14 arts festivals to explore Kansas City's creativity
Kansas City’s creativity is thriving and on full display. From renowned museums to world-class performance venues, there’s always artistic talent to explore.
That’s particularly evident at Kansas City’s numerous arts festivals throughout the year. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy art-filled streets, multi-day live music performances, emerging filmmaker competitions, outdoor theater performances and more.
Here are 14 Kansas City arts festivals worth checking out.
Visual Art
The Brookside Art Annual each May brings al fresco gallery spaces to the tree-lined streets of the Brookside neighborhood. Grab a snack and enjoy live music as you browse top artists.
Kansas City’s Chalk & Walk Festival takes over the sidewalks of the City Market on Labor Day weekend. Dozens of artists will create murals and other chalk masterpieces, plus there’s space for kids’ creations.
The nationally recognized Plaza Art Fair takes over nine blocks of the Country Club Plaza each September, drawing crowds of over 250,000. Browse artists from across the country while enjoying live music and local food.
Local artists gather in KC’s oldest neighborhood for Art Westport, a September fair that showcases original art, jewelry, fine crafts and more.
The 18th and Vine Arts Festival celebrates Black artists and the contributions Black art has made across the world. Located in the historic 18th and Vine District, don’t miss the art show, live music, a fashion show and more in September.
Kansas City-based Hallmark showcases its talented artists at the Hallmarket Art Festival, taking place at Crown Center in September. See the work they create outside of their 9-to-5 jobs and enjoy live music and local food.
In October, enjoy wagon rides, reenactments, crafts and more at the Missouri Town 1855 Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music where guests can travel back in time to experience life in the 1850s.
Theater
There’s no better time to celebrate Kansas City’s vibrant creativity than during the 14-day KC Fringe Festival, a showcase of local performing and visual arts.
To festival, or not to festival? At the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, that’s not even a question. Each June, the free festival features performances of a different Shakespearean masterpiece.
Film
Grab your popcorn and enjoy more than 100 local, regional, national and international films during the annual KC FilmFest International each April.
Embrace the madness and gore at Screenland Armour Theatre’s Panic Fest, which showcases blood-pumping horror, thriller and science fiction films from emerging filmmakers each April.
Music
The free KC Folk Festival in May celebrates the music of our region. Guests can enjoy live music plus local art, poetry, dance, workshops and more.
At the Future Stages Festival in July, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts presents a free day of compelling performances, engaging youth-friendly activities and one-of-a-kind entertainment.
Pay tribute to KC native Charlie Parker, one of the finest and most influential jazz musicians to ever play, at the eight-day Spotlight Charlie Parker event in August that features live music, public programs and more.