Camp Leavenworth
Pack your bags and get ready for s’more fun at Camp Leavenworth, a free festival near Leavenworth Landing Park and the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum that provides various outdoor activities. While some campers might be lured in by the promise of fireworks or children’s activities like balloon art or craft projects, others might want to try out more creative games like sidewalk chalk contests or silent disco.
Visitors will also have access to the Makers Fair, which features a variety of handmade items for sale, as well as several food trucks to keep attendees energized. The festival is even partnering with the new Leavenworth Local Hotel so overnight campers can comfortably room less than a mile away from camp.
September 20 & 21
2 Cherokee St., Leavenworth, KS
Overland Park Fall Festival
The Overland Park Fall Festival has plenty of autumn fun for the whole family. With more than 75 local and regional artisans along with live music and performers for both adults and children, visitors will be able to appreciate all the best local talent. There will also be food trucks and vendors in addition to the nearby restaurants and OP Farmers’ Market at this free event.
September 27 & 28
7935 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park
Liberty Fall Festival
Liberty Fall Festival is celebrating 47 years of autumn entertainment. With over 200 artists and vendors selling everything from jewelry and pottery to funnel cakes and turkey legs, the event provides plenty of choices for all interests. One of the festival’s highlights is the carnival, which will open on Friday at 5 pm and continue throughout the weekend. A parade, live performers and various games and contests add even more excitement.
September 27–29
1 Courthouse Square, Liberty
KC Oktoberfest
If you’re looking for a taste of Munich in the Midwest, KC Oktoberfest, the largest Oktoberfest in the area, is the place to be. Hosted by hometown favorite Kansas City Bier Co. at the Crown Center, this festival features a variety of Bavarian-style food and plenty of fresh bier from the largest locally owned brewery in the area.
From Masskrugstemmen, a competition to see who can lift a liter of beer the longest, to performances from German-inspired bands like Die Schlauberger and ÜberCool, Oktoberfest provides a variety of contests, activities and performances modeled after the original Oktoberfest in Germany.
October 4 & 5
2450 Grand Blvd., KCMO
Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts & Music
This October, the 48th Annual Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music provides the perfect wagon ride to the past. Inspired by 19th century celebrations during the harvest season and located in the Missouri Town Living History Museum in Lee’s Summit, which showcases over 25 historic buildings, furnishings and tools from 1820 to 1860, this festival features artists, musicians and even experts ready to explain historic events or play historic characters.
October 5 & 6
8010 E. Park Road, Lee’s Summit
Greater Kansas City Japan Festival
This fall, the Heart of America Japan-America Society hosts the 26th Annual Greater Kansas City Japan Festival, a celebration and showcase of Japanese culture. Held at the Johnson County Community College, this year’s theme is Yōkai & Japanese Folklore, so don’t be surprised when Yōkai, ghost-like beings who haunt travelers and rural areas, sneak into some of the festivities, including a yōkai parade, yōkai history lecture and a yōkai-themed cosplay contest. The festival will also include traditional Japanese dance performances, origami and taiko drumming workshops, Japanese food and plenty of fun for all ages.
October 5
12345 College Blvd., Overland Park
Weston Applefest
For decades, this festival has been the apple of Weston’s eye. With food and craft vendors, live music, kids’ games, a parade and a variety of apple-themed events and treats, the Weston Applefest is a great opportunity to explore the surrounding restaurants, shops and attractions of historic Weston and try some famous apple dumplings.
October 5 & 6
526 Main St., Weston, MO
Midwest Soul Vegfest
Any festival can be fun, but not all of them can be healthy and sustainable, too. The Midwest Soul Vegfest’s mission is to provide eco-friendly education and celebrate the benefits of a vegan lifestyle, but there’s plenty of entertainment to enjoy along the way. With delicious and healthy food, talented speakers, live music, yoga, cooking classes and more, this festival’s sixth year is sure to be a success.
October 5 & 6
Swope Park Pavilion
Chicano Art Festival
This fall, the Chicano Art Festival is celebrating Chicano culture through art, music, food and other creative outlets that showcase the diversity of their community, with a special emphasis on lowrider cars. The festival is partnering with and fundraising for Lowriding 2 Success, a program that understands the importance of the lowriding community and helps at-risk youth use the construction of lowrider bikes to improve their lives.
Two highlights of the day will be the R/C Lowrider KC City, a display of remote-controlled lowrider cars, and the Lowrider HOP competition, which features hopping performances with the cars. The festival will even hold a recognition ceremony for a selected “lowrider legend” who has made a significant impact on the lowrider community.
October 6
Liberty Courtyard, West Bottoms, KCMO
Heartland Book Festival
If you’re tempted to skip all these festivals and just stay home to read a good book, then it might be time to give the Heartland Book Festival a try. Located at Kansas City’s Central Library, this collaboration between the Kansas City Public Library, Missouri Humanities and the Missouri Center for the Book aims to celebrate all things literature. From visiting authors and panel discussions to writing workshops, this fest is perfect for readers and writers of all levels of expertise.
October 12
14 W. 10th St., KCMO
Maple Leaf Festival
Baldwin City’s Maple Leaf Festival began in 1958 as a way to celebrate the harvest and appreciate the changing colors of the maple leaves. Now, every third weekend of October, attendees can enjoy activities such as a 5K run, parade and even family-friendly opportunities such as face painting and a petting zoo. More artistic folks might prefer to check out the craft booths, quilt show and live country music.
October 19 & 20
711 High St., Baldwin City, KS
Festival of Lights
The only thing more beautiful than Powell Gardens in the spring is the botanical garden in the winter, shining with holiday lights. The Festival of Lights is a great opportunity to appreciate the garden’s landscape and architecture while ushering in the holiday spirit. In addition to the mile-long walking path, which includes over 20 miles of lights, attendees may enjoy other attractions such as winter plants like poinsettias, local artwork, opportunities to visit Santa and even workshops on how to make holiday decorations and drinks.
November 14–January 4
1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville
Mayor’s Holiday Festival
The Mayor’s Holiday Festival in Downtown Overland Park is a perfect way to celebrate the upcoming holidays. Activities include the tree lighting ceremony, which features the mayor himself, along with pictures with Santa, live music and carolers, holiday shopping and family hayrides.
November 15
8045 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park
