Kansas City's Fall Festival Guide

2019 Edition

by

Autumn means Fall Festivals in Kansas City! From apples to pumpkins, crafts to carnivals, ethnic festivals, and much much more... celebrate everything autumn at a local fair.

Note: This is your Guide to Fall Festivals in Kansas City 2019. This list was compiled by the staff of KC Parent Magazine and may not be reproduced in print or online without permission. If you know of changes or additions to this guide, please email kristina@kcparent.com.

Late August - September Festivals in Kansas City

Tiblow Days August 22-24 at Downtown Bonner Springs, Bonner Springs, KS. The city’s annual heritage festival. Craft Fair, Carnival, Parade, Mayor’s Dinner, City Band Concert, and Ice Cream Social, Bonner Springs Rotary Tiblow Trot, Group Performances, Model Train Display, Car Show, Special Film Viewing Documentary, and Live Music by 455 Rocket, Johnny Dollar Band, and headliners, THE RAINMAKERS!

Universal Film Festival 2019 Aug. 22 - 24, Alamo Draft House (11400 Main Street in the Power & Light District, Kansas City, MO). More than 40 films nominated from 15 countries expected.

Parkville Days August 23-25 at Downtown Parkville, Parkville, MO. Browse and enjoy 75+ arts and crafts, retail, food, and specialty booths. Enjoy live music on the McKeon stage in beautiful English Landing Park and also on Main Street in Pocket Park. Participating downtown shops will host their End of Summer sidewalk sales and specials. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy a relaxing day at English Landing Park.

Wine Walk for Wildlife Aug. 24, Kansas City Zoo 6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, MO. Enjoy a summer evening at Wine Walk For Wildlife at the  Kansas City Zoo. Guests will stroll through the Zoo, sip and savor more than 20 wine varietals, enjoy live music, and hear from our animal experts. Custom wine bottles supporting our conservation projects will also be available for purchase.

Raytown Arts & Music Festival August 24 at Kenagy Park, Raytown, MO. This event showcases products like Dick Smith Ford, KCP&L, Fun House Pizza, Saber Cycle, Raytown-Brooking Eagle, Teetering Rocks and Raytown-Lee’s Summit Teachers Credit Union. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and coolers and settle in to listen to some great music, etc.

India Fest August 25 at Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS. Celebrate with artifacts, food, jewelry, clothes, sales, dances, and a gala fashion parade!

De Soto Days Festival August 29-31 at Miller Memorial Park, 32400 W. 83rd St., DeSoto, KS. This 4-day festival will bring Excitement, Fun, and Connection, promoting our local history and home town flavor! Enjoy the Magnificent Vintage Showcase, the Evans Midland Carnival. Saturday Morning, watch the Parade featuring a Classic Car Cruise, and candy.

KC Irish Fest August 30-Sept. 1 at Crown Center Square, 2500 Grand, Kansas City, MO. Commemorate Kansas City’s proud Celtic heritage with three days of music, dancing, and exhibits. The festival will feature more than two dozen locally and nationally known bands, playing traditional music and Celtic rock.

Santa-Cali-Gon August 30-Sept. 2 at Historic Independence Square, Independence, MO. The 47th Annual SantaCaliGon Days Festival in Independence, Missouri, commemorates the origin of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails during the country’s great westward expansion in the 1800s by adventurous pioneers. Today, it celebrates family and fun! More than 300,000 festival-goers spend Labor Day weekend at the region’s oldest and largest 4-day festival.

Science City's PNC kidFest Aug. 31, Science City at Union Station. kidFEST is full of interactive, early-childhood science education. This event is dedicated to hands-on learning for your youngest STEM explorers, so prepare for hands-on activities, demonstrations, and more that will engage and inspire your little ones. It'll be a science-filled fun day, all you need to bring is a BIG imagination and a smile! Plan ahead, and purchase tickets to experience the joys of messy learning, today!

Chisholm Trail Days Aug 31 - Sept 1 at Old Abilene Town, 100 SE 5th Street, Abilene, KS. Live music, longhorns, food trucks, drinks, and kids activities. 

Kansas City Renaissance Festival Weekends Aug. 31 - Oct. 14 at KC Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds, 633 N 130th St, Bonner Springs, KS. King Henry VIII and his royal court invite one and all to his 16th Century European village featuring something for the whole family. Pay heed to the exploits of jousting knights on thundering steeds, roam the village shops for unique crafts, delight in entertainment on one of our 25 stages, and feast on delicious food and drinks from the far reached of the globe!

Port Fonda's Hatch Chile Fest Aug. 31 at Port Fonda, 4141 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, MO. Outdoor bar featuring full-service outdoor seating for guests, ice-cold canned beers, multiple margaritas, fire-roasted fresh hatch chiles and hatch chile food and drink specials. Super dog and kid-friendly during the day as long as your dog’s and kids are super friendly. Live music throughout the day/night!

Tonganoxie Sunflower Stroll Aug. 31 at Downtown Tonganoxie, KS. Over the weekend, participate in a Sunflower Run, Sunflower Yoga, and Sunflower Stroll. Enjoy craft vendors, live music, food vendors, games, a street dance, and activities all weekend long.

Concordia Fall Festival Sept. 3-7 at Concordia, MO. Highlights of the week include the queen contest, three parades and a variety of exhibits, bake sales and contests for children and adults. Midland Empire Shows provides entertaining rides such as a carousel, Ferris wheel, and giant slide. Concordia’s heritage is put on display at the fair when visitors can eat German-style food in the outdoor Heidelberg Gardens. Visitors also dance to live bands and browse the tables at a country store selling hand-crafted items.

Johnson County Old Settlers Festival Sept. 5-7 at Downtown Olathe, Kansas Ave. & Santa Fe, Olathe, KS.Nationally recognized musical entertainment, a huge carnival, classic auto show, arts and crafts vendors, over 20 excellent food booths operated by local non-profit organizations, and much, much more. The largest parade in Kansas begins 10 am Saturday!

