Best of July in Kansas City

July - the heart of summer. Festivals, fireworks, great shows, fresh fruit, long days at the pool, and more. Our top picks for July in Kansas City are here.

Fireworks & Festivities

• When, Where, What: Celebrate Independence Day across Kansas City with our KC Fireworks guide.
• Why We Love It: Fireworks, parades, festivals, picnics and music! Kansas City celebrates Independence Day with a bang! Read carefully... our KC 4th of July guide includes both events with and without fireworks.

Enchanted Forest

• When, Where, What: July 1- Aug. 15 at Overland Park Arboretum. Free with admission. Open Daily 8:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• Why We Love It: Discover the mystical domains of gnomes, fairies, elves, sprites, trolls, and other garden creatures along a woodland trail. There’s a new world at the Arboretum! Bring the whole family for this delightful walk in the woods. 
• Bonus: On July 14 at 7pm enjoy Crescendo Conservatory's Enchanted Dance in the Woods. And follow the special event calendar for special crafts, writing projects, and classes in conjunction with the exhibit.

Jurassic Garden

• When, Where, What: thru Oct. 3 at Powell Gardens.
• Why We LOVE It: Travel back millions of years to explore the lost world of dinosaurs and prehistoric plant life! You will encounter incredibly realistic dinosaur replicas, designed by Missouri's Guy Darrough, a well known fossil collector, fossil preparation expert and illustrator. From his Lost World Studios in Arnold, Mo., Guy creates realistic models of prehistoric animals using fossilized bones and other materials. The lifelike dinosaurs, large and small, will be placed throughout the Gardens and include a 32-foot T Rex, 30-foot Hypsibema—Missouri's state dinosaur, and many more! 

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Beauty and the Beast at Starlight

• Details: July 13-19 at Starlight
• Why We LOVE It: The smash-hit Broadway musical Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film. This eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of more than 35 million people worldwide. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. 

Madagascar: A Musical Adventure

• Details: thru Aug. 7 at The Coterie.
• Why We LOVE It:  It’s the world premiere of a new musical for all ages (yes, even parents) of the much-loved madcap journey from New York’s Central Park Zoo to the beaches of Madagascar. See Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and the always-plotting penguins. Their journey goes from the wilderness to just plain wild with King Julien. Join these crack-a-lackin’ friends and get ready to MOVE IT MOVE IT.
• Bonus: Read our review of Madagascar: A Musical Adventure.

T-Bones Games

• When, Where, What: all summer the T-Bones play at Community America Ballpark. Tip: Kids Eat Free every Monday Night at the game!
• Why We LOVE It: The Kansas City T-Bones are a member of the Central Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseballl and they play at Community America Ballpark in Kansas City, KS. Free parking, great promotions, kids eat free on Mondays, and family-friendly fun make T-Bones games a highlight of summer!

Little Adventures at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

• When, Where, What: LITTLE ADVENTURES at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures on Wednesdays and Saturdays thru August 10
• Why We LOVE It: Explore the museum collection through gallery talks and guided tours, then visit the hands-on workshop to make your own toy or miniature. From paper dolls to ships, each week features a new theme. Included with museum admission. Become a member today to enjoy all ten weeks for free

Belton Train Rides

• Details: Ice Cream Trains Friday at 7pm. And regular rides Sat & Sun at 2pm May-Oct, and Sat at 11am (June - Aug) aboard the Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad Co. (502 Walnut, Belton, MO). The Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Co. is a short line passenger railroad and demonstration museum in Belton, Missouri, just south on US Hwy. 71 from the Kansas City Metro Area. The BG&KC offers excursions on our line running south from Belton on a 5 mile, 45 minute round trip. This is an all volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving rail travel and railroading.
• Why We LOVE It: All Aboard! The young, and the young-at-heart, LOVE trains... the charm, the fun memories and nostalgia. This summer, ride the rails with the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad. The organization is a non-profit volunteer organization run by volunteers like John, who happily tells every visitor his pay is the smile on the kids' faces... and do they ever smile!

Time Travelers at Shawnee Town 1929

• When, Where, What: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10am-3pm, Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm at Shawnee Town 1929.
• Why We LOVE It: At Shawnee Town 1929 living history comes to life with our family-oriented Time Travelers programs. Each visit includes a guided tour of the 1920s farmhouse. Do laundry, feed the chickens, and garden at the farmstead. Shine shoes in the barbershop, visit the one room schoolhouse, and shop in the town grocery store. Volunteers and staff in 1920s attire lead programs as visitors make a craft, play a game, and be a history "detective" in the good ol' summertime! Bring a picnic lunch and join your friends for a fun-filled visit to Shawnee Town! 

