It’s almost summer, which means it is also almost festival season in Kansas City. From local musician lineups, to art walks, to craft beverage festivals — there is truly no shortage of festivals in KC this summer.
Music
KC Folk Fest | Washington Square Park | Saturday, May 20 | Free | Jam out to folk tunes, check out makers + artists, and enjoy the KC folk community.
Future Stages Festival | Kauffman Center for Performing Arts | Sunday, June 11 | Free | Explore a diverse range of performances and interactive arts activities to celebrate the young performers of Kansas City.
Boulevardia | Crown Center | Friday, June 16-Saturday, June 17 | $40-$55 | Check out local musicians like The Freedom Affair.
Phase Fest | Legends Field | Friday, June 16 | $20-$119 | Take it back to 2004 with your favorite emo and pop-punk bands.
Breakaway Music Festival | Azura Amphitheater | Friday, July 14-Saturday, July 15 | $30-$909 | Head bang to EDM music with artists like Zedd and GRiZ.
Dancefestopia | 7095 W. 399th St., Lacygne, KS | Monday, Sept. 4-Sunday, Sept. 10 | $199-$450 | Dance is in the title for a reason — these electronic artists will make you do just that.
Food + drink
Festa Italiana | North Park at Zona Rosa, 8731 N. Stoddard Ave., KCMO | Friday, June 2-Sunday, June 4 | $0+ | Celebrate Italian culture and tradition with an assortment of food and entertainment.
Q Kansas City BBQ Fest | Arrowhead Stadium | Friday, June 23-Saturday, June 24 | $69-$129 | What better way to celebrate summer in Kansas City than a festival with 30,000+ pounds of smoked meat?
Great Lenexa BBQ Battle | Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 87th St. Pkwy. and Lackman Rd., Lenexa, KS | Friday, June 23-Saturday, June 24 | $0-$5 | This competition dates back to 1982 and offers family-friendly activities alongside the intense barbecue face-off.
Grand Carnivale | Worlds of Fun | July 22-Aug. 6 | Park admission prices | Check out this international celebration, with high energy live music, food, games, and crafts.
Heart of America Hot Dog Festival | Historic 18th and Vine District | Saturday, Aug. 5 | Ticket information TBD | Commemorate the connection between the beloved game of baseball and the iconic ballpark hot dog.
Arts + community
Turkey Creek Festival | Multiple locations, Merriam, KS | Saturday, May 20 | $0-$5 | Fuel up with food trucks and get your walk on at the 5k or 10k — with plenty of free kid-friendly activities.
Old Shawnee Days | Shawnee Town 1929, 11600 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS | Thursday, June 1-Sunday, June 4 | Free admission | Get your drink on at the Bloody Mary Party, and bring the whole family to the annual parade.
Vaile Strawberry Festival | 1500 N. Liberty St., Independence, MO | Saturday, June 3 | $5-$10 | Snack on strawberry treats, shop local vendors, and enjoy live music.
KC Pride Fest | Theis Park, Oak St. and 47th St., KCMO | Friday, June 9-Sunday, June 11 | Free admission | Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Kansas City + ring in Pride Month. Plus, don’t miss the parade on Sunday.
Water Festival | Downtown Excelsior Springs | June 23-June 24 | Free admission | Celebrate the city’s mineral water heritage with a parade, beer garden, and live bands.
KC Fringe Festival | Locations TBD | July 14-July 30 | Admission cost TBD | This fest lifts up emerging local artists in Kansas City.
Amelia Earhart Festival | Atchison Riverfront | Friday, July 21-Saturday, July 22 | $10-$15 | This annual event honors Amelia Earhart’s legacy with a community celebration including an outdoor concert, children’s activities, and a food fair.
