May in Kansas City! Strawberries are begging to be picked. Roller coasters are ready to ride! Shows are setting the stage for a summer of fun! And Festival season is in full swing. Our Top Picks for May are here:
Kansas City Zoo: Stingray Bay
Opening May 18, is the brand new Stingray Bay to the Kansas City Zoo. Visitors will have the chance to touch cownose and southern stingrays and white-spotted bamboo sharks in this shallow touch pool. This indoor/outdoor facility is ideal for year-round guests, but most importantly, the state-of-the-art exhibit features a water filtration system providing a healthy habitat for the animals. Entrance to Stingray Bay is included with regular zoo admission. For an additional fee, you may participate in one of a limited number of feeding opportunities. The Kansas City Zoo is open year-round (except Jan. 1). (6800 Zoo Dr., KCMO. 816.513.5800). Pack a picnic and bring it to the zoo!
May's Special Events at the Kansas City Zoo:
- May 18: STINGRAY BAY STINGRAY & SHARK TOUCH TANK
- May 5 & 6 Artists for the Animals
- May 12 & 13 Zootastik Learning Fest— Endangered Species Day
- May 13 Moms get in Free for Mother’s Day
- May 19 & 20 Family Fun Fiesta
- May 26 & 27 Species Spotlight—Apes
- May 26 & 27 Penguin March
Jack and the Bean Magico
Jack and the Bean Mágico! is showing at The Coterie thru May 20. The classic fairytale, “Jack and the Beanstalk,” is told with the audience’s help, who assist Jack as he climbs the beanstalk to the giant’s rich and fertile land. While there, Jack discovers the source of the trouble with his farmland, learning how to make it fertile again by understanding and balancing the life cycle. Young audiences will become tiny bugs in the giant’s garden. The giant loves the bugs because they help keep his soil and plants so healthy! Read our review of Jack and the Bean Magico! here.
Worlds of Fun
Worlds of Fun is open with NEW attractions! This year, enjoy the new Nordic Chaser where guests of all ages will board mini ships that rotate speedily around a circuit. The ride captures the imagination as guests experience the sensation of rising and falling along ocean waves. The ride will be placed in the park’s Scandinavia themed area. Guests will also enjoy the newly renovated Timber Wolf. Since its debut in 1989, Timber Wolf has cast an imposing shadow on the surrounding woods as Worlds of Fun's first wooden roller coaster. Timber Wolf opened as the top wooden coaster in the world and then received accolades as a top wooden coaster for over 8 consecutive years.Now, fan favorite and the park's original wooden coaster gets a new finale! Worlds of Fun is replacing the helix with a high-speed over banked 70 degree turn. This thrilling final corner turns riders nearly sideways!
Tower 2 Tower 5K
Celebrate National Drinking Water Week by participating in the third annual Tower 2 Tower 5K on Saturday, May 5. The 5K starts at 8 a.m. A 1-mile kids run, ages 5-12, begins at 8:45 a.m., and a free kids run begins at 9 a.m. The unique race route is a loop along Renner Blvd from WaterOne’s water tower, to the City of Olathe’s north water tower. Parking is available at WaterOne (10747 Renner Blvd, Lenexa) and nearby businesses, and can be accessed from College Blvd. and Eicher Dr. Each participant receives a free t-shirt, water bottle, and medal. 1-mile kids run participants receive a t-shirt and medal. Interactive water booths, touch-a-truck and demonstrations make this a fun and educational event for the entire family.
The Culture House's May Shows
The Culture House is presenting several wonderful family-friendly shows this spring:
- Annie Get Your Gun May 3-6. ANNIE GET YOUR GUN scored a bulls eye when it returned to Broadway in 1999, starring Bernadette Peters and sporting a revised libretto by Tony, Oscar and Emmy winner Peter Stone. As Newsday reported, Stone's revisions 'are sweetly ingenious, and the show is a dream.' Stone reshaped the 1946 book to create a Wild West show-within-a-show that frames the ageless 'Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better' love story of sharpshooters Annie Oakley and Frank Butler. Stone has added a secondary romance between the younger sister of Frank's bothersome assistant Dolly, and a boy who is (to Dolly's horror) part Native American. 'The book has been updated in ways that pass p.c. muster,' reported Time Magazine, 'without losing all the fun.' Joined to the new book, of course, is that amazing Irving Berlin score, featuring hit after hit after hit. 'Irving Berlin's greatest achievement in the theater,' wrote the New York Post, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN 'will always be a musical for the ages, one of the Broadway theater's enduring triumphs.'