Topeka Huff 'n Puff Balloon Festival Sept. 6-8 at Mount Hope Cemetery, Funeral Chapel & Reception Center, Entrances from SW Fairlawn and SW Huntoon, Topeka, KS. Vendors, activities, hot air balloons and fun.

Greek Festival Sept. 6-8 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 120th and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Live entertainment, music and delicious food. Come for the FOOD, enjoy the FUN, leave as FAMILY! Free admission and free parking. OPA!

Art Westport Sept. 6-8, at Westport, MO. The three-day event showcases original local art, one-of-a-kind jewelry, fine crafts and more.

Kansas State Fair Sept. 6-15 at Kansas State Fairgrounds, 2000 N Poplar St, Hutchinson, KS. Over 1,000 commercial vendor locations; for competition, with close to 30,000 entries in various competitive exhibit departments; for education, through its Kansas’ Largest Classroom field trip program; and for entertainment with strolling and stage entertainment in addition to the national acts performing at the Nex-Tech Wireless Grandstand.

Belton Fall Festival Sept. 6-9 at Main Street, Belton, MO.  Live entertainment, foods, beautiful art, handcrafted items, and many other interesting items to see and purchase. 

Deaf Cultural Festival Sept. 7 at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City, MO. Explore ASL through live entertainment, hands-on art activities, storytelling, poetry and more! All are welcome. ASL interpretation, voice interpretation, and CART (live captioning) provided.

Lenexa Spinach Festival Sept. 7 at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa, KS. This festival offers live music, an outdoor food court, numerous kids activities and competitions, antique and craft shopping and, of course, a spinach recipe contest. ​Events for kids include a baby crawling contest, inflatables, arts and crafts stations, a rock skipping contest, face paint and a visit from Popeye and Olive Oyl.

Westport Lost Arts Festival Sept. 7 & 8, Harris-Kearney House, Kansas City, MO. Sat. Visit Westport and Kansas City’s past with fun family-friendly crafters and demonstrations featuring historic “lost arts” with hands-on participation. On the grounds of the historic 1855 Harris House, 4000 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO. For more details see our website at www.westporthistorical.com/2019-lost-arts-fair.

Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival Sept. 7 & 8 at Crown Center, Kansas City, MO. Professional, amateur and students artists create lively and powerful chalk "paintings" on sponsored brick canvas throughout KC. 

Big Shoal Country Fair Sept. 7 at Atkins-Johnson Farm & Museum, 4109 N.E. Pleasant Valley Road, Gladstone, MO. Held at the historic Atkins Johnson Farm and Museum, the annual Big Shoal Country Fair in Kansas City, Missouri, is a community celebration that’s fun for all ages. The one-day event features attractions like period crafting demonstrations, live musical performances, carnival games, a petting zoo, bounce house, food, photos, and vendors. Admission is FREE.

Grinter Apple Fest Sept. 7​ at​ Grinter Place, 1400 So. 78th St, Kansas City, KS. Have some summer fun at Grinter Place Applefest! Games, vendors and more to be announced! Apple Pie contest!

Gardens at Sunset Sept. 7 at Kansas City Community Gardens, 6917 Kensington Ave, Kansas City, MO. Enjoy a unique evening set in the wonder-filled Leanna Flandermeyer Beanstalk Children’s Garden featuring locally-sourced cuisine and beverages and live and silent auctions. Event proceeds benefit KCCG’s mission to inspire and empower low-income households, schools and community groups to grow their own fruits and vegetables.

Prairie Village JazzFest Sept. 7 at Harmon Park, 77th & Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS. Magical music, fabulous artistry, delectable food and drink, and fun! Critics have raved about our past festivals, and Prairie Village put itself on the map as the newest “destination jazz festival” in Kansas City.

Lawrence Fall Arts & Crafts Festival Sept. 8 at South Park, Lawrence, KS. This outdoor arts and crafts show is for non-commercial vendors only. Activities for children available too! Live music will sound throughout the park with multiple performances.

Edgerton Pioneer Days Festival Sept. 13-15​ at 503 Aller Ave., Edgerton, MO. Free Admission. The festival features arts, crafts and food vendors, one of the largest parades in Platte County, live entertainment, artisans and demonstrations, shootouts by re-enactors, pony rides, a variety of contests, and good old-fashioned fun for the entire family. Other events have included a co-ed softball tournament, chain saw carving demonstrations, fundraisers sponsored by local organizations, cakewalks, fish fry, and fun.

Kansas Book Festival Sept. 14 at State Capitol Building, Topeka, KS. The presenting authors will be inside the Capitol building, and vendors/entertainment/children’s activities/book signings will be set up outside the Capitol, on the Northside by the Visitor’s Center.

Apple Fest Sept. 14 at​ Fellowship Raymore, Raymore, MO. The Apple Festival is an annual fundraising/public relations/family fun event that benefits the children of Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. This year we will celebrate the history of the Festival along with the quilters, craft makers and volunteers who have made it possible for the Festival to exist for the last 35 years. The Festival will feature a Quilt and Craft Auction beginning at 1:00 p.m. There will be no children’s area or craft vendors.

Winefest: Independence Uncorked Sept. 14 at Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 313 West Pacific Avenue, Independence, MO. Independence Uncorked will be one of the largest Missouri wine festivals in the state featuring 25 Missouri wineries sampling several of their wines, a guest spirits distiller, and over 2500 attendees. The day will also feature art, music, beer, food booths, and wine classes. The event hosted by the Rotary Club of Eastern Independence. The cost will be $30 in advance and $40 at the door and will include a wine glass and 4 bottle wine bag (for 1st 2000 people). The Bingham-Waggoner Estate is an 1852 mansion and estate once owned by George Caleb Bingham, the famous Missouri artist. Proceeds from the events will go towards various national and local charities supported by Rotary. Beneficiaries have included the McCoy Park all-inclusive Play Ground, Great Plains SPCA, Community Services League, Independence School District Character Plus Program, Special Olympics, Shoes for Orphan Soles, Shelter Box, Job One, CAPA, Hope House, Rotary Youth Camp, and the Rotary Foundation to name just a few. Last year’s charity of choice was Drumm Farm for Kids. No outside food or drink allowed, but food will be available for sale.

