Best Kansas City Events: Summer Edition for Foodies, Families, and First-Timers
Summer in Kansas City is more than just sunshine and barbecue (although both of those things are pretty great), but it's packed with exciting experiences that showcase our city’s vibrant culture, rich arts scene, and community spirit. If you’re exploring the area as a first-time visitor, relocating, or already calling KC home, I promise these Kansas City events will help you fall in love with the city!
As a local realtor who helps families and individuals buy, sell, and build homes in and around Kansas City, Missouri, I get asked a lot about what it’s like to actually live here. The short answer? If you love food, music, culture, and being outdoors with your family, then these summertime events in Kansas City are going to make you feel right at home.
So, whether you're scouting neighborhoods or already unpacked your boxes, here’s your go-to list of things to do in Kansas City this summer!
For the Music Lovers: Concerts in Kansas City All Summer Long
Kansas City turns up the volume in the summer with concerts in Kansas City that bring major headliners and rising stars to local stages,
Starlight Theater
If you’ve never been to Starlight Theater, it’s an absolute summer must. This iconic open-air amphitheater is tucked inside Swope Park and offers the best of both worlds, Broadway musicals and live concerts under the stars. Whether you're seeing Wicked, Chicago, or a throwback concert tour, it’s an unforgettable KC experience!
Country Stampede
Country music fans, this one’s for you! The Country Stampede, a beloved summer tradition, is a music festival that draws in big names and even bigger crowds. It’s usually a weekend-long event packed with food trucks, line dancing, and good old-fashioned summer fun! It’s worth the drive and a great way to spend a summer weekend in KC.
For the Weekend Wanderers: Kansas City Farmers Market + First Fridays
Looking for laid-back summer vibes and local flavor? There’s no better place to start than the Kansas City Farmers Market and the Crossroads Arts District.
Kansas City Farmers Market
Located in the historic River Market area, the Kansas City Farmers Market is one of the largest and most beloved in the region. You’ll find:
Fresh produce and flowers
Handmade goods and art
Global eats (hello, beignets and empanadas)
Street performers and live music
It’s the kind of place where you can grab a bouquet, pick up some peaches, and chat with your neighbors. It’s also open every weekend, so it’s a staple summer event for both locals and newcomers!
First Fridays in the Crossroads
If you’re into art, food, and music (who isn’t?), the first Friday of every month is a city-wide celebration in the Crossroads Arts District. Think art galleries, live music, food trucks, street performers, and a crowd that mixes locals, artists, tourists, and everyone in between! Perfect for date night or a casual night out with friends, it’s a whole vibe that shows off KC’s creative heart.
For the Culture Seekers: Art Fairs and Community Events in Kansas City
Kansas City might be famous for barbecue, but our art scene is quietly (and quickly) becoming a huge draw. And summer in KC wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through an art fair, especially the Art Fair at the Country Club Plaza. With fountains flowing, over 100 artists, live jazz drifting through the air, and food from local restaurants, it’s one of those events in Kansas City that feels like it belongs in a movie!
Even if you’re not looking to buy art, it’s an awesome way to explore the Country Club Plaza area, which blends Spanish architecture, high-end shopping, and beautiful walking paths (which also makes it a favorite for my clients who crave walkable neighborhoods with access to year-round culture and charm).
For the Families: Kansas City Zoo & Summer Membership Perks
If you’re looking for things to do in Kansas City this summer with the whole crew, a visit to the Kansas City Zoo is an unbeatable summer favorite! Spanning over 200 acres, it includes a penguin exhibit, sky safari ride, splash park, and new animals every year. A Kansas City Zoo membership gets you unlimited visits, early event access, and special family days throughout the summer.
Swope Park, where the zoo is located, also has walking trails, disc golf, and shaded picnic areas, making it perfect for sunny Saturday afternoons!
For the Sports Fans: Kansas City Royals Game Live
Look, you simply can’t do summer in KC without taking in a Kansas City Royals game live at Kauffman Stadium. It’s family-friendly, affordable, and packed with hometown pride! From Dollar Dog Nights to post-game fireworks, there’s always something extra going on. The vibe is relaxed, the fans are loyal, and the fountains? Iconic.
Whether you’re born and raised here or relocating from out of state, Royals games are a surefire way to get a feel for Kansas City’s sports culture (and grab some amazing BBQ nachos while you're at it)!
More Things to Do in Kansas City This Summer
If you’ve already checked off the big-ticket events and are looking for more low-key or local finds, here are a few more favorites:
Boulevardia – A music, beer, and food festival that takes over a few KC neighborhoods in June
T-Bones Baseball – Fun minor league games for the whole fam
Crown Center – Splash pad for kids, shopping, and family activities
Outdoor movies in the park – These pop up all summer across KC suburbs
Firework festivals – Almost every suburb has their own event around the 4th of July
You really can’t run out of Kansas City events to explore, and the best part? Most of them are totally family-friendly, food-forward, and deeply rooted in community.
Let’s Find Your Place in Kansas City
If you’re dreaming of a neighborhood where you can walk to the farmers market, take the kids to the zoo, or bike to a Royals game, let’s make that happen. Whether you’re building your dream home or searching for the perfect place to land, I’d love to help!
At Homes by Cheryl Bowman, my goal isn’t just to guide you through the buying or selling process, but to connect you with the lifestyle that fits your dreams. Helping individuals and families fall in love with Kansas City brings me so much joy, and part of that starts with finding the right events, communities, and summer moments that make you say, “This feels like home.” Contact me today and let’s find a neighborhood that puts you close to the Kansas City events you love most!
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