- Snoopy: The Musical May 10-13 & 16-18. Tuneful! Charming! Hilarious! Yes, SNOOPY!!! – the musical sequel to YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN – deserves each of its three exclamation points. Based on the beloved Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz, the show sparkles with wit and warmth as it depicts life as seen through the eyes of Schulz’s unforgettable characters. Musical numbers include “Just One Person,” “Poor Sweet Baby,” “Don’t Be Anything Less (Than Everything You Can Be),” “Edgar Allen Poe” and “Daisy Hill.”
Disney Jr. Dance Party on Tour
Disney Jr. Dance Party on Tour! May 9 at Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland. Are you ready to DANCE?!? This is an ALL NEW interactive live concert experience. Sing along to Disney Junior’s greatest hits with your favorite characters: Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Sofia The First, Puppy Dog Pals, Elena of Avalor, Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, The Lion Guard and more! Kids of all ages and their families are invited to get up and dance, play games and join the biggest dance party around!
NASCAR Races at Kansas Speedway
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Race weekend at Kansas Speedway is May 11 & 12. Friday is the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and Saturday is the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. New this year, Kansas Speedway is offering enhanced seating options with drink rails in select sections, a perfect spot for your beverage and scanner headsets, along with more leg room and space for soft-sided coolers. Several of these sections also have youth pricing for kids 12 and under, so ask about availability in these sections when ordering your tickets. Read our Tips for Taking Kids to Kansas Speedway!
KC Ballet presents Peter Pan
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KC Ballet presents Peter Pan May 11-20. It’s the classic family adventure for those who never want to grow up! Witness the magic of Peter Pan as he flies into the Darling family nursery, convincing Wendy, John and Michael to join him for the adventure of a lifetime in Never Never Land, his enchanted home. The troublesome Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, their nemesis Captain Hook and a hungry crocodile all help bring J.M. Barrie’s fantastical tale to life. Peter Pan makes its delightful Kansas City premiere with world premiere choreography by Artistic Director Devon Carney and a soaring score by Carmon DeLeone, performed live by Kansas City Symphony.
CYT's May Shows
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CYT is presenting several great shows this spring:
- The Lion King Jr. May 10-13: The African savannah comes to life with Simba, Rafiki, Pumbaa and Timon and more unforgettable characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle and back again in this inspiring, coming-of-age story. This vibrant tale has captivated worldwide audiences. With Sir Elton John's music, dazzling costumes, and extraordinary talent, this is a show not to be missed.
- Seussical May 17-20: Now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime), have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.
- Hunchback May 24-27: The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be "Out There," observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the gypsies – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.
Strawberry Picking
This is one of our favorite family traditions in May! Strawberries are a great way to kick off summer in Kansas City. Keep this in mind - strawberry picking season typically begins in May in the Kansas City region. With our famously unpredictable weather, the definite start date varies from year to year, but you’re sure to enjoy a trip to one of these local patches. Call ahead or watch Facebook for picking announcements to enjoy the best berries of the season. Read our guide to lKansas City Strawberry Patches for info.
Funville: What do you want to be?
Funville is a FREE Exhibit thru May 6 at Crown Center. Will your child be a firefighter, a schoolteacher, a race car driver, or maybe, President of the United States? In FUNVILLE, children experience grown-up occupations in a kid friendly setting. Let them forecast the weather, perform magic, work in a barbershop or ride a tractor. Whatever they choose, the most important job in FUNVILLE is to have fun.
Mother's Day in Kansas City
Celebrate mothers and grandmothers with special event, activities, crafts, and FREE admission at local attractions with our Mother's Day in KC Guide.