Brush Creek Art Walk Sept. 13-15 at Banks of Brush Creek from The Plaza to Elmwood, Kansas City, MO. Everyone is invited to attend this “plein air” painting competition along the walkways of Brush Creek.  Though the artists will be taking home the prize money, everyone wins with the top paintings selected by a top juror on display and for sale at an exhibition at the Discovery Center through October.

Blue Springs Fall Festival Sept. 13-15 at Downtown Blue Springs, Blue Springs, MO. The 2019 Fall Fun Festival theme is Chamber and the Chocolate Factory! Experience three whole days of over 250 unique food and product vendors, a carnival, parade, live entertainment, a car show, and much more!

The Great Pumpkin Fest Weekends Sept. 14 - Oct. 27 at Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue, Kansas City, MO. his family-friendly event is all treats and no tricks and features special Halloween-themed activities for kids, plus PEANUTS-themed rides and attractions in Planet Snoopy! Also, don't miss out on all the fun throughout the park-like Dinosaurs Alive! and the family favorite Nordic Chaser.

Hallmarket: A Hallmark Art Festival Sept. 14 at Crown Center Square, 2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO. Open to the public, this FREE, family-friendly event offers the opportunity to interact with one of the world's largest creative communities at Hallmark and purchase their artwork. Back by popular demand to accompany talented Hallmark artists, the event will boast local musical acts, food, drinks, Kaleidoscope on the Square with activities for children, a card-sending station and more for the whole family to enjoy. 

Fall Family Festival Sept. 14 at Kansas City Community Gardens, 6917 Kensington Ave, Kansas City, MO. Admission is free for this day of fun at KCCG’s lovely Beanstalk Children’s Garden. The day will include garden games, face painting, horse rides, and much more! Children can paint gourds, plant herbs to take home, and make peanut butter. Visitors can purchase lunch and drinks. Sales of garden crafts will raise money for the Beanstalk Children’s Garden, where each summer and fall children’s tour groups and families are encouraged to see, touch, smell and taste the plants in the garden as they learn about growing a garden, eating healthy foods and identifying plants and insects. 

Fiesta on the Square Sept. 14 at Linden Square, 602 NE 70th St., Gladstone, MO. The evening will feature dancing and music by KC Latin and Jazz Allstars.

Higginsville Country Fair Sept. 14-21​ at Higginsville, MO. Fun, food, parade, craft booths, entertainment and more.

Belton Oktoberfest Sept. 14 at Memorial Park, Belton, MO. Hold on to your lederhosen...Arvest Bank OktoberFest is coming back to Memorial Park! Enjoy live music, a beer garden, contests, craft vendors and more! Hope to see you there!

Great Topeka Duck Race Sept. 14 at Lake Shawnee, Topeka, KS. The 24th Annual SERTOMA Great Topeka Duck Race. No less than 10,000 “adopted” rubber ducks will be dropped into Lake Shawnee in the cove South of the swim beach, for a race to the finish line. Lucky winners will receive great prizes! You need not be present to win the top prizes. Ducks can be adopted for a $5.00 donation. Ducks are numbered corresponding to your adoption certificate. Your Lucky Duck Number is printed on your adoption certificate and is valid for single and/or multiple duck adoptions. Adopt your ducks on-line with a Visa or MasterCard. Join a team, adopt the most ducks and win!

Fiesta Hispana Sept. 14-16, Bartle Hall, Kansas City, MO. Fiesta Hispana’s mission is to promote wide recognition and appreciation for the significant role and contributions of Hispanics in the development of the United States through promoting cultural, educational and economic development advancement of the Hispanic community. Fiesta Hispana presents more than 75 professionally designed fiesta booths – among these is a large children’s area which provides special activities for small children and their parents and a number of area colleges and universities that conduct youth outreach efforts during the fiesta. As part of educating the public, there is an impressive historical exhibit which documents, with photographs and news stories, the history of many local Hispanic settlers, as well as an exhibit of fine art. A number of food vendors sell a variety of delicious authentic Latino and non-Latino foods from popular area restaurants and homes. Other booths offer internationally imported jewelry, clothes, games, activities, consumer information, employment opportunities, health services, and more.

Native American Cultural Celebration Sept. 15 at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City, MO. Performances and Activities are FREE and Open to the Public. Celebrate and honor the art, dance, and music of Native Americans from across the country. Experience a variety of longstanding traditions revealed in today’s artistic expressions.

Raymore Festival in the Park Sept. 19-21​ at Memorial Park, Raymore, MO. Car show, volleyball, parade, bbq contest, live music, contests, dog show, and crafts.

Plaza Art Fair Sept. 20-22 at Country Club Plaza, 47th & Wyandotte, Kansas City, MO.  the Plaza Art Fair encompasses nine city blocks and welcomes a crowd of over 250,000. Featuring 240 artists, the Plaza Art Fair is a top-ranked, national art event with three live music stages and over 20 featured restaurant booths. It continues to be a weekend of people simply celebrating art and each other, as well as Kansas City’s unofficial welcome to the fall season. 

Edwardsville AutumnFest Sept. 20-21​ at​ Edwardsville Community Center, 696 S. 3rd, Edwardsville, KS.  The event this year will kick off Friday night with the ATMOS Energy Disc Golf Open. Also opening on Friday is the Bank Midwest Community Craft Fair at the Edwardsville Community Center (696 S. 3rd St.) beginning at 4:00 pm. Saturday will begin with the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at Edwardsville Elementary School followed by a performance of the Edwardsville Elementary School Choir at the downtown stage at 11:00 am. From there, the craft fair will be open, the carnival will be up and running, food trucks will be serving, and folks will be enjoying the day! The event will have several attractions throughout the day, including Mouse Races, a Taekwondo demonstration, local bands, and more! The Saturday Night Concert, headlined by Royale Lynn begins at 5:30 pm. Remember, all this is completely FREE!

