It’s still early in 2018 and though it’s cold out now, there’s plenty to look forward to from here on out, including our amazing festival lineup. The Kansas City area is chock full of things to do, but these weird and wacky festivals are some of the highlights that we think you just can’t miss out on. Some of these festivals are weirder than others, but we love their quirkiness. Grab your calendar, and let’s get to planning!
- Snake Saturday Parade & Carnival (March 10, 2018)
Patrick Hoesly/Flickr Snake Saturday started in 1983 as a tiny parade in a motel parking lot with four floats and a “best dressed” award. No matter the weather, this parade takes place on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, just like it always has been.
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 17, 2018)
Paul Sableman/Flickr St. Paddy’s is on March 17th and a good portion of Kansas Citians will be drinking and spreading merriment all day long. There’s more than a few events, but the big parade starts at 11 AM. This year’s theme: “The Pipes Are Calling.”
- Fountain Day (April 2018)
pepperberryfarm/Flickr Fountain Day is the day we all start hearing rushing water all over town again. Only a couple of our beloved fountains run all winter, and we do miss the others while they’re off for the season. Oh Fountain Day… Callooh! Callay!
- Gatsby Days (Excelsior Springs, May 10-12, 2018)
Malcolm K./Flickr Gatsby Days in Excelsior Springs is a time where you’re encouraged to dress up for a Roaring Twenties-themed get together. Enjoy live jazz, fashion walks, art tours, and an antique car cruise, all for the sake of celebrating 1920s style.
- Polski Day (May 5, 2018)
Steve Wertz/Flickr Polski Day is a KCK festival that celebrates the rich local Polish heritage. What better way to do that than with a festival full of food and fun?
- KC Pridefest (June 1-3, 2018)
Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr KC Pridefest is a parade unlike any other, with plenty of merriment, rainbows, and a celebration of love of all forms. You never know what you’ll see at this festivity, and that’s part of the excitement!
- Jazzoo (June 1, 2018)
Jazzoo at the Kansas City Zoo Facebook Jazzoo is a combination of two Kansas City favorites: Jazz and the KC Zoo. Jazzoo is a charity event to help raise funds for the animals here at the zoo, as well as education programs and events. Come out and support a great cause!
- Fringe Festival (July 19-29, 2018)
Jonathan Moreau/Flickr Fringe Festival is all about the arts, and it’s one of the largest in the area that celebrates theater and visual art. Creators and performers come from all over to showcase their work to those that attend.
- Heart of America Hot Dog Festival (August 4, 2018)
Heart of America Hot Dog Festival Presented by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum right here in KC, this hot dog festival celebrates America’s favorite game day food. It’s a great place to try every hot dog you could ever want, too!
- Kansas City Renaissance Festival (Weekends in September & October)
Russ Matthews/Flickr Hear ye! Hear ye! The KC Renaissance Festival is a great excuse to dress a little medieval and have a giant turkey leg for lunch. Plus, there’s always something new to see every weekend during the two-month-long celebration.
- Waterfire KC (October 6, 2018)
Shawn Kinkade/Flickr Waterfire is a festival involving bonfires along Brush Creek and performance art. The art itself is usually fire-themed, with live sword swallowing, fire poi dancing, and, if you’re lucky, the large Celestial Snake from StoneLion puppets.
Besides these festivals, there’s a few other things in Kansas City that we wouldn’t want to live without.
Patrick Hoesly/Flickr
Snake Saturday started in 1983 as a tiny parade in a motel parking lot with four floats and a “best dressed” award. No matter the weather, this parade takes place on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, just like it always has been.
Paul Sableman/Flickr
St. Paddy’s is on March 17th and a good portion of Kansas Citians will be drinking and spreading merriment all day long. There’s more than a few events, but the big parade starts at 11 AM. This year’s theme: “The Pipes Are Calling.”
pepperberryfarm/Flickr
Fountain Day is the day we all start hearing rushing water all over town again. Only a couple of our beloved fountains run all winter, and we do miss the others while they’re off for the season. Oh Fountain Day… Callooh! Callay!
Malcolm K./Flickr
Gatsby Days in Excelsior Springs is a time where you’re encouraged to dress up for a Roaring Twenties-themed get together. Enjoy live jazz, fashion walks, art tours, and an antique car cruise, all for the sake of celebrating 1920s style.
Steve Wertz/Flickr
Polski Day is a KCK festival that celebrates the rich local Polish heritage. What better way to do that than with a festival full of food and fun?
Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr
KC Pridefest is a parade unlike any other, with plenty of merriment, rainbows, and a celebration of love of all forms. You never know what you’ll see at this festivity, and that’s part of the excitement!
Jazzoo at the Kansas City Zoo Facebook
Jazzoo is a combination of two Kansas City favorites: Jazz and the KC Zoo. Jazzoo is a charity event to help raise funds for the animals here at the zoo, as well as education programs and events. Come out and support a great cause!
Jonathan Moreau/Flickr
Fringe Festival is all about the arts, and it’s one of the largest in the area that celebrates theater and visual art. Creators and performers come from all over to showcase their work to those that attend.
Heart of America Hot Dog Festival
Presented by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum right here in KC, this hot dog festival celebrates America’s favorite game day food. It’s a great place to try every hot dog you could ever want, too!
Russ Matthews/Flickr
Hear ye! Hear ye! The KC Renaissance Festival is a great excuse to dress a little medieval and have a giant turkey leg for lunch. Plus, there’s always something new to see every weekend during the two-month-long celebration.
Shawn Kinkade/Flickr
Waterfire is a festival involving bonfires along Brush Creek and performance art. The art itself is usually fire-themed, with live sword swallowing, fire poi dancing, and, if you’re lucky, the large Celestial Snake from StoneLion puppets.
Do you have a favorite festival in KC? Let us know in the comments below so we can join in on the fun!
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