Summer is special in Kansas City.
We want to help you make the most of it.
So we’ve compiled the ultimate calendar of events and activities with something to do every single day this summer, beginning on June 1 and stretching all the way through Labor Day.
We’ve covered all the bases: music festivals, must-see museums and gardens, pools, bike trails and even a monster truck rally. Whether you’re looking for a blood-pumping adventure to cross off the bucket list or you’re just seeking boredom-busters during the dog days, turn to this fun-filled calendar for ideas.
Take part in our #94DaysKC contest
We want to see you enjoying all 94 days of fun in our summer calendar, so we’re holding a contest.
For the next three months, 435 Magazine will pick our favorite photo of someone doing one of the activities on this calendar. Use the hashtag #94daysKC on Instagram and make sure you are following @435mag. *Winners will receive a $100 gift card to a KC restaurant.
We also want to give a prize to whoever has the most fun — tag yourself doing any activity from this calendar using the hashtag #94daysKC *At the end of the summer, whoever has hit the most events will get our grand prize, a $500 gift card bundle.
This is also your chance to be featured by 435! We will be looking for fun and creative photos to feature on our 435 Magazine Instagram (@435mag) and to publish in the magazine.
So get moving, explore Kansas City, and enjoy 94 days filled with summer fun.
This contest runs from June 1 to September 2, 2019. Winners must be 18+ or have a guardian present to claim their prize.
June 1
Sing old country songs around the bonfire at the Tumbleweed festival. Alabama and Blackberry Smoke are headlining the largest country music festival in Kansas City, which kicks off the summer in the bucolic village of La Cygne, an hour south of town. Yes, you’ll find the usual complement of denim shorts, American flag bikinis and Yeti coolers full of icy cold tallboys. But what makes Tumbleweed stand out is its setting among the trees of a nature preserve and a well-rounded weekend experience with canoe trips, ziplining and lakeside bonfires. Get tickets at 435tix.com Festival runs May 30–June 1. 7095 W. 399th St., La Cygne, Kan. $60-$200. 913-735-0801, tumbleweedcountry.com.
June 2
Take the cannoli at Festa Italiana. Spend all spring working to get a great beach body? OK, great — now undo it all in the cannoli eating contest at this massive celebration of all things Italia. The cozy streets of the Northland’s Zona Rosa shopping center are hung with Italian flags and packed with 50,000 revelers for this three-day Bacchanalia of sausage, street soccer and wine, which comes complete with an outdoor Catholic mass and a Lamborghini parade. Festival runs May 31-June 2. 5-11 pm Friday, 11 am-11 pm Saturday, 11 am-6 pm Sunday. Zona Rosa, 8640 N. Dixson Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Free admission. unicokc.org.
June 3
Snap a selfie at “Reflecting Motion.” The must-have selfie of the summer is a shot with this massive art installation at Union Station. “Reflection Motion” was built by artist Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics and will cover a space of 40,000 square feet with shimmery holographic polymer that rises and falls like a flag in the wind. Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, Mo. Free.
June 4
Go to church with Hozier. Irish singer-songwriter Hozier comes from a long tradition of serious-minded strummers from his homeland. He was doing open mics when he wrote “Take Me To Church,” his irresistible and contentious breakthrough single. Five years later, his follow-up album, Wasteland, Baby!, has debuted atop the Billboard charts as the singer prepares for an anticipated U.S. tour that comes to the historic Midland. Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, 1228 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 8 pm. $45-$55. arvestbanktheatre.com.
June 5
Boo the BoSox. Once upon a time, the New York Yankees were the “Evil Empire” every good baseball fan showed up to root against. Well, after two solid decades of Boston dominance in all things sports, including the bitterly fought overtime win to the Chiefs in last year’s AFC Championship game, we’d humbly suggest you show up to root for the Royals as they battle the (ugh) World Champion Red Sox. Kauffman Stadium, 1 Royal Way, Kansas City, Mo. 7:15 pm. $19-$124. mlb.com/royals.
