Free events in Shawnee, KS

Families can dive into a free, interactive scavenger hunt at Hometown Olathe Family Farm. Check in with The H.O.F.F. staff to pick up a hunt sheet, enjoy a refreshing beverage, and set out to discover hidden items around the farm. Return with the completed sheet to receive a prize. It is designed for parents and kids to explore together, and no sign-up is required. For vendors, only Hometown Olathe Family Farm and TJ Events are official contacts, and payments are processed solely through TJ Events. If anything seems uncertain, reach out directly to verify.

This free storytime brings little ones to a farm setting for lively read-alouds from favorite children’s books. Some weeks a local author leads the reading. Children can settle into cozy spots, wiggle as needed, and relax while they listen. Farm-fresh snacks, slushies, and coffee are available for purchase. There is plenty of room to explore, play, and breathe in the fresh air. It is well suited for homeschool families, daycares, playdates, and anyone seeking a simple, screen free outing filled with stories and smiles.

Settle in for a relaxed patio evening featuring acoustic music from Joel McNulty. Pair the tunes with wine, cocktails, sweet sips, and food, then unwind in the easygoing farm atmosphere HOFF is known for. Gather with friends, stay awhile, and enjoy the summer vibes. There are more events happening throughout the weekend.

Stagecoach Park sets the scene for a free concert with Surfin’ Safari, a tribute to The Beach Boys, appearing alongside Vinyl Revival. Presented as a special Goal-athe edition of Olathe Live, the event features food trucks, concessions, and yard games, plus an expanded Family Zone with a face painter, a balloon artist, a bounce house, and other kid-friendly activities.

Back to school season is near, and this community celebration at Piper High School brings families together for a supportive and festive day. Partnering with local churches, organizers plan to provide free school supplies and snacks while creating a fun experience for students and their families. Leading up to the event, collections are underway throughout July for supplies geared toward sixth graders and boxes of individually packaged chips, and organizers are seeking volunteers to help the day run smoothly. The purpose is to care for neighbors, ensure students are prepared, and offer a positive start to the new school year.

Explore everyday life in a 1920s Kansas town with this installment of the History Highlights Tour Series focusing on Feeding America and 1920s truck farming. Find out what truck farming actually means, then trace how local fields supplied Kansas City’s industrial growth and moved food across the country. The tour includes a close look at the farm’s working garden along with the practical innovations farmers used across eastern Kansas. Admission is included with general museum entry. Admission is free with a Johnson County Library card, and card sign ups will be available. Designed for adults and students in fifth grade and up. No reservations are required, and space is limited on a first come, first served basis.

Celebrate the start of a new school year at this free, family-friendly Back to School Bash on the lawn, featuring games and activities for all ages.

Enjoy a free silent disco at Hometown Olathe Family Farm, complete with neon-lit fun beneath the stars. Wireless headphones are provided so you can switch among multiple music channels while you dance. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Held on the second Saturday of each month, it offers a unique night out to share with friends.

This casual, community-based meetup at the HOFF focuses on trading, collecting, and connecting with fellow fans. Whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting your journey, there is a chance to swap, show off favorites, or uncover that one you have been searching for. Participants can bring collections, friends, and their best trading energy for a friendly blend of nostalgia and community. It happens every second Sunday and fourth Friday. This event is not affiliated with or sponsored by any specific brand.

This weekly bingo gathering at Hometown Olathe Family Farm features free admission, prizes, and a comfortable, lighthearted setting. Sip a drink and enjoy farm-favorite snacks while you play. It is presented as a relaxed community tradition. A vendor scam warning advises that only Hometown Olathe Family Farm, TJ Events, and the official email are the authorized contacts for vendor opportunities.

Celebrate the last days of summer before school begins with a free community pool party at Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center. Gather with friends and family for an evening of swimming, laughter, and connection as the season winds down. Everyone is welcome to make a splash and enjoy time together in the water.

Warhammer 40,000 open play at The Geekery offers a flexible setting for casual matchups in an open play format. A chess clock is available on request. There is no preregistration and no entry fee. The Geekery supplies table space, terrain, and gaming mats, and staff can assist with questions. To coordinate a game ahead of time, check their Discord or Facebook and review The Geekery’s code of conduct.

Settle in for free bingo with five rounds of play. Pick up your cards, find a good seat, and enjoy the excitement as the numbers are called. Participants will have chances to win Sweet Tee’s merchandise and gift cards.

This free urban sketching session with Carol and the Urban Sketching Olathe Group, a newly formed group sponsored by OVA, begins at the gallery with a brief conversation about basic plein air techniques, then moves outdoors to sketch downtown parks, sculpture sites, and historic buildings. Benches, sidewalk tables, and shade trees around downtown offer comfortable places to draw. Participants may wish to bring water and a map of the area. Olathe Art Gallery business cards will be available to share with curious passersby. For questions or to let the organizers know you plan to attend, email firstgalleryolathe@gmail.com.

Presented by Shawnee Parks & Recreation and Mobile Wellness Hub partners, this monthly wellness fair offers no cost admission and welcomes the whole community. Harvesters provides a grocery pantry, wellness screenings are available, and families can enjoy engaging activities with Shawnee’s Wellness Hub. The pantry is open to anyone, each visitor receives a selection of food items, and distribution continues while supplies last.

Join for a Budget Open House where you can learn about the proposed annual budget and the priorities shaping the community. This event takes place at Shawnee Town Hall.

Music Bingo at The 913 replaces numbers with a mix of song clips. A game host plays a variety of tracks while participants mark the corresponding squares on their bingo cards. It is free to attend and free to play, and each person uses a phone to access one card. Winners receive prizes, and the prize mix may include a variety. There are plenty of opportunities to sing and dance along to the music.

An open mic for poetry and prose presented by Poetic Underground takes place at the Livestock Exchange Building (KC). Participants add their names to an on-site sign-up, and readers are called in a randomized order. Each person has a maximum of four minutes at the microphone to share their work. The organizers emphasize a respectful, supportive environment for honest expression. Face masks are highly encouraged. Admission is free.

This casual Gym Leader Challenge welcomes beginners and is free to attend. Participants who sign in with a Play! Pokémon ID can receive a prize pack while supplies last.

Flashback brings classic party energy to the Prairiefire Summer Music Series presented by Visit Overland Park. This free concert unfolds in the Prairiefire Entertainment District in Overland Park, Kansas, where the Sip & Stroll option lets you enjoy cocktails to go as you wander and dance through the area. Expect a lively atmosphere, feel-good songs, and an easygoing night of music that keeps the celebration going.