Events and Entertainment
January
Kansas City Sportshow
Held early January
Location: Bartle Hall, 301 W. 13th, Kansas City
800-777-4766
Enormous boat and sport show.
Mid-America Train & Toy Show
Held Late November – early February
Location: BTC Exhibit Hall (formerly KC Market Center), I-435 & Front Street
913-651-5864
Admission Charged, children under 12 free
Featuring over 150 tables - dealers buying and selling. Toy trains, model trains
all ages & sizes, new & used - Railroad Collectibles & Memorabilia & Toys. Free
viewing of vintage train movies and operating layouts.
February
African-American History Month - Saturday Musical
Entertainment
Held on Saturdays during the month of February
Location: Crown Center Shops, 2450 Grand Ave
813-274-8444
Admission Free
Enjoy music each Saturday during February from local entertainers. Past
performers have included Angela Hagenbach and The Elder Statesmen.
Jan Kraybill, Community of Christ Principal
organist/director of music
Held on Super Bowl Sunday
Location: Community of Christ Auditorium, 1001 Walnut, Independence, Mo.
816-833-1000
Admission Free
Dr. Kraybill’s annual Super Bowl Sunday organ recital is held under the massive
dome of the Auditorium.
Mid-America Train & Toy Show
Held Late November – early February
Location: BTC Exhibit Hall (formerly KC Market Center), I-435 & Front Street
913-651-5864
Admission Charged, children under 12 free
Featuring over 150 tables - dealers buying and selling. Toy trains, model trains
all ages & sizes, new & used - Railroad Collectibles & Memorabilia & Toys. Free
viewing of vintage train movies and operating layouts.
Lithuanian Heritage Month
Held the month of February
Location: Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St, Kansas City, Kans.
913-371-3264
Lithuanian Heritage is highlighted at the museum with an exhibit of costumes,
artifacts, photographs, musical instruments, and many other items relating to
Lithuanian culture.
Western Farm Show
Held end of February
Location: Hale Arena, 1800 Genessee
816-561-5323
Known as the Midwest's largest
indoor farm equipment/agricultural products exhibition.
March
Annual Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade
Held March 17
Parade route
- 2450 Grand Ave (Pershing Road
and Grand Avenue)
816-931-7373
Covering a 30-block corridor from Crown Center
into the heart of the downtown district, Kansas City's St. Patrick's Parade has
grown since 1973 into one of the country's largest displays of Irish pride. In
recent years, more than 400,000 spectators have lined the parade route, so you
may want to arrive early to get the best possible vantage point.
April
April Magic Shows
Held the month of April
Location: Crown Center Shops Atrium
816-274-8444
Admission Free
Enjoy magic shows from magicians like David Sandy, Tom Burgoon, as well as Eric
and Amanda Vaughn, each Saturday in April. Great fun for all ages!
Greater Kansas City International Auto Show
Held early April
Location: Bartle Exposition
Hall, 301 W. 13th St.
816-513-5000
Greater KC Home Show & KC Flower, Lawn & Garden
Show
Held mid March
Location:
Bartle Exposition Hall. 301 W. 13th St., Kansas
City, MO
816-942-8800
Admission Charged
Spring is in the air as the Kansas City Home Show
and the Flower, Lawn and Garden Show bloom on nearly eight football fields of
exhibit space.
June
Carondelet Heart Institute Hospital Hill Run
Held early June
Location: Race begins and ends at Crown Center
Square
816-274-3635
This premier Kansas City road racing event is
nationally recognized by Runner's World magazine. Races include a
13.1-mile half marathon, 12K race and 5K run/walk.
Crown Center Antique Festival
Held end of June
Location: Crown Center Square
816-274-8444
Admission Free
Ranked the #2 antique show in the Midwest by
Discover Mid-America, the annual Crown Center Antique Festival features more
than 150 dealers showcasing pottery, china, toys, linens, collectibles,
furniture, jewelry, books and much more.
July
Spirit Festival
Held July 4
Location: Penn Valley Park
Pershing Rd & Main St
816-221-4444
Dancing shoes are required
at this huge party in downtown's Penn Valley Park. More than 200,000 music
lovers converge on the Lincoln Memorial to soak in the sun and fun at this
annual event. Four entertainment stages host more than 30 bands, playing
everything from jazz and funk to Cajun and children's music. The main stage
features national acts ranging from classic rock favorites and alternative
up-and-comers to big time blues artists. The event also boasts the largest
carnival midway in the Midwest.
