It’s time to get outside, Lawrence. Summer is here, and Lawrence has really outdone itself. In fact, this is likely going to be the busiest season of outdoor events that we have ever seen. From street parties and festivals to soccer celebrations, this is the time to slap on the sunscreen and get outdoors! Here are some of the biggest hometown happenings for June.
Lawrence PRIDE!
Downtown Lawrence | June 6
Full disclosure: yours truly is on the Lawrence PRIDE board. But it wouldn’t feel right to go through June without mentioning this milestone event for Lawrence. PRIDE returns with a parade through Mass St. starting at 11:00 a.m. on June 6, with a block party full of live performances, entertainment, vendors, and merriment to follow right after (we’re told the Acrobats will even be there this year!). The block party wraps up at 8:00 p.m., which is when the After Party promptly starts right after.
Bonus: this year Lawrence PRIDE is expanding to include events throughout the entire month! That includes movie nights, bingo, bowling, and more. So be sure to check out their Facebook page for more info.
Kaw River Roots Fest
Downtown Lawrence | June 11 – 15
At this point, we don’t know how we’d get through a Lawrence summer without Kaw River Roots Fest. The bluegrass festival is one of the biggest highlights of the year for music fans, drawing out fans from near and wide. With the festival’s recent move from late summer to early summer, bluegrass fans are now finding they can balance both Kaw River Roots Fest AND Winfield at in the same season (hooray!).
This year’s event stretches across three locations within the same block: Lucia, The Granada, and Live on Mass. The block party is not to be missed, as it draws out enough visitors to fill the entire block and then some.
This year’s lineup is a local music lover’s paradise:
Split Lip Rayfield
Front Porch
Unfit Wives
80 Proof Alice
Foggy Memory Boys
Cameron Keeling & The Runaway Train
Signal Ridge
High Country Hustle
The Lost Keys
3rd Kansas Cavalry Unit
Betsy O & The Hollaback Boys
DJ Proof
Juneteenth
South Park | June 19-20
Lawrence's Juneteenth is expanding to a two-day celebration this year! June 19th will include line dancing, spades, dominoes, and a live reading of the 2026 winning essay. The next day, June 20th, will feature a parade with a block party, kids’ corner, and main stage performances with live music and poetry. Be sure to bring the family out to this can’t-miss community event!
Score Lawrence Soccer Events
Downtown Lawrence | June 12, June 16, June 22, June 25, June 27, and July 11
Score Lawrence is putting on six Community Viewing Parties this summer, arranged by the organizers of Live on Mass and Buskerfest. All six parties are free and open to people of all ages.
The organizers of Live on Mass will be putting on a show with three parties throughout the summer on the street outside of The Granada Theater (1000 Block of Massachusetts St). The summer of viewing parties will kick off on June 12 for the USA vs Paraguay match. You'll find live music, entertainment, a vendor market, and of course, the watch party.
If you liked Buskerfest, you’re going to LOVE the special parties happening downtown to celebrate organized by the same folks. There are three of these events scheduled, each featuring soccer-themed entertainment coinciding with the games. The June 16 will take place on 7th St., the June 25th event just outside the Lawrence Arts Center, and the July 11th event will take place at South Park. All three will feature entertainers, vendors, live music, and community fun.
Free State Festival
Various Locations | July 22 – 28
Helping round out the end of the month is a familiar staple, the Free State Festival. This year’s fitting theme is “The Revolution” and will feature headliners Boots Riley and Robyn Hitchcock and a Slate of Revolutionary Films. There will also be films celebrating Algerian history in anticipation of the Algerian Men’s National Football Team setting up camp in Lawrence. For the full list of films (and tickets/passes), please visit https://freestatefestival.org/.
Brass on Mass
Downtown Lawrence | June 26
This was an absolute hit last year and was such a success that we named it one of the top ten events of the year. Now, Brass on Mass is returning (and somehow even brassier??). This free block party features a host of brass-focused Lawrence bands, including The Dead Bettys, The Band That Saved The World, SUNU, and River City Brass Band. Get there early and bring the family, River City Brass Band kicks the whole thing off with a parade and dance party in the street! Best part? The entire thing is FREE.
Lawrence City Band Concerts
South Park | Every Wednesday
Regardless of what happens in any given year, it’s nice to know that we have one standby with longevity that will never go away: the Lawrence City Band Concerts. It seems to grow in popularity a little more every year, so we expect another full house at the Sout Park Gazebo every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. I’d say the big news this year is that the concert for kids is back! So be sure to bring the little ones out to the June 24th show. Pack up the lawn chairs, this is the place to be. Here’s a look at their summer concert schedule:
- May 27 – South Park Favorites
- June 3 – Trails, Travels, and Traditions
- June 10 – American Icons: From Main Street to the Movies
- June 17 – Scenes from Home
- June 24 – The Youngster’s Concert Returns!
- July 1 – Celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial
- July 8 – Americana
- July 15 – Across the Pond and Back Again
Other events to keep on your radar:
Mahjong Club
Lawrence Public Library | June 1
Gallery Activity: World Oceans Day
KU Natural History Museum | June 7
Generations: African American and Native American Arrival to Douglas County: Stories, Impact, and Legacy
Lied Center | June 13
St. John’s Annual Mexican Fiesta
St. John’s Catholic Church and School | June 13
Paddy O’Trivia
The Replay | Mondays
Story Stroll
Lawrence Public Library | All Summer
Mire Pral Gypsy Jazz
Taproom | Thursdays