Mahaffie Family Fun Nights

• When, Where, What: Mahaffie Family Fun Night 6-8 PM every Thursday Night in June & July, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm (1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS). FREE admission. Enjoy a variety of historic-themed activities each week. Special activities like stagecoach rides are $3/person. 913.971.5111 www.mahaffie.org
• Weekly Themes: 2016 Themes: July 7 - 19th Century Fireworks, July 14 - Civil War, July 21 - Hit the Trail, July 28 - Kansas Wheat Harvest.
• Why We LOVE It: Mahaffie is hosting special programs on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm when the farm truly comes to life with hands-on history from the 1850s. Activities include free activities (for example: butter churning, planting seeds, tours of the home) and activities with a small fee (for example: Stagecoach rides, working in the Blacksmith Shop, Grinding Corn)and they vary with the theme each week. Our children were enthralled at the blacksmith shop where they made their own "S Hooks" last year and the stagecoach ride is a fun historic experience.
• Bonus:  Read our tips for the most fun at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop before you go.

Koalas at the Kansas City Zoo

• When, Where, What: The Kansas City Zoo is open year-round. (6800 Zoo Dr., KCMO. 816.513.5800 www.KansasCityZoo.org).
• Why We LOVE It: The Kansas City Zoo just welcomed Koalas and we couldn't be more excited! The Kansas City Zoo is one of our favorite year-round attractions, and with the Penguin Exhibit, Polar Bear Passage, Tropics and Discovery Barn all near the entrance and all with indoor exhibits, a cool weather outing to the zoo is more fun than ever! Then, on warmer days check out the kangaroos in Australia and the elephants, zebra, and giraffes in Africa.
• Tip: Mark your calendar for these fun events at the Zoo: July 2, 3 & 4 Red, White & Zoo. July 9 & 10 Zootastik Learning Fest— Marsupials. July 16 FOTZ Family Breakfast. July 16 & 17 Wildly Fun Weekend. July 23 & 24 Species Spotlight—Apes. July 23 & 24 Penguin March. July 30 & 31 Dog Days of Summer. July 30 & 31 Koala Birthday Party for Coedie and Burra. And more on the Zoo Calendar!

July Festivals

It's Here! Summer Festival Season is here. There are dozens of festivals to enjoy for every interest. These are our favorites for July. Read our KC Summer Festival Guide for more.

Flags For Freedom July 2-9, Merriam Marketplace. Downtown Merriam and surrounding area will transform into perfect rows of patriotic pride as Flags4Freedom organizers place more than 1,600 United States flags at the Merriam Marketplace, Irene B. French Community Center, and along Merriam and Johnson Drive. Everyone is invited to stop by during the week of July 2 - July 9 to view an astonishing display that honors our nation. Visitors also won't want to miss the free concert on Monday, July 4 at 1:00 p.m. in the Merriam Marketplace by the 35th Infantry Division Band. Bring a lawn chair.

Booms and Blooms July 2, Powell Gardens. Join us for one of Powell Gardens' most treasured festivals—Booms & Blooms. Enjoy dazzling daylilies, patriotic music, good eats and sizzling fireworks over a dark country sky!

Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival July 4 from Noon-11pm at Lake Shawnee, 3027 SE Beach Terrace,Topeka, KS. The Topeka Blues Society (TBS) is proud to annually present the Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival, scheduled every 4th of July at Reynolds Lodge, Lake Shawnee, Topeka.   Music starts at noon, and continues until dark.  A spectacular nightworks show then lights up the sky, reflecting over the lake. Attendees may bring shade tents (there will be a designated area), coolers/food, blankets and chairs.  The Topeka Blues Society has added a food tent in the festival area.  All proceeds benefit the Topeka Blues Society and this festival. Please, for safety reasons, NO GRILLS are allowed in the festival area. This festival is not free to produce, but through community support and donations, the Topeka Blues Society is able to offer free admission to all attendees of the Blues Festival, thereby exposing the blues to a large audience on Independence Day.  A donation will allow us to continue to bring quality, nationally recognized Blues bands to this festival, inspire continued growth for the Spirit of Kansas celebration, and generate additional commerce for area businesses.  The festival has shown much growth, and it gets bigger and better each year.

Sprint Family Fun Days: Theme "Bubbles & Beach Balls" July 9, KC Power & Light District. Bring your kiddos downtown for the Sprint Family Fun Series the second Saturday of each month, May - October! Admission is FREE!* Be a part of all the fun on social media by connecting with us using #FamilyFunKC! Admission to the event is free. Fees apply for premium activities.

Kansas City's Big Picnic July 17 on the lawn of Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Celebrate National Parks and Recreation month as KC Parks partners with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to host the biggest picnic the region has ever seen!  The Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park and Theis Park will be linked to become a giant space for Kansas City to come together for an evening of fun.  Pack your own picnic or grab dinner from an on-site food truck! Rain or shine; no grills, no stakes, no tenting. 

