Best of September in Kansas City

2015 Edition

by

Celebrate autumn with apples, pumpkins, the American Royal and Fall Festivals for the entire Family. Discover our Top Picks for Family Fun in September as Kansas City welcomes apples, train rides, Sprint Family Fun Days and more!

Apple Picking

  • The Facts: Kansas City is home to many great apple orchards, and Labor Day Weekend is the season opening for many of them! Read our guide to Apple Picking in Kansas City for a complete list of Missouri and Kansas orchards.
  • Why We LOVE It: It's apple picking season! Kids love taking a trip to local farms. Each of the u-pick Apple Farms on our list is a locally owned family operation designed to provide the best in healthy produce and a great family outing. So, grab the camera and the cooler and take the kids on a trip they won’t forget! Read our Apple Picking Tips before you go to experience the most fun-filled day... AND be sure to call the orchard ahead to verify availability! Our #1 Favorite orchard? Schweizer Orchards in St. Joseph, Missouri! Read our Tips for a St. Joseph Apple Picking Day Trip before you go!

Grandparents Day Train Rides

  • When, Where, What: Sept. 13, one grandparent rides free with paid child's admission on Belton, Grandview, and Kansas City Railroad. 816.331.0630
  • Why We LOVE It: Trains bring out the child in everyone and the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad's Ice Cream Social rides are truly fun for all ages.  Take an excursion south from Belton on a 5 mile, 45 minute round trip, and enjoy a dish of ice cream with your favorite topping. Visit the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad website for more information.

 

 

 

Cirque Eloize iD

  • When, Where, What: Sept. 8-13, at Starlight Theatre.
  • Why We LOVE It: Director Jeannot Painchaud presents a show crackling with daring and modernity. Cirque Éloize’s ninth creation, iD is a blend of circus acts and urban dance. The scene is set in the heart of a city, in a public space where people seek refuge, shed their anonymity, forge an identity and express individuality. Fifteen performers from 13 disciplines create iD’s entertaining and resolutely urban universe.

 

 

The Miracle Worker

  • When, Where, What: Sept. 22 - Oct. 25, at The Coterie.
  • Why We LOVE It: An American story of Helen Keller and the teacher that held the key turned into art with a multi-ethnic cast. Helen Keller is a child who has been deafblind since infancy. She’s alone in a secret world. She’s disobedient and wild. But Annie, a recent graduate from an institute for the blind, senses Helen’s curiosity and cleverly opens her world to language. Together, they show us that even the most overwhelming obstacles can be overcome.

 

New Dance Partners

  • When, Where, What: Sept. 25 - 26, at JCCC Performing Arts Series.
  • Why We LOVE It: A collaboration where the JCCC Performing Arts Series commissions choreographers Gregory Dawson, Brian Enos and Kate Skarpetowska to create original works for local dance companies Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance and Owen/Cox Dance Group. This year we welcome new dance partner the Oklahoma City Ballet!

 

 

 

Attend a September Fall Festival:

