Get a last bit of fun in the sun before summer turns to autumn with the Kansas City Sunflower Festival, hosted by the Kansas City Pumpkin Patch.

In this family-friendly event, guests get access to an acre of bright, beautiful sunflowers and unlimited photo opportunities. There are also fall fun activities such as a mega slide, barn party and corn cob beach and more than 60 farm activities. Wine and beer, a cider bar, various festival foods and wine slushies are also available for noshing and imbibing.

The Kansas City Pumpkin Patch hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year: the KC Jurassic Farm in June and early July, which featured more than 20 life-sized dinosaur statues; the Fall Festival in October with a pumpkin patch and other farm-related fun; and a holiday light experience called Winter Wonderland that runs from late November through December. kcpumpkinpatch.com.

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GO: August 9–25. 13875 S. Gardner Road, Olathe, KS.

August

1

Orville Peck 

Country musician Orville Peck gained widespread popularity in less than half a decade by breathing new life into the genre—and bringing a sense of delightful surprise to it. Most known for his signature fringe mask that conceals his true identity from the public, the masked singer is hitting KC in support of the Stampede Tour, aptly named after his EP Stampede: Vol. 1 released in May. August 1. 7 pm. Grinders.

3

Heart of America Hot Dog Festival 

Get grillin’ and groovin’ with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum as they host this summer celebration featuring live music, admission to the museum and, of course, hot dogs galore. At the Hot Dog Festival, sausage aficionados can sample ballpark franks—including the signature Kansas City Monarch Dog—and other offerings from food trucks. There will also be mascot appearances and live music performances by Stokley, Brownstone and more. August 3. 3 pm. The Paseo between 18th & Truman.

4

Boyz II Men

Hide your aunts because iconic R&B boy (to men) band Boyz II Men is coming to KC with opener Robin Thicke, bringing their timeless baby makin’ hits like “I’ll Make Love to You” and “End of the Road” to Kansas City. Their songs are so smooth that Putin allegedly asked them to perform in 2013 in an effort to fight Russia’s declining population. Need we say more? August 4. 7:30 pm. Starlight Theatre.

9

Blink-182

Rock band Blink-182 became emblematic of the masculine, eff-the-establishment vibes that took over airways and the cultural zeitgeist of the late ’90s and early aughts, a time filled with programs like Jackass and the now-infamously disastrous Woodstock ’99 festival. The middle-aged band has kept their boyish rebel vibes but mellowed out a bit. Now, they’re touring in support of their 2023 album One More Time… with openers Pierce the Veil and Astronoid. August 9. 7 pm. T-Mobile Center.

10

Whitney Cummings

Comedian Whitney Cummings gained popularity with regular appearances on late-night’s Chelsea Lately and as a Comedy Central roaster. She got her big TV breakout as a creator of 2 Broke Girls and in her own short-lived sitcom, Whitney. After the birth of her first child, she’s going on her aptly named Big Baby comedy tour. August 10. 7 pm. Uptown Theater.

12

Childish Gambino

First gaining widespread fame as a dumb but loveable community college athlete on the 2010s sitcom Community, Donald Glover has repeatedly shown his artistic genius as the creator of the widely acclaimed series Atlanta and as rapper Childish Gambino, who has been a favorite of hip-hop fans and critics alike for over a decade. He’s on tour for Childish Gambino’s newest album, Atavista, a somewhat disappointing follow-up from his critically acclaimed and nearly universally beloved 2016 album Awaken, My Love!. Hollywood royalty Willow opens. Aug 12. 7 pm. T-Mobile Center.

15

Luke Bryan

Country musician Luke Bryan has followed what seems to be a successful blueprint for many contemporary mainstream artists by becoming more recognizable as a reality TV judge on American Idol in recent years. He’s hitting KC on his Mind of a Country Boy Tour, in support of his recently released single of the same name, with Alana Springsteen, Chase Matthew and Chayce Beckham opening. August 15. 7 pm. T-Mobile Center.

16

Pearls of the Baroque: Concert III

As part of the 15th anniversary of their inaugural concert, the KC Baroque Consortium is holding a three-part celebration across the summer featuring talented musicians playing classical music. The final performance of the run features concertmaster and violinist Daniel S. Lee and Trevor Stewart on the recorder. They’ll play Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 by Bach and selected music from favorites Vivaldi, Corelli and Handel. August 16. 7:30 pm. Visitation Catholic Church.

