This Northland tradition celebrates St. Patrick’s day a little early
Beloved Northland tradition Snake Saturday—a parade and carnival held each Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day—has humble beginnings. It started as a promotional parade for a Rodeway Inn. But two years after its inaugural parade in 1985, founders Mickey Finn and Bill Grigsby teamed up with then-mayor Clark Ferguson to expand the celebration beyond the motel parking lot, taking over the downtown streets of North Kansas City. Today, festival president JD Green says the event draws approximately 100,000 people each year.
But why is the event called “Snake Saturday”? Fifth-century legend has it that Saint Patrick eradicated snakes from Ireland by chasing them into the ocean.
Rain, snow, sleet or shine (Green recalls having celebrated in temps as low as 3 degrees), the parade happens. This year, it kicks off at 11 am with 120 extravagantly decorated floats and marching bands from area high schools. Afterwards, attendees can enjoy a family-friendly carnival featuring a petting zoo, a bicycle giveaway, a car show, concessions and more. The event also supports local nonprofits, raising approximately $50,000 each year for various causes.
This year, Green says festivalgoers will notice a small change: The parade route kicks off at 16th and Swift streets instead of 14th Street. Televised by KCTV5 for the second year, this year’s theme “Kicks and Kilts” pays homage to the nearing World Cup matches.
GO: March 14. 11 am. Downtown North Kansas City. For more details, visit snakesaturday.com.
What to do this month in KC
4–14
Big 12 Basketball Tournament
March Madness is officially here. For over a decade, T-Mobile Center has been home to the Big 12 Basketball Tournament, welcoming collegiate ballers from Kansas, Texas, Arizona and beyond. The women’s tournament tips off on March 4, followed by the men’s tournament, which kicks off March 10. March 4–14. Times vary. T-Mobile Center.
6–Aug 9
“The World in Kansas City”
The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art prepares for this summer’s World Cup matches with its latest exhibition, “The World in Kansas City.” Representative not only of the global event but also of KC as a multicultural hub, the exhibit features a diverse array of artists with ties to the region. Curator Jessica S. Hong says the display aims to showcase “how we all belong to a shared, complicated and nuanced social and cultural fabric.” March 6–August 9. Times vary. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
7 & 8
Winterlude Jazz Festival
Winterlude Jazz Festival returns to Johnson County Community College’s campus for two jam-packed days of music, bringing headliner Arturo O’Farrill to KC. Joined by his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Grammy Award-winning pianist, arranger and bandleader—known for challenging conventions of traditional Latin jazz—continues the legacy of his late father, Cuban composer Chico O’Farrill. The weekend’s lineup also includes guest lectures and performances from local jazz musicians like organist Chris Hazelton, bassist Gerald Spaits, trumpeter Trent Austin and more. February 7 & 8. Performances begin at 2 pm. Midwest Trust Center.
10
Vitamin String Quartet
Reimagining pop songs with classical counterpoint, Vitamin String Quartet is best known for its work on the Regency-era romance TV series Bridgerton soundtrack, covering songs like Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” and Scandinavian popstar Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own.” For over two decades, the LA-based modern quartet has steadily released an array of tribute-style albums, paying homage to The Beatles, Lady Gaga and more. The band hits the road on its all-encompassing “The Music of Billie Eilish, Bridgerton & Beyond” tour. March 10. 7 pm. Uptown Theater.
13
Book Social: A Reading Party
The Spencer Art Reference Library teams up with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to put on a bookworm’s ideal (and low-key) Friday night. Come with a novel in tow, grab a drink and kick off the evening with half an hour of independent reading time. Participants are then invited to mingle in small groups with guided prompts—and then the process repeats. March 13. 6 pm. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
13-14
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Over three decades after choreographer, dancer and activist Alvin Ailey’s death, his company remains one of the most popular modern troupes. This tour marks the inaugural season under artistic director Alicia Graf Mack, formerly a longtime dancer for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ushering in the new era with five world premieres, the company will also perform its signature work, Revelations. Set to spirituals, blues and gospel, Ailey’s landmark piece—choregraphed in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement—chronicles African-American faith, deeply inspired by his rural Texas upbringing. March 13 & 14. Times vary. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
14
KC Current Season Opener
KC Current kicks off the 2026 season with a home game against the Utah Royals, welcoming new head coach Chris Armas, a former midfielder for the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team. One of the top-ranked teams in the National Women’s Soccer League, the KC club has consistently made waves and beat records over the past two seasons thanks in part to two-time NWSL MVP and star forward Temwa Chawinga. KC, baby! March 14. 3 pm. CPKC Stadium.