  • When, Where, What: Fall is festival season and there are dozens of fabulous festivals in September. Read our KC Fall Festival Guide for a COMPLETE list, but these are our favorite September festivals:
  • SantaCaliGon Sept. 4-7, Independence, MO. 500 artisan, crafter, food and commercial vendor booths, and three entertainment stages.
  • Kansas City Renaissance Festival weekends Sept 5- thru Oct 18. New for 2015, enjoy 50+ Activities that families and children can enjoy for free once they arrive at the Festival this year.
  • Kansas City Irish Fest Sept. 4-6, Crown Center. With over 30 bands on seven stages, heritage workshops and displays, comedy, genealogy, and a massive children's area.
  • Superhero Weekend Sept 5 & 6, Kansas City Zoo. Meet Ant-Man, Spider-Man, Hulk and female superhero, Black Widow in our Tropics Tent on Saturday. Bring your camera and meet Ant-Man and Hulk on Saturday and Spider-Man and Black Widow on Sunday.
  • Old Settlers Days Sept. 10-12, Downtown Olathe. Carnival, crafts, booths, parade on Saturday, and family fun!
  • Art Westport Sept. 11-13, Westport. Top artists from around the Metro will line the streets of Westport showcasing their original art, unique jewelry, fine crafts and much more.
  • Library in the Park Sept. 12 from 10am-3pm, at Big Eleven Lake, Kansas City, KS. A taco contest with local taquerias, great bands, and fun activities. All food and activities are totally free!
  • Kansas City Chalk and Walk Festival Sept 12 - 13, Crown Center Square 2450 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO. Imagine artists, young and old, professional and amateur displaying their talents by drawing directly in front of a visiting audience rather than in the solitude of their studios.
  • Carnival for Casa Sept. 12, Paradise Park (1021 Northeast Colbern Road, in Lee’s Summit). Join us for the 10th Annual Carnival for CASA at Paradise Park in Lee's Summit, Missouri! A $25 advance ticket includes all the existing Paradise Park attractions, PLUS lunch and special Carnival activities like Face Painting, Balloon Animals, Pony Rides, and Star Wars characters. Proceeds benefit Jackson County CASA, which represents the best interests of abused and neglected children in the Jackson County Family Court system.
  • Family Tree Nursery Fall Festival Sept. 19-20, Family Tree Nursery Shawnee. Music, food and tons of activities for the kids! Get ready for fall with a huge selection of pumpkins, gourds and mums. Don’t miss out on our Terrarium & Fairy Garden Workshops, too!
  • Paws in the Park Dog Walk Festival Sept 19, English Landing Park in Parkville. The TENTH Annual Paws in the Park Dog Walk and Festival is a fun day is planned with celebrity emcee Susan Hiland! Plus the KC Disc Dogs will be performing. There will be lots of great raffles, food and fun! 
  • Shawnee Town Arts& Craft Fair Sept. 19, from 9am-4pm, Shawnee Town, 1929. Shoppers can browse through close to 100 craft booths featuring the handmade creations of jewelers, weavers, chefs, woodworkers, and other artisans at Shawnee Town 1929’s Annual Arts & Crafts Fair.
  • KC Family Fest Sept. 20, Westside Family Church in Lenexa, KS. Acres of free rides, gigantic inflatables, games, and fun-filled activities for all ages. Enjoy live music, teen zone, and kiddie rides. Fare from the best food trucks in KC will be available to purchase. 
  • Plaza Art Fair Sept. 25-27, Country Club Plaza. Featuring 240 artists, the Plaza Art Fair is atop-ranked, national art event with three live music stages and over 25 featured restaurant booths.
  • Oktoberfest Lee's Summit Sept. 25 & 26, Downtown Lee's Summit. Enjoy German meals, three stages of entertainment, German dancers, carnival, Biergarten, free children’s activities, contests and arts & crafts booths!
  • Overland Park Fall Festival Sept. 26, Downtown Overland Park. A true community celebration the hometown parade featuring high school bands, local scout groups, dance schools, displays of older automobiles and much more. Children's entertainments include inflatables, Stone Lion Puppet Theatre and an appearance by Radio Disney. Activities include: Free music performances on three stages. Arts and Crafts Fair. Food Trucks. Farmers' Market.
  • Family Day at the Farm Sep 26, 2015 from 11am - 3pm at Shatto Milk Company (9406 North Hwy 33 Osborn, MO). The event is free of charge and everyone is invited. Something for everyone: Tour the farm, Pet the baby calves, View the Cheese Making Process, Take a hayride (weather permitting), Sample Shatto products, Visit the retail store.
  • Ciderfest & Craft Fair Sept. 26 & 27 and Oct. 3 & 4, Louisburg Cider Mill. Enjoy Handmade Crafts, Barbeque, Live Music, Old Fashioned Good Eats, Pumpkins and a lot of other Fun Activities! From the Pumpkin Patch to Kettle Corn, there is something for everyone in the family. Craft Fair, Fresh Cider Making, Cider Donuts, Live Music, Kids Activities, Hay Castle, Hayrides, and Farm Animal Viewing Area.
  • Wild West Days Sept. 26 - 27, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Mark your calendar to enjoy lots of hands-on activities and entertainment for the whole family! Acts may include The Whip Guy, Wicked Liars, Gunsmoke & Petticoats and more.$5/ages 5 and up or special rate of 5 tickets for $20.

