Art, Music and So Much More!

Little Sweden, USA, welcomes you to browse unique shops,

participate in events, enjoy restaurants and coffee shops,

relax in outdoor spaces, and explore the culture and history of the area.

There is always something good going on in Lindsborg!

The Lindsborg Seventies Art Show

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center

October 2-November 8

"Ol' Stuga" by Daniel Bolm

Smoky Valley Arts and Folklife Center will host an exhibition highlighting Lindsborg’s art scene during the 1970s. The exhibition, titled "The Lindsborg Seventies Art Show," will showcase works by Bethany College students and residents from that era. The exhibit runs October 2-November 8, with an opening reception on Saturday, October 3, 1:00-5:00pm at SVAFC. With over 55 artists being represented, the full exhibition will be in multiple places such as Smoky Valley Art and Folklife Center, Prairie Sea Gallery, and Bethany College’s Mingenback Gallery.

In the 1970s, a creative energy transformed Lindsborg into a true artistic hub. A headline in the Wichita Eagle in 1972 proclaimed, “Lindsborg Nourishes Kansas’ Only Claim to an Art Colony." The article went on to state that “Lindsborg is the closest thing the Kansas plains have to the Left Bank.” Bethany College art majors and working professionals in Lindsborg studios helped define a pivotal era in art for “Little Sweden, USA.”

Renowned art historian and Bethany College graduate, Dr. Randall Griffey will do a presentation at the Sandzén Gallery on Sunday, October 18, at 2:00pm. The title is "Stayin’ Alive: Art in Lindsborg and Beyond in the 1970s." Griffey is the program director for American Art at the Henry Luce Foundation and, among other curatorial positions, former curator of modern and contemporary art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center is located at 114 1/2 S Main Street and is open Friday-Sunday, 1:00-5:00pm. The center provides a formal space for artists, craftsmen, and performers to share their work and provides space for lectures, workshops, and demonstrations.

Falun Classic or Mac and Back

Mac Town Cycling

October 4

A beautiful way to spend a Sunday afternoon enjoying the countryside of the Smoky Valley. Starting in Lindborg, this is a 32 mile road ride going through the town of Falun and back to Lindsborg. Registration deadline is October 1. Register by clicking on this link.

Another ride option is a Meadowlark Trail ride called Mac and Back. This is a packed limestone trail. Dual Sport, Mountain or Gravel Bikes would be suitable. Registration deadline is also October 1. Register by clicking on this link. 

Make plans for celebrating the completion of your ride by visiting the Öl Stuga, White Peacock Coffee Shop, or other eateries in Lindsborg.  

Mac Town Cycling is the host for the Falun Classic Road Ride and many other rides in the area!

To Bee or Not to Be

Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery

Now through October 18

A special exhibition featuring works by visual artist Michaela Valli Groeblacher and poet Kim Stanley has opened at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery. It is one of several art installations associated with the 2026 Prairie Festival (Sept 25-27), celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas. The exhibition will continue through October 18.

The exhibition, "To Bee or Not To Be," explores the interconnectedness of humans and nature. It features Valli Groeblacher’s ceramic pieces, paintings, and photographs paired with poetry by Stanley.

“The individual art pieces show how two minds see this interconnectedness with others and with the earth and nature,” said Valli Groeblacher. “As humans we do not exist in a vacuum, we are connected and dependent. Kim and I think that it is therefore fitting that two artists show as one.”

Valli Groeblacher is recently retired from the art department at McPherson College. She has earned recognition for her work in state and national juried art shows. Stanley is a professor emeritus of English from McPherson College and has led book discussions and writing workshops for Humanities Kansas.

The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery is located at 401 N First Street. Hours are 10:00am-5:00pm, Tuesday-Saturday, and 1:00-5:00pm on Sunday. Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Docent tours for groups are available by two-week advance appointment.

Celebration Gala

Bethany Village

October 2

Get ready for an evening filled with outstanding entertainment and lively participants! The Celebration Gala is a fundraiser for Bethany Village and they invite you to enjoy the Dueling Pianos provided by HIFI Productions.

An excellent menu and silent auction are also on the schedule of this enjoyable evening. Funds raised will be used for the Pioneer Neighborhood Renovations at Bethany Village.

Tickets can be purchased online by using this link. Tickets are $40 each or $75 for a couple. Tickets can also be purchased at the door the night of the event

The Celebration Gala will be held at the J.O. Sundstrom Conference Centerlocated at 102 N Main Street. The fun begins at 6:00pm.