Trivial Pursuit®: A 50-State Adventure
Crown Center brings a brand new FREE exhibit to its Level I Showplace this summer. Trivial Pursuit®: A 50-State Adventure will be on display May 26 - Sept. 3. This pretend trek across the U.S.A. features an activity for every state and the District of Columbia. Ride a mule in the Grand Canyon, celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square, hit a home run at Fenway Park, guide your sled dog team on the Iditarod Trail and more! Answer hundreds of U.S. trivia questions at interactive game stations that encourage a little friendly competition and enjoy photomurals that feature of some America’s most beautiful and iconic destinations and lots of fun facts.
Kansas City's Summer Reading Programs
Books open new worlds to children. This summer encourage your child to cultivate a love of reading with incentive programs from local libraries and businesses! Check out our Kansas City Summer Reading Program Guide for information.
The Art of the Brick at Union Station
The Art of the Brick: at Union Station (30 W. Pershing, Kansas City, MO). "The Art of the Brick has inspired and thrilled audiences from Brazil to Australia, France to Russia and Taiwan to Spain. Now, experience this “Must See” exhibition at Union Station Kansas City. This first-ever art exhibition focused exclusively on the use of LEGO bricks as an art medium is one of those rare experiences nearly impossible to describe, but so easy to love. Massive and intimate. Brilliantly simple and complex all at once. Unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Over 100 arresting creations from the mind of a contemporary art genius." Read our review of The Art of the Brick here.
Johnson County Museum
The Johnson County Museum (8788 Metcalf Ave Overland Park, KS) is one of our favorite local attractions with fabulous local history exhibits and the beloved KidScape. At KidScape, kids learn through play about the past. An 1870s farmstead introduces kids to life on the farm-- tending animals, collecting eggs, gardening and house chores inside the farmhouse. Time travel to the 1900 the city where kids sell fruits and vegetables at the City Market, perform for an audience at the theatre, and teach at the school. Suburban life springs up in the 1950s! Care for sick patients at the hospital, cook up burgers and fries at the diner, and build a house for a new suburban family. Even explore a park with a secret cave! Kidscape offers hours of fun for kids to explore and play.
May's Special Events at the Johnson County Museum:
- Retro Storytime May 2 at 1pm : Remember “The Poky Little Puppy?” You and your preschoolers will love the stories and illustrations from long ago, read by a special guest from the 1950s All-Electric House! After the story ends, enjoy an art activity for little hands. Stories change monthly, connecting to KidScape community environments, and Kansas Early Learning Standards. An adult must attend program with child.
- Kids Day Out May 4: Come have fun when school is out! Kids choose from a variety of activities each day, including KidScape, art, dance, music, and down time. Bring your lunch and a water bottle. We provide snacks. Pre-registration required. Open from 7:30-5:30. Limited to 45 participants.
- JoHo the Storyteller May 16: In this series of storytelling programs for children, local storyteller Jo Ho dramatically engages with entertaining and educational stories involving nature, history, culture, and art. Preregistration is recommended. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of event if space is available.
Fun at Paradise Park
Paradise Park in Lee's Summit. Paradise Park is a favorite family fun center where there truly is something for everyone. From the Children's EduTainment Center with indoor play for little ones, to the arcades, gokarts, and rock wall and more for teens and adults - this is the place for families to play.
May Special Events at Paradise Park:
- May the Fourth Be With You May 5: We’re carrying the celebration over to Saturday the fifth so that everyone can participate! Come and experience the adventure throughout the Park. Dress up as your favorite Star Wars character and bring your camera to experience a day of fun with everyone at Paradise Park. You may see a few storm troopers or maybe even Darth Vader!
- Mother's Day Celebration Week May 7-13: Whether you’re celebrating the mom in your life – or sending hints so that your family might celebrate you, Paradise Park provides a very special day of real fun. All week in the Discovery Play art studio kids can make memorable handmade art projects for Mom and Grandma. Make a gift, and a memory, that will last a lifetime.