14
Petite Performance: Woodwinds
The Kansas City Symphony’s Petite Performance series offers an engaging introduction to classical music for budding listeners. Designed for children under the age of 6, this springtime-themed educational concert invites curious concertgoers to explore and groove to the various sounds of the woodwind section up close on the Helzberg Hall stage. March 14. Times vary. Helzberg Hall.
17
Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
In 1974, Kansas City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade began as a short, one-and-a-half-block jaunt for downtown workers and shoppers. Despite being advertised as “the world’s shortest and worst parade,” hundreds of revelers showed up and out. After 50 years, the parade route has changed (and been elongated) several times, reliably drawing over 100,000 partygoers to Westport each year. The mile-long parade kicks off at 11:30 am, marching south down Broadway Boulevard from Linwood Boulevard to 43rd Street. March 17. 11:30 am. Westport.
17
Cardi B
Rapper Cardi B’s debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, was a tough act to follow, charting number one on Billboard’s Top 200 at its debut. But her sophomore release, Am I The Drama?, has been keeping pace just the same with hits like “Safe” and “Pretty & Petty.” The 23-track record also includes a stacked line-up of special guests, including features from Bruno Mars, Janet Jackson, Selena Gomez and more. In support of her latest release, the hip-hop star embarks on the Little Miss Drama Tour—her first tour since 2020. March 17. 7:30 pm. T-Mobile Center.
17–22
The Great Gatsby
Nearly a century after The Great Gatsby was first published, a musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Prohibition-era classic made its Broadway debut. Now, two years after its premiere, the jazz-infused production is hitting the road. Featuring a sweeping score and lavish Art Deco-inspired costuming and set design, PNC Broadway brings this story of opulence, dissatisfaction and obsession to KC. March 17–22. Times vary. Kansas City Music Hall.
21–28
Kansas City Fashion Week 2026 Spring/Summer Collection
Kansas City Fashion Week returns with its 2026 Spring/Summer Collection, welcoming local and international designers alike to Union Station. The collection culminates in four bold nights of runway shows, beginning Wednesday, with several student designers making their KCFW debut. Beyond the runway, the weeklong series of events also includes the return of the popular (and adorable) fashionFIT Puppy Yoga, held Tuesday at Hotel Kansas City. March 21–28. Times vary. Union Station.
26–Apr 19
Moby Dick: A Sea Shanty
Music Theater Heritage brings a new sea shanty-filled spin on Herman Melville’s classic novel to the stage. Written and directed by the organization’s artistic director Tim Scott, the tale follows Captain Ahab’s frenzied, incessant voyage for the whale that took his leg, all narrated to the tune of sailor Ishmael’s maritime ballads. The production features musical direction by multi-instrumentalist Fritz Hutchison, a mainstay of the KC’s music scene. March 26–April 19. Times vary. Main Stage at Crown Center.
29
Unlimited Miles: Miles Davis at 100
Trumpeter and visionary Miles Davis pushed the boundaries of jazz, repeatedly redefining the genre with albums like Birth of the Cool, In a Silent Way and Jack Johnson. One hundred years after Davis’ birth, The Folly Jazz Series honors his lasting legacy with a tribute performance. Under the direction of Grammy Award-winning pianist John Beasley, an all-star sextet delves into the many eras of Davis’ career. The ensemble features leading forces in the genre today, including trumpeter Sean Jones, saxophonist Mark Turner, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, bassist Ben Williams and drummer Terreon Gully. March 29. 3:30 pm. Folly Theater.
30
Royals Home Opener
Baseball season is back—and so is the Hot Dog Derby. The Royals return to open their home schedule at Kauffman Stadium against the Minnesota Twins. After signing a two-year extension, catcher and team captain Salvador “Salvy” Perez returns to anchor the lineup alongside other standout players like shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., third baseman Maikel Garcia and designated hitter Vinnie “Pasquatch” Pasquantino. March 30. 3:10 pm. Kauffman Stadium.
