We’re not in Kansas anymore Toto…or are we?? Spanning the Kansas-Missouri border is our American midwestern city known for three things: barbecue, barbecue, and more barbecue! While slow cooked meats and sauce are its thing, KC has some pretty great festivals to boot. Old Shawnee Days, Fiesta Kansas City, and KC Fringe Festival just to name a few! Check out the festivals that are happening the rest of the summer. In the mean time, here is a list of the top annual festivals in town.
Top Festivals in Kansas City
American Royal World Series of Barbecue
Kansas City does many things well, but it’s barbecue is out of this world. This finger-licking festival is one of the largest barbecue competitions in the world, bringing over 500 chefs, pitmasters and amateur teams to compete for the prize and year-long bragging rights. Even if your favorite doesn’t win, you do, because you get to eat delicious barbecue all day.
Dancefestopia
Along the shores of La Cygne Lake is this bass-heavy electronic music festival, featuring face-melting wubs, overnight camping, art installations and carnival rides. Dancefestopia puts Kansas City – and the Midwest – on the map as a top-tier place for amazing festival experiences.
KC Fringe Festival
You won’t see ordinary performances at Kansas City’s Fringe Festival. Spanning 11 glorious days, wickedly talented artists put on performances in dance, theater, comedy, music, visual arts and burlesque. You’ve never seen anything like this before.
Old Shawnee Days
Marking the start of summer, Old Shawnee Days brings the family together for a host of activities including live music, chainsaw carving, historical reenactments, carnival games and many other fun-filled events. There’s something for everyone here, and there’s no better way to kick off summer.
Fiesta Kansas City
Kansas City has a bustling Latin American community that’s on full display during the Fiesta Kansas City celebration. The three-day extravaganza is chock-full of upbeat music performances by Tejano, banda and Grupera acts, deliciously authentic cuisine and a wacky tortilla flinging contest.
Kansas City Renaissance Festival
If you want to live in the whimsical Renaissance period for seven weeks straight, then the Kansas city Renaissance Festival is for you. The fairgrounds are transformed into a wonderful world that’s full of colorful costumes, jousting tournaments, fairies, royalty and so much more.
Kansas City Irish Fest
Whether you’re Irish or like to pretend you are, the Kansas City Irish Fest welcomes all. You get to learn about Ireland’s rich history, enjoy lively music performances and laugh your head off at gut-busting jokes from Irish comedians. It’s the ultimate celebration of Irish culture without it being St. Patrick’s Day.
Middle of the Map Fest
Created by The Record Machine, a thriving independent record label based in Kansas City, Middle of the Map features the best in music, art, film and tech in one weekend. Watch up-and-coming musicians, indie filmmakers, visual artists and other pioneering masterminds push boundaries like you never thought possible.
