Your Kansas City summer bucket list

Summer’s here and Kansas City is so ready . From live music and Memorial Day celebrations to hiking and festivals, summer is when the City of Fountains comes alive.

Bonus: Print this list off, stick it to your fridge, and see how many items you can check off.

Festivals

Brookside Art Annual | Friday, May 3-Sunday, Sunday, May 5 | Times vary | Brookside Neighborhood, KCMO | The first art festival of the summer transforms this quaint part of town into an eclectic open-air market for artists of all stripes.

KC Water Latern Festival | Saturday, May 18 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Theis Park, KCMO | Light up the night as fest-goers release hundreds of paper lanterns on to Brush Creek.

Vaile Strawberry Festival | Saturday, June 1 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Vaile Mansion, Independance, MO | Step into the historic home as it transforms into this sweet fest celebrating all things strawberry.

Old Shawnee Days | Thursday, June 6-Sunday, June 9 | Times vary | Shawnee Town 1929, Shawnee, KS | Historical reenactments and crafts meet modern day fun at a fest featuring carnival rides and live music.

Foodie favorites

KC Summer Beer Fest | Saturday, May 11 | 6 p.m.-10 p.m. | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, KCMO | Those looking to party on the Chiefs’ home turf can celebrate with 60 breweries and 150 beers.

Great Lenexa Barbecue Battle | Friday, June 21-Saturday, June 22 | Times vary | Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa, KS | This official state championship brings the best in berbecue to compete in categories like brisket, pork ribs, and sausage.

Q BBQ Fest | Friday, June 21-June 22 | Times vary | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, KCMO | It’s pure smoked bliss at this competition bringing together metro masters and award-winning pitmasters from across the country.

Outdoor + animal adventures

Celebration at the Station | Sunday, May 26 | 5 p.m. | Union Station + National WWI Memorial, KCMO | Spread out on the lawn and listen as the Kansas City Symphony perform patriotic classics at this Memorial Day tradition.

Jazzoo | Friday, June 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Kansas City Zoo + Aquarium, KCMO | This sea otter soiree promises the best in local food, drinks, and entertainment — all supporting the org’s amazing animals.

Stars + Stripes Picnic | Thursday, July 4 | Time TBA | National WWI Memorial, KCMO | Summer in the city isn’t complete without the largest fireworks display in Kansas City.

Festival of Butterflies | Thursday, July 18-Sunday, August 4 | Hours of operation | Powell Garden, Kingsville, MO | See tropical and native butterflies among beautiful botanic displays.

KC Lawn Party | Sunday, July 21 | 4-8 p.m. | Theis Park + The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, KCMO | It’s the lawn parties to end all lawn parties with live music, food trucks, art activities, and games stretching from the Nelson-Atkins to Brush Creek.

Photo via Boulevardia

Live music + performances

Miller Lite Hot Country Nights | Every Thursday, June 6-Aug. 22 | Times vary | KC Live!, KCMO | Grab your cowboy boots and saddle on down to the weekly event bringing hot names in country music to the heart of KC.

Future Stages Festival | Sunday, June 9 | 12-5 p.m. | Kauffman Center, KCMO | Hundreds of youth-performers from around the metro take the stage at this free arts extravaganza.

Heart of America Shakespeare Festival | June 11-June 30 | Times vary | Southmoreland Park, KCMO | Grab some Shakes Beer and experience free performances of the English master’s work all month long.

Summer Concerts in the Park | June 13, July 11, Aug. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Thompson Park, Overland Park, KS | This free concert series brings talented musicians for unforgettable shows under the stars.

Boulevardia | Friday, June 14-Saturday, June 15 | Times vary | Crown Center, KCMO | Boulevard Brewing throws one of the best block parties of the year with food trucks, concerts, maker booths, a family carnival, and craft brews.

KC Fringe Festival | Friday, July 12-Sunday, July 28 | Times vary | Location TBA | There’s something for every kind of creative at this two-week showcase spotlighting theater, dance, circus, film, and visual arts.

Cultural celebrations

Festa Italiana | Friday, May 30-Sunday, June 2 | Times vary | Zona Rosa, KCMO | KC North turns into Little Italy for one weekend only with iconic foods, an Italian motorsports show, and craft fair.

KC PrideFest + Parade | Friday, June 7-Sunday, June 9 | Times vary | KCMO | There’s a lot to love at this weekend celebration of all things LGBTQ, including live music and performances.

Ethnic Enrichment Festival | Friday, August 16-Sunday, August 18 | Times vary | Swope Park, KCMO | Experience dozens of international cultures alive-and-well in the Kansas City community through food, dance, and music.

Spotlight Charlie Parker | Saturday, Aug. 24 | Time + Location TBA | Celebrate local jazz legend Charlie “Bird” Parker with this multi-day event featuring the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra + other live performances.

Kansas City Irish Fest | Friday, August 30-Sunday, September 1 | Times vary | Crown Center, KCMO | Paint the city green with three days of live music, special performances, and drinks celebrating Celtic heritage.

Seasonal essentials

• Tired of losing your sunglasses in the water? These floating sunglasses provide optimal clarity and comfort for all your summer adventures.
• Shield yourself from the sun while adding a touch of flair to your outfit with one of our hats .
• This iceless cooler keeps your drinks cold for 7 hours.