- Middle School Teen Night May 11: Our middle-aged teen guests can enjoy a night of fun with their friends at the Park. For only $20, they get unlimited play on a variety of our Adventure Attractions, a $5 FUN CARD, and a PERSONAL PIZZA (a $40 value!) Sponsored by Lee’s Summit CARES at Paradise Park! Every second Friday of each month.
- Goat Yoga May 13: Featuring Sunset Trails baby goats & Core Balance Yoga Instructors
- Daniel Tiger Visits Our Neighborhood May 19: Daniel Tiger is coming to OUR neighborhood from 11 AM to 2 PM! Don’t miss this chance to meet one of our favorite characters from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Enjoy a day of fun at Paradise Park after you meet Daniel. The Meet & Greet is a FREE event and great photo opportunity, co-sponsored with our friends at KCPT! All Paradise Park Attractions are available at regular prices.
Family Events at the National World War I Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial (2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO). Within the museum walls below, however, lies one of the best historic sites in the Midwest, the National World War I Museum. With tremendous state-of-the-art exhibits telling the story of World War I and, more importantly, the soldiers and civilians of the era—their sacrifices, their journeys—this is one of Kansas City’s most important attractions. NOTE: On May 28, Summer Hours Begin! The Museum is open 7 days a week beginning on Memorial Day. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sunday - Friday) 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Saturday)
May Special Events at The National WWI Museum and Memorial:
- Story Time: Fly, Cher Ami, Fly!: The Pigeon Who Saved the Lost Battalion May 5: Animals played many roles during World War I—some even helped save lives. One was carrier pigeon Cher Ami who heroically helped save a lost battalion of soldiers. Join us for a family-friendly craft and reading of Robert Burleigh’s sweeping story of the unlikely animal that could. FREE with RSVP | J.C. Nichols Auditorium Lobby
- The American in Paris: The True Story of the American Hospital of Paris May 8: This new documentary is centered on the American Hospital of Paris, showing how thousands of doctors, nurses and ambulance drivers helped in France and, in doing so, strengthened the historic ties between the two countries. The screening is followed by a conversation with the architect of the film, John Crawford, Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Hospital of Paris. Sponsored by the Capitol Federal Foundation. Reception begins at 6 p.m. FREE with RSVP | J.C. Nichols Auditorium
- Sketch like Sargent May 12: To create Gassed, John Singer Sargent completed multiple sketches in preparation to paint his monumental work. Join us for an afternoon of drawing from our collection and in the Wylie Gallery where guests will use observational skills, learn compositional and drawing techniques, and discuss the processes Sargent used to create his masterpiece. Presented in partnership with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Class is appropriate for ages 12-adult. RSVP soon—spots are limited! $20 (includes supplies) but guests should bring their own sketchbook | Wylie Gallery
- WW1USA Amateur Radio Station May 12 - 13: The National WWI Museum and Memorial is teaming with area amateur radio operators to host special event station WW1USA from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday-Sunday, May 12-13. During this time, station operators will contact hundreds of other amateur radio operators across the world. Individuals are welcome to serve as a guest operator of WW1USA at any time with all guests receiving a special amateur radio operator certificate. FREE to the public | Southeast Lawn
- Women at War: Served Like a Girl May 16: Since the advent of the modern American military, women have actively served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Join Kansas City PBS for a free screening of a new documentary, Served Like a Girl, which chronicles the lives of female veterans as they harness humor to adapt to the emotional, social and economic challenges of transitioning from solider to civilian and compete for the crown of Ms. Veteran America. A local veterans panel will address the contemporary issues in the film for our community and how women's service has changed since WWI. Presented in partnership with KCPT and the National Archives at Kansas City. Reception begins at 6 p.m. FREE with RSVP | J. C. Nichols Auditorium
- One Community May 22: At the heart of Kansas City, on the Great Frieze of the Museum and Memorial, are inscribed the words “Let us strive on to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” That endeavor for peace begins at home, a mission which many organizations strive for everyday in our community. Join us as Dr. Matthew Naylor leads a discussion on continuing to build “a just and lasting peace” in Kansas City. Reception begins at 6 p.m. FREE with RSVP | J.C. Nichols Auditorium
- In the Know: Memorializing the Fallen May 26: More than 80,000 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I. In preparation for Memorial Day, join author Scott Schoner as he discusses the memorialization that occurred during and after WWI, the construction and maintenance of overseas military cemeteries, and modern research into American Expeditionary Forces casualty statistics and the efforts to compile accurate lists of the war dead. FREE with RSVP | Edward Jones Research Center
- Memorial Day Weekend May 25- 28: Admission to the Museum and Memorial is free for veterans and active duty military personnel, while general admission for the public is half-price all weekend. The Museum and Memorial offers several events during the course of the weekend for people of all ages and interests, including a free public ceremony at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day featuring a keynote address from former astronaut/space shuttle commander Jon McBride.
