Giddy up, KC. | Photo by Peggy Gander via American Royal
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month.
Festivals
Brookside Art Annual | Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4 | Times vary | 63rd Street + Brookside Boulevard | Free entry | Kick off KC’s outdoor art show season with this nationally ranked festival featuring the country’s top artists and local restaurant booths serving everything from stuffed artichokes to lobster mac and cheese.
Live performances
Disney Presents “The Lion King” | Thursday, May 22-Sunday, June 1 | Times vary | Music Hall Kansas City | $72+ | See why this production — with its jaw-dropping sets, lush costuming, and moving score — is the third longest running Broadway show.
The Big Slick’s celeb guest list has yet to be released, but expect stars like two-time returning rocker Sheryl Crow. | Photo by Stephen Lovekin via Big Slick
2025 KC Air Guitar Championships | Saturday, May 31 | 9-11:30 p.m. | The Brick | $13 | Watch this spectacul-air competition as judges evaluate rockers for stage presence, technical merit, and “airness” (AKA, the undefinable “je ne sais quoi” of flailing your arms to the beat) for a chance to move on to nationals.
Active
Bingo Loco | Saturday, May 24 | 6 p.m. + 10 p.m. | Uptown Theater | $33 | This stage experience is anything but retirement-ready, featuring a three-hour interactive show complete with dance-offs, lip sync battles, throwback anthems, confetti showers, and prizes ranging from international holidays to air fryers.
KC Design Week: Inside the FIFA World Cup 26™ Kansas City Poster Contest | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Center for Architecture & Design | $19 | The contests’ five finalists will provide an in-depth look into their processes, as well as a conversation about the selected poster design that showcases KC’s spirit and creativity.
Wednesday, April 30
Mason Ramsey w/ Halle Kearns | 8 p.m. | The Truman | $23 | You know him as the wide-eyed Walmart yodeling kid, now he’s all grown up and crooning country hits with an oldies-inspired flair.
Thursday, May 1
Pups on the Patio: Cinco De Barko | 4-9 p.m. | Guy Fieri’s Dive & Taco Joint | Menu price | There’ll be doggie “margaritas” + a treat bar for the wet-nosed guests of honor, while humans enjoy themed photo ops and special discounts.
American Royal Rodeo | Thursday, May 1-Saturday, May 3 | Times vary | American Royal Complex | $32+ | Cowboys and cowgirls compete in fan-favorite events like bull riding, barrel racing, and mutton bustin.’
Friday, May 2
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta | Friday, May 2-Saturday, May 3 | Times vary | Guadalupe Centers Admin Building | Free entry | Mark your calendars for the 103rd edition of this annual KC tradition, with mouth-watering food, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and local vendors to enjoy.
Saturday, May 3
Weld A Plant Stand | 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | The Shop by Build Trybe | $200 | Learn the basics of MIG welding, make some sparks, and show off your handmade metal furniture.
True Vintage Flea: Early Buying | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | The Hayloft | $110 | The early bird gets the grail, or at least a first look among the racks before this curated event opens to the public.
9th Annual Weston WineFest | 12-7 p.m. | Pirtle Winery, Weston | $35+ | Bring a big group or just your bestie to sip selections from 10 local wineries while enjoying live music and food truck fare.
An unexpected pairing is coming to Waldo. Opening inside a former tax preparation office, Audrey’s Wine + Bourbon will sport 1920s-style digs alongside bottles from the Pacific Northwest and a selection of bourbon faves. (Kansas City Star)
Development
New STAR bonds have revived the American Royals’ efforts to build a campus in Wyandotte County. The $375 million project — including a 390,000-sqft livestock barn/exhibition hall, three arenas, and an Agricultural Education Center — will now have $155 million (~42% of its total cost) covered by the new deal. Construction on the project is set to wrap in 2026. (KCBJ)
Real Estate
While our Zillow boundaries typically stay within the metro, Chiefs fans could add to their memorabilia collection with a real estate portfolio. Patrick Mahomes’ three-bedroom, two-bathroom childhood home in Tyler, Texas hit the market last week. (FOX4)
Environment
We’re all for keeping it native, especially when it comes to our greenery. One local biz, the Buffalo Seed Company, is cultivating plants that are better suited to survive Midwestern conditions. Shop its ~375 types of seeds ranging from garden herbs and gourd-geous veggies to fragrant flower sets. (Kansas City Magazine)
Trending
Speaking of sustainable... SOAP Refill Station has partnered with Madewell through Thursday, May 1, collecting old denim in exchange for $20 off your next pair of jeans. Can’t part with your old faithfuls? Bring your tattered duds to artisans like Alyx Jacobs Repair for stylish + earth-friendly alterations and personalization.
Job
One of America’s best large employers, according to Forbes, has an opening for the Type A extroverts in our midst: a full-time Public Relations Specialist based at its Olathe headquarters. Find or post other positions in the metro with KCtoday’s Jobs Board.
Announced
You’re awesome — thank you so much for taking a moment to participate in our survey we ran on April 10. We’re excited to announce our winner. Drumroll please. Congrats to Karen W. Keep an eye out for future opportunities to share your thoughts and enter for a chance to win.
The car tech upgrades you need ahead of summer road trips for better, safer driving:
🗺️ No more phone in your cup holder — keep navigation instructions in your eyeline with a suction cup phone mount equipped with one-button release.
🔊 Skip plugging in your phone to activate CarPlay and use this wireless CarPlay adapter for a faster, more reliable bluetooth connection.
🚙 A front and rear dash cam can make all the difference in a fender bender — this one captures crystal-clear footage even at night.
📲 Everyone gets to charge their devices at once with a four-port car charger that’s here to end road trip squabbles.
🌸 Looking for an air freshener upgrade? This No. 1 best-selling wood air freshener looks chic on your sun visor.
While we’re still mourning the Twin, catching summer blockbusters under the stars isn’t yet a thing of the past in KC. With 75 years under its belt, Boulevard Drive-In is still going strong — now with a refreshed look for its iconic marquee. Another outdoor series I’m looking forward to? Screenland Armour’s Backyard Movies, which includes free screenings of flicks like “The Great Outdoors” and “The Burbs’.”
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