Poetry Reading

Red Barn Studio Museum

October 11

The Red Barn Studio Museum is hosting a poetry reading on Sunday, October 11 beginning at 2:00pm. Expect humor, variety, satire, intensity, challenging ideas, and memorable verse.

Featured poets:

• Aubrey Streit Krug’s writing explores nature, ecology, and people on the land.
• Caleb Braun experiments with multiple poetic forms and a range of topics.
• Greg LeGault employs wit and sarcasm, produces tragedies and comedies.
• Kevin R. Peterson’s poems feature Great Plains history and contemporary narratives.
• Kristin Van Tassel writes school scenes and family connections.
• Linda M. Lewis will read poems about Kansas women.

Admission is free, with donations appreciated. This event will be located in the courtyard of the Red Barn Studio Museum at 212 S. Main Street, weather-permitting.

Dr. Aaron Dinin and "Learning to Fail"

Presser Hall

October 15

Bethany College welcomes Dr. Aaron Dinin to campus on Thursday, October 15, as the speaker for the 2026 Mauney Lecture. Dr. Dinin will be challenging the audience, especially students, to rethink failure and embrace it as an essential part of learning, growth, and success in his lecture titled "Learning to Fail."

Dr. Dinin is an educator, entrepreneur, and advocate for innovative approaches to learning, and he has built his work around helping students and professionals understand that failure is not something to fear or avoid, rather it is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and move forward.

A senior lecturing fellow in Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Duke University, Dr. Dinin brings experience as both an educator and a tech entrepreneur who has founded mulitple startup companies. He also has an audience of more than one million followers across social media.

The Mauney Lecture will take place from 6:30-8:00pm in Presser Hall on October 15. The event is free and open to the public. Presser Hall is on the campus of Bethany College, located at 335 E Swensson Street.

Sleepy Hollow Rides Again

Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum

October 16, 17, 22, 23, & 24

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" rides again at the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum this October!

The spooky classic by Washington Irving (adapted for stage by Kathryn Schultz Miller) will be presented in a progressive roving theatre style in which the audience moves with the actors from scene to scene around Heritage Square.

The largely outdoor setting, presented in a partnership between Broadway RFD and the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, will mean the timeless character of classic horror will arrive on actual horseback for the show's dramatic climax.

Due to space limitations, the maximum attendance for each performance is thirty. Be sure to purchase your ticket in advance to guarantee your spot! There will be no tickets sold at the gate. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

This production has seven performances:

October 16, 17, & 22 at 7:30pm

October 23 & 24 at 7:30pm and 10:00pm

For ticket purchases and more details, click on this link. The link will be live on October 1.

Heritage Square is located on the grounds of the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, 120 Mill Street.

Coronado Heights Run

October 17

Register today to take part in the annual Coronado Heights Run! Everyone who registers will receive a 50th Anniversary Medal!

The 15K is composed of a flat, scenic country-road course with Coronado Heights at the heart of the race which includes a 1-mile running distance up a circular, rugged road. This is a demanding course; please train accordingly. Aid stations (water) and split times will be provided throughout the course.

Registration and course details provided by clicking on this link!

Registration & Start Times

6:00 AM — Late Registration & Registration Pick-Up Begins

7:30 AM — 2-Mile Walk

7:30 AM — 5K & 15K

Official chip-timed results provided by Timer Guys!

All pre-registered participants receive a long-sleeved shirt! Registration prices increase on Friday, October 9th. There is no guarantee a shirt will be available after October 9.

The Big Boo Haha: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Lindsborg Arts Council

October 24

"Wander beyond the garden gate, where temptation blooms and secrets grow!"

Lindsborg Arts Council invites you to The Big Boo Haha: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Saturday, October 24 will be an evening of music, drinks, and fun for ages 21+

DJ Papa Dom with supply the tunes while you come dressed as your fear, your fantasy or your forbidden desire. Surprises await around every corner. Lindsborg Arts Council members will receive an exclusive elixir at the bar.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking on this link. Questions? Contact lindsborgarts@gmail.com

The doors of the J.O. Sundstrom Conference Center (102 N Main Street) open at 6:45pm. The evening ends at 10:00pm.

Cigar Box Art Challenge Fundraiser

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center

September 1-December 20

Time to stretch your imagination and think outside the box--the cigar box!

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife is giving artists, crafters, and everyone the opportunity to be creative with the Cigar Box Art Challenge. 

Cigar boxes are at SVAFC to pick up for free for SVAFC members and $10 for non-members. WIth a limited number of boxes available, distribution will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Boxes can be picked up until November 29.