June 6
Party in Power & Light with Granger Smith. Every Thursday night over the summer, Hot Country Nights take over the Power & Light District. Sing a “Backroad Song” with Texas-bred strummer Granger Smith, who has been called his generation’s George Strait. Attend the pre-show happy hour at PBR Big Sky and ride the mechanical bull — if that’s your style. Power & Light District, 50 E. 13th St., #200, Kansas City, Mo. 6 pm. Free. powerandlightdistrict.com.
June 7
Welcome back Queer Eye’s Tan France. Queer Eye’s Tan France is back in Kansas City, and this time, he’s talking more than fashion. The Netflix star, who is the first openly gay, Muslim man on television, is loveable for his quick wit and caring demeanor. Unity Temple on The Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, Mo. 7 pm. $37.50. brownpapertickets.com.
June 8
Laugh and donate at the Big Slick. KC natives Rob Riggle, Jason Sudeikis and Paul Rudd are back for the 10th anniversary of this massive charity event, which features a celebrity softball game, bowling tournament and a comedy show with PG-13 humor. Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 8 pm. $79-$200. bigslickkc.org.
June 9
Roll a rubber wheel at Old Shawnee Days. This may be your only chance to try out rolle bolle, a Belgian yard game that’s been dubbed as “horseshoe on wheels.” Festival runs June 6- June 9th. Shawnee Town 1929, 11600 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, Kan. Admission is free, carnival tickets are $1 each. oldshawneedays.org.
June 10
Follow the yellow brick road. Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore. Actually, we’re in Missouri at the iconic Starlight Theatre, where they’re staging the Wizard of Oz in honor of the film’s 80th anniversary. Show runs June 10-June 16. Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo. 8 pm. $14-$143. kcstarlight.com.
June 11
Down dog. Find your way to “om” out on open water. Legacy Park Community Center is hosting stand-up paddleboard yoga classes throughout the month of June. Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation, 220 S.E. Green St., Lee’s Summit, Mo. 10:30 am. $10 advance registration required. cityofls.net.
June 12
Ride all the rides at Worlds Of Fun. Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave., Kansas City, Mo. $40 for daily admission ticket. worldsoffun.com.
June 13
Fire some foam at Nerf Wars. Are your kids playing a little too much Fortnite and getting too little exercise? Time to register them for Nerf Wars at Blue Springs Park, which is like Fortnite IRL. Teams of six compete. Ward Park, 1000 S.W. 22 St., Blue Springs, Mo. $10. Advance registration required. bluespringsgov.com.
June 14
Visit Boulevardia nation. Boulevardia is arguably the biggest party of the year in Kansas City. A celebration of craft beer from the city’s largest brewery takes the form of an urban street festival with everything from a 62-mile supported bike ride to a cornhole tournament. This year’s headliners are emo-adjacent Young the Giant and Dashboard Confessional. Stockyards District, 1503 Genessee St., Kansas City, Mo. 4 pm-11 pm Friday, 11 am-11 pm Saturday. Ticket packages $30-$1000. boulevardia.com.
June 15
Watch Gravedigger crush Praises at Monster Jam. YOU PAID FOR THE WHOLE SEAT BUT YOU ONLY NEED THE EDGE! MUD! MONSTER TRUCKS! ARROWHEAD! 1 Arrowhead Drive, Kansas City, Mo. 7 pm. $20-$64. monsterjam.com.
June 16
Take dad to brunch under the plane. Whether it’s cooked up at home or by a chef someplace fancy, Mother’s Day Brunch is a given. Well, most dads like brunch, too — provided it’s not too fussy. The Roasterie is hosting a brunch event at its main location (the one with the airplane on the roof) that’s likely to appeal to your pops, as food trucks parked on the grounds serve up breakfast tacos and Hawaiian poke bowls. The Roasterie Kansas City Air Roasted Coffee, 1204 W. 27th St., Kansas City, Mo. 10 am-2 pm. 816-931-4000, theroasterie.com.
June 17
See the strawberry moon. Since ancient times, the full moon in June has been known as the time to harvest early summer fruits. The Algonquin tribes called it the strawberry moon and used it as a sign to collect wild berries. Note to those seeking perfect celestial alignment: The moon is technically full at 4:31 am this Monday morning.