Life Fest Sept. 21 at Village Briarcliff. Wouldn’t you like to know what’s going on with your kid’s behavior? Come to Life Fest on Sept. 21 from Noon to 6 pm and hear Dr. Jill Rosbrugh address Anxiety, Stress, and Your Child,” and Rebecca Bolich of Brain Balance talk about The Developing Brain and How to Shape it.” Or hear a band, do yoga or watch take your kids to have photos with Sluggerrr, the face painting station or to create mandalas. Signature Psychiatric hospital is providing free counseling to all throughout the event to increase mental wellness and reduce suicides. Visit LifeFestKC.com for details.

Fall Fling Sept. 21 - Oct. 20 daily, Powell Gardens. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and into the magical world of Wonderland where things are not always as they seem! Enjoy an artistic display of nearly 800 pumpkins and other fall botanical favorites, arranged to tell the story of Alice and her topsy turvy trip into Wonderland. Enjoy additional Garden activations, included with festival admission, on specific days.

Friends of Shawnee Town Arts & Crafts Fair & Fall Festival Sept. 21 at Shawnee Town 1929, 11600 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS. Shop over 130 vendors, showcasing their hand made, homemade and re-purposed items. There will be several food vendors on-site to meet the needs of your taste buds! There will be several areas for the kids to learn and play for FREE!  Live music will be heard from the Gazebo throughout the day. We will have Anchovy Fishermen performing from 10am-12pm, followed by Darrell Lea from 12:30pm-3:30pm. 

West Fest: Celebrating Kansas Cowboys Sept. 21, Kansas Museum of History, Topeka, KS. Meet Nevada the mustang and Sundance the miniature horse. Live music, face painting, and artist demonstrations. Fun activities for the family. FREE lunch sponsored by Dillon’s. Wagon or stagecoach ride included with Museum admission.

HCA FarmK | Family Fun Farm Run Sept. 21 at ​Finley Family Farm, 38660 West 167th Street, Edgerton, KS. This cross-country style 5K race takes place on a farm just west of Gardner, Kansas. The race will take you across a scenic landscape through crop fields and over rugged terrain. In addition to running or walking the scenic course: cuddle a chicken, climb Hay Bale Mountain, treat your ears to some good ole’ fashioned fiddle music and your mouth to tasty treats and refreshing drinks!

Annual Waldo Fall Festival Sept. 21 at Waldo, 75th and Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO. This family-friendly event is a FREE neighborhood festival that includes kids rides, games, face painting, food trucks, local music, and a host of vendors to meet and mingle with throughout the day. The festival is located in the CVS parking lot at 75th Street and Wornall Road.

KC Zoo Run for Tree Kangaroos Sept. 21 at Kansas City Zoo. The Kansas City Zoo Run highlights a different featured species each year. 2019 is the Run for the Tree Kangaroos on Saturday, September, 21. You may participate in a 4-Mile timed event starting at 8:30 am or the Family Fun Run starts at 9:45 am. Both events are open to runners and walkers. All participants receive this year’s featured species t-shirt and finisher’s medal and free race-day entry into the zoo.

Troostapalooza Sept. 21, 30th & Troost, Kansas City, MO. Live Music, Food Trucks, Street Vendors, Sports Game, Live Art Installations,  Kid Zone + More!

Jazz & Food Trucks Festival: Topeka Sept. 21 at Downtown Topeka, 9th and Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS. CoreFirst Bank & Trust presents the Jazz & Food Truck Festival! Gather in the area of 9th and Kansas from 3:30 p.m. Stay tuned for the music acts!

The UNplaza Art Fair Sept. 21-22 at Southmoreland Park, at Oak Street and Cleaver Boulevard, Kansas City, MO. Over 100 local artists featuring, ceramics, jewelry, glass art, wood carving, mixed media, fiber art, photography, and paintings! This year, there will be a performing arts space & community organization info tables. The UNplaza Art Fair is family & pet-friendly and food trucks will be on site. The fair is staffed by volunteers. All proceeds go to the artists and peace-related projects, such as conflict resolution training for the Urban Ranger Corps of KC, Mo., support for The Learning Club of KC, and peace studies awards for Avila University students. 

Lee's Summit Oktoberfest Sept. 27-28 at Downtown Lee's Summit, 220 SE Main Street, Lees Summit, MO. Transport yourself to the heart of Munich with all the excitement of this wundervoll fall festival in downtown Lee’s Summit. Grab your lederhosen and dirndl and join 70,000 festival-goers for this festival. Enjoy Kids Street, arts and crafts, German meals, beer and brat tents, the Biergarten, carnival, the Sportzelt, live entertainment, contests, a Rootbiergarten, homebrew tasting, German dancers and much more. There’s no cost to attend the festival.

Shawnee Great Grillers’ Blues and BBQ Contest Sept. 27 & 28 at Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W 57th St, Shawnee, KS. In addition to great-tasting BBQ, there will be activities for your kids and the whole community to enjoy.

Library in the Park Sept. 28 at Big Eleven Lake Park, Kansas City, KS.  Free (including the tacos). Library in the Park is back for the 5th year!  Come celebrate our community with live music, fun activities, and the return of the taco contest. The featured author this year Christine Taylor-Butler, award-winning author of children's literature: fiction and nonfiction for all ages. She has authored over eighty titles and counting. Join us as Christine Taylor-Butler will give a book signing and perform two science experiments with kids.  We’ll be giving away free copies of her books. Other activities will include Blind Date with a Movie, Music Sampling, Book Fortune Teller, the Yearbook Project, a drum circle,  bubbles, face-painting, and lawn games.  Attendees will also get to visit the Mobile Library to sign up for a card and check out items.  Library in the Park will also include a return of the taco competition with local KCK taquerias. Attendees will get a chance to sample tacos from all locations and vote on which taco is the best. 

Smoke on the Trails BBQ Competition Sept. 27 -28 at Celebration Park, 32501 W. 159th St., Gardner, KS. This Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event is a qualifying event for the American Royal World Series of Barbeque competition and the Jack Daniels World Championship for 2020.  BBQ teams will check-in Friday during the day and begin to set up their camps. Friday night, the public will be invited out to participate in a People's Choice competition.  More details coming soon!  Formal BBQ judging will begin on Saturday and a total purse of $10,000 will be on the line for teams participating in the categories of chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket. Top 10 in each category will be awarded.