July Puppet Show Series
Held early July
Location: Crown Center Shops Atrium
816-274-8444
Admission Free
Two puppet shows every Saturday during July,
featuring such local puppeteers as Piccadilly Productions, Paul Mesner Puppets,
the StoneLion Puppet Theatre and the Clement McCrae Puppets.
September
American Royal Barbecue Contest
Held late September-early October
Location: American Royal Center
816-221-9800
In 1981 the Kansas City Barbecue Society founded
the event that now kicks off the venerable (founded 1899) and huge American
Royal Livestock, Horse Show & Rodeo. Each Fall, more than 600 judges choose the
barbecue winners of both the Invitational contest, restricted to winners of
other cook-offs worldwide, and the Open contest, which welcomes all who wish to
participate. Another 400 judges choose the best barbecue sauce, side dishes and
bone art. The world's third-largest clogging contest, a barbecue equipment expo
and live music are also on the menu.
Kansas City Renaissance Festival
Held Labor Day weekend through October
Location: 207 Westport Rd
816-548-8005
Savor the sights and sounds of yester-year in
this 16th century English village. Fifteen minutes and 500 years west of KC on
I-70 to Bonner Springs exit. Seven spectacular weekends beginning Labor Day
weekend,
Plaza Art Fair
Held end of September
Location: Country Club Plaza, 4745 Central
816-753-0100
Over 200 artists showcase their finest works
during the annual Plaza Art Fair. Visit the Plaza to view an amazing display of
paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass, metal, wood, jewelry and
more, along with four stages of live music and delicious food from two dozen
Plaza restaurants. For kids, there will be hands-on activities, young artist
demonstrations, and free prizes.
October
American Royal Livestock, Horse Show and Rodeo
Held late October and November
Location: American Royal, 1701 American Royal
Ct.
816-221-9800
Admission Charged
The American Royal Livestock, Horse Show and
Rodeo is among the largest of nearly two dozen non-fair expositions in North
America. Seven events are performed: barrel racing, saddle bronc riding,
bull riding, bareback riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, and team roping. In
addition, spectators enjoy specialty acts and the humor of top rodeo
bullfighters.
Heart of America Quilt Festival
Held late September through early October
Location: Crown Center, 2450 Grand Boulevard
816-274-8444
Admission Free
The exhibit includes hand-crafted quilts, wall
hangings & decorative items, as well as a quilting demonstration. Some quilts
are for sale, with proceeds benefiting the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund. There
will be special children's activities on Thursday nights, Saturdays & Sundays,
and many other special events are planned during the two-week festival.
November
Marillac's Enchanted Forest
Held mid November – early December
Location: Union Station, 30 W Pershing Rd.
816-460-2020
Admission Free
Kick off the holiday season inside Union Station with Marillac's Enchanted
Forest. More than 100 decorated trees and wreaths are on display throughout the
Station. The trees and wreaths each have their own theme and are decorated by
local organizations and businesses. The public can place a bid on one to take
home. Auction proceeds benefit Marillac's special programs and therapies for
children and adolescents.
Christmas In The Park
Held end of November – the end of December
Location: Longview Lake Campground, Longview Lake Park, Blue Springs, Mo.
816-795-8200
Donations are accepted
Christmas in the Park is one of Jackson County Parks and Recreation's most
celebrated events of the year. Three hundred thousand lights and 175 animated
figures and splashed of Christmas color transform Longview Lake Park into an
enchanting winter wonderland. The entire family will delight in the warmth of
this fun-filled, holiday display.
Crayola Christmas Land
Held end of November – the end of December
Location: Crown Center Shops Showplace, Level 1, 2450 Grand Blvd.
816-274-8444
Admission Free
Children can jump, romp and play on super sized Crayola products, while waiting
to tell Santa all their holiday wishes. The Crayola Christmas Land play area
remains open through December 31.
Holiday Choirs
Held late November through late December
Location: Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1, 2450 Grand Blvd.
Hours: Weekday lunch hours and weekday evenings.
816-274-8444
Admission Free
Beautiful music fills the halls of Crown Center, as more than 130 area school,
church and community choirs perform during weekday lunch hours and weekday
evenings. Brass quintets and the Dickens carolers will entertain on the
weekends.
Crown Center Ice Terrace
Held late November – March
Location: Ice Terrace
Looking for something cool to do this winter?