June 18
Take your shot to see Hamilton. At long last, Broadway super smash musical Hamilton makes its Kansas City premiere on this Tuesday night. If you have tickets to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s show, you’ve been looking forward to this for months. If not, maybe it’s time to raid your savings and take your shot. Through July 7. Kansas City Music Hall, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo. Ticket prices vary.
June 19
See something unexpected at a KC Park.
June 20
Show off your blading skills. If your rollerblades have been hiding in your basement or attic, it’s time to dust them off. Grab your skate mate and head to Skate City in Overland Park for an adults-only event, which is the third Thursday of every month. Skate City Overland Park, 10440 Mastin St., Overland Park, Kan. 8 pm. $6 admission, $2.50 skate rental. skatecitykansas.com.
June 21
Smell the smoke at the battle of the BBQ. The state champion of Kansas ‘cue will be crowned at this festival in Lenexa, which is one of the top warm-ups for the granddaddy of ‘em all, the American Royal in September. Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, W. 87th Street Parkway & Lackman Road, Lenexa, Kan. 4:30 pm Friday, 9 am Saturday. $5 on Friday, free on Saturday. lenexa.com.
June 22
Attend a garden soiree. Stems is a networking event that supports Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Tastings are throughout the garden paths so you can try some of KC’s finest food and drink while enjoying the blooms. Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St., Bucyrus, Kan. 7 pm. $125. artsandrec-op.org.
June 23
Rock out ’90s style. Time has a way of flattening out coolness castes. Back in the late 90s, Third-Eye Blind was a radio rock band with one huge hit, “Semi-Charmed Life” while Jimmy Eat World was the champion of the emo zine underground before breaking through with Bleed American in 2001. Now, they’re together on the outdoor summer show circuit, bringing the Summer Gods Tour to Starlight. Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo. 7 pm. $19.75-$99.50. kcstarlight.com.
June 24
Bike and beer. Every Monday night, bikers depart from Strange Days Brewing on a beginner-friendly 10-mile ride. BYOB (bike). Strange Days Brewing, 316 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo. 6:30 pm. Free.
June 25
Enjoy timeless hits with Carole King. Experience Carole King’s rise to stardom in this musical, performed at Starlight. Beautiful will have you dancing to “I Feel the Earth Move” and happy-crying to “You’ve Got a Friend.” 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo. 7 pm. $14-$143. kcstarlight.com.
June 26
Head to the drive-in. Skip your couch and Netflix session, and venture out to the drive-in. Twin Drive-In, located in Independence, is aptly named for its double screens. Pack yourself a picnic, or take advantage of popcorn at the concession stand. Twin Drive-In, 1320 N.E. 291 Highway, Independence, Mo. Movie times vary. bbtheatres.com.
June 27
Win cash at a movie trivia tournament. Gather some buddies, and flex your trivia knowledge at Tapcade, an arcade restaurant and bar that hosts a Trivia with Movie Trailer Trash series on the last Thursday on every month. Winners get a cash prize. Tapcade, 1701 McGee St., Ste 200, Kansas City, Mo. 7 pm. $5 cover. tacpcade.com.
June 28
Get your candy and lollipops. Bring a blanket, and cozy up in Shawnee Mission Park while watching a cinematic classic. Theatre in the Park is just $1 per person per movie and is a perfect way to spend balmy summer nights. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is playing June 21-29. Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Lenexa, Kan. 8:30 pm. $1. theatreinthepark.org.
June 29
Line dance at Y’allapalooza. Nothing says “summer” like a country music fest at a large outdoor theater. Enjoy the sounds of Kane Brown, Morgan Evans and Travis Marvin at Y’allapalooza. Providence Medical Center Amphitheater, 633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs, Kan. 7 pm. $18.75-$59.50. providenceamp.com.
June 30
Watch Tom Segura Take It Down at the Midland. With his third Netflix special under his belt and a sitcom co-starring his wife in the works, everyman comedian Tom Segura embarks on a tour of theaters that includes two shows in KC. Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, 1228 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 7 pm. $35-$75. tomsegura.com/tour.
