Here are sixteen things to do in KC this weekend, September 18—21 including American Royal Cutting Horse Show, Plaza Art Fair and Life of Pi.
American Royal Cutting Horse Show
In 2004, equestrian competitor Hilary Watson brought the niche sport of horse cutting to KC’s American Royal. Rooted in 19th-century ranching traditions, the event showcases a rider and horse working together to separate a cow from the herd with precision and control. Since its American Royal debut, the competition has grown into a nationally recognized event. The weekend-long affair features cutting classes daily, with Saturday night’s 6 pm showdown serving as the primetime highlight.
September 19—21. Times vary. Hale Arena (American Royal Center).
Quirk Day
Boulevard Brewing Co. celebrates KC’s favorite hard seltzer at Quirk Day. Sip flights or full pours of six limited-edition flavors—including Rosemary Fig and Mango Thai Basil Margarita—during this all-day party. The first 50 guests will be entered into a raffle for a year’s supply of Quirks.
September 19. 11 am. Boulevard Tours & Rec Center.
Laurie Gilmore presents The Gingerbread Bakery
Rainy Day Books brings New York Times bestselling author Laurie Gilmore to KC. Presenting her latest release The Gingerbread Bakery (a part of small town romance series Dream Harbor), the book follows bakery-owner Annie Andrews’ feud with the neighborhood’s annoyingly optimistic barkeeper in this enemies-to-lovers trope.
September 19. 7 pm. Unity Temple on the Plaza.
Terra Luna
Immerse yourself in the Overland Park Arboretum via a guided multimedia experience curated by none other than Quixotic Entertainment. The half-mile walk takes you through the gardens and features live music, light displays and dancers in avant-garde costuming. Take time before you enter the magic of this futuristic event to enjoy food and beverage trucks at the Visitor Center.
September 11–13 & 18–20. 7 pm. Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
Cider Festival
Get into the fall spirit at the Cider Festival at the KC Pumpkin Patch. There will be five hard cider samples when you attend the festival which takes place on the picturesque fields, with plenty of many fall photo ops along the way. Guests will also get a souvenir glass and there will be giant yard games, skeeball, adult tricycles, slides, and festival foods, wine slushies, wine, beer and cider available for purchase.
Weekends, September 13—21. 13875 S. Gardner Rd., Olathe.
Deathtrap
This long-running Broadway thriller comes to KC stages. Presented by Kansas City Actors Theatre, Deathtrap follows a Broadway playwright struggling to come up with his next concept—until a former student presents a gripping new script.
September 10—28. Times vary. City Stage at Union Station.
The Color Purple
Deep like the hue it’s named after, the musical The Color Purple brings emotion to every scene with compelling dialogue and music that spans several genres, including jazz, gospel and blues. Presented by KCRep, this inspiring stage musical is based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which follows the journey of Celie, a young Black woman in the early 20th century rural South, as she overcomes hardship.
September 2–21. Times vary. Spencer Theatre.
KC Live! Chiefs Watch Party
Power and Light is celebrating football season right with the city’s largest Chiefs watch party. With live DJs, giveaways, trivia and more, doors open two hours before kickoff, amping up the excitement as the Chiefs face off against the New York Giants.
September 21. 7:20 pm. KC Live!
Plaza Art Fair
The highly anticipated Plaza Art Fair encompasses nine city blocks in the historic Plaza shopping district and welcomes a crowd of more than 250,000 every year. Featuring 240 artists, the fair is a top-ranked national art event, with three live music stages and over 20 featured restaurant booths. It’s an event for serious art collectors as well as those just browsing.
September 19–21. Country Club Plaza.
New Dance Partners
The Midwest Trust Center partners with four dance companies and four choreographers to present New Dance Partners. Highlighting local contemporary and modern dance performers, the evening features the Kansas City Ballet, Owen/Cox Dance Group, Störling Dance Theater and Regina Klenjoski Dance Company. Each performance showcases original works by choreographers Caroline Dahm, Caili Quan, Dolly Sfeir and Jessi Stegall, working with each company, respectively.
September 19–20. 7:30 pm. Midwest Trust Center.
The Book of Mormon
Follow along as two missionaries travel to Uganda, eager to share and teach their faith, only to realize they also have much to learn in this nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical. As the pair navigates their tumultuous relationship and the complex realities of mission work, in the The Book of Mormon, satire is merged with show-stopping musical performances, delivering both humor and heart to Kansas City’s Music Hall.
September 16–21. Times vary. Kansas City Music Hall.
Life of Pi
Starlight Theatre’s outdoor venue will come alive this season with Life of Pi. Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel and adapted for the stage by Lolita Chakrabarti, the play tells the story of a boy named Pi who survives a shipwreck and finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with a group of wild animals. With themes of survival and faith, it will be a visually sensational production that combines live actors, life-sized puppetry and scenic stagecraft.
September 16–21. Times vary. Starlight Theatre.
Third Friday Art Walk
Each third Friday through October, take a stroll through downtown KCK and experience local art and food. Whether you want to cool off with shaved ice or watch an artist paint live, the Art Walk has something for everyone. Bring the whole family or come together with friends to enjoy an evening of celebrating all things local. Maybe you’ll even come home with an art piece to display in your home.
September 19 & October 24. 5 pm. Strawberry Hill.
Alone Together
The bittersweet feeling of becoming empty nesters doesn’t last long in the Broadway comedy Alone Together. Just as all three kids finally move out, they slowly start trickling back in, returning home to mom and dad one by one. Starring The Brady Bunch’s Barry Williams and featuring Cathy Bennett, this show explores the chaos and joy of family life. At New Theatre & Restaurant in Overland Park, the play is a full dining and entertainment experience, complete with waitstaff, cocktails and a gourmet buffet.
September 10–November 16. Times vary. New Art Theatre & Restaurant.
Kansas City Renaissance Festival
Don your finest flowy dresses, tunics and breeches for the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. At this immersive step back in time, watch jousting tournaments, feast on gigantic turkey legs, listen to period music and shop the bustling artisan market. Each weekend brings a different theme, so be sure to check the schedule in advance.
August 30–October 13. Times vary. 628 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs.
ArtSalon: Biennial Alumni Exhibition
Head over to the Kansas City Art Institute’s 2025 alumni exhibition to see what former KCAI students are creating right now. Whether you’re collecting or just want to take a look, the annual exhibition is always a good show. There will also be an opening reception, bringing together alumni, faculty, collectors and patrons, that’s open to anyone who wants to meet the artists and celebrate this year’s exhibition.
Every piece in the show is available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting both the artist and the KCAI Annual Fund, which supports student scholarships.
September 6–October 19. KCAI Gallery.
