Cooler temperatures are on the way, and Kansas City is coming alive with the colors, flavors and traditions of fall. With pumpkin patches and corn mazes, Chiefs football games and family-friendly festivals, there’s something to do every weekend across the Kansas City area.

Don’t miss local favorites like Kansas City Irish Fest and the Plaza Art Fair in September, KC Oktoberfest and the returning of Taps & Tastes in October, and the Dia de los Muertos celebration in November.

Here are over 30 fall events worth checking out.   

September

Kansas City Irish Fest – Sept. 4-6

Celebrate KC’s Celtic heritage with three days of live music, special performances, locally provided libations, activities for young ones, tastings and plenty more in this beloved Crown Center bash.

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Santa-Cali-Gon Days – Sept. 4-7

This Independence festival commemorates the origin of the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails during westward expansion. Browse more than 500 artisan, craft, food and commercial vendor booths, as well as a carnival, a 5K and more.

Kansas City Renaissance Festival – Sept. 5-Oct. 18 (Saturdays and Sundays only)

Step back in time at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, a medieval-themed village home to jousting knights, thrill-seeking acrobats and beautiful maidens.

Art Westport – Sept. 11-13

Local artists gather in KC’s oldest neighborhood for Art Westport, a weekend fair that showcases original art, jewelry, fine crafts and more.

Fiesta Hispana – Sept. 11-13

Sponsored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, this festival celebrates Hispanic culture which features great music, food, dancing and exhibits.

Lenexa Spinach Festival– Sept. 12

Enjoy local flavor, live entertainment and leafy greens. Hailed as the Spinach Capital of the World in the 1930s, Lenexa celebrates its history with a free, family-friendly event packed with food, music, children’s activities and dozens of vendors.

Raytown’s Festival of the Trails – Sept. 12

Step back in time at the Rice-Tremonti Home for this free, family-friendly festival celebrating Raytown’s unique connection to Western expansion. 

Explore KC’s Western Heritage

Jesse James Festival – Sept. 12 & 18-20

As the birthplace of the notorious outlaw, Kearney goes all out every September with a multi-day event featuring a parade, carnival, fishing tournament and more.

Chiefs Home Opener – Sept. 14

Get ready, Chiefs Kingdom! Thousands of football fanatics will pack Arrowhead Stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs’first home game of the season against AFC West rivals, the Denver Broncos. 

Innovation Festival – Sept. 14-17

Music and innovation collide at Overland Park Convention Center. Enjoy live music, explore the area’s biologics leadership and sample the latest creations from a selection of regional breweries.

Kansas City FilmFest International – Sept. 18-20

Grab your popcorn and enjoy more than 100 local, regional, national and international films during this annual juried film festival.

See KC’s Top Annual Events 

Camp Leavenworth – Sept. 18-19

Celebrating the people of Leavenworth, Kansas, this free street festival features two days of national music acts, fireworks, food trucks and more.

Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival – Sept. 18-20

Head to Downtown Blue Springs for all the fall festival favorites, plus carnival rides, a classic car show, the popular Beer Garden, and the Dog Garden. 

WWI Museum Centennial Gala– Sept. 21

The National WWI Museum and Memorial celebrates 100 years of history with a special Centennial Gala. This ticketed event includes inspiring tributes, a performance from the KC Symphony and the debut of a new lighting installation.

Plaza Art Fair – Sept. 25-27

This nationally recognized, nine-block art event at the Country Club Plaza typically draws crowds of more than 250,000 who gather for art, live music and food and drinks from a variety of KC restaurants.

Overland Park Fall Festival – Sept. 25-26

Overland Park’s annual fall celebration returns, filling the city’s downtown streets with live entertainment, local vendors and mouthwatering festival eats.

18th & Vine Arts Festival – Sept. 25-27

Enjoy three days of visual art, live music, fashion, film, food, culture and community in Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine District.

Don’t Miss These KC Arts Festivals

NASCAR at Kansas Speedway – Sept. 25-27

Head to Kansas Speedway for fast-paced NASCAR action. Rising talent hit the race track on Friday night, then the truck series returns on Saturday. It all leads up to the green flag for the Hollywood Casino 400 on Sunday! 

Liberty Fall Fest – Sept. 25-27

Experience small-town charm and big-time fun at the Liberty Fall Fest. Stroll through hundreds of vendor booths, grab a bite from a local restaurant or food truck, and join the family at the carnival for rides and games. 

Louisburg Ciderfest (first weekend) – Sept. 26-27

Head to Louisburg Cider Mill for the annual Ciderfest, where guests are invited to watch how apples are pressed into cider, sample cider donuts and other treats, plus live music and activities for young ones.

Halloween Haunt – Select dates starting Sept. 29

Ghosts, ghouls and other creatures of the night roam freely through Worlds of Fun during Halloween Haunt, which showcases the scarier side of the amusement park.

American Royal World Series of Barbecue – Sept. 30-Oct. 4

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.

October

KC Oktoberfest – Oct. 2-3

Head to Crown Center to experience a two-day celebration of KC Bier Co. craft brews, traditional European food, engaging games, activities and Bavarian-style entertainment.

Louisburg Ciderfest (second weekend) – Oct. 3-4

Enjoy a second weekend at the Louisburg Cider Mill for the annual Ciderfest.

Weston Applefest – Oct. 3-4

Explore historic Weston, Missouri, as arts and crafts booths line Main Street, touting a tempting range of apple delicacies, from dumplings and pies to cookies, all made by members of local churches.

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Missouri Town Living History Museum Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music – Oct. 3

Enjoy wagon rides, reenactments, crafts and more in this annual festival that takes place at Missouri Town Living History Museum, where guests can travel back in time to experience life in the 1850s.

Fall American Royal Livestock Show – Oct. 9-25

With roots dating back to 1899 and boasting a reputation as one of the toughest competitions, this iconic event draws thousands of owners, breeders, future business/agriculture leaders and animal enthusiasts from across the country.

Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too – Oct. 11

Enjoy an evening of live music, delicious bites and a variety of beer and wine from local breweries and vineyards at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium.

Garmin Kansas City Marathon – Oct. 17

Featuring several distances, the Kansas City Marathon is the area’s largest and most exciting annual race event, taking runners on a tour through the coolest neighborhoods and past some of KC’s most iconic landmarks, including the National WWI Museum & Memorial, the Country Club Plaza, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and more.

A Marathoner’s Guide to Kansas City

Taps & Tastes – Oct. 17 

Boulevard Brewing Company and the Kansas City Current are bringing back Taps & Tastes, now at Current Landing along the Kansas City riverfront. The festival features craft breweries, distilleries and top-tier chefs from across Kansas and Missouri. 

Boo at the Zoo – Oct. 24-25

Break out your best costume and spend the day trick or treating at the Kansas City Zoo. Kids will also love the Halloween-themed activities that offer plenty of treats—no tricks here!

November

Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Nov. 1

A lively festival celebrating Mexican art and culture, including an altar installation, features art activities, live music entertainment and Mexican food. A fall tradition for many families.

Operation: Us– Nov. 5

The National WWI Museum and Memorial continues its centennial celebrations with a birthday bash on Kansas City’s Front Porch. 

Crown Center Ice Terrace Opening – Nov. 8

The Crown Center Ice Terrace is a favorite family destination during the winter months thanks to the outdoor skating rink that offers fantastic, festive views.

Leavenworth County Veterans Day Parade – Nov. 11

Now in its 107th year, honor America’s veterans at the oldest continuously held parade for Veterans Day west of the Mississippi River.