Kansas City's Spring Festival Guide

It's the beginning of Festival Season! Discover the best Spring Festivals in the Kansas City area. From trendy boutique shopping to old fashioned county fairs, ethnic festivals with delicious delicacies and local barbecue festivals... there is something for everyone! 

TIPS: Click the event name to visit the Festival Website for additional information! Also, some festival plans may change in inclement weather, check websites and Facebook pages for updates.

Note: This list was compiled by the staff of KC Parent Magazine and may not be reproduced in print or online without permission. Please email kristina@kcparent.com if you have an addition to this list.

= Top Pick

Weekend of Apr. 21-23

April Food Truck Friday Apr. 21 from 11 AM - 1:30 PM at Union Cemetery Historical Society 227 E 28th Ter, Kansas City, MO. UCHS begins its third year hosting some of KC's favorite food trucks. Please join neighbors and friends at the picnic tables for great food and fellowship!

Kite Fest Sundays in April 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W 179th Street, Overland Park, KS. Free with Admission. 913-685-3604. Let’s go fly a kite at the Arboretum! Purchase a kite or bring your own and come enjoy watching them fly through the air in this scenic backdrop. 

Earth Day Celebration Apr. 22 from 11am-1pm at Macken Park Festival Shelter, Corner of Clark Ferguson and Howell, North Kansas City, MO. FREE. 816-300-0545. North Kansas City Parks and Recreation is having an Earth Day Celebration. Activities include Park Clean Up, Nature Scavenger Hunt, Hands-On Nature Activities, Kansas City Zoo mobile and more

Weekend of Apr. 28-30

Barbecue & Brew Festival at Worlds of Fun Fri-Sat, Apr. 28 - May 14 at Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Dr, Kansas City, MO. Enjoy the 3rd annual Barbeque and Brew Festival, featuring craft beers from around the region and tasty barbeque prepared by our own Executive Chef, Kevin Williams.

2nd Annual Pleasant Hill Railroad Days 2017 Apr. 28-30 at Downtown Pleasant Hill Missouri, 125 Wyoming, Pleasant Hill, MO. FREE. Enjoy several train displays, live music, reenactments, kids games and do a little shopping with our vendors and local businesses. Hours are Friday April 28th 4-9, Saturday April 29th10-8pm, Sunday 9am-4pm.

Kite Fest Sundays in April 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W 179th Street, Overland Park, KS. Free with Admission. 913-685-3604. Let’s go fly a kite at the Arboretum! Purchase a kite or bring your own and come enjoy watching them fly through the air in this scenic backdrop. 

Doggies & Dogwoods Days Apr. 29 & 30 at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO. All dogs must remain on a leash at all times and must have an up-to-date rabies vaccine. Owners are required to show proof of current rabies vaccine prior to event entry. All owners are expected to clean up after their dogs (bags provided) and properly dispose of waste in designated receptacles. Powell Gardens is not responsible for the behavior of any animals. By entering this event, owners are agreeing to take full responsibility for the actions of their dog. Powell Gardens reserves the right to refuse entry to or remove any dog thought to be dangerous or a threat to other dogs and people. Please note: Females in heat may cause aggression in male dogs, and puppies under 4 months old are not properly vaccinated. For these reasons, these dogs will not be permitted at the festival. Dogs will not be allowed in the Heartland Harvest Garden during this event. 

British Gala Festival Apr. 29 from 10am-4pm at Ararat Shriner's Temple, 5100 Ararat Drive, Suite 236, Kansas City, MO. $5 for Adults. Kids under 10 are FREE. Enjoy traditional British food, vendors offering British goods for sale, talks from local area speakers including:Brenda Hendrick from Anna Marie's Teas telling all about Tea. She will also be able to sample some tea.The KMBC 9 Weather Team to let us know more about how weather works as well as tell us more about why it's mainly damp in the United Kingdom.The Kansas City Renaissance entertainers will be there throughout the day as well will Saint Patrick whom will be wandering the halls throughout the day. Come meet Mr. Britain, the British bloke in the rather bright suit. The ladies from the Kansas City ladies football (soccer) team "FC Kansas City" will be there to tell you more about themselves, and their goals! See classic British vehicles (in the car Park, and free to attend that). 

