As the leaves begin to change and pumpkin spice fills the air, it’s time to embrace the joys of fall with your family! This guide highlights some fantastic festivals and events happening across Kansas City that are perfect for creating memories together.
Whether you're looking for a day filled with hands-on crafts, live entertainment, a themed celebration, or simply a chance to enjoy the beauty of autumn with your little ones, there’s something here for everyone.
This guide is made possible by the Kansas City Museum, which is hosting the 11th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration on October 19th
 |
11th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Saturday, October 19
5:00 to 9:00 p.m. *sun sets at approximately 6:33 p.m.
Admission is Pay What You Like
Outdoors East Lawn & First Floor of the Museum
Space is Limited | Advance Tickets Required
The Kansas City Museum’s 11th Annual Día de los Muertos celebration will explore the history and cultural traditions of Mexico.
Tickets to Día de los Muertos include the following activities:
Live music by Mariachi Estrella KC | Puppetry by Stone Lion Puppet Theatre | Live dance performances by Grupo Folklorico Izcalli | Free face painting for children by artist Jessica Manco, Kathryn Messick, and the Van Horn Art Department at Cafe 3218 located on the first floor of the museum | Participation in the indoor and outdoor community altars by bringing items to add.
More details at 11th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration Tickets, Sat, Oct 19, 2024 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite
 |
Here is a comprehensive list of all the festivals and fairs happening this fall in Kansas City!
Johnson County
- Overland Park Fall Festival - September 27&28 - Fun-filled extravaganza is packed with hands-on activities, live entertainment, friendly vendors and delicious festival food.
- Spinach Festival - September 7 - food, music, entertainment, hands-on activities, and craft vendors.
- Greater KC Japan Festival - October 5 - Look forward to traditional Japanese musical performances, Japanese candy artist, traditional Japanese food, traditional Japanese snacks and sweets, a bazaar shopping extravaganza, exhibits, a Japanese cultural village for kids, martial arts, anime & manga, workshops, demonstrations, and cultural presentations. Overland Park, KS
- Friends of Shawnee Town Arts & Crafts Fair & Fall Festival - September 21 - featuring over 140 vendors showcasing their handmade, homemade and re-purposed items - Shawnee,KS
- Scarecrow Festival - October 5 - Scarecrow Festival is a children's focused fall crafting event hosted in downtown Shawnee in the parking lot at City Hall - Shawnee,KS
- Oktoberfest at Prairiefire - Date TBD - Celebrate the season with outdoor Bier Gartens, Pumpkin Decorating, a Petting Zoo, Face Painting, Balloon Animals, Street Games and More! - Overland Park, KS
- Into the Night Fall Festival - Join us at Ironwoods Park October 11 for Into the Night Fall Festival! For all ages including a petting zoo, performances, crafts, photo ops, food, entertainment, and more!
Downtown/South Kansas City
- 11th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration - October 19 - 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. *sun sets at approximately 6:33 p.m. Admission is Pay What You Like. Outdoors East Lawn & First Floor of the Museum. Space is Limited. Advance Tickets Required. More details at 11th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration Tickets, Sat, Oct 19, 2024 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite
- Missouri Town Fall Festival - October 5 - Explore the sights and sounds of the harvest season! Historic interpreters, artisans, musicians, and crafters will bring to life the hard work and celebration that took place as the crops came in. Hitch a ride on a wagon, play 19th century games, and make memories to last a lifetime!
- Cornucopia - October 18-19- Crisp air. Blue skies. The smell of a bonfire or your favorite pumpkin spice candle. Cornucopia: KC's Ultimate Fall Festival has it all.
- Hoots and Howls - October 12-13 - Enjoy family-friendly fun at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium! Enjoy fun fall activities for the whole family, including a pumpkin -toss, photo ops, and more! Animals will also be receiving pumpkin enrichment at scheduled times throughout the weekend!
- Waldo Fall Fest- September 21 -Vendor Booths | Food Trucks | Activities | Live Music & Entertainment | and more - Kansas City, MO
- KC Octoberfest - October 4-5 - Kansas City’s largest traditional Oktoberfest features authentic German-style bier, lively entertainment, exceptional Bavarian and American cuisine, games and competitions, and family-friendly activities - Kansas City, MO
- Union Cemetery Fall Bazaar- October 5 - Come one, come all to a vendor fair full of local artisans, food trucks, music, and more - Kansas City, MO
- Hallmarket - September 14 - This celebration of creativity and togetherness features live music performances, local food and drink vendors, and other fun activities. - Kansas City, MO
- Latino Arts Festival - October 6 - The Latino Arts Festival will immerse you in the Chicano/Latino Culture as we highlight many aspiring artists, experienced artists, entrepreneurs who are makers, food vendors, music, folkloric dance and cultural dance, poetry, and of course the largest lowrider show in Kansas City! - Kansas City, MO
- Fiesta Hispana - September 13-15- Kansas City, MO
Wyandotte/Leavenworth Counties
- Fall Festival: Shawnee Indian Mission - October 12 - History, culture, activities, entertainment, art and craft, local food - Fairway, KS
- Jack O' Lantern Jamboree - 2023 TBA
- Lansing Fall Festival - October 19 - With beautiful scenery, the annual Fall Festival is a fun way for the whole family to spend the day. There will be plenty for the kids to do, including the Library’s pumpkin patch and decorating stations, rides and inflatables, face painting, balloon art and more.
- Camp Leavenworth - September 20-21 - Leavenworth's annual FREE music festival! Live music, children's activities, arts and crafts, food trucks, vendors tents, Friday night fireworks, and more!
- Oktoberfest at Holyfield - October 12 - Great music, food, and of course, drink.
- Oak Creek Fall Festival - September 28 - Get your pots ready for some awesome Fall plants, mums and more!
- 2024 Day of the Dead Celebration - November 2 - Face Painting, Food, Art, Ofrendas, Car Show, Live Entertainment, Walking Catrinas, and Parade
North Kansas City
- Gladfest - October 5 - A Fall Festival featuring family fun crafts, carnival, vendors, food trucks, performances, and more!
- Applefest - October 5&6- Apple Alley, Apple Treats, an Apple-themed parade, and more crafters and artisans than ever before. Live music, an apple butter demonstration, kids’ games, and autumn delights - Weston, MO
- Fall Friday Concerts in the Park - September and October (Fridays through Oct 11) - Bring a chair, blanket and friends and enjoy FREE concerts in Zona Rosa’s Central Park - Kansas City, MO
- Liberty Fall Festival - September 27-29 - Sample light-as-air cotton candy or cooling snow cones as the kids whirl about on the rides to flashing lights and lively music. The festival proves to be a shopper's delight with everything from handmade crafts to homegrown fruits & vegetables. - Liberty, MO
- Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers' Market Pumpkin Festival AND Wellness Weekend - October 5- At this FREE family friendly event we will be celebrating all things *PUMPKIN* and honoring the changing of the seasons. - Liberty, MO
- Parkville Fall Festival - September 28 - Makers, Food Trucks, Kids Crafts, Live Music and all the fun Parkville brings to Missouri! Join us for the 2nd Year of this fun event. Apply to be a vendor at www.thestrawberryswing.com/apply
- Zona Rosa Fall Fest - October 12 - Pumpkin Decorating, Bounce houses, Food Trucks, Live Music plus pop-up shopping event with The Strawberry Swing.
- Pumpkin Festival - Downtown Liberty's Farmers Market - Save the date for our 3rd Annual Pumpkin Festival & Block Party at the farmers' market! October 5
