Kansas City’s Annual Events - Creating Kansas City Traditions

Creating a small-town feel in a metro area as large as Kansas City isn’t easy, but thanks to a whole host of annual events – both big and small – the prospect isn’t so daunting. Bringing residents together for all kinds of festivities, the annual events that dot Kansas City’s calendar help create an atmosphere that’s fun and lively for residents and visitors of all ages.

Let’s take a look at some of the yearly features that make Kansas City so special:

American Royal
This massive multi-week festival dates back to 1899 where it began in the West Bottoms Stockyards in Kansas City Missouri as a Hereford show. It has since become one of the country’s largest livestock and horse shows. It runs from October through November and includes everything from horse shows featuring cutting horses to elegant arabian horses, rodeos to concerts and livestock competitions.

American Royal BBQ
Kansas City is famous for its barbecue and this event proves why. The American Royal BBQ is one of the country’s biggest competitions that draws nearly 500 teams from all over the world for a full weekend of cooking, eating and fun. Come be a part of a Kansas City Tradition.

Weston Irish Fest
Staged each year in Weston, Missouri, this festival of Irish heritage draws more than 7,000 people for food, spirits and fun. It takes place each October on a three-acre property that includes O’Malley’s Irish Pub, American Boman Restaurant and the Weston Brewing Company. Live Irish music is a staple, along with plenty of food and festivities.

Oktoberfest
Celebrating the start of October, this annual event takes place at three separate venues – Crown Center, Union Station and Washington Square Park. It includes everything from beer and brats to pumpkin launches and polka dancing.

The Kansas City Plaza Art Fair
The annual Plaza Art Fair began in 1932 and continues today with more than 1,500 artists competing in a juried selection process. The fair takes place each September and includes not only some of the best art in the area, but also some of the greatest food, crafts and jewelry, too.

Kansas City Renaissance Festival
With a tradition that dates back more than three decades, the annual Kansas City Renaissance Festival is one of the area’s biggest and best events. It’s held each year in Bonner Springs and runs weekends, Labor Day and Columbus Day during parts of September and October. Looking for more information about the festival? Read me...

Kansas City Irish Fest
A mainstay on the Kansas City scene, the Irish Festival includes live performances, traditional Celtic dancing, tons of food and ore. It generally takes place over Labor Day weekend at Crown Center Square.

Kansas City Blues and Jazz Festival 2006
Music is as important to Kansas City as barbecue and air. Proving it, this event generally features more than 25 acts over a two-day period, this event draws in local and national acts to make it a must-see event. The event is held at the Woodlands.

Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Festival
Celebrating the melting pot that is Kansas City, this annual event has been going on for nearly three decades. Featuring international foods, costumes, songs and dance, the event tends to have representation from more than 60 distinct cultures. It takes place at Swope Park in August.

4th of July Fireworks
Kansas City’s a patriotic community and the annual 4th of July celebrations help show the spirit. Major events can be found throughout the area from Shawnee Mission to the KC River Fest.

18th Street’s Fashion Show
This annual event in the Crossroads District is considered the biggest fashion event of the summer, taking place in June. More than 20 local designers display their creations during this “must-see” event.

Taste of Zona Rosa
Staged in June, this tasty tradition includes samplings from Zona Rosa’s many restaurants along with live music and art.

Kansas City Scottish Highlands Games
Staged in June at E.H. Young Riverfront Park, the Highland Games feature everything from Highland dancers and Celtic music to bagpipes and athletics. This annual event has been an off and on mainstay for years with a steady tradition since the 1970s.

Brookside Art Fair
Hosted the first weekend in May, this fair includes exhibits from nearly 200 artists representing just about every medium possible. Here visitors will find everything from drawings and paintings to photographs and beyond.

Cinco de Mayo
The Latino population pulls out all the stops for this annual celebration. Residents and visitors alike will find festivals and fiestas, traditional Mexican flavors, music and more are all on the agenda on this particular day.

Sabates Trolley Run
Typically held in April, this event benefits the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired. The run is one of the biggest fundraisers for the agency that has helped equipped blind and visually impaired infants and children with the skills they need to function in the sighted community. The run itself has built a reputation for being a challenging, fast, flat-to-downhill race. It begins at 75th and Wornall and ends at the Country Club Plaza.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Featuring emerald green floats, leprechauns and more, this Kansas City tradition celebrates the city’s strong Irish traditions. Running for more than 30 years, the parade is one of the city’s biggest annual events.

The Kansas City Plaza Lighting
The crowning jewel of the holiday season in Kansas City is the annual Plaza Lighting Ceremony at Country Club Plaza. A distinctly Kansas City event, this tradition has been going on for more than 70 years. It features the flipping of the switch on more than 80 miles of lights that are strung to illuminate the Plaza for the holiday season. The annual event kicks off on Thanksgiving evening with a formal lighting ceremony, fireworks, live music and more. Sponsored by Kansas City Power and Light, the lighting festival is world-renowned.

With something for nearly everyone, the annual events on the Kansas City calendar make this a city for living. From celebrations of heritage to arts and fashion, there’s almost never a dull moment in Kansas City.