Sprint Family Fun Days

  • When, Where, What: The monthly Sprint Family Fun Series is back on September 12 in the KC Power & Light District.
  • Why We LOVE It: The Sprint Family Fun Series is one of the BEST Family-Friendly events in the metro. This month's theme is Super Heroes and Princesses! *Kids dressed as their favorite super hero or princess receive a special treat!* ADMISSION INCLUDES: arts & crafts by Star Power Program by Kohl's and Children's Mercy,bean bag toss, hula hoops,bubble tent,Lil'Tots Corner presented by Montessori Academy of Kansas City,Learn the science behind levitation, invisibility and camouflage with Mad Science Greater KC, arts & crafts by Odd Ball Kids. *PREMIUM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: 36 Ft. Obstacle Course, Castle Moonwalk, Giant Double Bay Slide, Magician, Wrecking Ball and More. *Admission does not include premium activities. All-access wristbands required. All-access wristbands are $5 per child. FACEPAINTING: Face Painting is not included with the all-access wristbands. Tickets are available for purchase for just $2 (with an all-access wristband) or $5 (without an all-access wristband). Limited number of face painting tickets available. First come, first-served. The Sprint Family Fun series events are held on 14th Street between Main Street & Walnut Street in the Kansas City Power & Light District from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission to the event is free. Fees apply for premium activities ($5 all-access wristband per child). More details coming soon. Some activities are weather dependent.

American Royal 

  • When, Where, What: Events all season long, including the Parade, Bar-B-Q, Rodeo and Horse Shows. www.americanroyal.com
  • Why We LOVE It: A true Kansas City tradition, the American Royal Parade, Rodeo, and Bar-B-Q are favorite ways to kick off autumn. 
  • Arabian Horse Show: Sept. 17 - 18 Known for their stamina, spirit and exotic beauty, the Arabian Horse is truly one of the most exciting and versatile breeds of horse. The American Royal Arabian Horse Show features horses and riders from all over the country competing in classes designed to showcase the versatility of this proud breed. Classes offered include: Halter (conformation) Classes, Youth Showmanship at Halter, Western Pleasure and Equitation, English and Country Pleasure, and also Hunter Pleasure and Dressage Suitability. Divisions include classes for youth and amateur riders as well as an open division for trainers to compete in.
  • Invitational Youth Rodeo Sept. 22 - 25 These top notch rodeo contestants are selected from all over the Midwest based on their rodeo expertise, leadership, academics, and community service. Since 2007, the American Royal has been able to give $70,500 in Scholarships at the Invitational Youth Rodeo along with prize money and awards! The Invitational Youth Rodeo allows a younger audience the opportunity to see their peers participate in true rodeo action. Come see the true grit and determination of today’s youth at the American Royal this fall!
  • American Royal ProRodeo: Sept. 25 & 26 Grab your boots and join us for the 66th annual American Royal ProRodeo! This event will be the last PRCA rodeo of the 2015 season, making Kansas City a must-stop for ProRodeo's best! Come early for live music, shopping, dinner, and lots of family-friendly activities. Stay late to hear your favorite country music entertainers.
  • COMING IN OCTOBER! World Series of Bar-B-Q: Oct. 1 - 4 The 2015 American Royal World Series of BBQ is moving to Arrowhead Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex. This is a momentous change for one of our signature events. The BBQ began 36 years ago in the parking lot of the Golden Ox Restaurant. The West Bottoms has been a wonderful home for this event.  While we pay tribute to our roots, Arrowhead is the perfect home for the future of this event.  Its abundant concrete lots and exceptional indoor spaces will enable enhancements across the entire event, including patron parking.
  • American Royal Parade:  Oct. 3 While still retaining its iconic traditions, The American Royal Parade will be held at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday October 3, 2015 during the World Series of Barbecue. The move will not only enhance the Parade Experience for Kansas City attendees, but it will also serve as an opportunity to introduce The American Royal Parade to an entirely new audience from across the country. Beginning at 10 AM, the Parade will feature active duty military and veterans, saddle clubs, Boy Scouts, 4-H, FFA, as well as cars, trucks, marching bands and large balloons, and serve as a kickoff to the American Royal Cowtown Family Fun Fest. There will be free parking and no admission charge for Parade spectators.Bring your family and friends as the American Royal honors both our military and 116 years of tradition in Kansas City.

Smithsonian FREE Museum Admission Day

  • When, Where, What: Visit the Smithsonian Magazine website to receive your free admission pass to Local Museums, good for Saturday, September 26 only. You must print the coupon and bring it to enjoy this offer. Smithsonian FREE Museum Day

  • Why We LOVE It: Kansas City is home to many wonderful museums... what could be better than exploring them for FREE? Free admission with printed coupon only.

 

 

Still looking for more great family fun ideas in Kansas City? Check out our Kansas City Calendar of Events and Going Places in Kansas City on KCParent.com.