Events in Kearney today

Shop local and enjoy a Saturday farmers market at Hilltop Mall’s parking lot. It runs from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, offering a chance to eat local and be local with fresh finds from area vendors.

Join the Harmon Park Activity Center for a Chess Tournament with multiple sections for both kids and adults. Sections include Scholastic Rookie (K through 5th grade), Scholastic Junior (6th through 8th grade), and Scholastic Senior (9th through 12th grade), plus a Casual Section for adults looking to get comfortable with tournament play. There is also a USCF section for experienced players, and you’ll need a current USCF Member ID when signing up. Registration prices are listed for both Scholastic/Casual and the USCF section, and the schedule includes a lunch break during the day.

Hosted at Buffalo County Fairgrounds, Roadway Heroes invites visitors to get up close with the vehicles that keep the community running and meet the people who keep everyone safe and connected. Enjoy hands-on fun like climbing aboard and honking horns, and take a playful shot at dunking the galactic bad guys. Free-will donations are welcomed to support the Kearney Area Children's Museum.

This free youth event offers hands-on learning about waterfowl, an inflatable archery range that will operate only if wind and weather allow, a rubber duck giveaway, and free digital photo downloads to capture the experience.

Get ready for the Kearney Nostalgia Race at Kearney Raceway Park, featuring front engine dragsters, gassers, and hot rods. The day includes bracket gambler races, with pits and gates opening at 12:00 PM, time trials at 2:00 PM, and eliminations starting at 4:00 PM.

Disney’s Frozen comes to life on stage in a family-friendly musical adventure. Follow Anna as she searches for her sister Elsa, whose powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter. You can expect beloved characters like Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven, plus favorite songs including “Let It Go.” The production features stunning sets, dazzling costumes, and a heartwarming story about love, courage, and sisterhood.

Tristan Roberson is live for an evening country blues and acoustic set at Joe's Honky Tonk. The show starts at 9:00 PM, with ticket availability shown via the links on the page.

Disney’s Frozen comes to life on stage at the Merryman Performing Arts Center. Join Anna on an epic journey to find her sister Elsa, while audiences meet favorites like Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven and sing along to hit songs including “Let It Go.” This family-friendly musical includes paid tickets for all ages, with children under 3 not admitted and no lap tickets. E-tickets will be issued by Crane River Theater and can be shown on a mobile device or printed for entry.

In Kearney, this pregnancy and infant loss support group is open to anyone who has lost a pregnancy, a baby, or a young child, including early miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, and the loss of an infant or toddler. Whether the loss happened recently or long ago, the group provides a caring place to share, heal, and be understood.

Catch Buckcherry for a live hard rock set at Joe's Honky Tonk in Kearney. The show is scheduled for 7:00 PM local venue time.

Sip & Swirl Wine Bar is hosting a Love Island watch party with a LIVE premiere viewing. Come hang out at the bar, enjoy $2 off your first glass and $10 off a bottle, and settle in with wine and snacks from the small eats menu. Dress in something comfy and bring your friends for a fun, cozy evening.

Bring your knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, or other fiber arts project in progress and connect with creative peers in a relaxed setting. Trade tips, get help troubleshooting tricky spots, and learn something new through informal conversation. Volunteer knitting coaches will be available for support. Kids are welcome, and anyone 12 or under must attend with an adult who is also participating. No advance sign-up is needed, and drop-ins are welcome.

Cap off the season with one more summer show as The Shockitanos return for another performance in the courtyard. This is a final chance to catch them live before school gets underway.

Entrepreneurs and freelancers are invited to a free late-night work session focused on getting things done in a productive, coworking-style setting. Join other like-minded locals and work through deadlines, brainstorming, or whatever you need to move forward. Drop in anytime during the session window.

Buffalo Wild Wings in Kearney hosts a lively trivia game night with an interactive format. Each show features a variety of rounds, including images and music, led by a live host. Teams or individual players use their phones to join the game, submit answers, and earn points. Questions span topics from pop culture to history, creating a friendly atmosphere of competition and camaraderie. There is no cost to participate, and prizes are awarded to competing players and teams.

Kate’s Candle Studio is being celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The event recognizes an important milestone for the studio.

An artist reception highlights Nebraska artist and educator Gregory Yochum, whose Intermedia practice spans painting, printmaking, drawing, and mixed media. Raised in Holdrege and a graduate of HHS, he earned a BAE from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and an MFA from Fort Hays State University, and has exhibited across Nebraska and Kansas in solo shows including "Pain and Grace" and "Conversations." His work explores the meeting point of the sacred and the secular, using expressive portraiture to spark visual dialogues that cross time and genre. Subjects of profound spiritual and cultural significance appear together, from the crucified Christ and the Virgin Mary to cultural legends like Batman and Superman, inviting recognition of shared experiences of suffering, transcendence, and aspiration. The exhibition is on view at Lost Way, with a special reception to celebrate the artist and this body of work. Support is provided by the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

Bring your pup for the 19th Annual Puppy Plunge for an evening of pool time. Pre-registration is required, and participating dogs must have a current rabies vaccination and DHLP shot, with proof available on-site. There are set time slots for different dog weight groups, with up to 40 dogs per slot, and proceeds benefit the Kearney Area Animal Shelter and the Kearney Dog Park.

Swing 21 performs live in the courtyard at Cunningham's on the Bricks.