Have a fun-filled summer in Lenexa

Published on April 30, 2024

Lenexa knows a thing or two about fun in the sun. Be it kicking back and enjoying live music, exploring the outdoors or connecting with neighbors and friends, we have a variety of ways to make this summer memorable.  

For the movers and shakers

Outdoor Concert Series. Pack a picnic dinner and enjoy free live music on select Sunday evenings. You can sit back and relax or get up and dance. Looking for something more laid-back and contemplative? Listen to the Lenexa Community Orchestra. 

Friday Night Sound Bites. Free live music and flavorful food options from our merchants and rotating local food trucks every Friday make this event the talk of the town. Bring a lawn chair. Seating is limited, but fun is sure to be had. 

Moonlight Bike Ride. Ride in the dark and through the underground caves at Meritex July 20 and then feast on tasty pancakes after.

Lenexa Freedom Run. Get the family moving. Register now for the Lenexa Freedom Run on July 4. Strollers and walkers welcome. 

Tiny Tot Triathlon. Kids ages 3-9 can ride their trikes or bikes, get wet and run all while you cheer them on through Little Mill Creek North Park Aug. 24. 

Rolling Magic Skate Park. Grab some wheels and get in on the action. Check out Skateboarding 101 if you need some extra assurance and skills.

Make a splash! No summer would be complete without a dip in the pool. Visit the new Sar-Ko-Par Aquatic Center with its speed and tube slide or relax in the winding, lazy river. Ad Astra and Flat Rock Creek pools are also a great way to cool off on a warm summer day. Have little ones? Check out Splash With Me. Summer is also a great time to work on swim safety. Lenexa Parks & Recreation offers morning, evening and Saturday swim lessons that can be private, semiprivate or in small groups.

Have a furry friend eager to make a splash? Don’t miss Paws in the Pool Aug. 8. 

For the community builders

Global Neighbors & Flavors Fest. Celebrate the cultures that make our community diverse and vibrant. This popular Lenexa Public Market event will feature cuisines, performances and experiences from around the world. Join us June 1.

Community Days Parade. Put on your red, white and blue and join us in Old Town for our annual Independence Day parade. This is a great time to share your passion with the community too. If you belong to a local group or club, gather them up and be in the parade. Deadline for parade entries is June 15. We’d love to see you there! 

Legler Barn Museum & Depot. Many people, places and events shaped Lenexa. Visit the Legler Barn Museum & Depot on a Wednesday or Saturday and learn Lenexa history. While you’re there, pick up your Passport to Adventure to check out other historical places in the metro.

Peace Poles Community Art Project. More than 30 local artists have designed and decorated 6-foot-poles with inspiring messages of peace and hope at Black Hoof Park. Check it out and spread the love.

City Hall Art Gallery. Lenexa’s civic campus is always full of community. Whether it’s the Lenexa Rec Center or Lenexa Public Market or just business that brings you, check out the art exhibits. They change monthly. Go one step farther and create Lenexa-inspired art for the HeART of Lenexa Contest.  

Movie in the Park. Invite your neighbors and friends, throw in a blanket and snacks, and enjoy an evening under the stars watching "Minions" May 31 or "Elemental" Sept. 20. 

Kid Makers Market. Support local imagination and drive at this event designed to inspire entrepreneurship in the next generation. More than 20 kids will bring their creations to the market and set up shop for one Saturday only. Learn what it takes to make, promote and sell handmade goods.   

Learn to Play Board Games. Lenexa Public Market merchant Cardboard Corner Café hosts game demonstrations every Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Kitchen. Games change each week. 

For the foodies

Food Truck Frenzy. Check out the food truck craze July 20 in Old Town. A dozen food trucks will line Santa Fe Trail Drive. Enjoy live music and a variety of tasty fare. 

Lenexa Farmers Market. Enjoy a stroll through the Tuesday and Saturday markets. You can talk to vendors about their home-grown products, enjoy seasonal fruits and veggies and tasty baked goods. 

Great Lenexa BBQ Battle. More than 150 teams will compete for the Kansas State Championship at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. While this event is primarily for registered teams, the public is welcome to attend and enjoy live music and children’s activities. 

Lenexa Public Market. Let your taste buds travel without leaving town. Check out authentic Pakistani cuisine, fresh Korean flavors, and simple family recipes from West Africa. Kids not as adventurous? Join us on Wednesdays for Family Night and grab deals on pizza and burgers for the kids while parents kick back with a mid-week margarita. 

For the explorers

Black Hoof Disc Golf Courses. Grab your discs and enjoy the 9-hole family course or 18-hole championship course.

Rent a kayak. Explore what locals consider a hidden gem. Black Hoof Park has kayaks you can rent on-site and traverse on Lake Lenexa. 

Playground Passport. Discover great parks. Lenexa has more than 20 playgrounds across the City. Pick up a passport. Visit the parks. Solve the code. Win a prize. 

Walking tours. Learn about nature and water quality in Lenexa with the self-guided Raindrop Walk or Evan Knaus Memorial Tree Walk.

Rent an e-bike. Lenexa has 8 hubs around the city. Check out a variety of trails with ease and speed of an electric-assist bike. 

Throw a line. Share one of America’s greatest pastimes with kids 13 and under at the Youth Fishing Derby or fish at another pond.