- Hands-On History: Every Saturday at 11am. History is brought to life in this family‑friendly program in which kids of all ages are invited to handle Great War artifacts.
- Complimentary with paid admission.
- Complimentary Museum Tour: Every Thursday 2:30pm. Explore the Main Gallery with one of our knowledgeable Museum Guides on a tour. Space is limited on a first come, first serve basis. Sign-up on Thursdays at the Museum ticketing window. Complimentary with paid admission | Museum Main Gallery
- Gassed Hands-On History: Every Saturday at 1pm. Join us for our Gassed-edition Hands-on History where an Education staff member will lead an interactive viewing of the work as guests see how Sargent used his observational skills to create his masterpiece. Discover your inner art historian at this family-friendly exploration!
Enchanted Forest at Overland Park Arboretum
May 26 - Sept. 3 at Overland Park Arboretum, see the fairies of the forest along the woodland trails beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Grab a map in the Visitors Center so you are sure to find all the Fairies of the forest. The 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is an educational, recreational and cultural resource for the Kansas City region. At the Arboretum, visitors may experience and explore: 13 gardens with more than 1,700 species of plants; Trails that traverse rocky bluffs and bottomland paths; 180 acres of prairie home to native grasses and wildflowers; Fauna, including birds, dragonflies, deer, snakes and other wildlife; Formal and informal educational activities. Admission is FREE on Tuesdays! Admission on other days is: $3 for visitors 13 and older. $1 for visitors ages 6 to 12. Free for visitors 5 and under. Free with Friends of the Arboretum membership.
Memorial Day Weekend
Kick off summer with family fun over Memorial Day Weekend! Enjoy opening weekend at local pools, fabulous festivals honoring America's veterans, and great local events in our Memorial Day Weekend Guide.
Pool & Spray Park Season
Summer is the season for watersports. Fortunately, Kansas City has something for everyone! From free spraygrounds for young children, to daring water rides for teens and adults, to classes and programs, pools and waterparks and everything in between. Our water fun season is Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend! Read our KC Water Fun Guide for details.
FREE (and Cheap) Summer Movies
This summer, enjoy a Free (or Cheap) Movie at one of several area locations! We have your Guide to Free (and Cheap) Summer Movies in Kansas City!
Farmers Market Season
Kansas City's Farmers' Markets start opening ALL Month long! With over 30 markets to choose from, ranging from small to large all across the metro, there is something for the locavore in all of us. Check out our Guide to Kansas City Farmers' Markets and read great tips for buying local farm fresh produce and discover a Farmers' Market near you. We're fortunate to have so many terrific Farmers' Markets in Kansas City to choose from. If you want to eat organic, fresh, locally grown produce, or you are looking for plants for your own garden, or local honey, Amish baked goods, or even live animals... Kansas City's Farmers' Markets have it all! Several even boast live music and entertainment. This is an excellent family outing on a Spring Saturday... you have fun and finish a chore all at once!
May Festivals
When, Where, What: May really kicks off Festival Season in Kansas City, with many great festivals and fairs to choose from! Read our KC Spring Festival Guide for the full scoop.
Read our KC Spring Festival Guide for MORE May Festivals!
