August Festivals & Fairs in Kansas City
Summer in Kansas City is coming to a close, but there is still time to enjoy family fun at one of our favorite festivals! Whether you fancy a good old fashioned county fair, or an ethnic festival with delicious delicacies, or something a bit more out of the ordinary... there is something for everyone! This is our guide to Festivals in the Kansas City area (a few of these are Day Trips in Missouri and Kansas) for Summer 2013!
TIP: The name of each festival is linked to the website for the event - simply click the green event name to visit the festival website!
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.
Festival of Butterflies Aug. 2- 4, 9-11, Powell Gardens. Each August Powell Gardens transforms the 2,500-square-foot conservatory into a temporary butterfly house, filled to the brim with gorgeous blooms and hundreds of tropical butterflies. And that's just the beginning! Festival days are packed with hands-on fun. Highlights include a native butterfly breezeway by Master Gardeners, Monarch Watch and the Idalia Society, kids' crafts, a costume parade, a butterfly catch-and-release area and much more. Festival admission is $12/adults, $10/seniors and $5/children ages 5-12. Festival admission includes free parking, admission to exhibits and free trolley rides.
Johnson County Fair Aug. 6 - 10, Gardner, KS. Dog show, youth rodeo, carnival, concerts, goat milking, police & fire demonstrations, bull blast, barrel racing, parade and demolition derby.
Missouri State Fair August 8 - 18, Sedalia, MO. The 400-acre fairgrounds will present premier livestock shows and competitive exhibits, and first-class professional entertainment. Admission charged. Read our Tips for the Missouri State Fair before you go!
Great Midwest Balloon Fest August 9 - 10, Great Mall of the Great Plains, Olathe Kansas. More than 50 hot air balloonists from all over the country will converge on Kansas City to compete for fun and prizes. This family-oriented weekend will include balloon glows and competitions, music and more. Admission charged.
Sprint Family Fun Days August 10, KC Power & Light District. The monthly Sprint Family Fun Series is back on the 2nd Saturday of each month! August Theme - Luau (Beach Party before Back-to-School). Entertainment Includes: Free concerts by The Doo Dad's, Jim Cosgrove and More! Plus, enjoy Water Inflatables and Slides, Bubbles, Sand Activities, a Fish Pond and More!
Tails on the Trails Fest August 10, Lenexa. For a day of fun with your dog, come to Lenexa’s Tails on the Trails Pet Festival. Located at Ad Astra pool and park, the event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013. Enjoy pet vendors, pet talent show, dog swims and demonstrations.
Ethnic Enrichment Festival of Kansas City August 16-18, Swope Park. Admission charged. Parking is Free ( Handicap Parking available). Over 60 countries participate each year with booths showcasing food and crafts from each country, and live performances on stage with dance, music, martial arts, and skills demonstrations. You may purchase food from each country creating your own smorgasbord of flavor, sampling many dishes from many cultures.
Lexington Community Fair August 19 - 24, Lexington, MO. Crafts, carnival, vendors and more.
KC Irish Fest Aug. 30 - Sept. 1, Crown Center. 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. Off Center Theatre will host Irish comics. Admission charged 816.997.0837
Santa-Cali-Gon Days Aug. 31 - Sept. 3, Independence, MO. This premier annual festival on historic Independence Square features more than 400 crafters/vendors and more than 100 food booths, free local and nationally known country western music on a community stage, gospel stage and headliner stage, a midway carnival and old fashioned contests like watermelon seed spitting, ice cream eating and rootbeer chugging. FREE except carnival and vendor purchases 816.252.4745
Leavenworth County Fair August 2013, dates TBA. Leavenworth County Fairgrounds, Tonganoxie, KS.
Looking for MORE Summer Fun? Follow our 100 Days of Summer blog for the inside scoop on summer fun in KC!