Favorite August Festivals & Fairs
We make it a tradition to attend these festivals with the family every August!
- Festival of Butterflies Aug. 1- 3, 8-10, Powell Gardens. Each August Powell Gardens transforms its 2,500-square-foot conservatory into a temporary butterfly house, filled to the brim with gorgeous blooms and hundreds of tropical butterflies. Highlights include a native butterfly breezeway by master gardeners, Monarch Watch and the Idalia Society, kids' crafts, storytelling, a costume parade, a butterfly catch-and-release area and much more. Festival admission includes free parking, admission to exhibits and free trolley rides.
- Missouri State Fair Aug. 7-17, 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 at KCParent.com before you go!
- Sprint Family Fun Days Aug. 9, KC Power & Light District. The monthly Sprint Family Fun Series is back on the second Saturday of each month!
- Ethnic Enrichment Festival of Kansas City Aug. 15-17, Swope Park Admission charged. Parking is free (handicap parking available). More than 60 nations participate each year with booths showcasing their unique food and crafts, and live performances on stage with dance, music, martial arts and skills demonstrations. You may purchase food from each nation, creating your own smorgasbord of flavor, sampling many dishes from many cultures.
- Lawrence Busker Festival Aug. 22-24, Lawrence, KS. Now in its fifth year, the Lawrence Busker Festival is the area's largest gathering of street performers in the area. Come enjoy three days of family fun with some of the most talented freaks, geeks, artists and musicians around. And while the festival may be large, planning your visit is easy. Check out the 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 Aug. 24.
- Parkville Days Aug. 22-24, Parkville, MO. One of downtown Parkville’s biggest festivals, the annual Parkville Days, offers great family entertainment and fun in historic downtown Parkville. This year’s event offers something for everyone! Browse and enjoy dozens of art, craft and food and specialty booths. The Evans Midland Empire Carnival runs all weekend, beginning Friday at 6:00. There will be great jazz and blues on the main stage Friday night and Saturday starting at 1:00. The downtown shops and restaurants will host their end-of-summer sales and specials Friday and Saturday.
- Santa-Cali-Gon Days Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 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 root beer chugging. FREE except carnival and vendor purchases. 816.252.4745
Tip: Click here for our complete Guide to Summer Festivals in Kansas City.