Make a splash at Waterfest, Excelsior Springs’ signature summertime celebration, happening June 26–27, 2026. Now in its 43rd year, this two-day festival fills downtown with live music on the main stage, a festive Waterfest parade, hot air balloon rides, fireworks, and a full lineup of free, family-friendly activities.​
Enjoy a kid-focused area packed with inflatable slides and obstacle courses, plus a beer garden, car and bike shows, quilt show, car smash, trolley rides, and more. Stroll Broadway to browse more than 90 vendor booths featuring arts, crafts, clothing, novelties, and gifts, and sample a wide variety of festival food and drink while learning about the city’s mineral water history at the Hall of Waters, the Excelsior Springs Museum, and the Friends of the Wells booth. Drawing thousands of visitors each year and honored as “Best Festival” in the Community of Excellence Awards, Waterfest is Excelsior Springs’ largest celebration—so save the date, invite your friends and family, and plan to celebrate with the community this June.