Pick Berries and Fruit

• Details: Pick your own fruit and berries at KC area U-Pick Farms. Read our U-Pick Guide for locations.
• Why We LOVE It: Picking blueberries at The Berry Patch, peaches at a local orchard, raspberries at u-pick farms and enjoying the "fruit of our labor" with yummy summer cobblers, smoothies, and treats is one of our favorite (and tastiest) summer traditions! There are many wonderful local farms, patches, and orchards where you can pick a variety of fruits, berries and other produce. The blueberry season typically begins mid-June with other fruits to follow! Click here for our Berry Picking in KC guide!

Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun with FIVE NEW Family Rides!

• When, Where, What: Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun are open for the Season and you can enjoy both parks for the price of one ticket.
• Why We LOVE It: Worlds of Fun is a roller coaster enthusiast’s dream park! Families can glide, fly and launch into 2016 at Worlds of Fun with the addition of five new family rides coming to Planet Snoopy next season: Woodstock Gliders – Young guests control their own flight with moveable wings. Beagle Brigade Airfield – Get your aviators glasses ready for a high-flying adventure with Snoopy. (formerly titled Flying Ace). Snoopy Space Buggies – Defy gravity and bounce to the moon and back. Linus Launcher – Experience the sensation of weightlessness through flight with feet dangling. Snoopy Junction – All aboard! Snoopy the conductor leads kids on a railroad adventure. And, it’s home to seven world-class roller coasters, including one of the tallest, longest and fastest roller coasters in the world, the Mamba, with a first drop of 205 feet! The Patriot is a giant inverted coaster that carries the daring through four inversions at a top speed of 65 mph. The extremely daring can pay an extra fee to experience the Ripcord, a Sky Coaster attraction that sends riders in a free-fall pendulum motion from 180 feet in the air at speeds of up to 80 mph.

Music in the Park: Lee's Summit

• When, Where, What: Select Fridays in Downtown Lee's Summit
• Why We LOVE It:  Enjoy free Friday night concerts featuring a variety of musical genres in Howard Station Park in Downtown Lee’s Summit. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets for seating. Event dates are as follows: July 8, July 22, July 29, August 12, August 19, August 26, September 2

The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD®

• When, Where, What: thru Sept. 5 at Crown Center. FREE Admission. Hours: Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sun, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Why We LOVE It: An exciting hands-on traveling exhibit created by the Betty Brinn Children's Museum in collaboration with Hasbro. The exhibit features MR. POTATO HEAD, the much-loved silly character, who becomes an explorer, scientist, and adventurer with a change of his "parts." In addition to building a variety of essential academic skills, the exhibit encourages children to welcome new experiences with confidence, curiosity and humor, to think about all they can be and do, and to always respect themselves and others.

Swimming Season

• Details: Read our KC Water Fun guide for the best pools, waterparks, and beaches near you!
• Why We LOVE It: Summer with kids = swim season! With waterparks (including Oceans of Fun where admission to Worlds of Fun is included in the same ticket, and Schlitterbahn with the world's tallest waterslide), neighborhood pools (ranging from basic pools with a classic diving board to full on attractions and lazy rivers), FREE spraygrounds (outdoor sprinkler playgrounds), and swim beaches at local lakes - there are many great ways to enjoy swimming, splashing, and playing in the water all summer long! Read our KC Water Fun guide for the best pools, waterparks, and beaches near you!

Shop at Kansas City's Farmers' Markets!

• When, Where, What: Kansas City's Farmers' Markets start opening ALL Month long! With over 30 markets to choose from, ranging from small to large all across the metro, there is something for the locavore in all of us. Check out our Guide to Kansas City Farmers' Markets and read great tips for buying local farm fresh produce and discover a Farmers' Market near you.
• Why We LOVE It: We're fortunate to have so many terrific Farmers' Markets in Kansas City to choose from. If you want to eat organic, fresh, locally grown produce, or you are looking for plants for your own garden, or local honey, Amish baked goods, or even live animals... Kansas City's Farmers' Markets have it all! Several even boast live music and entertainment. This is an excellent family outing on a Spring Saturday... you have fun and finish a chore all at once!

A Day at the Lake

• When, Where, What: You can fish year-round at one of Kansas City's great Fishing Spots, or enjoy the Kids Fishing Derbies across the metro all month long! Then, Kansas City's Swim Beaches open Memorial Day Weekend for a day of memories swimming at the lake!
• Why We LOVE It: Introduce your kids to the sport of fishing and enjoy a hobby that will last a lifetime. If you're lucky, you may even enjoy a great dinner out of the deal too!