Celebrate fall in Kansas City! Discover top festivals this October — GloWild, Oktoberfest, Neewollah, farm tours, arts & crafts, rodeos, and more.
GloWild: Legends & Lore Thru Dec. 28, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. The popular GloWild lantern festival returns to the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium this fall with a “Time Traveler” theme and new displays. KansasCityZoo.org
OZtoberfest Oct. 4, Wamego, Kan. Enjoy activities including the OZ Costume Contest, Toto Look-Alike Contest, OZ Market, Classic Car Show, Wizard’s Beer & Wine Garden, Auntie Em’s Boutique and many more OZsome activities. VisitWamego.com
KC Oktoberfest Oct. 3-4, Crown Center. A two-day festival at Crown Center celebrating Bavarian-style bier, food and entertainment. It is Kansas City’s largest traditional Oktoberfest. KCOktoberfest.com
Cass County Sheriff’s Rodeo Oct. 3-4, Harrisonville, Mo. Family-friendly event with food trucks, face painting, a 4-H-hosted petting zoo, evening rodeo performances and more. CassMoSheriff.org
Greater Japan Festival Oct. 4, Johnson County Community College. Look forward to traditional performances and demonstrations; a Japanese candy artist; traditional food; a shopping bazaar; martial arts; anime and manga and more. KCJapanFestival.org
49th Annual Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts & Music Oct. 4, Missouri Town Living History Museum. Fall-themed historic village setting with artisans, living-history interpreters, wagon rides, 19th-century games and crafts — you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time. MakeYourDayHere.com
Kaw Valley Farm Tour Oct. 4-5, Kaw Valley Farms. Family farms featuring alpacas to zucchini and everything in between, plus wineries and vineyards. Sample products, participate in special activities or just enjoy the peace in the country. KawValleyFarmTour.org
Lenexa Chili Challenge Oct. 10-11, Old Town Lenexa. This free foodie festival heats up Friday night with music and fireworks. On Saturday, sample chili, hot wings and salsa. Face painters, balloon artists and live music present both days. Little chefs can take part in the Kids Kornbread Contest. Lenexa.com
57th Annual Heritage Festival Oct. 11-12, Arrow Rock Historic Site. Featuring traditional and modern artistic items, living history presenters, musical entertainment and food vendors galore. Admission is free! ArrowRock.org
International Lineman’s Rodeo Oct. 15-18, Overland Park Convention Center. The Lineman’s Rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks. LinemansRodeoKC.com
Maple Leaf Festival Oct. 18-19, Baldwin City, Kan. Enjoy craft exhibits, quilt shows, performing arts, music, unique food items and activities for the family — all while helping local nonprofit organizations raise funds. MapleLeafFestival.com
Neewollah Festival Oct. 17-25, Downtown Independence. Neewollah (“Halloween” spelled backwards) is one of Kansas’s largest Halloween-themed festivals, featuring parades, carnival rides, food vendors, arts and crafts, band competitions, a chili cook-off and nightly entertainment. Neewollah.com