FIFA World Cup 2026™ Kansas City
FESTIVALS & CIVIC CELEBRATIONS
SUMMER IN KANSAS CITY IS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE.
From backyard BBQ battles to art walks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
ONGOING / MONTHLY
Crossroads Arts District Night Market
Every Friday through Sunday from June 12 to July 12, Kansas City's most creative neighborhood transforms into a neighborhood-wide evening festival. More than 300 local artists and makers, culinary pop-ups, street performers, live music, and extended gallery hours in the district that sits just a short walk north of the FIFA Fan Festival™ KC grounds.
Every Friday through Sunday from June 12 to July 12, Kansas City's most creative neighborhood transforms into a neighborhood-wide evening festival. More than 300 local artists and makers, culinary pop-ups, street performers, live music, and extended gallery hours in the district that sits just a short walk north of the FIFA Fan Festival™ KC grounds.
First Weekends in the West Bottoms
Once home to Kansas City's thriving stockyards, the West Bottoms now offers a wide assortment of antique and vintage stores that invite visitors to search for kitschy-cool artifacts the first weekend of every month.
Once home to Kansas City's thriving stockyards, the West Bottoms now offers a wide assortment of antique and vintage stores that invite visitors to search for kitschy-cool artifacts the first weekend of every month.
Strawberry Hill Third Friday Art Walks
Creative displays flood the streets of Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas, during the area's Third Friday Art Walks. From art installations to hands-on demonstrations, attendees can also explore coffee shops, restaurants and retailers along 6th Street. June 19 and July 17.
Creative displays flood the streets of Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas, during the area's Third Friday Art Walks. From art installations to hands-on demonstrations, attendees can also explore coffee shops, restaurants and retailers along 6th Street. June 19 and July 17.
JUNE
June 12–13 • Arts in the Park
Celebrate 10 years of creativity at Arts in the Park, a free two-day festival featuring 60 talented artists and makers from across Kansas and Missouri, live music, roaming performances, a Beer Garden, Kids Zone, plus cultural performances and global cuisine in partnership with the Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Commission.
Celebrate 10 years of creativity at Arts in the Park, a free two-day festival featuring 60 talented artists and makers from across Kansas and Missouri, live music, roaming performances, a Beer Garden, Kids Zone, plus cultural performances and global cuisine in partnership with the Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Commission.
June 12–13 • Sugar Creek Slavic Festival
Experience Kansas City's rich Slavic heritage with two days of music, food, dance, folk art, and more, featuring Grammy nominee Alex Meixner and soccer-themed contests including the Cabbage Cup Relay Race, Red Card Dance Off and Sausage Shootout.
Experience Kansas City's rich Slavic heritage with two days of music, food, dance, folk art, and more, featuring Grammy nominee Alex Meixner and soccer-themed contests including the Cabbage Cup Relay Race, Red Card Dance Off and Sausage Shootout.
June 12–14 • St. Dionysios Greek Festival
Celebrate Greek culture, cuisine and community with traditional dance performances, food and music.
Celebrate Greek culture, cuisine and community with traditional dance performances, food and music.
June 13 • Tacos & Tequila Festival
A popular annual food and culture event celebrating Mexican culinary traditions with tequila and taco vendors and live entertainment.
A popular annual food and culture event celebrating Mexican culinary traditions with tequila and taco vendors and live entertainment.
June 14 • Future Stages Festival
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts presents a free day of compelling performances, engaging youth-friendly activities and one-of-a-kind entertainment.
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts presents a free day of compelling performances, engaging youth-friendly activities and one-of-a-kind entertainment.
June 15 • Juneteenth Twilight Parade & Festival
Leavenworth's Juneteenth celebration with a community parade through historic downtown, live music, and cultural programming — carrying special resonance at the location of the first U.S. Army fort west of the Mississippi and its Buffalo Soldier legacy.
Leavenworth's Juneteenth celebration with a community parade through historic downtown, live music, and cultural programming — carrying special resonance at the location of the first U.S. Army fort west of the Mississippi and its Buffalo Soldier legacy.
