The temperatures are cooling, the leaves are changing, and family friendly festivals and football fill the calendar. It’s official: Fall has returned in Kansas City.
But even amidst the timeless traditions of autumn, there are always new experiences to look forward to in KC. Here are over 30 fall events worth checking out.
September
Santa-Cali-Gon Days – Aug. 29- Sept. 1
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 – Aug. 30-Oct. 12, 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.
Johnson County Old Settlers – Sept. 4-6
Head to the Johnson County Square in downtown Olathe for a weekend of carnival rides, live entertainment, local vendors, a parade and more community fun.
GloWild: Time Traveler – Sept. 5-Dec. 28, select dates
GloWild: Time Traveler is set to dazzle at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium once again featuring a new theme. This year, guests can journey through time to 19th Century Paris, the American centennial, a sci-fi-themed trip to the future and more.
Art Westport – Sept. 5-7
Local artists gather in KC’s oldest neighborhood for Art Westport, a weekend fair that showcases original art, jewelry, fine crafts and more.
Halloween Haunt – Sept. 13-Nov. 1, select nights
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.
Chiefs Home Opener– Sept. 14
Get ready, Chiefs Kingdom! Thousands of football fanatics will pack GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs’ first home game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl rematch.
Find Your Chiefs Weekend in KC Itinerary
Plaza Art Fair – Sept. 19-21
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. 26-27
Find live music, a local artisan fair, kids activities and festival food in downtown Overland Park. The popular farmers market will also be going on at the nearby Matt Ross Community Center for fresh produce and locally grown foods.
Liberty Fall Festival – Sept. 26-28
Shop from over 200 local artists and vendors, enjoy live entertainment, and don’t miss the carnival and car show at this family-friendly festival in Liberty.
NASCAR at Kansas Speedway – Sept. 26-28
Head to Kansas Speedway for fast-paced NASCAR action—plus, with two weekends each year, fans get a double dose of high-octane fun.
KC Fall Festival – Sept. 27-Oct. 26
At KC Wine Co. and Pumpkin Patch in Olathe, the whole family can slide, climb and play their way through 40 acres of Fall Festival fun with attractions like Corn Cob Beach, Barnyard Ball, the Ninja Course, Human Pinball and more.
Louisburg Ciderfest – Sept. 27-28
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.
October
Chappell Roan – Oct. 3-4
Popstar and Missouri native Chappell Roan is bringing her “Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things” tour to Kansas City’s National WWI Museum & Memorial grounds. KC is one of just three cities on the limited-run U.S. tour.
KC Oktoberfest – Oct. 3-4
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.
Pumpkin Festival – Oct. 3-31
Head to the pumpkin patch at Faulkner’s Ranch in Kansas City. Families can also enjoy giant slides, games, pony rides, a petting farm and other activities. Don’t miss out on the pumpkin spice donuts, apple cider slushies and other delicious fall treats.
Weston Applefest – Oct. 4-5
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.
Missouri Town Living History Museum Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music – Oct. 4
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.
Louisburg Ciderfest – Oct. 4-5
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.
Chicano Arts Festival – Oct. 5
Local singers, artists, dancers, poets and others take center stage at this quickly growing regional celebration of Latino culture and creativity.
Explore These KC Arts Festivals
Lenexa Chili Challenge – Oct. 10-11
This free foodie festival heats up Friday night with live music and a fireworks show. Then on Saturday, grab your spoon to feast on chili, hot wings and salsa samples as over 200 teams compete.
Fall American Royal Livestock Show – Oct. 10-26
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 this annual Kansas City Zoo & Aquariumevent.
Night of the Living Farm – Oct. 17-18, 24-25
Explore Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead after dark—if you dare! Dress up in your costume for this Halloween party at the farm, complete with hayrides, mad science experiments, mazes, marshmallow roasts and more family fun.
Garmin Kansas City Marathon – Oct. 18
Featuring several distances, the 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.
U.S. Women’s National Team at CPKC Stadium – Oct. 29
The powerhouse U.S. Women’s National Team is coming to the soccer capital of America. The USWNT will make history this fall in its first match at the KC Current’s CPKC Stadium when they take on a to-be-announced opponent.
November
Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Nov. 2
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.
American Royal World Series of Barbecue – Nov. 5-9
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.
Planet Anime Kansas City – Nov. 21-23
This anime-focused event features a full lineup of voice actors, exhibitors, special events and a wide ranging schedule of panels, plus amazing cosplay, a cosplay contest and more.
Evergy Festival of Lights – Nov. 20, 2025-Jan. 3
More than 20 miles of holiday lights comprise installations that highlight the natural forms of Powell Gardens’ tree collection, show off the exceptional architecture and landscape design of the gardens, and with Instagram and holiday card-worthy photo stops along the way.
Holiday Boutique – Nov. 20-23
The Overland Park Convention Center becomes a winter wonderland of merry shopping and gift-giving. Browse hundreds of vendors and cross off everyone on your list.