Fourth Fridays 4th Friday of Each Month, Downtown Olathe, Olathe, KS. Open to the public, no entry fee. Food trucks, live music, and entertainment for all ages! Free activities including Sister Act Face Painting, balloon artists, caricature artists, live music, art stations, and games. Mad Science of Greater KC will also be joining us! Kids can make slime for $1. We will also have a variety of food trucks, including KC Food Truck Mafia and Smish Smash Sandwiche Co. Bring your picnic blankets or lawn chairs, as seating will be limited. 

Mildale Farm Community Day Apr. 29 from 9 AM - 2 PM at Mildale Farm 35250 W 199th St, Edgerton, KS. 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, all of which was purchased by JCPRD in 2005. Visitors will be directed to park in the large parking lot near Mildale Farm’s main barn which features peg construction and a hand-laid brick floor. Arts and Craft activities for the kids will take place in the main barn. Catch-and-release fishing in any or all of 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.

Northeast Arts 10th Annual Chalk Walk Apr. 29 & 30 at The Concourse Fountain, St. John Ave, Benton Blvd. , Kansas City, MO. This FREE, family-friendly, two-day event in the tradition of European 16th Century street-painting transforms the dull concrete of the sidewalks and surface of the Concourse Park Fountain into colorful, pastel, canvases. See professional artists who draw colorful and fantastical pictures and then provide chalk pastels to the kids and invite them to let their imagination loose. In addition to the drawing we have puppeteers, a bubble artist, and musicians.Community partners include: the Kansas City library, which provides information about their programs and free books for the kids, Kansas City University of Medicine which offers blood pressure and blood sugar screenings and information, and the Northeast farmers market which promotes healthy living through cooking fresh fruits and vegetables.

Maifest in Shawnee NOTE: KC Parent was notified on 4/28 that this event has been cancelled due to inclement weather. 

2017 Asian Cultural Festival Apr. 29 from 10:30am-7pm at Olathe East High School, 14541 W. 127st , Olathe, KS. Imagine experiencing cuisine, performances, exhibitions from 21 countries in Asian regions, all in one place. Tickets are available to purchase now: $10 for onsite and $6 for online purchase. All children under 16 is free. The event is open to public.

2nd Annual Train Festival Apr. 29 from 10 AM - 4 PM at Atchison Railroad Museum 200 South 10th St, Atchison, KS. Enjoy a family fun day with little train rides provided by the N.E.K.S Railroad Association, tours of the Atchison Railroad Museum, Speeder rides, scavenger hunts, Dan Bliss Music from 12pm-3pm and giveaways from Oepration Life Savor and more! Inside the visitors center there will be a display of a model train, photo opts., railroad themed activites, storytime with Miss. Cindy at 11am and 2pm, more giveaways, snacks and drinks! There will even be a visit from the charcter Thomas the Tank! ADMISSION:  Adults: $5, Children 10 and under are free

VOA Food Truck Festival Apr. 30 from 5-7pm at Village Church on Antioch, 14895 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS.  Free kids activities. Enjoy a Food Truck Festival and fun kids activities.

Wanderfest Apr. 30 from noon -6pm at Cherry Pit Collective, 604 E 31st St, Kansas City, MO. Join over 20 participating businesses and organizations for music, art, crafts, food, drinks, fun! Enjoy demonstrations and tours from businesses, workshops and galleries not normally open to the public, while sampling delicious local food and beverages. Shop from a wide assortment of handmade goods from craft vendors popping-up at three different locations. Other activities will include live Wanderfest! shirt printing, you-pick herbs and veggies, free mini yoga sessions and fun kid’s activities. Visitors can pick up a guide map at any of the participating locations. As they explore the neighborhood they will collect stamps in their passport from each location. When finished, they can visit the Cherry Pit Collective to enter a raffle to win a bundle of goods from each participating organization.

Family Fun Fest & Birth Place Grand Opening Apr. 30 from 11am-3pm at Olathe Medical Center, 20333 W. 151st Street, Olathe, KS. FREE. Come out for a day of fun for the whole family – and celebrate the grand opening of our new Birth Place! The kids can get their faces painted, get a free bike helmet, while parents can get free wellness screenings. Enjoy a Bicycle Safety Rodeo with free bike helmets, presented by the Olathe Fire. Take a tour of the new Birth Place NICU, participate in free health screenings. Helpful information from our hospital departments and clinics

Weekend of May 4-7

Truman Heritage Festival May 4-6 at The View, 13500 Byars Road, Grandview, MO. This is the weekend full of Carnival rides, concerts, food, local vendors, parade, and so much more.

Barbecue & Brew Festival at Worlds of Fun Fri-Sat, Apr. 28 - May 14 at Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Dr, Kansas City, MO. Enjoy the 3rd annual Barbeque and Brew Festival, featuring craft beers from around the region and tasty barbeque prepared by our own Executive Chef, Kevin Williams.

Gears of Glory Car Show May 5  from 5-8:30pm at Holy Trinity Catholic School, 13600 W 92nd Street, Lenexa, KS. Free. Join us for the 2nd annual Gears of Glory car show and family fun event. Also, enjoy kids games and inflatables free of charge. 

Plein Air KC Festival May 5-13 at Penn Valley Park, Kansas City, KS. Artists from across the country will gather for an extended Paint-Off to capture the natural beauty of Penn Valley Park and -new this year-Union Cemetery, en plein air, while competing for cash prizes. Quick Paint competitions take place on May 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the Firefighters Fountain and Memorial, May 11 from 6-8 p.m. in Union Cemetery, and May 13 from 6:30 -8:30 am. at Penn Valley Park Lake. The event concludes with a gala reception and auction to showcase the art with proceeds benefiting the Penn Valley Park Conservancy.

Lansing DAZE/Brew, Blues & Bar-B-Q May 5 & 6 at Kenneth W. Bernard Park, 15650 Gilman Rd., lLansing, KS. FREE. This year’s event will feature live music and a spectacular fireworks display (Fri. at approximately 9:30 p.m.) and food and beverage vendors are available both days. A People’s Choice event (open to the public) is scheduled for Saturday. Eliminator KC (the World's Best ZZ Top Tribute Band) are the headliners! Rides will open until 10 pm this year! Beer, beverages and food will be sold until 11 pm this year! The event will also feature a variety of family-friendly activities. The Festival includes a craft show, car and cycle show, and children’s inflatable rides. There will also be a Quilt Show at the Lansing Activity Center, 108 S. 2nd St. The children’s inflatable rides are available both Friday evening and Saturday. Admission to both events is free.

Brookside Art Annual May 5- 7 at Brookside District, 63rd & Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Dominated by quaint neighborhoods, the Brookside neighborhood becomes the center of the Midwest art community each May. The Brookside Art Annual is known for its festive atmosphere, hospitality, convenience, and has become a must-attend event for artists and art seekers alike. The location for the show is at 63rd and Brookside between Main St. and Wornall. The show has children’s activities on Saturday and Sunday and light music in the evenings. Food booths are operated by local restaurants.

Strawberry Swing May 6-7 at Alexander Majors Barn, 8201 State Line, Kansas City, MO. FREE Admission. Come see why we were voted one of the top indie craft fairs in the world! See 100+ handmade & vintage vendors, food trucks {coffee cake kc, pita for good, werners on wheels, kc pinoy}, live music {kasey rausch’s country duo, the grand marquis, ruddy swain}, kids crafts {award-winning author courtney watkins}, photobooth {one word: gnome}, so much F-U-N! Kansas City’s #1 celebration of the handmade movement: The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair, est. 2011.