June 19 • Kansas City Juneteenth Heritage Festival
Taking place in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, this festival features hip hop, gospel and jazz music, dancing and local vendors and celebrates freedom, culture and community.
Taking place in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, this festival features hip hop, gospel and jazz music, dancing and local vendors and celebrates freedom, culture and community.
June 19–27 • Sunflower Music Festival
The Sunflower Music Festival in Topeka, Kansas, celebrates nine nights of orchestra, chamber ensembles and jazz music. Free to attend, experience internationally recognized musicians.
The Sunflower Music Festival in Topeka, Kansas, celebrates nine nights of orchestra, chamber ensembles and jazz music. Free to attend, experience internationally recognized musicians.
June 26 • Buffalo Bill Wild West & Military History Festival
Featuring living history reenactments, frontier demonstrations, and the story of Kansas's role in the American West with an immersive U.S. Military History Camp, covered wagon rides and a Western & Native American Art Show.
Featuring living history reenactments, frontier demonstrations, and the story of Kansas's role in the American West with an immersive U.S. Military History Camp, covered wagon rides and a Western & Native American Art Show.
JULY
Following Kansas City’s tournament matches, there will still be plenty to explore and continue the celebration. Stick around for some of the region’s marquee summer festivals, or check out the America 250 list on ways to experience the Heartland.
July 16–18 • Amelia Earhart Festival
Head to Atchison, Kansas, Amelia Earhart's birthplace, for an annual celebration packed with events including live music, carnival rides, a food and crafts fair, aerobatic performances and a “Concert in the Sky” fireworks show.
Head to Atchison, Kansas, Amelia Earhart's birthplace, for an annual celebration packed with events including live music, carnival rides, a food and crafts fair, aerobatic performances and a “Concert in the Sky” fireworks show.
July 16–26 • KC Fringe Festival
The largest arts and culture event in the KC metro, there's no better time to celebrate Kansas City's vibrant creativity than during this 14-day showcase of local performing and visual arts spanning venues from north of the river to Westport, hundreds of performances across comedy, theater, music, and dance.
The largest arts and culture event in the KC metro, there's no better time to celebrate Kansas City's vibrant creativity than during this 14-day showcase of local performing and visual arts spanning venues from north of the river to Westport, hundreds of performances across comedy, theater, music, and dance.
July 16–August 2 • Festival of Butterflies
A favorite experience at Powell Gardens, step into the magical world of butterflies to learn more about the fluttering creatures in a 915-acre botanical garden 40 minutes east of KC.
A favorite experience at Powell Gardens, step into the magical world of butterflies to learn more about the fluttering creatures in a 915-acre botanical garden 40 minutes east of KC.
July 19 • Kansas City's Lawn Party
The Nelson-Atkins Museum teams up with Kansas City Parks and Rec on for the biggest lawn party in KC. Enjoy live music, food trucks, activities and the iconic shuttlecock-dotted lawn as the backdrop. Free, open to all.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum teams up with Kansas City Parks and Rec on for the biggest lawn party in KC. Enjoy live music, food trucks, activities and the iconic shuttlecock-dotted lawn as the backdrop. Free, open to all.
July 23–August 2 • Dodge City Days
The legendary frontier city celebrates 10 days of rodeo, BBQ, live music and pure Kansas character. This year, the city will have a Western Parade celebrating America's 250th birthday, kids' BBQ contests, and a free medallion hunt. About three hours west of KC, Dodge City during Dodge City Days is one of those experiences that exists nowhere else.
The legendary frontier city celebrates 10 days of rodeo, BBQ, live music and pure Kansas character. This year, the city will have a Western Parade celebrating America's 250th birthday, kids' BBQ contests, and a free medallion hunt. About three hours west of KC, Dodge City during Dodge City Days is one of those experiences that exists nowhere else.
There’s even more to discover across the Kansas City region. From shopping and dining to attractions and outdoor activities, check out all of the things to do in the Heartland.
