Director Katy Renner at kathryn.renner@jocogov.org or call (913) 826-2964.

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.

At Celebration Park, Gardner Grind delivers a muddy obstacle challenge for all levels. Tackle a one-mile course packed with roughly 15 obstacles, water features and lots of mud, organized into multiple heats with staggered group starts. Open to participants as young as 7 and up to 107, it welcomes families, groups, individuals and even friendly rivals. Between runs, enjoy music, snacks and an upbeat atmosphere. Early registration is encouraged. The fee is $30 per participant in advance, or $35 on the day of the event. All sales are final, with no refunds.

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.

This Zumba session welcomes participants of every experience level. Follow the discussion page for announcements about which instructor will lead each week.

Take a guided hike through Warren Nature Area with a focus on the trails and the stories behind them. Discussion includes the area’s history, its significance, the natural environment, and the beauty of the landscape. Registration is requested to help track attendance. Prepare for outdoor walking by wearing comfortable shoes and bringing water.

Search the galleries of the Watkins Museum of History to spot SemiQuinn the Bison, the official mascot of the Kansas 250 Commission. On Saturdays, visitors who find SemiQuinn can earn a prize. Snap a photo and share it on Instagram with the tag @SemiQuinntheBison to commemorate the find. Celebrate America’s 250th birthday by tracking down the bison in the museum.

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.

Experience a fully immersive breathwork session designed to gently meet emotional wounds with support and guidance. Using conscious connected breathing alongside layered 9D audio that includes binaural beats, subliminal cues, hypnotic guidance, and subconscious priming, the session blends structured breath, sound, and focused attention to support somatic release and deeper self awareness. Participants explore breath as a pathway for releasing stored trauma in the body, practice navigating altered and non ordinary states with intention and care, build awareness of inner imagery, sensation, and perception, and complete the journey with grounded reflection to integrate what emerges. This is an active, experiential process, and attendees are encouraged to stay present, curious, and responsive to their own inner experience. Experience is not necessary. Please bring a yoga mat or blanket to lie on if you have one. The cost is $75 per person. Payment can be made by cash, Venmo, CashApp, or PayPal, and if using one of these methods, reserve a spot by emailing RestAndRecoveryCamp@gmail.com. Registration and payment are also available through the Zeffy donation page. Cost should not be a barrier, with scholarships and sliding scale options available. Questions are welcome by email.

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.

Enjoy a playful spin on bingo at this all-ages gathering that features five lively rounds, dog-friendly snacks, and prizes for both people and their pups. Hosted by Tongie Rec and County Line Brewing, the event offers a relaxed setting to play and socialize. Registration is required and space is limited. Dogs are welcome if they are friendly, on a leash, and current on vaccinations. You do not need to bring a dog to register or participate, and meeting the four-legged attendees is part of the fun.

Join this in-person three-hour class to turn a black-and-white photograph or postcard into a one-of-a-kind embroidered piece. You’ll start with basic stitch practice on a template, then move into designing your artwork, preparing and pre-punching holes, and learning tips to recover from mistakes. Simple framing options are also covered. Take-home kits include the materials and tools you need, and you’re welcome to bring a family photo reproduction if you’d like. The class is limited to 10 participants, with doors opening at 12:45 PM.

Catch Eagles of Death Metal live for a night of modern, blues, and garage rock at The Granada Theater.

The BoDells bring a dance-ready mix of classic rock, 80s favorites, traditional country, and 60s soul to the Saturday Patio Sessions at Clinton Lake Marina. Last year drew a great crowd, and this patio performance keeps the momentum going with upbeat tunes made for moving your feet.

Explore archery with lessons designed for families, groups of friends, or a memorable date night. Instruction supports absolute beginners and those working toward competitive goals, blending technique-focused drills with engaging games. Participants ages 7 and up can take part. With several class options available, it is easy to find a session that fits your schedule and begin your journey in the sport.

Tanner Foulk takes the stage at The Bellows for an evening of live music.

PURE COUNTRY brings a high energy variety set to Captains Grille in Perry, KS, performing songs by many well known artists. The show is designed for plenty of dancing and sing along moments, with the band keeping the floor moving throughout the night. Food and drinks are available from the venue. The group is also available for clubs, festivals, corporate functions, fundraisers, and private parties.

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.

At Replay Lounge, GRANDPA brings a patio DJ set built for dancing, with special projector visuals adding to the atmosphere. The Lawrence, Kansas DJ has played with artists including Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, Kevin Gates, Chief Keef, Post Malone, Lil Yachty, Cardi B, and Kodak Black.

Lawrence Pride hosts a monthly queer bowling social at Royal Crest Lanes, creating a welcoming space to meet people and roll a few frames. The cost is $12 per person, which includes shoe rental. Upon arrival, check in at shoe rental and ask for the Lawrence Pride group to be placed with the bowlers. This gathering is open to all ages and is friendly for families, with kids and adults welcome.

Kids Jam with Kyler Carpenter turns the spotlight on young performers at Doughboyz. Children are invited to share music, tell jokes, dance, demonstrate tricks, or present other talents in front of a friendly and supportive audience, with an emphasis on building confidence and celebrating creativity. If the weather is poor, the event moves indoors to keep the fun going. Early arrival helps with seating.

Hudson Electric, the new project from Chris Hudson of Gullywasher, performs at Northside Social in Lawrence, Kansas.

The gathering includes a potluck dinner followed by swimming at the pool.