Jamesport Heritage Days Sept. 27-28 at​ Jamesport, MO. A fun-filled day with vendors, crafts, antiques, primitives, food and kettle corn!

Liberty Fall Fest Sept. 27-29 at Liberty, MO. As the kids whirl about on the rides to flashing lights and lively music, parents can sample light-as-air cotton candy or cooling snow cones. The festival proves to be a shopper’s delight with everything from handmade crafts to homegrown fruits & vegetables. The festival features 175 quality Arts and Crafts booths including original designs in a variety of art such as textiles, wearable art, hand-crafted ceramics, decorative and functional wood, jewelry, leather, photography, paintings, drawings, prints, and metalwork.

Family Tree Nursery Fall Festival Sept. 28-29 at Family Tree Nursery, 7036 Nieman Rd., Shawnee, KS. It’s that time of year again! Bring the family and join us for a weekend of fun, entertainment, and great deals at our Annual Nieman Fall Festival. Shop among local vendors, enjoy delicious eats and drinks from local food trucks, and create in our garden workshops. Watch your kids have the time of their lives with our many fun and FREE activities. Most importantly, find great in-store specials amongst our fully stocked plant selection. See you soon!

Ciderfest Sept. 28-29, Oct. 5-6 at Louisburg Cider Mill, 14730 K68 Hwy., Louisburg, KS. Ciderfest activities begin with the Louisburg Lions Pancake Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Other activities include live music beginning at 11 a.m., cider and donut making, pony rides, and inflatable slides ongoing throughout the day until 6 p.m. Ciderfest also features craft booths, gifts & collectible vendors, and multiple BBQ and food vendors. There is no admission or parking fees to attend Ciderfest. Also at Ciderfest, visit our huge pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin, experience our 10-acre corn maze, visit with farm animals, play on the hillside, enjoy the picnic areas and take advantage of the great photo opportunities we’ve set up. The Family Farm has a $10 admission, children 3 and under are free.

Smithville's BBQ Bash Sept. 28, Historic Smithville. All backyard grillers are welcome! This contest is meant for amateurs - only backyard type grills are allowed in the competition, pros can compete, but they are not allowed to use professional-level equipment! Vegetables, burgers, chicken, and ribs are grilled by contestants. Keep an eye out for scheduled activities like pie and watermelon eating competitions!

Oktoberfest in Westwood Sept. 28 at Joe D. Dennis Park, 50th Street & Rainbow Boulevard, Westwood, KS.  All Westwood Residents and Businesses are welcome to attend! Enjoy inflatable moonwalk and pumpkin decorating station (while supplies last). Food, drink, and entertainment. In the event of inclement weather Oktoberfest will he held the following Saturday, October 5th at the same location.

Grand Festival of Chez les Canses Sept. 28 at Fort Osage, 107 Osage St, Sibley, MO. Explore how early French settlers lived at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers in the late 1700s. Re-enactors will interpret everyday life skills common on the frontier. Artisans will display custom made wares, both decorative and utilitarian, which were essential to these early settlers.

Overland Park Fall Festival Sept. 28 at Santa Fe Commons Park, 8045 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS. The Overland Park Fall Festival features a hometown parade through Downtown Overland Park, the county’s best arts and crafts fair, the state’s best farmers’ market, three stages of concerts, fantastic food and much more!

Topeka Cider Days Sept. 28 & 29, Downtown Topeka, KS. The Cider Days Fall Festival has a 36-year tradition as Topeka's Premier Fall Celebration. Over the years, it has also grown into Northeast Kansas's largest arts and crafts show. The two-day event draws thousands of visitor every year who come for it's over 250 crafts exhibits, pioneer demonstrations, unique food, live entertainment, kids rides, and animal attractions. This old-fashioned celebration is the perfect event for family-friendly fall entertainment, and the 250 Craft Exhibits are a great place to shop for items you won't find anywhere else!

October Festivals in Kansas City

The Great Pumpkin Fest Weekends Sept. 14 - Oct. 27 at Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue, Kansas City, MO. his family-friendly event is all treats and no tricks and features special Halloween-themed activities for kids, plus PEANUTS-themed rides and attractions in Planet Snoopy! Also, don't miss out on all the fun throughout the park-like Dinosaurs Alive! and the family favorite Nordic Chaser.

Fall Fling Sept. 21 - Oct. 20 daily, Powell Gardens. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and into the magical world of Wonderland where things are not always as they seem! Enjoy an artistic display of nearly 800 pumpkins and other fall botanical favorites, arranged to tell the story of Alice and her topsy turvy trip into Wonderland. Enjoy additional Garden activations, included with festival admission, on specific days.

Oktoberfest Shawnee Oct. 4 at Shawnee Civic Center, 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS. Prost! One of the most world-famous festivals, Oktoberfest is celebrated annually in Shawnee! Featuring traditional German fare, food, bier, music and more its a practically a trip to Bavaria! Hosted by the Shawnee German Club this event is free and fun for all!

Gladfest Oct. 4-6, N. Holmes St. & Public Safety Dr., Gladstone, MO. Gladfest is a wonderful fall festival with something for everyone! Don't miss the Parade on Saturday morning as well as daily entertainment on Linden Square Stage! A Carnival will be open all three days for kids of all ages. The Carnival will offer "All You Can Ride" wristband specials on Friday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Saturday from Noon to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday from Noon to 4:00 PM for only $23.00. Marketplace Tents will be located just west of Community Center and will offer valuable contacts with local businesses and civic organizations. Larger commercial vendors and the best in food and beverages will be found along 70th Street and N. Holmes. Arts and Crafts vendors will be located west of City Hall and south of the carnival.

KC Oktoberfest Oct. 4-5 at Crown Center. Presented by KC Bier, this two-day celebration of Bavarian heritage is modeled after the traditional Munich Oktoberfest in Germany. This festival will feature world-class music and entertainment, delicious menus crafted after the genuine tastes of Bavaria, and family-friendly games and activities inspired by those played in Europe.