Our Favorite May Festivals:
Brookside Art Annual May 4-6 at Brookside District, 63rd & Wornall, Kansas City, MO. The Brookside Art Annual is known for its festive atmosphere, hospitality, convenience, and has become a must-attend event for artists and art seekers alike.
Plein Air KC Festival May 4-12 at Penn Valley Park, Pershing Road and Main Street, Kansas City, MO. Artists from across the country will gather for an extended Paint-Off to capture the natural beauty of Penn Valley Park en plein air, while competing for cash prizes. The event concludes with a gala reception and auction to showcase the art with proceeds benefiting the Penn Valley Park Conservancy.
Kansas Food Truck Festival May 5 from 4-10pm in Lawrence, KS. This 1-day festival will feature 25+ regional food trucks with cuisine from across the world. The $10 ticket gives you access to the festival with live entertainment and proceeds benefit Just Food, the Douglas County Food Bank.
Children's Day & Sheep Shearing May 5 from 9am-4:30pm at Missouri Town 1855, 8010 E. Park Road, Lee's Summit, MO. Attend the annual shearing of Missouri Town 1855’s resident flock of sheep. Skilled artisans demonstrate all aspects of wool productions from shearing, washing, carding, dyeing, spinning and weaving. Kids will dive into a pie eating contest and join in the fun of games played by their ancestors in the mid-1800s.
All of Us Launch Day Kansas City May 6 from Noon-5pm at Union Station , 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO. The All of Us Research Program wants to speed up health research and medical breakthroughs. Dance to live music by Healthy Hip Hop and Steppers KC. Workout with special fitness guest Aja James. Create a piece of art with local artist Vania Soto. There’s more… Science City discounted admission, Free health screenings and stories to live better, Lots of prizes and giveaways.
2018 Asian Festival May 12 from 10am-7:30pm at Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd, Overland Park,KS. Asian food, Martial Art demonstrations & workshops. 24 counties are participating and the Festival Emcee will be 41 Anchor Cynthia Newsome.
Country & Food Trucks Festival May 12 from 3:30-9pm in Downtown Topeka, 9th and Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS. Choose tasty eats from food trucks before claiming a spot in front of some of your favorite, or soon-to-be-favorite, bands in Downtown Topeka. Food trucks will begin serving at 3:30pm. Music starts at 4:00pm.
Lenexa Art Fair (pictured above) May 12 from 10am-7pm at Lenexa Civic Campus, 17101 W. 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, KS. This one-day, outdoor, juried art fair features more than 40 fine artists from the region, live jazz music throughout the day, sidewalk chalk art contest, food trucks, a children's art area and a wine and craft beer tasting featuring local wineries and breweries in the evening.
Party Like it’s 1843 celebrates the 175th Anniversary of the Great Migration on the Oregon Trail. The Great Migration left from the Independence Square on May 20th, 1843. The three day celebration is a step back in time.
Celebration of the Arts: Lee's Summit May 18 from 6:30-10pm at Legacy Park Amphitheater, 897 Blue Stem Parkway, Lee's Summit, MO. Don’t miss this wonderful, FREE, annual event which will kick off the 2018 season of events at Legacy Park Amphitheater. Enjoy live performances including dance, theatre, music and fireworks. R-7 student art will be on display, as well as Got Art student work, Bright Lights Institute will also be there and a couple of local artists in the plaza area.
Tasty Expo May 19-20 at Overland Park KS Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Open to the public for the first time, foodies will delight in free samples from over 200 food, wine, spirits, and beer samples. The event will feature live demonstrations throughout the day from leading chefs, mixologist, cicerones, and BBQ aficionados. This event allows local farmers, growers, and producers to connect with thousands of prospective new customers, tell their story, and provide information on where to purchase products. Many of the products being sampled will be available for sale during the show. Tickets can be purchased for $20.
Family Fun Fiesta at the Zoo (pictured above) May 19-20 from 10am-3pm at Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, MO. Enjoy cultural crafts provided by the Mattie Rhodes Center. Our animals are joining in with fiesta themed enrichment items.