Fungi and Fermentation Festival at Powell Gardens May 6 & 7 at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO. $12 festival admission, members get in free. This all-day festival celebrates mushrooms and beer through opportunities to learn about and enjoy these tasty items in a variety of ways. Join author and Missouri Mycological Society expert Maxine Stone for a mushroom identification workshop followed by a short excursion on the Byron Shutz Nature Trail to test your identification skills. Taste chanterelles prepared by Barb the Gardener and sign up for a cooking with mushrooms or a beer brewing class. Enjoy music from local bands while savoring food from our vendors, and register for a special beer tasting opportunity. Food is available for purchase onsite from vendors and Cafe Thyme. Special space-limited educational opportunities are listed below. Please register in advance for festival classes and workshops. Festival admission and parking fee applies. Members get in free of charge with no parking fee. 

Family Fun at Case Park May 6 from 12-5pm at Case Park, 9th and Jefferson, Kansas City, MO. FREE. This family friendly event will feature a pop-up Adventure Playground, music, arts and crafts activities, face painting, balloon twisters and more. Celebrate play, community, and one of the few public green spaces in the downtown loop.Ermine Case Junior Park is located in the downtown corridor bordered by Jefferson and Tenth Streets. West Terrace Park is a thirty acre span along the western edge of downtown and encompasses Case Park, Mulkey Park, and Jarboe Park. 

Polski Day May 6 from 11am-7pm at All Saints Parish Church Grounds, 809 Vermont, Kansas City, KS. FREE. Polish Music, food and entertainment.The Polski Day Parade which begins at 11:00 a.m., at 12th & Central, and heads east onto 8th Street, going up the wrong way on a one way street to Vermont, and ends at the church. Enjoy Polish food, music, and entertainment beginning at Noon. A special Polka mass will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at All Saints Church.

Tractor Cruise May 6 at National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, 630 N. 126th Street, Bonner Springs, KS. Vintage tractor enthusiasts gather to drive the 35-mile loop in Wyandotte and Leavenworth Counties and stopping at key places along the way to allow the public to view and visit about the tractors, including Marble Days in Bonner Springs and Holyfield Winery in Basehor. The club hosts this fundraiser and parade to benefit the National Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Family Fun Fiesta May 6 & 7 at Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, MO. Enjoy cultural crafts provided by the Mattie Rhodes Center. A Latin princess is sure to put you in the fiesta spirit and our animals are joining in with fiesta themed enrichment items. All Family Fun Fiesta activities will be from 10 am - 3 pm.

Kansas Food Truck Festival May 6 from 4-10pm at Warehouse Arts District , 810 Pennsylvania Lawrence, KS. $10 Adults, Kids under 10 free. 7858562389. The family-friendly event will benefit Just Food, the Douglas County Food Bank. The event is returning with 30 food trucks, expanded lineup of live entertainment and beer garden. The entertainment is comprised of family friendly activities include face painting, a bouncy house as well as live street performers from the Lawrence Busker Festival and live musical performances by local musicians.

Arts in the Park May 7 from 10am-6pm at South Park , 1130 Massachusetts Lawrence, KS. Free. One of Lawrence's premiere art events, Art in the Park is an annual juried outdoor exhibition that draws more than 150 artists. Along with the finest work from area artists and craftspeople, the event features live music, food vendors and family activities.Art in the Park is the Lawrence Art Guild's primary fundraiser.

Woofstock: A Festival for Dogs & People  May 7 at Zona Rosa Town Square, 8640 N Dixson Avenue, Kansas City, MO. Festival = Free | 5K Registration = $30. (816) 336-1888. Join NAWS for the 10th annual WOOFSTOCK 1Mile Dog Walk/5K Run featuring a family festival filled with pet-related vendors, contests, prizes and fun galore! All proceeds benefit the Northland Animal Welfare Society (NAWS). 

Blue Valley Recreation Food Truck Fest May 7 from 4 PM - 7 PM at 137th & Antioch, Overland Park, KS. The 4th annual Spring FOOD TRUCK FEST returns on Sunday, May 7th from 4 to 7pm! Back by popular demand, Elite Street Eats Food Truck vendors bring their delicious local fresh food to south Overland Park. Setting up at Fields 2-4 in the Blue Valley Recreation Complex on 137th Street just west of Antioch will be Cajun Cabin - cajun food for your soul. Food prices start at $7. Bring the kids and family to this outdoor spring celebration and grab some awesome eats. Covered shelter with picnic tables, kid’s playground and activities plus swinging music by the Good Sam Club band are provided for your enjoyment. Picnic blankets and lawn chairs welcome. No dogs or alcohol allowed.