Smithville Octoberfest Oct. 4 & 5, Downtown Smithville. Be ready for Kiwanis to provide a free-will donation Pancake breakfast before Saturday's parade, Live band the Bullhaulers Friday night in the tent or The Frost Band on the stage, Damien Gunn, Casi Joy, and The Comancheros Saturday night to name a few, kids area, beer garden, lots of fun and food. Bring all your family down for a good time!

The Log Cabin Festival Oct. 4-5 in On the Square Harrisonville, MO. Two days of family-friendly fun on the historic Harrisonville Square! Parade, carnival and more!!

Harvest Festival Oct 5 at Shoal Creek Living History Museum, 7000 Northeast Barry Road, Kansas City, MO. Are you yearning for a simpler time?  Join us for an old-fashioned County Fair.  Entertainment for all ages: Puppet Show, Historical Games, 19th Century Re-enactors bring the village to life with skits and demonstrations, Music, Face Painting, Kettle Corn, Pony Rides, Pumpkins for sale, and much more! Stop by the Questers’ concession stand to fill your belly and wet your whistle!

Excelsior Springs Oktoberfest Oct. 5, Excelsior Springs, MO. It's back and growing bigger and better than ever before! Join us for the Oktoberfest Fall Festival in Downtown Excelsior Springs on October 5, 2019! Bed Racing, Street Vendors, Barrel Rolls and so much more! Join us for this festival that celebrates craft beers and all things fall! 

Fall Fest: Greenwood Oct. 5 at Greenwood, MO. Enjoy new attractions, classic games and festival activities, inflatables and rides, costume contest, crafts, competitions, tasty Fall treats, and vendor shopping. Enjoy our traditional Haunted Hayride, with a few new twists and surprises along the way.

Ciderfest Oct. 5-6 at Louisburg Cider Mill, 14730 K68 Hwy., Louisburg, KS. Ciderfest activities begin with the Louisburg Lions Pancake Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Other activities include live music beginning at 11 a.m., cider and donut making, pony rides, and inflatable slides ongoing throughout the day until 6 p.m. Ciderfest also features craft booths, gifts & collectible vendors, and multiple BBQ and food vendors. Also at Ciderfest, visit our huge pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin, experience our 10-acre corn maze, visit with farm animals, play on the hillside, enjoy the picnic areas and take advantage of the great photo opportunities we’ve set up. The Family Farm has a $10 admission, children 3 and under are free.

Old West OctoberFest Oct. 5 at Historic Lexington, MO. The Old West will come alive in our historic downtown. Western re-enactors in full dress will create magic for all ages during our Fall Festival. Horses, a mechanical bull, ride on "Tiny" the Giant Belgium horse and beer on the street are just some of the surprises in store. Family FUN! Nestled in the middle of Missouri's apple-growing region, we'll have many varieties for sale, plus BBQ, street vendors, and other seasonal treats. Enjoy music, kids activities, a craft beer tasting on Saturday afternoon, street vendors and a chance to build your own life-size scarecrow.

Kaw Valley Farm Tour Oct. 5-6 at Various Farms, Leavenworth, KS. The Kaw Valley Farm Tour is a self -guided tour and the opportunity to visit local farms and learn about farm practices directly from the farmer. Held the first full weekend in October each year, the tour continues to grow and offers learning opportunities for children and adults. Tickets are $10 per carload, good for both days!

Scarecrow Festival Oct. 5, at 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS. Presented by the Shawnee Downtown Partnership, this family-friendly event includes life-sized scarecrow making, pumpkin decorating, farmers’ market, and baking contest. Supplies and decorations will be provided at no cost while they last. Downtown Shawnee will also be transformed as businesses participate in the annual scarecrow contest. Come and check out all of the creative displays along Johnson Drive and in front of City Hall. For you chefs out there showcase your skills by participating in the baking contest, which includes categories for pumpkin pie, fruit pie, and pumpkin bread. Winners in each category will receive a $50 prize. Samples of the delectable desserts will be available for purchase at the conclusion of the contest.

KC Japan Festival Oct. 5 at JCCC, 12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS. The Greater Kansas City Japan Festival (GKCJF) is presented by the Kansas City chapter of the Heart of America – Japan America Society and is ran entirely by volunteers in association with employees of Johnson County Community College. Each year, the festival introduces and educates 4,000+ visitors each year on the culture of Japan. Enjoy performers, workshops, presentations, etc as we finalize details. 

Taco Topia Oct. 5, Downtown Topeka, KS. The Kansas Taco Festival "TacoTopia" presented by Greater Topeka Partnership is taking over Downtown Topeka for a massive festival devoted to tacos, tequila and great music. Enjoy delicious drinks while chowing down on tasty tacos from your favorite restaurants in the northeast Kansas area.

Pumpkins & Mums Festival Oct. 5, Historic Excelsior Springs. Enjoy seasonal crafts, games, vendors, and artists with Excelsior Springs and their annual fall festival!

Weston Applefest Oct. 5-6 at Weston, MO. There will be over 50 art and craft booths along the downtown Main Street to peruse and you’re also invited to browse the many unique Weston shops during your visit.

Missouri Town 1855 Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts & Music Oct. 5-6, Missouri Town 1855, Lee's Summit, MO. Discover why this popular annual fall event has been a family tradition for thousands over 40 years. Skilled interpreters, crafters, and artisans will bring this antebellum living history site to life with period music, dance, games, crafts, a fun-filled hay wagon ride, and delicious foods. 

KC Games for Good Oct. 5 at Front Lawn of the National WW1 Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO. KC Games for Good is a city-wide event intended to showcase and celebrate - service to our community... and organizations that deliver it.  This family-friendly event includes an exhibit area showcasing family services. Team Competitions for all. Kids Scavenger Hunt. First Responder displays, music, giant bounce house & more. KC Games for Good is a city-wide event intended to showcase and celebrate -- service to our community. All proceeds from KC Games for Good helps support those in need who are served by local nonprofit organizations.

