Score Lawrence unveils events to celebrate the tournament
April 27, 2026
LAWRENCE, KANSAS — Area cultural organizations are rolling out the red carpet — or rather the green turf — to welcome visitors and engage residents in the cultural context for the international soccer phenomenon coming to Greater Kansas City this summer.
The Lawrence community is getting the ball rolling on a full playing field of fun during tournament season, from exhibitions to events to viewing parties and other celebrations. Here are some pre-game highlights:
May
The Lawrence Public Library presents World Cup Warm Up, an educational series of free talks through June 3 aimed to get community members primed for the big event. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the cultures of participating countries and the global significance of the sport of soccer.
The KU Natural History Museum invites visitors to see flora and fauna from several countries participating in the World Cup in the newest temporary exhibition, “Collections from Around the World,” on view May 11-July 27.
In addition to robust collection galleries, the Spencer Museum of Art presents “Welcoming the World to Lawrence,” an installation celebrating artwork from the countries playing matches and staying in the Kansas City area, on view from May 19-July 12. Another special exhibition on view through June 28 is “Street Nihonga,” featuring 145 works by Japanese American artist Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani, whose work blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with the rawness of street life in New York City.
The Lawrence City Band is a community ensemble of volunteer musicians who have been entertaining audiences with a variety of music for more than 150 years. The Summer Concert Series happens at 8 p.m. every Wednesday, May 27-July 15, in South Park.
June
Lawrence PRIDE is June 6 and kicks off with a parade followed by a free block party, drag performances, live music, vendors and a children’s area. This year, the fun is extended with a month's worth of events such as weekly film screenings, drag bingo, queer bowling and more in downtown Lawrence.
The Clinton Lake Marina offers Float Local Fridays on the first Friday of the month and live music at The Knot Bar. The Patio Sessions run from 5-7 p.m. Saturday evenings in June and July, with bonus events from 4-6 p.m. July 3 and July 5 to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The Community Kickoff Soccer Street Party starts at 5 p.m. June 12 at 11th and Massachusetts streets. The USA vs. Paraguay match will be at 8 p.m.
St. John's Mexican Fiesta, the cherished Lawrence tradition, will celebrate Mexican culture and heritage June 13. Homemade Mexican food is the main attraction, accompanied by a vibrant evening of live performances from a mariachi band, Folklorico dance group and Tejano bands. Soccer fans can cheer for teams in several soccer viewing areas.
The Lawrence Barn Dance Association will host a contra dance on June 13 at Woodlawn Elementary School. The public is welcome to attend and take in this uniquely American experience with easy to learn steps and a live band.
A Soccer Street Party for Algeria vs. Argentina will be 3-8 p.m. June 16 in the 700 block of Massachusetts Street. The match will be showing inside Liberty Hall at 8 p.m.
The Constitution Hall and the Territorial Capital museums in historic Lecompton will feature special exhibits celebrating America 250. In addition, the Territorial Capital Museum will perform their renowned play, “Bleeding Kansas,” on June 17, 24, and July 1, 4.
Haskell Indian Nations University presents the Summer of Soccer Native American Events series including the Indigenous World Market on June 17 and Powwow on the Pitch on June 24. Friday Facts history and culture presentations will take place June 12, 19, 26 and July 10.
Juneteenth welcomes the community for a multicultural celebration featuring live entertainment, delicious food and plenty of fun in historic South Park. This annual event takes place 5-8 p.m. June 19 and 20 with a parade at 11 a.m. June 20.
The Lawrence Arts Center Free State Festival will be June 22-28 and will showcase the Algerian films “The Battle of Algiers” and “Chronicle of the Years of Fire,” and also feature a masterpiece in soccer cinema, “Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait” about superstar Zinédine Zidane, father of Algerian goalie Luca Zidane. The art exhibition “GOAL!,” featuring more than 60 wood soccer jerseys painted by artists, will be on display throughout the summer. The children’s art camp, Box City, will make a cardboard city of Algiers.
A Soccer Street Party will start at 4 p.m. June 22 in front of the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. The event will include a viewing party for the Algeria vs. Jordan match at 10 p.m.
A Soccer Street Party runs from 4-8 p.m. June 25 followed by the USA vs. Turkey match showing at 9 p.m. inside the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.
The Lawrence Farmers Market, Kansas’ longest continuous running farmers market, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Local customers and visitors are invited to the first ever Local Food Festival on June 27. Shop up to 78 vendors from 7:30-11:30 a.m. every Saturday from April to November in downtown Lawrence, complete with live music and children’s activities.
The Vivo en Masse Soccer Street Party starts at 5 p.m. June 27 at 11th and Massachusetts streets. The Algeria vs. Austria match is at 9 p.m.
July
On July 4, The City of Lawrence presents Summerfest 2026: America 250 and World Cup. This community-centered event brings recreation, arts, culture and local history together in one accessible setting with family-friendly activities, live music and a large-scale 400 drone show. Visitors are invited to explore a collaborative exhibition developed by the Dole Institute of Politics and the Watkins Museum of History highlighting the contributions of public servants in Lawrence and Douglas County.
The Soccer Street Party in South Park during quarterfinal matches will be 4-9 p.m. July 11. Teams are yet to be determined, but a match will be showing at 8 p.m. at Maceli's Banquet Hall & Catering, 1031 New Hampshire St.
Ongoing
The City of Lawrence’s Unmistakable Public Art Exhibition embraces a World Cup theme this year, featuring six selected artists and five newly installed artworks throughout downtown Lawrence, each offering a unique perspective on fútbol. A sixth project brings the celebration beyond the gallery with Lawrence-themed fútbol gear, including scarves, available at select Massachusetts Street shops. The free Ottocast app allows people to conduct self-guided tours of public art in downtown Lawrence.
Visitors are invited to visit Stan Herd’s art installation of the Algerian flag carved into an acre of land east of the Lied Center of Kansas. Herd is renowned for his large earthworks around the world.
The Dole Institute of Politics invites the public to explore the story of American leadership from the life of WWII veteran and U.S. Senator from Kansas Bob Dole, whose career in public service spanned eight decades. Visitors can commemorate America at 250 by viewing special exhibits on the U.S. Declaration of Independence, Kansas in 1776 and a look back on America's 1976 bicentennial celebrations.
The Architecture of Downtown Lawrence and The History of Downtown Lawrence self-guided tours are available on explorelawrence.com for visitors and residents to experience at their own pace.
The Watkins Museum of History will host exhibits and events exploring the significance of local and national history during this 250th anniversary year of the United States. Events will include bus tours of local Underground Railroad sites, a presentation about Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation beadwork and weekly summer games inspired by the tournament soccer games.
OpenStudios activates empty storefronts in downtown Lawrence with local artists of all types, disciplines and cultures. Selected artists share a deep commitment to our Lawrence community and will host various activities, from educational classes to immersive sensory experiences.
The Douglas County Food Policy Council has created a locally rooted directory to connect local food vendors with World Cup-related events throughout the summer 2026.
More information
If you have an event you would like added to the happenings during the tournament, please make sure to submit it to the Explore Lawrence calendar of events by visiting explorelawrence.com and choosing submit your event.
To stay updated with all the play-by-play happenings in town this season, visit explorelawrence.com.
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