Late August

 

• Wine Walk for Wildlife – Aug. 24: Help raise funds for wildlife conservation projects during this Kansas City Zoo evening event that features animal exhibit visits, live music and more.
• Santa-Cali-Gon Days – Aug. 30-Sept. 2: This Independence festival commemorates the origin of the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails during Westward expansion. Among the festivities are a carnival, a 5K, hundreds of artisan, craft, food and vendor booths and other fun.
• Kansas City Irish Fest – Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Celebrate KC’s Celtic heritage during this beloved Crown Center bash, which features three days of live music, special performances, locally provided libations, activities for young ones, tastings and plenty more.
• Kansas City Renaissance Festival – Aug. 31-Oct. 14 (weekends): Travel back in time to this medieval-themed village populated by knights, artisans, acrobats and distinguished royalty. 

Early September

 

• Dancefestopia – Sept. 5-8: Nestled in rolling hills, surrounded by thousands of acres of forest and pristine lake water, Dancefestopia has become one of the largest camping and music festivals in the nation, featuring some of the most prominent DJs in the world.
• Red Friday – Sept. 6: Join the entire city by donning your red in a show of spirit as the Kansas City Chiefs challenge the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 8.

 

• Art Westport – Sept. 6-8: One of Kansas City’s heritage art experiences, Art Westport resides in the city’s oldest neighborhood and highlights the works of locally based creators.
• Uncorked: KC Wine Festival – Sept. 7: White, red and rosé, this festive, upscale Union Station event has it all for wine fans, including 150-plus varieties, a live DJ and food truck dining.
• American Royal World Series of Barbecue – Sept. 12-15: The world’s largest barbecue competition includes live performances, a festival full of entertainment and plenty other activities, making it one of fall’s signature events.

 

• KC Beer Fest – Sept. 14: Sample hundreds of brews from around the world in this 11^th annual craft beer celebration at Flying Saucer in the Power & Light District.
• Halloween Haunts – Starting September: While the spooky season officially kicks off in October, there are still plenty of haunts to be had beginning in late September, when Worlds of Fun’s Halloween Haunt begins and area haunted houses start scaring those courageous enough to visit.  

Late September

 

• Terra Luna: A Light and Sound Experience – Sept. 19-21: Acrobatic performance team Quixotic brings colorful, luminescent life to the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens for this can’t-miss show.
• Plaza Art Fair – Sept. 20-22: This nationally recognized, nine-block art event at the Country Club Plaza regularly draws crowds in the hundreds of thousands, all people passionate about art, live music and local food and drinks.
• Kansas City Chiefs Home Opener – Sept. 22: The Kansas City Chiefs look to pick up where they left off last season behind the arm of reigning NFL MVP Pat Mahomes and the high-flying offense as they open the 2019 season at Arrowhead Stadium.

 

• Maggie Rogers – Sept. 24: Indie favorite Maggie Rogers brings her inimitable art pop sound to Kansas City for a show at Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland.
• Lee's Summit Oktoberfest – Sept. 27-28: One of the most popular regional Oktoberfest celebrations returns to Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street for two days of music, beer, carnival attractions and other can't-miss fun. 
• Louisberg Ciderfest – Sept. 28-29, Oct. 5-6: Head to Louisburg Cider Mill for the annual Ciderfest, where guests are invited to witness apples pressed into cider and sample cider donuts and other treats, plus live music and activities for young ones.