Apple Fest Topeka Oct 5-6 at Old Prairie Town, 124 NW Fillmore, Topeka, KS. The family event features pioneer living demonstrations including blacksmiths and a wood smith, the Peddler’s Village arts and craft show in the Ward-Meade Botanical Garden, heritage foods, railroad handcar rides, a petting zoo, organ grinders, a quilt show and more. Tours will be given of the historic buildings at Old Prairie Town.

Waterfire Oct. 5 at Theiss Park (47th and Oak), Kansas City, MO. Live Performances 7pm - 10pm. Bonfires 7pm - 11pm. Experience the sparkling bonfires, live music, and performance art of WaterFire KC. ALL FREE!

KC Grilled Cheese Festival Oct. 5 from Noon - 4 pm at Ilus David Park, Kansas City, MO. The Grilled Cheese Festival is a one-day event showing off your favorite childhood food – Grilled Cheese, from your favorite local Kansas City Restaurants and Food Trucks! This event is open to all ages, so come out and enjoy the day with your friends and family. There will be live music, cold drinks, games, bars and all of the grilled cheese you can eat!

Wild West Days Oct. 12-14 at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, 1200 E. Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS. Enjoy performances from the Wicked Liars Chris Camp the Whip Guy, and Professor Farquar. Visit cowboy camps, Buffalo Soldiers and Buffalo Bill! Other activities include: the Chuckwagon Cook-Off and live entertainment.

Fall Festival at Shawnee Indian Mission Oct. 12-13 at Shawnee Indian Mission Museum, 3403 W 53rd St, Fairway, KS. The event kicks off on Friday the 11th at 6 pm with a free concert. The full festival starts on Saturday the 12th at 10 am with live music, arts & crafts, food trucks, children's games, pony rides, living history and a Native American showcase of dancers and performers.

Mission Sunflower Festival Oct. 12 at Johnson Drive Mission Farmers Market, Johnson Drive & Maple, Mission, KS. The Festival includes a Friday evening kickoff with live music, a beer garden, and food trucks. Saturday will include a morning parade, all-day fun, pancake feed, carnival-style games, contests, bingo, food, drinks, entertainment, and more.

Weston Irishfest Celebration Oct. 11 at Weston, MO. The Weston Irish Festival began in 2000 as a one-day event which drew an attendance of 1500 people. As the first act took the stage, on what had been a beautiful morning, the clouds rolled in and by the end of the day had dumped three inches of rain on the festival. In the true spirit of the Irish however, the audience stuck it out, the musicians did all they could by playing impromptu sets wherever there was a reasonably dry spot in between the rain showers, and everyone managed to still have a great time. 

Pony Express PumpkinFest Oct. 11-13 at St. Joseph, MO. This free family arts festival celebrates the fall harvest with live entertainment, a children’s costume parade, festival rides, games, storytelling, crafts, and food. Enjoy the lighting of the “Great Pumpkin Mountain” on opening night.

Lenexa Chili Challenge Oct. 11 & 12 at​  Old Town Lenexa, Santa Fe Trail Drive & Pflumm Road, Lenexa, KS. About 200 teams compete in our chili, salsa and hot wings contests in hopes of taking home the Grand Champion prize. Teams host private parties on Friday night and give out samples to everyone on Saturday. Activities include musical entertainment and JDRF Fundraising both days, fireworks on Friday night, and the Kids Kornbread Contest on Saturday.

Summit Art Festival Oct. 11-13 at Downtown Lee's Summit, Third Street and SW Main Street, Lee's Summit, MO. The Summit Art Festival is a free, outdoor, 3-day, high-quality, juried fine art event in the historic downtown district of Lee's Summit, Missouri. Featuring over 90 local, regional and national artists, visitors will enjoy a unique blend of art and music in addition to the Student Art Pavilion showcasing over 200 works of art created by local middle and high schools students, and the KidsArtZone offering hands-on children's art activities. Entertaining non-amplified music will be provided by several local musicians throughout the entire weekend at various performance locations. Plenty of free parking and unique food and beverage choices offer a fun opportunity for the entire family!

Cornucopia: KC's Ultimate Fall Festival Oct. 12 at KC Power & Light District. The first annual Cornucopia is taking the Kansas City Power & Light District by storm this fall season! Pumpkin spice and everything nice will be at the first annual Cornucopia! Enjoy a fall filled District boasting with family-friendly activities, live entertainment, food/drink tastings and more. Festivities Include: Oktoberfest Live!, Pony Rides, Wine Tastings, Kettle Corn, Pumpkins for purchase, Art Displays, Bounce Houses, Pumpkin Spice food & drink, Spiked Cider, Petting Zoo, Pancake Breakfast, Craft Cocktails, Caramel Apples, KC Famous BBQ, Cotton Candy, Food Trucks, Funnel Cakes, Pumpkin Carving, S'mores and more.

Sugar Mounds Arts & Crafts Festival Oct. 12-13 at Linn County Fairgrounds, Mound City, KS. Explore over 400 booths displaying all types of hand-crafted items with exhibitors coming from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Colorado and as far as California to join Kansas exhibitors of crafts and artwork. 

Arrow Rock Heritage Festival Oct. 12-13 at Arrow Rock, MO. Arrow Rock was one of the first town's to host a heritage craft festival, and its festival continues to draw thousands each year. Enjoy lost-art crafts demonstrated and sold by costumed artisans, live music and entertainment, great food, and the historic ambiance you won't find anywhere else! Admission is $2 per day and includes parking. Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Join us at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday for an old-fashioned, non-denominational worship service at the historic Christian Church on Main Street.

Topeka Science & Tech Fest Oct 12 at 700-block of S. Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS. If your child loves science, technology, engineering, and math -- or you want to inspire that love in your littles -- don’t miss this one. Hands-on activities and demonstrations aimed at toddlers to eighth-graders will line the street.

Bounce-toberfest Oct. 12 at City Market, Kansas City, MO. Race in a human hamster ball. Joust like a gladiator. Play ball against gravity. Tackle the towering Fire Rescue Obstacle Course and lots more. Tiny tots can bounce in a safe and exclusive area of favorites including Disney’s Frozen playscape, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Combo and Pirate’s Adventure Ship. Admission and parking are FREE!

