Here are eighteen things to do in KC this weekend, September 24—27 including Marilyn Maye, Plaza Art Fair and Universal Film Festival.
Louisburg Cider Fest
There are certainly signs that fall has officially arrived in KC: Chiefs football, the first sweater-worthy morning and the sudden, overwhelming urge to consume everything apple. For the latter, head south to Louisburg Cider Mill for the 49th annual Ciderfest. Visitors can watch apples make their journey from fruit to glass during live cider-making demonstrations and, more importantly, sample the finished product. Beyond festival fare, bluegrass bands play throughout the day while dozens of artisans and crafters sell handmade goods. Pony rides, inflatables and face painting are sure to keep younger festivalgoers occupied.
September 26 & 27 and October 3 & 4. Doors open at 8 am daily. Louisburg Cider Mill.
Marilyn Maye
Singer Marilyn Maye is Kansas City royalty. In the 1950s, the glamorous performer sang five nights a week at KC’s Colony Steakhouse, a residency she held for a decade. That gig also served as the launch pad into the national entertainment circuit—many may remember her as a frequent guest performer on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show.
Now 98 years old, Maye spends much of her time in New York City, so seeing her perform in KC is a rare treat. Often donned in sequins, the cabaret performer still high kicks while singing show tunes, jazz standards and more. Her upcoming performance at the Folly Theater follows the release of her first solo album in over a decade, The Magic of Marilyn Maye: Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
September 25. 7:30 pm. Folly Theater.
Terror on the Plains International Horror Film Festival
In need of an adrenaline rush? This horror film fest at KCK’s Boulevard Drive-In is the fix. Terror on the Plains’ festivities kicks off Friday night with live music from Gaprae, the festival’s annual short film competition and a screening of David Lynch’s 1977 directorial debut Eraserhead. Saturday night brings more live music, a costume parade and a couple more classic horror flicks—Twighlight Zone: The Movie and Carrie.
September 25 & 26. Gates open at 5 pm. Boulevard Drive-In.
The Isley Brothers
For more than six decades, R&B family band The Isley Brothers have been delivering silky smooth harmonies, best known for hits like “Shout” and “It’s Your Thing.” Though founding members Rudolph and O’Kelley have since passed, frontman Ronald and guitarist Ernie continue the family legacy. Jubu, a former member of ‘70s soul band Maze, joins the lineup.
September 26. 7 pm. Municipal Auditorium.
Bring A Shovel
Filmmaker Shawn Wright’s new documentary, Bring A Shovel, chronicles Harrison Street DIY, a community-built skate park in Columbus Park. Over the past decade, the grassroots project—which started with just a $50 budget and a lot of sweat equity—has become one of the largest of its kind in the country. Following the film’s sold-out premiere at Atlas9, Wright brings the documentary back to where it all began with a free, outdoor screening at the skate park. Though the screening starts at 7:30 pm, arrive early to get in a skating sesh and grab a bite from the Tiki Taco food truck.
September 24. 6:30 pm. Harrison Street DIY.
MTC Kids Jam: Joanie Leeds
The Midwest Trust Center’s Kids Jam offers a family-friendly concert, beginning with arts and crafts followed by a performance by Joanie Leeds. Best known for her work as a children’s musical artist, Leeds is a Grammy Award winner and a John Lennon Songwriting Award finalist. She received a Gold Parents’ Choice Award for her 2010 children’s music album I’m a Rock Star. Leeds has since continued to release music, including two new singles this year titled “Breathe Deep” and “My Seder Plate.”
September 26. 11 am. Polsky Theatre.
18th and Vine Arts Festival
This festival honors KC’s historic and influential 18th & Vine Jazz District with music, art and food. Along with unique interactive art installations and a fashion show, the festival features 12 finalists from the “Live on the Vine” music competition on Saturday night, including Jor Don, Ayesha Mahmud, Naabi and Jeremiah NA. The annual event is meant for all ages and celebrates the distinct culture and community of the district.
September 25–-27. Times vary. 18th and Vine District.
Plaza Art Fair
The Plaza Art Fair returns for its 95th year. Spanning over nine city blocks, the festival features 250 national and local artists, displaying a variety of works including sculptures, canvases and jewelry. This year’s highlights include 2025 Plaza Art Fair artist award winners Leah Evans, Nolan Prohaska, Andy Rogers and many more. There will be three stages for live performances throughout the fair, as well as food and drink vendors.