Then strap on some skates and glide around the Ice Terrace -- Kansas City's only
outdoor ice skating rink. The Ice Terrace is located across from the Crown
Center Shops, where you'll find some of the best shopping and most delightful
restaurants in the city.
Annual Plaza Lighting Ceremony and Season of
Lights
Held Thanksgiving evening, lights remain through
mid-January
Location: The Country Club Plaza, 4745 Central
816-753-0100
The famous lighting ceremony takes place on the
night of Thanksgiving followed by a fireworks display above the stage as well as
at The Fairmont Hotel following the ceremony. With more than 250,000 colorful
ceramic and transparent bulbs, 75 miles of electric wiring and a national
reputation for sheer ''wow'' factor, The Plaza's Season of Lights is a legendary
holiday landmark for local residents and out-of-town visitors.
Mid-America Train & Toy Show
Held Late November – early February
Location: BTC Exhibit Hall (formerly KC Market Center), I-435 & Front Street
913-651-5864
Admission Charged, children under 12 free
Featuring over 150 tables - dealers buying and selling. Toy trains, model trains
all ages & sizes, new & used - Railroad Collectibles & Memorabilia & Toys. Free
viewing of vintage train movies and operating layouts.
December
Kansas City World Holiday Market
Held early December
Location: City Market, 20 East 5th Street
816-421-2341
A family-friendly holiday destination for shopping, eating, drinking and
entertainment. Visitors are tempted with treats and treasures as they soak in
the holiday aroma! The Holiday Mart features dozens of vendors displaying their
wares in heated stalls, holiday décor & entertainment, specialty food & drinks,
warming tents, petting zoo, carousel, strolling carolers and visits from Santa.
Kansas City Ballet presents: The Nutcracker
Held the month of December
Location: Midland Theater, 1228 Main
816-931-2232
Call for performance schedule
Admission Charged
Christmas Candlelight Tours
Held early December
Location: John Wornall House Museum, 6115 Wornall Rd.
816-444-1858
Admission Charged
Celebrate a traditional nineteenth century Christmas with the Worrall family.
Heart of America Barbershop Chorus with the
Kansas City Chorus of Sweet Adelines present: Holiday Harmony Spectacular
Held early December
Location: Unity Village, 1901 NW Blue Parkway, Unity Village, Mo. (approx. 17
miles SE of Kansas City)
913-814-8268
17th Annual Westport Children's Tree Lighting
Party
Held early December
Location: Triangle Park, Southwest Trafficway & Westport Rd.
816-753-6719
Admission Free
Help foster the spirit of togetherness by brining an ornament and decorating
Westport's "living holiday tree." Children and youth are invited to bring a
homemade ornament to decorate the tree -- a blue spruce planted 17 years ago for
the annual lighting celebration. Santa Claus is also expected to attend with
treats for all participants.
City Hall Holiday Concert Series
Held early December
Location: City Hall Rotunda,
414 East 12th Street
Admission Free
Hours: Noon to 1pm
The concerts feature performances by a talented variety of elementary, middle
and high school concert bands, orchestras, chorales and performing ensembles
from the Kansas City area.
Kansas City Southern's Holiday Express
Held mid December
Location: West Yards, Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd.
816-460-2020
Admission Free
Watch Santa and friends arrive at Union Station on a magically decorated six-car
freight train featuring 10,000 holiday lights. The train includes a smiling tank
car, gingerbread box car, flat car carrying Santa's sleigh, reindeer and
miniature village, the elves' workshop, and a little red caboose.
Mid-America Train & Toy Show
Held Late November – early February
Location: BTC Exhibit Hall (formerly KC Market Center), I-435 & Front Street
913-651-5864
Admission Charged, children under 12 free
Featuring over 150 tables - dealers buying and selling. Toy trains, model trains
all ages & sizes, new & used - Railroad Collectibles & Memorabilia & Toys. Free
viewing of vintage train movies and operating layouts.
Entertainment
Kansas City Symphony
1020 Central, Ste. 300
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-471-1100
Call for performance schedule
Founded in 1982 and recognized as "The Sound of
Kansas City." The 78-person orchestra performs more than 100 concerts annually
including masterworks classical, star-studded pops, hour-long family and
community concerts.
Kansas City Ballet
1601 Broadway
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-931-2232
Call for performance schedule
A professional
company with 25 artists who perform world-class ballet and the best of American
dance.