Porchfest Oct. 12 from Noon - 6 pm, Union Hill / Roanoke/ Longfellow Neighborhood. Kansas City’s Original PorchFestKC is a community music celebration featuring more than 100 amazing and talented regional bands on the front porches of beautiful Midtown homes. This 5th-year event will take place in three diverse neighborhoods in 2019: Roanoke, Union Hill/Union Cemetery, and Longfellow. Join us for one afternoon of free, family-friendly Kansas City greatness!

Lansing Fall Festival Oct. 12 at St. Francis de Sales Church, 900 Ida St., Lansing, KS. Come enjoy another great autumn setting in Lansing. Musicians will be performing through the day at the Lamborn Farms Amphitheatre and down by the falls, near the Library's Pumpkin Craftin' Station. Kids' musicians Alan Cunningham and Ry Kincaid will both be performing. Look for them both on Facebook! There will be plenty for the kids to do, including pumpkin craftin' and a petting zoo, featuring Lil' Milton and Katy the Unicorn. There will also be a bounce house and plenty of other things to keep the family busy.

Holiday Mart Oct. 17-20 at Bartle Hall, Kansas City, MO. Holiday Mart, Kansas City’s only nonprofit shopping event, is the must-attend event of the fall. Proceeds from Holiday Mart support community projects sponsored by the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, including programs focused on women and children.

Enchanted Forest: Independence Weekends Oct. 18, 19, 25  & 26 at George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck Rd., Independence, MO. The Enchanted Forest is a non-scary alternative to haunted houses and a fun experience for younger children (accompanied by an adult). Groups are led by guides down the paved trail through the Enchanted Forest to see stories enacted at several stops along the way. A hayride at the end of the trail brings groups back to the entrance.

Miami County Fall Farm Tour Oct. 19-20 in Miami County, KS. This free event is a great time for families.  Visit wineries, ranches, and all sorts of other operations for fun and games and food!

Mother Earth News Fair Oct. 19-20 at Kansas Expocentre, One Expocentre Dr., Topeka, KS. This is a unique opportunity to interact with some of the most sought after experts in the world of sustainability. Come ready with your questions and look forward to learning something new - directly from the source! 

Blue Valley Family Fall Festival Oct. 19 from 1-4pm at RC Fields 2-4,  6545 151st St, Overland Park, KS. First 500 kids registered will receive a free treat bucket and a pumpkin worthy of decorating. Carnival Games, Clowns, Face Painting, Horse-Drawn Hayrides, Huge Kites, Inflatables, Petting Zoo, and Free Belfonte Ice Cream. Bring non-perishable food items or cleaning products to benefit the Blue Valley Multiservice Center.

Maple Leaf Festival Oct. 19-20 at Baldwin City, KS. The two-day festival occurs on the third full weekend of October. Saturday begins with a parade at 11:00 am. Complete with a children’s competition, marching bands, floats, and antique cars, the parade starts the festival off with a bang. Sunday concludes the festivities with additional events and crafts for sale and a quilt show. Craft booths (both indoor and outdoor) are open.

Dogtober Fest Oct. 20 at Kemper Outdoor Education Center, 8201 S. Jasper Bell Road, Blue Springs, MO. Fun for your dogs. Fun for their pets (that would be you). Fun for all! Everyone is guaranteed to have a doggone good time at Dogtober Fest.​ Contests and games include Bobbing for Biscuits, Sack Races, Roll-Over Races, Biscuit Eating, Musical Frisbees, Biscuit Toss, Costume Contest, Dog/Owner Look-A-Likes, Biggest Dog and Smallest Dog.

Enchanted Forest: Lenexa Oct. 24 at​ Sar-Ko-Par Park, 87th & Lackman, Lenexa, KS. Free admission. For one night only, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park is transformed into The Enchanted Forest, where there is something to delight even the smallest of Halloween revelers. You can enjoy performances by puppets, musicians and singers along the trail around Rose’s Pond and fun photos in the photo booth. Stroll the seasonal displays, visit friendly characters and enjoy performances at your leisure. The Enchanted Forest is primarily an entertainment event - not a trick-or-treating event. However, there will be a limited supply of candy in the sponsor area, thanks to their generosity.

Lanefield School Open House Oct. 26, Lanesfield School Historic Site 18745 S. Dillie Rd., Edgerton, KS. Celebrate autumn 1904-style while you experience life as a student in a one-room schoolhouse! Have old-fashioned fun with hands-on activities. Missouri Town Band and dancers, civil war re-enactor, quilting demonstration, and lessons in the schoolhouse with costumed teachers. Refreshments available for purchase. FREE and open from 11 am - 4 pm. Call (913) 715-2570 for more information. Lanesfield Historic Site is three miles from Mildale Farm – visit their Fall Fest the same day between 9 am and 2 pm.

Holiday Treasures Craft Festival Oct. 26 at Shawnee Civic Center, 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS. Beat the crowds this holiday season and pick up some unique, hand-crafted holiday gifts while you are at it! Admission is free, you have nothing to lose and the perfect holiday gift to gain!

Mildale Farm Fall Fest Oct. 26 at Mildale Farm, Edgerton, KS. Bring the family and spend the day exploring the Mildale Farm property and enjoy a number of fall activities during this free public event. Visitors can explore and picnic on the 158-acre site including the 22-acre rental property as well as about 136 acres of adjacent agricultural property. Park near A tractor-drawn hayride will take visitors to a fire circle in the south-central portion of the Mildale site, where they can roast marshmallows and enjoy storytelling. Catch-and-release fishing in any or all seven ponds within the 158-acre area will also be offered, so bring your own bait and tackle. While district fishing permits have been waived for this event, Kansas residents ages 16 to 74 and nonresidents 16 and older need to have a Kansas state fishing license.

Note: This is your Guide to Fall Festivals in Kansas City 2019. This list was compiled by the staff of KC Parent Magazine and may not be reproduced in print or online without permission. If you know of changes or additions to this guide, please email kristina@kcparent.com.

For even MORE great Kansas City events, visit our Kansas City Calendar.