16

Mariachi Estrella

The Midwest Trust Center and Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art collaborate for the Light Up the Lawn Concert Series, featuring live music from local musicians. For these free, family-friendly events, guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets. Composed of six musicians, KC-based mariachi band Mariachi Estrella KC brings the joy of traditional Mexican music to events across the Midwest—including a Chiefs halftime performance in 2021. August 16. 8:30 pm. Nerman Museum lawn.

16–18

Ethnic Enrichment Festival

Celebrating its 45th anniversary, the Ethnic Enrichment Commission of Kansas City presents one of the largest gatherings celebrating multiculturalism in KC, the Ethnic Enrichment Festival. The festival presents different foods, crafts and other homemade goods from cultures across the world, along with live performances of music, dance and a fashion show to celebrate all that makes us unique. Bonus: Parking is free, and kids under 12 get in free. August 16–18. Times vary. Swope Park.

17 & 18

Bluey’s Big Play 

The award-winning, feel-good, animated kids’ series hits the road for fans of all ages to see the Heeler family as they’ve never seen them before in Bluey’s Big Play, the stage show. Based on an original story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, with new music by composer Joff Bush, this spectacular stage show also features puppetry, live actors and iconic sets based on the beloved series. August 17 & 18. 12:30 and 3:30 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.

20 & 21

Zach Bryan

Oklahoma-born country singer Zach Bryan has astronomically risen to fame in the past few years by breaking the typical mold of country superstar for something a little more pared-down and authentic. Last year’s sold-out Burn, Burn, Burn Tour established Bryan as a live concert favorite, and collaborations with musicians Kacey Musgraves, Maggie Rogers and Noah Kahan have solidified his place in the hipster-indie scene. Levi Turner and Matt Maeson open. August 20 & 21. 7 pm. T-Mobile Center.

20–25 

West Side Story

This iconic musical features music by late legendary lyricist and composer Stephen Sondheim and is based on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Now almost equally iconic (and perhaps even more beloved) in its own right, West Side Story follows the rivalry between teenage street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, in the mid-50s in the Upper West Side as two star-crossed lovers get caught in the turmoil. You know how the story goes. August 20–25. 8 pm. Starlight Theatre.

23

The Freedom Affair

Part of the free, family-friendly Light Up the Lawn Concert Series, there will be immersive activities and a performance from The Freedom Affair. Guests will be able to make seed mandalas, see Nerman’s newest exhibition, Actions for the Earth: Art, Care & Ecology (running through Dec. 8), and get a bite from a local food truck before the show. Female-fronted soul band The Freedom Affair blends refined vocal harmonies while backed by a powerhouse band. Throughout this year, they are releasing four stand-alone singles recorded in their Kansas City studio in anticipation of their sophomore album, which will be released in early 2025. August 23. 8:30 pm. Nerman Museum lawn.

Aug 30–Sept 1

Irish Fest

In true Irish form, the Irish Fest promises a lot of spirited music and dancing (with stomping, clapping and hollering, of course) and, obviously, beer. This tribute to Irish culture and community features entertainment from The Elders, Gaelic Storm and more, as well as traditional shops (with lots of Celtic knot imagery), authentic cuisine (carbs), art in the park and other activities for the family that center around whiskey and Catholicism, obviously. August 30–September 1. Times vary. Crown Center.

Aug 30–Sept 2

SantaCaliGon Days

Started 84 years ago, SantaCaliGon Days commemorates local history by celebrating the starting point of the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails in lil’ ole Independence. In its early days, the festival primarily had simple pioneer contests. Now, it includes goodies from artisan vendors, local entertainment from solo artists to cover bands, carnival foods, the most fun, shoddily made festival rides you can imagine and, of course, lots of good people-watching. August 30–September 2. Times vary. Independence Square.

Aug 30– Oct 13

Renaissance Festival

Starting as a small benefit for the Kansas City Art Institute in 1977, the Renaissance Festival has blossomed into one of the city’s most-beloved events, drawing nearly a quarter of a million visitors each year willing to let their freak flag fly. Transport yourself into a long-bygone era with live jousting performances, giant turkey legs and men in tights. August 31–October 13. Saturdays and Sundays. Times vary. 633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs.