Kansas City's 4th of July Guide

Fireworks, parades, festivals, picnics and music! Kansas City celebrates Independence Day with a bang! Read carefully... our guide includes both events with and without fireworks.

Always Remember:

Weather may result in some events changing plans. Please watch websites and Facebook notices CLOSELY before taking your kids to a fireworks display as schedules are subject to change. We will do our best to update this page, but all schedules are weather permitting.

Note: This list was compiled by KC Parent Magazine Staff and may not be copied in print or online without permission from KC Parent Magazine. If you know of a great 4th of July event to add to our list, email kristina@kcparent.com.

Tip: Click on the GREEN event title for a link to the event website - this may include driving directions, full schedules and additional tips!

= Top Pick

Taps at the Tower Ceremony June 21-27 at National World War I Museum and Memorial (100 W. 26th Street Kansas City, MO). Taps, a musical piece sounded at dusk and at funerals, has a rich and storied history in the United States. It has long been associated with the U.S. Military, and is often played at civilian events around the country. The National World War I Museum and Memorial presents Taps at the Tower each evening at sunset from Sunday, June 21 – Saturday, June 27. Taps at the Tower links the beauty and simplicity of the Taps bugle call with the symbolism of the Museum and Memorial. The event will occur rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the glass bridge inside the Museum. 

Flags 4 Freedom June 27 - July 6 at Merriam Marketplace (5740 Merriam Drive Merriam, KS.). The Flags 4 Freedom flag display, celebrated with patriotic programs and ceremonies, is created by an enthusiastic group of local volunteers. This event is well suited to families, military personnel, veterans, individuals, businesses, and community citizens. Everyone is invited to stop by during the week of July 4th to view an astonishing display of patriotism and community pride. (pictured right)

Fireworks at Evangel June 27 from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm at Evangel (1414 E. 103rd Kansas City , MO). Fireworks, food and fun! Entertainment for the whole family! Live Music, Inflatables, Cheap Meal Deals. Invite your friends, family and co-workers to this FREE, family-friendly event.

Freedom Celebration: Greenwood June 27 at Hitt Park, Greenwood, MO. Gates open at 4:00 p.m., Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.at Greenwood. The Freedom Celebration is an annual event that is held the Saturday before the 4th of July each year. There are rides and games for kids of all ages.  Special events change each year, keeping the festival fun and exciting. Local vendors are on site as well as a car show and live music.  The concession stand offers an expanded menu with prices that are the best in town.  Stay late for the firework display after sunset. This is the biggest event from Greenwood's Parks and Recreation.  Volunteers are always welcome. Freedom Fest parking at Hitt Park is limited to those with Handicap tags and parking passes. Please us parking and free shuttle service at Fellowship of Greenwood on Main Street (150 Highway). Wristbands for rides and arcade games are $10.00.  Children under 3 are free.

Parkville July 4 Celebration July 1 - July 4 at Downtown Parkville (110 Main Street Parkville, MO). Bring the entire family for a taste of good old-fashioned Americana! Our traditional salute to Independence Day includes pancakes for breakfast, a community parade, carnival rides, lots of food, fun, games, shopping, music and, of course, our fabulous fireworks finale.

19th Century Fireworks July 2 from 6-9pm at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm (1200 Kansas City Road Olathe, KS). Enjoy ground based old-fashioned 19th century fireworks to celebrate Independence Day! Bring your picnic, lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy activities on the historic Mahaffie grounds. FREE admission! (some activities carry an extra fee). Mahaffie activities are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.-include stagecoach rides ($3/person ages 3 & up), visiting the Mahaffie House, Agricultural Heritage Livestock Barn and Heritage Center, blacksmith and cookstove demonstrations. Decorate your bicycle, stroller or wagon to help celebrate America-parade on Mahaffie grounds begins at 7 p.m. Olathe Civic Band Concert at 7:30 p.m. Reading of the Declaration of Independence at 9:15 p.m. 19th century ground display fireworks begin at dark, approximately at 9:30 p.m.-these fireworks are set display pieces viewed while on the Mahaffie grounds. Food available for purchase. Boy Scout Troop 494 will have funnel cakes, fried Oreos, hot dogs and more for sell. Doc's Root Beer available for purchase. Parking available at the Heritage Center parking lot. 

