October is full of fun in North Topeka with Petroglyphs, Fall Art Palooza, Zombiepalooza, RenFest, Trunk or Treat

October 1, 2025

2 minutes read

NOTO Arts & Entertainment District in North Topeka is an attraction for all ages from all over. The restaurants, galleries, boutiques and more make NOTO the top destination on the First Friday Art Walk every month. Historic buildings are bubbling with artists, arts, music, crafts, and creative items to keep you entertained and wanting to bring a piece of NOTO home with you. Festivities start at 5pm Oct. 3 at Redbud Park, and all up and down N. Kansas Avenue.

The NOTO Arts Center will host Rex Buchanan for a presentation and discussion of “Petroglyphs of the Kansas Smoky Hills,” on October 16th, at 6PM at the Redbud Park Pavilion. Members of the community are invited to attend this free program. Contact the NOTO Arts Center at 785-408-8996 for more information.

From 7:00-7:30 PM you can visit the NOTO Arts Center to view the Camp To-Sha-Ka companion exhibit to the traveling Americans Smithsonian Exhibit. The exhibit is open through Oct. 25 Wed-Thur 11-5, Fri 11-6, and Sat 11-3.

TPS 501 Fall Art Palooza is Saturday, October 18, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM at NOTO Arts District Redbud Park, Pavilion & Lawn. Topeka Public Schools Students and the General Public. Join us for a day filled with creativity, music, and community at this event hosted by Quincy Elementary Visual Arts Signature School, Topeka Public Schools USD 501.

This free, family-friendly event celebrates the arts and offers hands-on fun for everyone. Free activities Include: Trick-or-Treat Bag Making, Canvas Observational Painting with Floral Centerpieces by The Rogue Florist, Mini Pumpkin Painting with Pumpkins from Shively Farms and Interactive Leaf Painting Station by Mulvane Art Lab.

Sunflower Community Inc. (S.C.I.) will host interactive art & science exhibits, 3D printing demos, and healthy cooking activities for families.

Other NOTO Friends will participate with Treats, Face Painting, and Magic Tricks.

There will also be Live Performances by Quincy Elementary Student Music Performance led by Marcia Bricker, Music Teacher; and Pastense Bluegrass Band, as well as No Boundaries Dance Collective

The Quincy Elementary PTO and Social Committee will host fun fundraising activities and bake sales throughout the day to raise money for the Quincy Roadrunners.

There will also be delicious options from local food trucks located in the NOTO District.

NOTO Businesses & Historic North Topeka East NIA will present Trunk or Treat from 3-5PM in the NOTO Arts and Entertainment District on Oct. 25 as part of Zombiepalooza! Once again the Arts District will be full of fun for all ages. Bring your best costumes and trunk or treat with the NOTO businesses and more. Costumes are encouraged but not required. A Zombie Crawl will take place from 5-7PM starting at Artismo Bistro, followed by a Zombie Prom at Great Overland Station from 7-10PM. A Zombie After Prom event will take place at Artismo at 10PM, with music from Out of Commission and Oddysey.

For more Fall Fun, visit Topeka All Hallows Renaissance Festival on Oct. 25-26, 10-6, held nearby on the Woodshed Event Ctr. grounds. Step back in time in 12 acres of wooded & grassy wonderland. Jousting, Pirates, Vikings, D&D Quest, mermaids, live entertainment, axe & arrow games, petting zoo, kids zone, costume contest, Gnome Home contest, face painting and much more. See Topeka Renaissance Festival facebook page for details.

Visit the NOTO Calendar of Events at www.explorenoto.org for more information.