American Heartland Theatre in Crown Center
2450 Grand Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-842-0202
This theatre hosts six Broadway and
off-Broadway-style productions yearly, including comedies, dramas and
musicals. Open year round
Folly Theater
300 West 12th St
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-474-4444
Call for performance schedule
Kansas City's oldest theater, it opened in 1900
as a vaudeville/burlesque house and now hosts world-class jazz and family
programming. Open year-round
Gem Theater Cultural and Performing Arts Center
1601 E. 18th
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-474-8463
Call for performance schedule
The Gem regularly presents professional and
community theater productions, musical performances, and multimedia events. The
annual "Jammin' at the Gem Series" runs October through May. Open year-round.
H & R Block City Stage
Union Station 30 W. Pershing Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-460-2020
Call for performance schedule
Enjoy dramas, comedies and musicals. Both day
and nighttime performances are for young theater lovers -- of all ages.
Kansas City Repertory Theatre
4949 Cherry
Kansas City, MO 64110
816-235-2727
Call for performance schedule
Fully professional theater company produces six
plays from September through June in an intimate, state-of-the-art facility
located near the Plaza.
Little Theatre
301 W 13th St Ste 100
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-513-5000
Call for performance3 schedule
Part of the beautiful 1936 art deco Municipal
Auditorium complex, octagonally shaped in a gleaming marble facade with exterior
promenade, a balcony and permanent stage.
Lyric Opera of Kansas City
1029 Central
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-471-7344
Call for performance schedule
Oldest performing arts organization in Kansas
City, presents five performances of four works each year in September, November,
March and May.
Midland Theatre
1228 Main St.
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-471-9703
Call for performance schedule
Grand theater on National Register of Historic
Places.
Music Hall - Municipal Auditorium
201 W 13th St
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-513-5000
Call for performance schedule
Beautiful 1936 art deco theater seats 2,402 and
features a spectacular foyer and a grand staircase.
Paul Mesner Puppets
1006 Linwood Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64109
816-756-3500
Call for performance schedule
Presenting shows during the year at Unity on the
Plaza. The company also tours to schools and special events. Puppet making
workshops for children of all ages are available at the Paul Mesner Puppets
Studio on Linwood.
Starlight Theatre
4600 Starlight Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64132
816-363-7827
This outdoor theater seats approximately 8,000
people and is located on 14 acres in Swope Park next to the Kansas City Zoo.
Starlight Theatre was founded in 1950 and presents Broadway musicals such as the
National Tours of Les Misérables, Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA,
Miss Saigon, as well as touring self-produced or co-produced
productions of such beloved musicals as The Wizard of Oz, My Fair
Lady, Annie, The Sound of Music, and others. Starlight is
recognized as a premier concert venue featuring recording artists such as Don
Henley, REM, Al Jarreau, Neil Young, Tony Bennett, and others. The multi-use
facility features a 10-story, 12,000-square-foot climate controlled enclosed
main stage.
Theater League
1310 Wyandotte St
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-421-1801
Call for performance schedule
The best of touring Broadway musicals, presented
in the historic Music Hall on KC's downtown Avenue of the Arts.
Unicorn Theatre
3828 Main St.
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-531-7529
Call for performance schedule
Live, off-Broadway style theatre featuring
thought provoking, contemporary plays in an intimate setting.
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
633 N. 130th St.
Bonner Springs, KS 66012
913-721-3400
Call for performance schedule
Natural amphitheatre with 6,700 permanent seats
and terraced lawns for an additional 11,000 seats. From May-Sept. top recording
acts perform under the stars. I-70 west to Bonner Springs exit.
Sports
Kansas Speedway – Auto Racing
400 Speedway Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66111
913-328-3300
913-328-7223 for tickets
Season runs June through October. NASCAR action
returns in October with the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Kansas 400.
Kansas City Wizards
Major League Soccer
Arrowhead Stadium
One Arrowhead Drive
Kansas City, MO 64129
816-920-9300 for tickets
Season runs April - November
Kansas City Chiefs
Profession Football - NFL
Arrowhead Stadium
One Arrowhead Drive
Kansas City, MO 64129
816-920-9300
Season runs September – January
Kansas City Royals
Professional Baseball – MLB
Kauffman Stadium
I-70 & Blue Ridge Cutoff
Kansas City, MO 64129
816-921-8000
Season runs April – September