Lee's Summit Legacy Blast Fireworks Extravaganza July 2 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Legacy Park (NE Legacy Park Drive Lees Summit, MO). Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation and the City of Lee’s Summit invite you to a free fireworks extravaganza choreographed to music and simulcast on 94.9 KCMO on Thursday, July 2 at Legacy Park in Lee’s Summit. Food vendors, local entertainers and inflatables will be on site at the Baseball, Soccer, Softball, and Football venues before the fireworks show.  Bring the family and blankets for fun under the stars. Legacy Park will open at 6pm via the south entrance of Legacy Park and close at 9pm. Parking is available in the Baseball, Football, Softball & Soccer Venue Lots located off of Legacy Park Drive (between Colbern & Langsford Rds, E of 291, W of 7 Hwy). In case of rain, join us at the same time and same place on July 3. For more information call Lee's Summit Parks & Recreation at 816.969.1500. To check the status of the event that day, call 816.969.1516 x 7

Liberty 4th Fest July 2- 4, Liberty, Mo. Schedule: Liberty Performing Arts Theatre Thursday, July 2, 7:30 pm Ben Franklin Alive! Presented by Corbin Theatre Company and the City of Liberty Tickets available - 816.439.5362. ​​Downtown Liberty (Kansas street between Missouri & Leonard) Friday, July 3, 6:00 - 9:30 pm  Beer Garden & Food Booth, Children's Activities, Dessert Competition, Live Music - Katy Guillen and the Girls. Historic Liberty Square Saturday, July 4 7:00 am - Noon Farmer's Market, William Jewell College Saturday, July 4 at 8:00 pm Gates Open. 9:00 pm Liberty Summer Band. 9:45 pm Fireworks!

Independence Day Celebration: Lansing July 3 from 6:00 pm until 9:30 pm at Kenneth W. Bernard (15650 Gilman Road Lansing, KS). Another large community activity is Lansing’s Independence Celebration. The event begins at 6:00 pm with inflatable rides for the kids along with various food vendors.  When the sun sets, the fireworks display begins as the community begins its Annual Independence Day Celebration.  This is one of the largest displays in the area and is timed to music. The 2015 celebration will take place at Kenneth W. Bernard Community Park, located off of 4-H Road on the west side of Lansing.  The event has free parking and free admission.

Fireworks in Kearney July 3 at 7:30 pm at Kearney Amphitheatre. Annual July 3rd Fireworks Celebration. Featuring Switch. Free to the Public Event Concert Begins at 7:30pm. Fireworks Begin at 9:30pm. Fireworks music on 96.9 FM. Free Admission and Parking. Free Inflatable Attractions for Children. Concessions Available for Purchase. Bring Lawn Chairs and/or Blankets.

Booms & Blooms Festival at Powell Gardens July 3 at Powell Gardens (1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50 Kingsville, MO). Celebrate Independence Day with Powell Gardens’ dazzling display of hundreds of daylilies, a daylily sale, children’s activities and music. The music begins at 11 a.m. with a performance by students from the Sarah Haskins Vocal Studio in Blue Springs, Mo. Enjoy an afternoon concert by the KC Variety Band Trio at 4:30 p.m. on the lawn near the Fountain Garden. At 7:30 p.m. the Lee’s Summit Symphony takes the stage for a pops concert that includes patriotic favorites. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Picnics are allowed on this day, or food and drink is available to purchase. (No outside alcohol is permitted.) Festival admission applies: $12/adults, $10/seniors and $5/children ages 5-12. Rain Date: July 5

Independence Day Fireworks Display: Westwood July 3 from 9:30 pm until 10:30 pm at St. Agnes Athletic Field in Westwood, KS. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 or dusk. Be sure to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Attendees are encouraged to walk to this event, as parking space is limited. The display is sponsored by the Cities of Westwood, Fairway, Mission Woods, Roeland Park & Westwood Hills. In case of inclement weather, this event will be held on July 6th at the same location and time.

Museum Open for Independence Day July 4 at National World War I Museum and Memorial (100 West 26th Street Kansas City , MO). Steeped in history, the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial is America’s only museum dedicated to sharing the stories of the Great War through the eyes of those who lived it. Interactive displays, thought-provoking films and eyewitness testimonies help guide visitors through one of the largest collections of WWI artifacts in the world. From the first shots fired in 1914 to the last attempts at peace in 1919, this award-winning museum offers a global perspective of “The War to End All Wars,” and includes firsthand accounts from the battlefield and home front alike.

Celebrate Independence in Lenexa July 4. The 37th Annual Lenexa Freedom Run takes place on Friday, July 4, at 7 a.m. in Old Town Lenexa. This family-friendly race features 5K and 10K courses and is open to runners and walkers of all activity levels. The Lenexa Community Days Parade follows at 10 a.m., drawing thousands of spectators to enjoy floats, bands, antique cars and more.

KC River Fest July 4 from 4-11pm at Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park (1298 Riverfront Dr., KC, MO). KCRiverFest brings our community together for a fun, family celebration on our nation's birthday.  KC Riverfest is THE premiere Independence Day celebration in the region, located along the beautiful Missouri Riverfront. Celebrate the 4th of July with the LARGEST fireworks show in the Midwest plus two stages of music, kids activities, tons of food vendors and more.

Independence Day at Missouri Town 1855 July 4 from 9:00 am until 4:15 pm at Missouri Town 1855, Fleming Park in Blue Springs, MO. Experience Independence Day 1850’s style at our historic antebellum Missouri village, This 1850’s celebration provides the perfect setting for a fun-filled day of activities. Highlight your day when you join in our July Fourth Parade along the village streets!

