Topeka
Topeka

Holidays in Topeka

Celebrating holidays year round in the Top City! 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY & IrishFest

For more than 40 years, this parade has wound through downtown in celebration of the beloved Irish holiday. The parade is bookended by Topeka IrishFest, which includes a fun run, Irish food, live music and more.

Irish or not, all are welcome to enjoy the Topeka IrishFest! Held each year on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, this annual celebration of Irish culture and heritage promises a day full of fun for the whole family. Festivities are expected to include a 5K fun run, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, beer garden, games, live bands and Irish dancing.

EASTER

The Governor’s Easter Egg Hunt – held at Cedar Crest each year. Hosted by the Governor and First Spouse, the event usually begins at 10 a.m. Saturday the day before Palm Sunday and is for children ages one to nine.

Topeka Easter Parade and Family Fun Fair – Dozens of churches, businesses, and non-profit organizations, along with thousands of fair-goers, gather to take part in this annual event.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Spirit of Kansas Festival - an old-fashioned 4th of July celebration held at Lake Shawnee. The celebration features food, arts and craft vendors, a blues festival, and a water-ski show followed by the magnificent fireworks display.

HALLOWEEN

Pumpkin Bash and Boo at the Zoo - Take your kids to the Topeka Zoo and Conservation for the family-friendly Pumpkin Bash, with animal pumpkin enrichment activities, a costume contest, crafts, games, a DJ, hayrack rides and festive food and beverages. Proceeds from the event will help raise money for educational programs and conservation efforts. Boo at the Zoo is a separate trick ’r treat event hosted at the Topeka Zoo.

Not enough candy? There are always plenty of options for trunk ’r treating!

VETERANS DAY

The Sunflower Salute Veterans Parade - a parade to respectfully honor and celebrate veterans, past and present. This event often includes flyovers. Find more information on Facebook, @SunflowerSalute.

THANKSGIVING

Community Thanksgiving Dinner – Considered one of the largest and longest-running community Thanksgiving dinners in the nation, the meal traces its roots to 1968.

CHRISTMAS

Miracle on Kansas Ave Parade – This annual favorite features a lighted holiday-themed parade in Downtown Topeka

Winter Wonderland – View dazzling holiday light displays, featuring one million lights, while winding through a two-mile scenic drive at Lake Shawnee.

Zoo Lights – Walk through the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center as it begins to glow with holiday lights. There are festival activities and, of course, Santa!

More Winter fun in the capital city!

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Celebrate the new year at multiple locations across the city! From the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District’s Red Bud Park celebration to locations in Downtown Topeka like the Cyrus Hotel and Evergy Plaza.