For more details on the exhibition and auction, click here to get the full scoop.

Here's a quick rundown of dates for the Cigar Box Challenge:

• Box pickup at SVAFC September 1-November 29 during open hours or by appointment
• Return completed boxes by December 20
• All creations on display January 2–31
• Auction January 31

All proceeds support SVAFC’s operations, programming, and special projects.

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center, located at 114 1/2 S Main Street, is open Friday-Sunday, 1:00-5:00pm. The center provides a formal space for artists, craftsmen, and performers to share their work and provides space for lectures, workshops, and demonstrations.

Inauguration Weekend

Bethany College

October 22-25

Bethany College proudly announces the inauguration of its 15th President, Dr. Laura Crawley, a milestone moment in the College’s 184-year history. This special ceremony will bring together students, alumni, faculty, staff, community partners, and distinguished guests to formally install Dr. Crawley and celebrate the beginning of an inspiring new chapter for the institution.

The inauguration will honor Bethany College’s enduring traditions while highlighting Dr. Crawley’s vision for academic excellence, student success, and community engagement. The program will feature ceremonial processions, musical performances, greetings from campus and community leaders, and Dr. Crawley’s inaugural address outlining her aspirations for the College’s future.

All members of the Bethany community and friends of the College are invited to join in this historic occasion as we celebrate leadership, unity, and the promise of what lies ahead.Events for the weekend:

• October 22: Öl Stuga Reception, 6:00-8:00pm
• October 24: Inauguration Ceremony, Presser Hall, 10:00am
• October 24: Community Tailgate, Ted Kessinger Family Stadium, 11:30am
• October 25: Worship Service: Bud Pearson Swedish Chapel, 9:00am

Click on this link to reserve tickets and get more information.

Starry, Starry Night at Coronado Heights

November 14

Starry, Starry Night at Coronado Heights returns to Lindsborg!

Experience the night sky with the Cosmosphere on beautiful Coronado Heights! Timed shuttle rides to and from Coronado Heights are free and available by reservation. A wristband is needed to ride the shuttle, which you can collect at the Sundstrom Conference Center's SOUTH LOBBY starting at 5:00pm on the night of the event. Access to Cosmosphere telescopes is limited to those with wristbands to ensure the best planetary viewing and to keep the event safe. The Sundstrom Conference Center is located at 102 N Main Street, Lindsborg.

Shuttle rides will depart for Coronado Heights every 30 minutes from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Shuttle buses will pick up and drop off at the USD 400 parking lot on the corner of 126 S. Main Street.

Additional viewing opportunities will be at Heritage Square at the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum. These telescopes are provided by the Salina Astronomy Club at no cost and no reservations are needed.

Check the event page at Visit Lindsborg for up to date information and how to reserve your time atop Coronado Heights.

Thanks to event sponsors Long McArthur Ford, Cosmosphere, Salina Astronomy Club, Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, and Visit Lindsborg for this free event!

Bethany College Theatre Club presents

Eurydice for the Fall Play.

October 29 & 30, November 1

The Tower Wind Quintet from Friends University in Wichita will perform an exciting group of selections at the Sandzén Gallery on October 25

Opportunities for choir performances at Bethany College:

Bethania Choral Workshop performance, October 1 

Heart of America League performance, October 7

Final days to catch this exhibit at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery.

Ends October 18

Catch Artist-in-Residence Rodger Gerberding at the Red Barn.

Ends October 9

Visual Lies will be providing the live music. Be a part of the costume contest!

October 31

The Raymer Society for the Arts announces the

Fall 2026 Raymer Society Consignment Art Auction

held at Trinity United Methodist Church.

October 31

Mini photo sessions by Jim Turner

with free will donation to the

Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum.

4:00-7:00pm at the museum

October 31

The Christmas season in Lindsborg starts with the Holiday Open House.

Every weekend following, you'll find seasonal delights

in a welcoming and creative community.

November 14

Five Star Stay

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How about a unique stay above a carriage house and shaded by large trees?

Tradhuset fits the bill with high-quality comfortable furnishings, and peaceful, welcoming vibe.

Tradhuset (Swedish for "the treehouse") provides the perfect, centrally-located home base while exploring everything Lindsborg has to offer.

Tammy T. gives this review:

"This is one of the absolute best Vrbo I stay in. I have stayed in it multiple times. Communication is great and the place is always super clean. It’s a favorite of mine!!"

Lindsborg has lodging of every kind just right for your needs.

Each one a five-star stay.

Click here for all the options!