Chalk Walk at The Concourse Fountain May 19-20 at The Concourse Fountain in Kessler Park, Benton Blvd. and St. John Ave., Kansas City, MO. Join Northeast Arts KC and KC Parks at the 11th annual Chalk Walk. Chalk Walk is a free, family friendly event that will transform the grey concrete sidewalks of The Concourse in Kessler Park into temporary, colorful works of art that kids, parents, amateurs and practicing artists create.
Turkey Creek Festival & Artisan’s Expo May 19 from 10am-4pm at Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam, KS. Activities include a petting zoo, delicious food and unique craft vendors, music, giant inflatables and more. Calling all crafters of hand-made goods!
The 4th Annual Spring Swing May 19-20 from 10am-6pm at Alexander Majors House 8201 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO. Enjoy the Midwest's favorite indie craft fair as we celebrate all things handmade at The Spring Swing! The Strawberry Swing is a highly curated, juried event where you will find 100+ handmade vendors, food trucks, live music, kid's crafts, and more! Come see what all the buzz is about. Family Friendly Fun!
Illuminated Waters May 25-26 at Theis Park, 47th and Oak, Kansas City, MO. This unique, free, two-day water festival will combine everything we have all learned to love - StoneLion Puppet Theatre’s giant puppet play, food trucks from around Kansas City, interactive art, games and music. Everything will be at Theis Park right next to Brush Creek. Experience new artists, strolling musicians and activities before the show, watch amazing giant puppets in a play, floating on the water, actually in the water and GLOWING. But wait, that’s not all - after the show join in the fun with a family friendly glow party afterwards. Glowing art, glo performers, backlight fun, music and interactive games alongside illuminated puppets.
Lawrence Busker Festival May 25 – 27 in Lawrence, KS. Coming again in 2018, the Lawrence Busker Festival is the area’s largest gathering of street performers in the area. Come join us for three days of family fun with some of the most talented freaks, geeks, artists and musicians around. If you want to raise your kids right you got to get them to the Busker Workshops for kids on Saturday Morning - they will learn the life-long skills of juggling, magic and balloon animals. With these skills they can begin a good busking career!
Salute to Veterans Corporation Airshow (pictured above) May 26 & 27 at Columbia Regional Airport, Columbia, MO. Salute to Veterans Corporation invites the public to their two-day airshow at Columbia Regional Airport over Memorial Day weekend. FREE admission and parking!
Worlds of Fun Festival of Dance May 26-27 at Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Dr, Kansas City, MO. Celebrate the art of dance at the Festival of Dance, where performers showcase their talent in front of family, guests and fellow performers. This competition is designed to be an educational learning experience, in which participants receive feedback on methods that improve their skills, all while enjoying the Midwest’s premier entertainment destination with fellow performers. With a panel of 3 distinguished judges, each adjudicator takes on the responsibility to not only evaluate each routine, but to make positive suggestions that instructors and dancers may use to better their technique. All are welcome to join the audience and celebrate these performances!
Kansas City Symphony’s Bank of America Celebration at the Station May 27 from 3-10pm at Union Station Kansas City, 30 W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO. Music Director Michael Stern leads the orchestra in a moving patriotic concert to celebrate Memorial Day — followed by the city’s largest fireworks display. Make it an all-day family affair with pre-concert musical acts, activities and food trucks. Blankets and lawn chairs welcome.
Old Shawnee Days May 31 – June 3 at Shawnee Town 1929 Museum, 11501 W. 57th Street , Shawnee, KS. Enjoy a carnival, parade, live music and entertainment, food trucks, arts and crafts and family fun.
Read our KC Spring Festival Guide for MORE May Festivals!
Sign up for Summer Camp
When, Where, What: It is time to sign up for Summer Camp! The KC Parent Camp Guide is your resource for camps.
Why We LOVE It: The best Summer Camps fill fast, so now is the time to enroll your child. We have you guide to the best camps in the area. Whatever the age, interest, or skill your child hopes to explore, the KC Parent Camp Guide has something for everyone!
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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.