Weekend of May 12-14

Kansas City's Train Day 2017 May 13  at Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad, 5940 N.W. Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, MO. Activities and Entertainment from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Free Train Rides from 2-4 p.m.: 2-for-1 Ice Skating at Line Creek Ice Arena. ​FREE train rides and entertainment by Rockin Rob, face painting, inflatables, Imagination Playground, crafts and more!

Barbecue & Brew Festival at Worlds of Fun Fri-Sat, Apr. 28 - May 14 at Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Dr, Kansas City, MO. Enjoy the 3rd annual Barbeque and Brew Festival, featuring craft beers from around the region and tasty barbeque prepared by our own Executive Chef, Kevin Williams.

Wings over Weston May 13 at Weston Bend State Park Bee Creek Shelter, 16600 Highway 45 North, Weston, MO. A festival about birds, migration and habitat. Games, Arts & Crafts, & Guided Bird Hikes. A festival for children with more than 30 activities about birds, bird migration, and the importance of conservation of habitat. Featuring Bird Banding & Live Birds, Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery Native Plant Sale

Weekend of May 18-21

Taste of KC May 18 from 6 - 9 PM at Kansas City Power & Light District Between Baltimore and Grand Blvd. and 12th Street and Truman Road, Kansas City, MO. Attention foodies!! Sample KC's best restaurants & try some of the best mixed drinks & micro-brewed beers our city has to offer! Witness six of KC's most talented chefs as they battle for the Golden Fork! Buy tickets in advance.

SLP Kick-Off Early Literacy Fair May 19 from 11am-1pm at Mid-Continent Public Library - North Independence, 317 W. 24 Hwy., Independence, MO. Free. Parents and caregivers, along with their children ages birth through six, are invited to an Early Literacy Fair to promote pre-reading skills. Join us as we explore many of the Library's early literacy resources and participate in a wide variety of activities including games, crafts, music, movements, and more! All ages are welcome. 

Celebration of the Arts May 19 from 5 - 10:30 PM Lee's Summit Parks & Recreation 220 SE Green St, Lees Summit, MO. Don't miss this wonderful, FREE, second annual event which will kick off the 2017 Season of Events at Legacy Park Amphitheater. 

Turkey Creek Festival & Artisan’s Expo May 20 from 10am-4pm at Antioch Park, 650, Merriam, KS. Free to attend. Activities include a petting zoo, delicious food and unique craft vendors, music, giant inflatables and more. Calling all crafters of hand-made goods!

Leawood Police Department Car Show & Food Truck Festival May 20 from 10 AM - 3 PM at Town Center Plaza 5000 W 119th St, Leawood, KS. Come hang out at Leawood Police Dept Car Show & Food Truck Festival benefiting Special Olympics Kansas. Not only will you be surrounded by amazing one-of-a-kind cars, but you'll be able to grab a bite to eat at several food trucks as you walk around. Free admission (unless you are registering to show a car). $20 entry fee online to show a car, $30 day of event to show a car.

Run for LITTLE Hearts 10K/5K/Awareness Mile/Kids Dash May 21 from 8am-Noon at Arrowhead Stadium, One Arrowhead Way, Kansas City, MO. Fees $10-$35. 4th annual Run for LITTLE Hearts is Kansas City's exclusive CHD Awareness Event! All proceeds benefit families and research for Congenital Heart Defects, America's #1 birth defect. Tickets include race entry, super soft race shirt, finishers medal, food and kids entertainment! Virtual Runner option is available! KC Food Truck Mafia, Chris Cakes Pancakes, Polar Oasis, Game Kart Mobile Video Game Bus, KC Wolf, Face Painting, Simple Sounds Dance Party, Mad Science Experiment Booths and more!

