Summer festival season is still going strong in Kansas City! August brings county fairs, carnival rides, colorful sunflower fields, cultural celebrations and plenty of family-friendly entertainment throughout the metro and surrounding areas.
Whether your family wants to see butterflies, experience life at a classic county fair or sample food from around the world, these August 2026 festivals in Kansas City offer plenty of opportunities to make summer memories.
Looking for even more festivals and fairs? Explore KC Parent’s August Kansas City events calendar for more family fun.
Leavenworth County Fair
Thru Aug. 1, Leavenworth County Fairgrounds
Experience a classic county fair filled with carnival rides, games, contests, livestock exhibits, demolition derbies and fair food. Families can explore agricultural displays, cheer on competitors and enjoy entertainment throughout the fairgrounds.
Admission to the Leavenworth County Fair is free, with $5 parking available at the fairgrounds.
Planning a trip to Leavenworth? Make a day of it with our guide to family-friendly things to do in Leavenworth, Kansas, including local shops, restaurants, parks and unique attractions.
View the Leavenworth County Fair schedule
Johnson County Fair
Thru Aug. 1, Johnson County Fairgrounds
Celebrate Johnson County’s agricultural heritage with livestock exhibits, 4-H competitions, carnival rides, live entertainment and exciting arena events. The fair has been a local tradition since 1939 and offers activities for visitors of all ages.
General admission is free, although tickets are required for the carnival and nightly arena events. The annual Johnson County Fair Parade will take place Saturday, Aug. 1.
Visit the Johnson County Fair website
Festival of Butterflies
Thru Aug. 2, Powell Gardens
Powell Gardens’ Festival of Butterflies returns for its 30th anniversary celebration. Families can walk among hundreds of free-flying tropical butterflies, discover native butterfly species and learn more about pollinators and conservation.
The festival also features beautiful botanical displays, educational exhibits and family activities throughout the gardens.
Learn more about the Festival of Butterflies
Just For Her Event
Aug. 1-2, Overland Park Convention Center
Gather your friends for Kansas City’s largest summer shopping event. Browse vendors offering fashion, beauty products, accessories, home décor, gourmet foods and handmade goods while enjoying live fashion shows, a DJ, photo opportunities, giveaways and the Refresh & Reset Zone. Guests can also enter a scavenger hunt for a chance to win $250. Kids 12 and younger receive free general admission.
Learn more and purchase tickets
KC Sunflower Festival
Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 1-16, KC Pumpkin Patch
Wander through thousands of blooming sunflowers during the KC Sunflower Festival in Olathe. Families can explore the sunflower field, capture colorful photos and enjoy more than 60 outdoor farm attractions included with admission.
Children can spend the day playing on the Mega Slide, exploring Tiny Town, meeting mini Highland cows, making giant bubbles, racing rubber ducks and enjoying lawn games. More than 20 photo opportunities are located throughout the farm.
The festival is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Purchase tickets and plan your visit
Missouri State Fair
Aug. 13-23, Missouri State Fairgrounds
Take a family day trip to Sedalia for one of Missouri’s biggest summer traditions. The Missouri State Fair features live music, stage shows, carnival rides, rodeos, auto racing, livestock competitions, agricultural demonstrations and entertainment for all ages.
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the 2026 fair will also feature patriotic performances, daily military flag retreat ceremonies, an America 250 mural and the traveling Freedom 250 Truck Mobile Museum. The Freedom 250 exhibit will be available Aug. 15-16.
Explore the 2026 Missouri State Fair
Ethnic Enrichment Festival
Aug. 21-23, Swope Park
Travel the world without leaving Kansas City at the 47th annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival! This longtime KC tradition brings cultures together through international food, music, dance and colorful cultural performances throughout the weekend.
Admission is just $5 for adults, kids under 12 are free and parking is free. Festival hours are Friday 6:00-10:00 p.m., Saturday noon-10:00 p.m. and Sunday noon-6:00 p.m.
Plan your visit to the Ethnic Enrichment Festival
Heart of America Hot Dog Festival
Aug. 22, National WWI Museum and Memorial
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Hy-Vee are firing up the grills for the annual Heart of America Hot Dog Festival. This Kansas City food festival celebrates the connection between baseball and one of America’s favorite ballpark foods.
Enjoy live entertainment, ballpark favorites, local food trucks and family-friendly activities on the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Proceeds from the event benefit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Get Heart of America Hot Dog Festival details and tickets
Parkville Days
Aug. 21-23, Downtown Parkville
Celebrate summer along the Missouri River during Parkville Days, a three-day festival featuring live music, a parade, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, food, family activities and downtown shopping specials. Families can also explore English Landing Park and enjoy entertainment throughout historic downtown Parkville.
Planning a trip to Parkville? Make a day of it with our guide to family-friendly things to do in Parkville, Missouri, including riverfront trails, local restaurants, shops and small-town attractions.
View the Parkville Days schedule and details
India Fest
Aug. 23, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Overland Park Convention Center
Experience the tastes, sounds and sights of India during this vibrant cultural celebration presented by the India Association of Kansas City.
India Fest features traditional and contemporary dance performances, live music, Indian cuisine, cultural exhibits and entertainment representing India’s diverse regions and traditions. The 2026 event will also celebrate 60 years of Indian heritage in Kansas City.
Admission and parking are free.
Find More Family-Friendly Events in Kansas City
You can also browse the KC Parent Events Calendar to discover more things to do with kids in Kansas City.
Festival dates, hours, admission prices and activities may change. Visit each event’s official website before heading out.