The Kansas City weather may be hot, but don’t let it melt your summer fun down the drain. Get your calendar out and hold those pencils at the ready — because we’ve got some dates you don’t want to forget.
Wednesday, July 3
Flags 4 Freedom | Wednesday, July 3-Saturday, July 6 | 7-10 a.m. | Downtown Merriam, KS | $15 | Add a flag to the patriotic row of flags to honor your loved one who has served.
Fireworks + Drone Show Spectacular | 7:10 p.m. | Kauffman Stadium, KCMO | $20-$515 | After the Royals vs. Rays game, over 300 drones will create bald eagles, the Statue of Liberty, and other patriotic displays at this inaugural event.
Thursday, July 4
Fetterman’s 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest | Thursday, July 4 | 11:30 a.m. | Downtown Platte City, MO | $10-15 | Be a part of history as this will be the inaugural hot dog guzzling event.
Stars and Stripes Picnic | Thursday, July 4 | 4-10 p.m. | National World War I Museum and Memorial, KCMO | Free | Celebrate the day with live music, local vendors, and Kansas City’s largest fireworks display.
Sunday, July 7
Tank 7’s Birthday Bash | Sunday, July 7 | 3 p.m. | Johnny’s Tavern in the Power & Light District, 1310 Grand Blvd., KCMO | Menu price | Celly-brate Tank 7’s birthday with guest bartending by KC Current midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta, specials on the American Saison + giveaways.
Thursday, July 11
Film Screening: I Remember 12th Street | Thursday, July 11 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Kansas City Museum, 3218 Gladstone Blvd., KCMO | Free with RSVP | Once full of retail shops, mom + pops, and legendary nightclubs, KC’s 12th Street’s history is laid bare in this local doc.
Friday, July 12
Teddy Bear Picnic | Friday, July 12 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Swope Park, 4177 Pavilion Rd., KCMO | Free with RSVP | Lunch with your best fuzzy buddy on National Teddy Bear Picnic Day, with story time by the Kansas City Public Library, ice cream from Tasty Unicorn, face painting, and a teddy bear health clinic.
Goodwill Cornhole Tournament and Open House | Friday, July 12 | 12-4 p.m. | Goodwill KC, 800 E. 18th St., KCMO | $0-$50 | Seasoned pro or still figuring out the flick, come celebrate 130 years of helping the community with a summertime cornhole tourney.
Friday Flamingle: Christmas In July | Friday, July 12 | 5-9 p.m. | Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, 6800 Zoo Dr., KCMO | $20 | Get in the holiday spirit while it’s still hot out with food trucks, free rides, zoo trivia, yard games, and Christmas attire. You can even feed Santa’s summer ride, aka the camels.
Eat Like Walt Inspired Dinner | Friday, July 12 | 6 p.m. | Union Station, KCMO | $150 | This four-course dining experience is hosted by acclaimed Disney Editions author Marcy Carriker Smothers who will guide your palate through a magical evening atop Harvey’s Restaurant.
Saturday, July 13
Strang Hall Beer Fest 2024 | Saturday, July 13 | 2-5 p.m. | Strang Hall, 7313 W. 80th St., Overland Park | $10-$55 | Bring your buds for a day of local Kansas City brews + live bands.
Legends of Whiskey Summer Festival | Saturday, July 13 | 4 p.m. | Children’s Mercy Park, 1 Sporting Way, KCK | $50-$275 | Fancy a highball instead? Taste the “water of life” from notable whiskey companies hawking their specialty spirits.
Sunday, July 14
Cardboard Boat Regatta | Sunday, July 14 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St., Merriam, KS | $30 | Build a cardboard boat and race it across the pool against other creative competitors.
The Beach Boys | Sunday, July 14 | 8 p.m. | Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Rd., KCMO | $49.50-$179 | Get around round round, I get around to see the iconic surf rock band perform live.
Tuesday, July 16
2024 Wyandotte County Fair | Tuesday, July 16-Saturday, July 20 | Wyandotte County Fairgrounds, 13700 Polfer Rd., KCK | $5-$30 | July was made for deep-fried corndogs and carnival rides, don’t you think?
Wednesday, July 17
Taco Trail Bus Tour | Wednesday, July 17 | 5:30-8 p.m. | 333 N. 6th St., KCK | $28 | The KCK Taco Trail Bus Tour is at it again with a mouth-watering adventure through the best spots to sample chicken tacos.
Friday, July 19
Emo Nite | Friday, July 19 | 8 p.m. | The Truman, 601 E. Truman Rd., Kansas City, MO | $24-$41 | But God, does it feel so good to dust off your skinny jeans and studded belts for a night of 2000s + 2010s throwbacks.
Saturday, July 20
Low Sensory Morning | Saturday, July 20 | 2 p.m. | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., KCMO | Free | Kiddos with sensory sensitivities can enjoy the museum an hour before it opens to the public for a quiet sesh of hands-on artmaking.
Food Truck Frenzy | Saturday, July 20 | 5-9 p.m. | Old Town Lenexa, Santa Fe Trail Dr. + Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS | Menu price | Feast on a variety of cuisines from area food trucks and enjoy live music by local bands, before pedaling across town for Lenexa’s annual Moonlight Bike Ride.
Tuesday, July 23
Moulin Rouge | Tuesday, July 23-Sunday, Aug. 4 | 7:30-4 p.m. | Music Hall Kansas City, 301 W. 13th St., KCMO | $43-$139 | Glitz, grandeur, and glory are on display at the opening night of this musical mash-up remix of the cult classic Baz Luhrmann film.
Friday, July 26
Summer Movie Nights at the Arboretum | Friday, July 26 | 7-10:30 p.m. | Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St., Overland Park, KS | $0-$5 | Bring a blanket or lawn chair and watch a screening of “Top Gun: Maverick” under the stars at this 18+ event.
Saturday, July 27
Big Night Out Bar Crawl: Kansas City | Saturday, July 27 | 7-11:59 p.m. | Tin Roof, 424 Westport Rd., KCMO | $24-$29 | Your all-access ticket guarantees entry to Kansas City’s best bars, restaurants, lounges, and nightclubs. Prepare your liver (and your wallet) for free shots + discounted drinks.
Sunday, July 28
The 6th Annual Kansas City People’s Choice Awards | Sunday, July 28 | 2-7 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, 1228 Main St., KCMO | $20-$750 | Celebrate Kansas City’s most influential at this red carpet + networking event.