Week of May 22

Summer Learning Kick-Off Party: Summer at the Library Bash May 23 at Mid-Continent Public Library - Lone Jack Branch, 211 N. Bynum Road, Lone Jack, MO. Free. Build a better summer by joining in the fun and games, and get started on your Summer Learning Program adventure! Join us as we kick off the 2017 Summer Learning Program with a party and our annual shaving cream war! All ages. 

Summer Learning Spectacular: Kick-Off Party May 23 from 10am-4pm at Mid-Continent Public Library - Smithville Branch, 120 Richardson St., Smithville, MO.  Free. Celebrate your Summer Learning Program! Join us for our annual Summer Learning Program kick-off. We'll have games, crafts, and treats for all. Plus, sign up for our Summer Learning Program. Ages 6 and up. Registration required. 

Summer Learning Kick-Off Party May 24 from 6:30-8pm at Mid-Continent Public Library - Raytown Branch, 6131 Raytown Road, Raytown, MO. Free. Build a better summer by joining in the fun and games, and get started on your Summer Learning Program adventure! All ages. 

Weekend of May 25-28

Imagination Creation: Summer Learning Program Kick-Off Party May 25 from 11:30-1pm Mid-Continent Public Library - South Independence, 13700 E. 35th St. South, Independence. All Ages. 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Free. Hey, kids! Come and help the Library decorate our Summer Learning Program table, and learn about this year’s program, how to register your whole family, and join the fun. All ages. Registration required. 

Lawrence Busker Festival May 25-27 at Downtown Lawrence , Lawrence, KS. Free.  Enjoy three days of family fun with some of the most talented freaks, geeks, artists and musicians around.There will be 5 different street stages with over 25 different acts playing for tips and applause.And while our festival may be large, planning your visit is easy.Check out our performance schedule to make sure you don't miss your favorite acts.And for an even more up close and personal experience, come check out Busker Ball on the Thursday before our big weekend.

Fourth Fridays 4th Friday of Each Month, Downtown Olathe, Olathe, KS. Open to the public, no entry fee. Food trucks, live music, and entertainment for all ages! Free activities including Sister Act Face Painting, balloon artists, caricature artists, live music, art stations, and games. Mad Science of Greater KC will also be joining us! Kids can make slime for $1. We will also have a variety of food trucks, including KC Food Truck Mafia and Smish Smash Sandwiche Co. Bring your picnic blankets or lawn chairs, as seating will be limited. 

Illuminated Waters May 26-27 at Theis Park, Oak Street and West 47th St., Kansas City, MO. Building on the success of the past eleven seasons-this year visitors and puppet-makers will encounter a brand new innovation-a festival, called Illuminated Waters. Puppets-both on and off the actual waters of Brush Creek-will perform with the audience, as they’re illuminated from within. Mark your calendar for this innovative artistic experience on MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! This unique, free, two-day water festival will combine everything we have all learned to love-a giant puppet play, food trucks from around Kansas City, interactive art, games and music. Everything will be at Theis Park right next to Brush Creek. You’ll have the same fun you’ve always had-only this year our puppets will GLOW, illuminating the park with art and even float some on the waters of Brush Creek themselves.

Kansas City Symphony’s Bank of America Celebration at the Station May 28 at Union Station Kansas City, 30 W. Pershing, Kansas City, MO. The Kansas City Symphony’s 15th annual patriotic concert event is the largest FREE Memorial Day weekend festival in the Midwest. From a moving Symphony concert to the city’s grandest fireworks display, nothing celebrates our military and veterans quite like Bank of America Celebration at the Station. Make it an all-day family affair with pre-concert musical acts, food trucks, the Lee Jeans Family Zone plus activities inside Union Station and the National World War I Museum and Memorial. At dusk, swell with pride as your Symphony builds to a grand finale featuring Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture: with live cannons and "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Blankets and lawn chairs welcome. The event site opens at 3 p.m.

Discover more Family Fun with our Kansas City Calendar!