September 25–27. Times vary. Country Club Plaza.
Lyric Opera of Kansas City presents La bohéme
The Lyric Opera of Kansas City will open its season with the intimately tragic tale of La bohème. Composed by Giacomo Puccini, this Italian opera tells a story of love and loss on the
September 19, 25 & 27. Times vary. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Free Weekend Fun: Mini to Monumental
This family-friendly drop-in event includes an arts and crafts activity inspired by the iconic Shuttlecocks sculpture outside of the Nelson-Atkins. The event also includes a comparison of sculptures and small art to understand how scale affects art’s meaning.
September 26. 11 am. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Snap Space: The Distance Between
In M. Willie Garcia’s mixed media print installation The Distance Between at the Kansas City Artists Coalition, the printmaker explores what it means to live alongside the unknown. Garcia draws from science, science fiction and personal identity to explore space and invites viewers to reflect on their place within a universe that has been expanding for 13.8 billion years. As a printmaker, Garcia has worked throughout the Kansas City area and has had work featured abroad in the “Sumi-Fusion” Mokuhanga exhibition in Nara, Japan.
September 18—November 6. Times vary. Kansas City Artists Coalition.
Mobile Music Box
The Kansas City Symphony’s free, metro-wide outdoor concert series, Mobile Music Box, returns for the fall season. This weekend, the portable stage will make a stop in KCK at Wyandotte County Park as orchestra musicians deliver a chamber music performance.
September 24. 6 pm. Wyandotte County Park.
Universal Film Festival
For movie lovers who like discovering a film before everyone else is talking about it, Universal Film Festival offers a chance to see work from filmmakers whose names might not yet be splashed across multiplex marquees. Founded in 2007, festival organizers say the event now receives more than 3,000 submissions annually from filmmakers in more than 130 countries. That global pool means audiences can expect a wide-ranging slate of stories, perspectives and filmmaking styles rather than the usual Hollywood fare.
September 23–25. Times vary. AMC Prairiefire.
Local Thursdays: Kirstie Lynn
Each Thursday evening through October, non-profit organization Manor Records spotlights KC musicians with concert series Local Thursdays. This week features singer-songwriter Kirstie Lynn, following the release of her recent EP Blazing Prairie Star. Admission is free.
September 24. 6 pm. J. Rieger & Co.
Eureka Day
When this comical, satirical play made its Off-Broadway debut in 2019, no one anticipated how timely it would soon become. The Tony Award-winning play follows a mumps outbreak at Eureka Day School, moving the Board of Directors to reconsider its vaccination policy. It soon becomes apparent that, no matter the decision, not everyone will be satisfied with the new guidelines. This Kansas City Actors Theatre production stars Teisha M. Bankston, John Rensenhouse, and Cinnamon Schultz.
September 9–27. Times vary. City Stage Theatre (Union Station).
KC Renaissance Festival
Take a step back in time at Kansas City’s Renaissance Festival. The annual fair transports visitors to the Renaissance with cosplay, costumes and live entertainment such as jousting matches and folk music. There will be food and drinks, handmade goods and immersive activities throughout the festival, enhancing the creative and playful atmosphere.
September 5–October 18 (Saturdays and Sundays only). 633 N. 130th Street. Bonner Springs.
Soft Clubbing at Elixir with DJ hunni bunni
Clubbing at a museum may be an unlikely pairing, but the Museum of Kansas City knows how to throw a party. On the last Thursday of the month, DJ hunni bunni spins an eclectic R&B, house, funk and more in the museum’s cafe, Elixir. Sip a cocktail, enjoy ice cream from Fairway Creamery, or grab a coffee or soda while dancing the early evening away. Admission is free.
September 24. 6 pm. Museum of Kansas City.
KC Wine Co. Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch
Roam KC Wine Co.’s 40 acres at this all-ages extravaganza. The price of admission includes over 60 activities like corn pits, skee ball, mega slides and plenty of seasonal photo ops. Plus, the Olathe winery’s signature wine slushes will be available for purchase all day, every day.
September 26–October 31. Times vary. KC Wine Co.
