Best of September
2023 Edition
Enjoy extraordinary shows, exhibits, and family fun. Our top picks for September in Kansas City are here:
For more inspiration, check out these seasonal guides:
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KC Pumpkin Patch Guide
Discover the best pumpkin patches & fall fun attractions in Kansas City!
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Opening Day: Sobela Aquarium at the KC Zoo & Aquarium
We can't wait for you to see all of our newest aquatic residents. Just as a reminder, entrance is included in the price of Zoo admission or membership, but we do require a free timed reservation to visit the Aquarium.
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GloWild Lantern Festival: Around the World
Now in its second year, the GloWild lantern festival will be back September 29 through December 30 with a brand-new theme, “Around the World,” which promises an even bigger and better nighttime spectacular.
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Kansas City Irish Fest
Dedicated to promoting the culture, music, character, and history of Ireland and of the Irish people who call Kansas City home, Kansas City Irish Fest offers attendees the chance to see some of the top Irish entertainment in the world. And there’...
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Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing - The Exhibition!
Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing - The Exhibition! Swinging into Union Station’s Bank of America Gallery this summer! A world premiere touring exhibition brought to you by Semmel Exhibitions and Marvel Entertainment.
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Light Up the Lawn: Kat King
Join the Midwest Trust Center for the 2023 Light Up the Lawn Concert Series featuring some of the best live music Kansas City has to offer. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets (no alcohol) for these fun events! No reservations req...
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Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad Rides
Ride the Best Railroad in KC; Where the FUN NEVER STOPS!
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Fairy Tale Village
Classic children’s tales come to life when families visit Fairy Tale Village. Enter an enchanted world where kids can interact with characters from their favorite stories and discover a world of make-believe around every corner.
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Movie Night on the Lawn: Legends Outlets
Watch timeless classics and Hollywood blockbusters on the big screen! Legends Outlets will show a film every Saturday through October on The Lawn. Bring a friend, pack some blankets, and order carryout meals and snacks.
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'ReGeneration' with Joey FineRhyme
From freestyle and original raps to Mongolian throat singing and beatboxing, this one-of-a-kind multimedia performance combines a breadth of musicality with a fast-paced flow of impactful imagery and hard-hitting scientific facts and stats. The b...
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Family Tree Nursery's Fall Container Workshops
At this event, we supply you with all the planting material you need (container and soil included) to create a show-stopping Fall Harvest Container, perfect for adding color and life to your front porch, patio, or balcony.
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Lenexa Spinach Festival
FREE family fun! The Lenexa Spinach Festival features: food, live music, art, fine craft and antique vendors, paddle boats, inflatables, tractor trikes, building projects, cane pole fishing, face painting, balloon twisting, baby crawling contest,...
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Grandparents Day
Enjoy fall living history activities such as cookstove and blacksmith demonstrations, tours of the historic house, stagecoach rides, and playing old-fashioned games. No advance registration required. Regular site admission applies. One grandpa...
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Shawnee Town Wheels & Dreams Car, Truck & Bike Show
The Shawnee Town Wheels & Dreams Car, Truck, & Bike Show is a Shawnee tradition with a track record of one of the most consistently attended car shows in the region–– attracting over five thousand spectators and 250 cars each year! The FREE event...
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Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch Opening Day
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch is Kansas City’s Original Pumpkin Patch and a “must-visit” fall destination!
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Louisburg Cider Mill Family Farm Opening Day
Be the first to find your way through the 10-acre corn maze and jump into the corn pit! Jump on the wagon and take a ride out to our 10-acre pumpkin patch to search for the perfect pumpkin.
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FREE Admission at Johnson County Museum
Johnson County Museum offers four free admission days throughout the year.
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Shawnee Town Arts & Crafts Fair
Join us on Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 9am-4pm for the 47th annual Friends of Shawnee Town Arts & Crafts Fair & Fall Festival, featuring over 130 vendors showcasing their handmade, homemade, and re–purposed items! There’s something for eve...
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TimberRidge Adventure Race
Racers will enjoy hundreds of acres of nature, hiking, and biking trails, as well as beautifully preserved prairie grasslands. The park sits on the western edge of Johnson County, known to its most avid patrons as the "gem" of western Johnson County.
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Afternoon Tea, 1860s Style!
Join in the fun of an afternoon tea on Mrs. Mahaffie’s porch. We will discuss the history and evolution of “teas”. Guests will enjoy tea and refreshments just as Mrs. Mahaffie may have served in her parlor during the 1860s. This will be a special gat
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Moo-vie Night
Celebrate everything dairy at an outdoor moo-vie at the Farmstead. Enjoy dairy activities and food trucks ahead of the show. "A Bug's Life" will begin at dusk (approx. 8 p.m.).
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Justice At War
Based on a true story, Justice at War is a unique and interactive drama that brings to life a critical moment in U.S. history.
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Lee’s Summit Oktoberfest
Enjoy Kids Street, arts and crafts, German meals, beer and brat tents, the Biergarten, carnival, the Sportzelt, live entertainment, contests, a biergarten, home brew tasting, German dancers and much more.
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Shawnee Great Grillers Blues & BBQ State Competition
Shawnee's sanctioned BBQ competition, traditionally features live music, select food trucks, and more at this festival-style event. Shawnee Town 1929's grounds are taken over by dozens and dozens of competition teams creating a party-like atmosphere!
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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert
Featuring a soundtrack that blends symphonic orchestral music with hip-hop, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” Live in Concert pairs the Academy Award-winning animated film with live musicians and a DJ scratching turntables on stage.
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Nieman Fall Festival: Family Tree Nursery
At this event, you will enjoy live music, food trucks, dessert trucks, and kid's activities, including a straw maze, corn pit, face painting, and more. And, of course, we will have all the pumpkins that one can handle.
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Zoo Run for the Sea Otters
Join us for the 18th annual Kansas City Zoo Run! Each year, the run features a different threatened animal to help raise awareness and contribute to the Zoo's conservation efforts. This year, we are celebrating adorable sea otters! There are 4-mi...
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MTC Kids Jam: Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards
The MTC Kids Jam concert series is specially designed with families in mind! Join us in the MTC lobby at 10 a.m. for art activities led by the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, followed by a 60-minute concert with an acclaimed children’s musician.
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Deaf Cultural Festival
Encounter and learn about Deaf Culture and American Sign Language through hands-on art activities and entertainment from distinctly Deaf perspectives. ASL interpretation, voice interpretation, and CART (live captioning) provided.
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Children’s Mercy Dream Big Day
Children’s Mercy Dream Big Day is a family-friendly celebration and 1-mile walk to rally our community around Children’s Mercy and raise funds to provide answers, hope and care to patients and their families!
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Johnson Farms Pumpkin Patch Opening Day
Johnson Farms is a real farm in the country, but very close to your home. After a wagon ride out to the field, your children will meander through the 40-acre pumpkin patch and will thrill at the sight of their perfect pumpkin.
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45th Ciderfest at Louisburg Cider Mill
Our 45th Annual Ciderfest kicks off Saturday, September 23rd and continues Sunday, September 24th, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Craft vendors will fill our parking lot, and enjoy live music on our Lost Trail Stage. Pancake breakfast by the Louisburg ...
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Stuffy Sleepover at Shawnee Town!
Is your favorite toy or stuffed animal in need of a fun night out? Drop them off at Shawnee Town 1929 Museum for a stuffed animal–only sleepover! While you are snoozing away at home, your stuffed animal travels back in time and will spend the nig...
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Night at the Tower
A spectacular night of food, fun and entertainment awaits – as well as your chance to bid on some special items and support growing our mission.