Community events

A hand-picked list of upcoming events around the Kansas City metro that older adults may enjoy — festivals, fairs, art and theater, sporting events, and seasonal celebrations. Each event opens in a new window with full details.

Fair

Jul 14–19, 2026  ·  Cass County Fairgrounds, Pleasant Hill, MO

A classic county fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, food, and live entertainment in Pleasant Hill.

Fair

Mid-July 2026 (confirm exact dates)  ·  Ray County Fairgrounds, Richmond, MO

4-H and FFA exhibits, livestock shows, and family activities at the Ray County Fairgrounds.

Fair

Jul 18–26, 2026  ·  Miami County Fairgrounds, Paola, KS

One of the area’s oldest fairs — a parade, rodeo, carnival, and 4-H exhibits on the Paola square and fairgrounds.

Fair

Jul 20–25, 2026  ·  Wyandotte County Fairgrounds, Kansas City, KS

Five days of concerts, carnival rides, food, and hometown pride on Polfer Road in KCK.

Fair

Late July 2026 (confirm exact dates)  ·  Platte County Fairgrounds, Tracy, MO

One of Missouri’s oldest fairs — rodeo, demolition derby, truck & tractor pull, carnival, and 4-H exhibits.

Fair

Jul 26 – Aug 2, 2026  ·  Johnson County Fairgrounds, Gardner, KS

An eight-day fair with a parade, carnival, livestock shows, and agricultural exhibits in Gardner.

Fair

Jul 27 – Aug 1, 2026  ·  Douglas County Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS

A free fair with live music, carnival rides, a demolition derby, and exhibits at 21st & Harper in Lawrence.

Fair

Jul 28 – Aug 1, 2026  ·  Leavenworth County Fairgrounds, Tonganoxie, KS

A century-old fair featuring a parade, rodeo, draft-horse pull, livestock shows, and carnival in Tonganoxie.

Festival

Aug 21–23, 2026  ·  Historic Downtown Parkville, Parkville, MO

A riverside town festival with a Saturday parade, live music, arts & crafts, food, and a carnival along the Missouri River.

Festival

Sep 4–6, 2026  ·  Crown Center, Kansas City, MO

Three days of Celtic music, dance, food, and culture at Crown Center over Labor Day weekend.

Festival

Sep 4–7, 2026  ·  Independence Square, Independence, MO

A Labor Day-weekend tradition on the historic square celebrating the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails — music, vendors, and food.

Festival

Saturdays & Sundays, Sept 5 – Oct 18, 2026  ·  KC Renaissance Festival grounds, Bonner Springs, KS

A medieval village with jousting, music, crafts, and food — weekends from Labor Day through mid-October.

Arts & Theater
Art Westport

Sep 11–13, 2026  ·  Westport, Kansas City, MO

Original art, jewelry, and fine crafts in Kansas City's oldest neighborhood.

Festival

Sep 12, 2026  ·  Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa, KS

A quirky one-day festival honoring Lenexa’s spinach-growing past, with food, music, crafts, and the world’s largest spinach salad.

Festival

Sep 18–20, 2026  ·  Downtown Blue Springs, Blue Springs, MO

A free festival with Eastern Jackson County’s largest parade, two stages of live music, a car show, crafts, and a carnival.

Festival

Sep 25–26, 2026  ·  Downtown Overland Park, Overland Park, KS

A free, two-day street festival with live entertainment, local artisan vendors, and festival food in historic downtown OP.

Festival

Sep 25–27, 2026  ·  Historic Downtown Liberty, Liberty, MO

A free festival with 200+ vendor booths, a Saturday parade, live entertainment, and classic carnival rides around the square.

Arts & Theater

Sep 25–27, 2026  ·  Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, MO

One of the country’s top outdoor art fairs — 240 artists, live music, and food on the Country Club Plaza, with free admission and parking.

Festival

Weekends Sept 26–27 & Oct 3–4, 2026  ·  Louisburg Cider Mill, Louisburg, KS

A free fall tradition with fresh cider and donut-making, a pumpkin patch, craft booths, and a pancake breakfast — about 40 minutes south of the metro.

Festival

Oct 3–4, 2026  ·  Historic Downtown Weston, Weston, MO

A charming small-town fall festival with apple treats, a Saturday parade, crafts, and live music in historic Weston.

Fair

Oct 9–25, 2026  ·  American Royal Complex, Kansas City

Livestock shows, rodeo, and Western-heritage events — one of KC’s longest-running traditions.

Sports
Garmin Kansas City Marathon

Oct 17, 2026  ·  Kansas City, MO

A marathon and related races winding through KC’s landmark neighborhoods — fun to cheer on from the sidelines.

Community

Thanksgiving night, Nov 26, 2026 (lights nightly through mid-January)  ·  Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, MO

A 90-year KC tradition — 280,000 lights switch on across the Plaza on Thanksgiving evening and glow nightly through mid-January. Free to view.

Events are listed for information only; we’re not affiliated with them and earn nothing from them. Dates and details can change — always confirm on the event’s own page before you go.