Here are thirteen things to do in KC this weekend, October 1—4 including Beetlejuice, Weston Applefest and Heartland Book Festival.
KC Oktoberfest
Kick off October with this notorious beer festival. KC’s Oktoberfest offers a German-style experience with a Kansas City twist, featuring traditional Bavarian food and drink alongside Kansas City craft brews. The festival has activities for all ages, including a variety of games, family activities and live music.
October 2 & 3. Times vary. Crown Center.
Beetlejuice
Starlight Theatre presents a night of mischief and fun with its production of Beetlejuice. This musical adaptation of the original Tim Burton film follows the ghostly couple Adam and Barbara Maitland and the melancholic teenager Lydia Deetz as she copes with the death of her mother. Shortly after uncovering the neighborly spirits, a peculiar demon named Beetlejuice attempts to trick Lydia into bringing him into the living world. The show features a touring cast, brilliantly telling the classic tale of Lydia and her fantastical friends.
October 2–4. 7:30 pm. Starlight Theatre.
Weston Applefest
Head to Weston Applefest for a beautiful fall weekend just outside of the city. The free festivities kick off on Saturday morning with a parade, followed by live music, local crafters, warm apple dumplings and more in Weston’s quaint downtown. While nearby, we recommend making a pit stop at Weston Bend State Park’s overlook to take in the fall foliage and scenic river bluff views.
October 3 & 4. Times vary. Main Street, Weston.
Frankenschtick or It’s Not Easy Being Green
Just in time for Halloween, this theatrical production presented by Englewoods Arts is the perfect family event to get in the spooky spirit. The musical takes a silly twist on the original Frankenstein story, featuring a live “Monster Mash.”
October 2–11. Times vary. Englewood Arts.
Apparition: Coffin Club
Sip themed cocktails among vampires and werewolves at this immersive murder mystery bar. Though the bar is an experience in itself, it’s the ideal spot to grab a drink before visiting one of the West Bottoms’ many haunted houses.
September 18—October 31. Times vary. Fountain City Winery.
Heartland Book Festival
This free festival returns for its fourth year, bringing together local and national authors for two days of programming. Heartland Book Festival kicks off on Friday night with Tayari Jones, whose latest release, Kin, made the New York Times’ list of best novels this year. On Saturday, bestselling romance authors Sierra Simone (who calls KC home) and Tessa Bailey team up for a discussion. Victoria Aveyard and Soman Chainani close out the festival by recording an episode for their podcast, Plot Twist, as they discuss Tempest, Aveyard’s latest release.
October 2 & 3. Times vary. Mid-Continent Public Library Woodneath Library Center & Kansas City Public Library Central Branch.
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.
Visions of the Flint Hills
At this annual art benefit and sale, celebrate the beautiful plains of Kansas, portrayed through art pieces inspired by the Flint Hills’ landscapes—the largest tallgrass prairie in North America. Artists from around the country find themselves inspired by the region and present their pieces at the Buttonwood Art Space this fall. Half of the proceeds go to the artists themselves, while the other half benefit the Friends of Konza Prairie, which promotes environmental education for the region. Although the sale is open through December 9, the Midtown gallery hosts a First Friday reception with live music and refreshments on October 2.
September 28–December 9. Times vary. Buttonwood Art Space.
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 at Olathe’s Heritage Park as orchestra musicians deliver a chamber music performance.
October 4. 6 pm. Heritage Park.
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.
Manor Records Anniversary Show
Manor Records, a nonprofit record label that supports Kansas City musicians, celebrates its 9th anniversary and kicks off its annual funding drive. Hosted by comedian Brittany Tilander, the event features a silent auction and music from DJ Mers and the Manor Records Family Band, which is comprised of a versatile cast of musicians on the label.
October 1. 7 pm. The Ship.
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.
