September is one of the best months to explore Kansas City with your family. The weather starts to cool, school routines are back in full swing and communities across the metro celebrate the beginning of fall with festivals, fairs, art shows and cultural events.

Whether you’re looking for family-friendly festivals in Kansas City, live music, delicious food, outdoor activities or classic fall traditions, there are plenty of ways to make memories together this September.

From Independence’s historic Santa-Cali-Gon Days to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Plaza Art Fair and local fall celebrations, here are some of the best September festivals in KC to add to your calendar.

September Festivals in Kansas City

Hummingbird Festival

Sept. 3-5 | George Owens Nature Park
Celebrate hummingbirds with activities focused on migration, habitat and attracting these tiny travelers to your yard. Families can build a hummingbird perch and enjoy themed games.
IndependenceMO.gov

Kansas City Irish Fest

Sept. 4-6 | Crown Center
Crown Center comes alive with top Irish musicians, traditional dancing and celebrations of Ireland’s culture and history. Festival-goers can browse Irish-themed shops and enjoy authentic food, beverages and activities.
KCIrishFest.com

Art Westport

Sept. 11-13 | Westport
This three-day event showcases original local art, one-of-a-kind jewelry, fine crafts and more from talented artists and makers.
WestportKCMO.com

Boys Grow Farm Fest

Sept. 13 | Boys Grow Farm
Enjoy local food, drinks and family-friendly activities like archery, fishing, face painting and more while supporting youth employment programs.
BoysGrow.com

Dream Big Day

Sept. 12 | Worlds of Fun
Dream Big Day at Worlds of Fun, in partnership with Children’s Mercy, gives families a joyful morning of rides, a parade, dancing and character visits while benefiting Children’s Mercy and supporting life-changing care, research and programs for children and families.
ChildrensMercy.org

Lenexa Spinach Festival

Sept. 12 | Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park
The family-friendly Lenexa Spinach Festival is packed with fun! Experience the World’s Largest Spinach Salad, learn about local history or submit your favorite dish to the recipe contest.
Lenexa.com

Terra Luna

Sept. 10-12 & Sept. 17-19 | Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Experience an awe-inspiring journey featuring live music, dance, acrobatics and nature-inspired performances by Quixotic.
ArtsandRec-OP.org

Regency Ball at the Fort

Sept. 19 | Fort Osage National Historic Landmark
Step back into the Regency era with English country dancing under the open sky and light refreshments. No prior dance experience is required, but tickets are limited.
MakeYourDayHere.com/

Camp Leavenworth Festival

Sept. 18-19 | Downtown Leavenworth
Enjoy two exciting days of live music, a carnival, food trucks, shopping, outdoor adventures and more throughout the festival. A fireworks show takes place Friday evening, followed by a kid-friendly run/walk Saturday morning.
CampLeavenworth.com

Plaza Art Fair

Sept. 25-27 | Country Club Plaza
Featuring 240 artists, the Plaza Art Fair is a nationally recognized art event with three live music stages and more than 20 featured restaurant booths.
PlazaArtFair.com

KC Zoo Run for the Hornbills

Sept. 19 | Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Participants receive a custom-designed featured species shirt, a finisher’s medal and race-day entry to the zoo, valid any day through the end of the year.
KansasCityZooRun.org

Lee’s Summit Oktoberfest

Sept. 25-26 | Downtown Lee’s Summit
Enjoy Kids Street, arts and crafts, German meals, beer and brat tents, the Biergarten, Rootbiergarten, German dancers and more.
LSOktoberfest.com

Fall Festival

Fall Festival

Sept. 26-27 | Family Tree Nursery Shawnee
Enjoy live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, a corn pit and colorful displays of mums and pumpkins during this family-friendly fall celebration.
FamilyTreeNursery.com

Louisburg Ciderfest