Independence Day at Fort Osage July 4 from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm at Ft. Osage in Sibley, MO. Celebrate the anniversary of American Independence at Fort Osage. Interpretive demonstrations highlighting life on the early 19th century frontier to include musket and cannon demonstrations, and patriotic speeches, make this a perfect place to celebrate our country’s Independence! Adults $7.00; Youth $4.00; and Seniors $3.00.

Independence Day at the Farmstead July 4 from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead (13800 Switzer Rd. Overland Park, KS). Independence Day at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead is a great way to get the entire family involved in some patriotic fun. Patriotic attire welcome. Be sure to decorate your bike for the parade. $2 Farmstead general admission fee for Holidays/under 2 free.

Celebrate America at Worlds of Fun July 4 at Worlds of Fun (4545 Worlds of Fun Ave Kansas City , MO). Worlds of Fun lights up the sky with a huge fireworks show.

4th of July July 4, 5-9:30pm at Leawood City Park. Enjoy a variety of new and traditional family festivities. Enjoy some great entertainment, participate in games and enjoy a variety of food vendors.

Star Spangled Spectacular July 4 from 4:00 pm until 11:00 pm at Corporate Woods (8717 W. 110th St., Overland Park, KS). Music, family activities to celebrate our country's birth and veterans. This year marks the 24th annual event presented by Rotary Club Overland Park.

Olathe Fireworks July 4, Great Mall of the Great Plains 20700 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS. The show begins at 9:30 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to find parking and set-up a viewing spot. July 5 is the rain date in the event of inclement weather.

Harrisonville Hometown Celebration July 4, Harrisonville City Park. Fireworks at dusk. Live entertainment. Food. Face Painting & Bounce Houses.

Independence Day & Fireworks in Raymore July 4 from 4:00 pm until 10:00 pm at Recreation Park (1021 S. Madison Raymore, MO). One of the biggest fireworks displays in the area at dusk. Come out for live music, classic car show, and other fun events before the fireworks begin at dusk. Classic Car Show begins at 4 p.m. (includes giveaways for the kids sponsored by Harmon Tire). Kids' Games from 7 to 9 p.m. Live Music by Southtown from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Fireworks Display begins at dusk.

Platte City Fireworks Display July 4, 9:45 at High School Pirates Stadium 1501 Branch Street Platte City, MO. Patriotic Music & Fireworks. FREE Admission

4th of July Fireworks: Gardner July 4 from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm at Celebration Park (32701 W. 159th St. Gardner, KS). The July 4th fireworks display and activities will take place at Celebration Park on July 4, 2015.  Families will be able to enjoy the large playground, picnic shelters and inflatable bouncehouses while they wait for the big show!  Kansas City Area Country Band Big Time Grain Company and the Country Music singing Texas duo, The Rankin Twins will be performing live beginning at 5:30 p.m.!  Food Vendors will be there to satisfy your tastebuds!  Tailgaiting in the parking lot is welcomed.  Don't miss the best fireworks show in Kansas City at sundown!

Jackson County’s 4th of July Celebration July 4 at 5:30 - 11:00 pm at Longview Lake Shelter #13 in Lee's Summit, MO. Join over 20,000 of your friends and neighbors at Jackson County’s Big Bang 4th of July Celebration at Longview Lake!  Kids Blast Zone games are also FREE compliments of Truman Medical Center. Concessions available for purchase.

Independence Day Celebration: Gladstone July 4 from 7:00 pm until 11:00 pm at Oak Grove Park (NE 76th St. and N. Troost Gladstone, MO). The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. with a concert by the Toni Gates Ensemble followed with a concert by the North Star Community Band, presentation of the Colors and a magnificent fireworks display at dusk. Parking will be available at Oak Park High School. To ensure your safety, Gladstone Public Safety Officers will be directing traffic. Reminder: Gladstone ordinances prohibit discharging fireworks within the city limits.

Red, White & Blue Springs July 4 at Blue Springs High School (2000 NW Ashton Dr. Blue Springs, MO). Come celebrate the 4th with various fireworks displays! Gates open at 6 PM and fireworks will begin around 9:30 PM!

Fort Leavenworth Fireworks and Salute to the Union July 4, 4-10pm. Fort Leavenworth invites everyone to help celebrate our nation’s 239th birthday. The annual community party is July 4th at Merritt Lake and the fun begins at 4 p.m. with food, drinks and children’s games. A live band will play at 5:30 followed by a Salute to the Union Ceremony at 8:30 Before the Salute to the Union, Fort Leavenworth will honor all Vietnam Veterans in attendance with a recognition ceremony. The evening’s grand finale will be a traditional fireworks display beginning about 30 minutes after sunset. The event is free and vendors will be offering an array of food and beverages for sale.