Here are twelve things to do in KC this weekend, June 26—29, including Weird Al Yankovic, Great Lenexa BBQ Battle and Strang Hall Beer Fest.
Music Nights at The Arboretum
Soak up the sights and sounds of Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens’ at its monthly summertime Music Nights. Performing classic standards and contemporary favorites, this month’s performance features jazz saxophonist Kenneth Stone. Pack a lawn chair or blanket and grab a bite and a beverage at the botanical garden’s Café Celeste.
June 26. 5 pm. Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
Lees Summit Jazz Festival
Aiming to become a new tradition, Lees Summit Jazz Festival returns for its second year. Boasting seven standout acts from the local scene, the all-day event kicks off at noon and culminates with headliner Adam Larson, a nationally touring alto saxophonist who calls KC home.
June 28. 12 pm. Bridge Space, Downtown Lees Summit.
Tour de Bier
Pedal for pints and a good cause at Tour de Bier. In support of Head for the Cure, a non-profit that supports brain cancer research, cyclists take off as early as 7:30 in the morning at Liberty Memorial. Routes vary in length—15, 30 and 50 miles—and include pit-stops at KC’s favorite breweries like Casual Animal, KC Bier Co. and Vine Street Brewing. After a long loop, cyclists will celebrate back at Liberty Memorial with food trucks, cold brews, live music and more.
June 29. 7:30 am. Liberty Memorial.
Strang Hall Beer Fest
Get hopped up at the fifth annual Strang Hall Beer Fest, a celebration of craft brews in downtown Overland Park. Tickets include unlimited tastings from over 20 breweries, a live DJ, artisan cotton candy and a photo booth. Throughout the event, the food hall offers a 20% discount on its diverse lineup of chef-driven restaurants, making it easy to snack, sip and sample throughout the afternoon.
June 28. 3 pm. Strang Hall.
Pride Ride and City Market Jam
All aboard! Pride Ride and City Market Jam returns for its second year to celebrate and spotlight local LGBTQ+ musicians. The evening will kick off as community brass band Sass-a-Brass boards the tram at Fifth and Walnut for a serenading ride-along and parade around River Market. The jam culminates in a performance from Jamogi and The Jammers in the heart of City Market, and we recommend enjoying the music from the comfort of Enzo Bistro and Wine Bar’s patio with a cold Aperol spritz in hand.
June 26. 5:30 pm. City Market.
Weird Al Yankovic
The king of musical parodies, Weird Al Yankovic, is coming to KC for an evening of laughs. The comedian-singer-accordionist has built his decades-long career on poking fun at pop songs, but he also performs an extensive catalogue of his own quick-witted, non-spoof songs. His Starlight Theatre performance is a part of his Bigger & Weirder Tour.
June 26. 8 pm. Starlight Theatre.
Caribbean American Cultural Extravaganza
In honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month, this lively celebration highlights the vibrant cultures of Kansas City residents with roots in Antigua and Barbuda, U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica and beyond. Enjoy authentic Caribbean cuisine, arts and crafts and live music that showcase the rich traditions of the islands.
June 28. 12 pm. Washington Square Park.
Great Lenexa BBQ Battle
Since 1982, pitmasters have been bringing the heat—and the meat—at the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle. As the official Kansas State Championship, the event has grown to attract over 150 teams each year to compete for the $3,000 grand prize. On Friday, join in the excitement and enjoy live music, concessions and family-friendly activities as teams host private, pre-battle parties. Saturday is the main event: Teams fire up their smokers early in the morning, and judging takes place all afternoon to crown the best BBQ in the region.
June 27 & 28. 4:30 pm & 9 am. Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.
Love’s Labour’s Lost
Enjoy a summer evening of free live theater under the stars. Each year, Heart of Shakespeare Festival brings one of the Bard’s classics to life in Midtown’s Southmoreland Park. This summer’s production is Love’s Labour’s Lost, an early comedy that follows four young men who vow to avoid the company of women—only to find themselves falling in love. Food trucks and concessions will be available on site.
June 17—July 6. Times vary. Southmoreland Park.
Confluence
Independence’s Englewood Arts Center welcomes its second cohort of resident artists with a new exhibit, Confluence. Featuring works by eight artists of varying mediums and backgrounds, including fiber artist Karen E. Griffin and sculptor Elise Fippinger.
June 20—September 20. Times vary. Englewood Arts Center.
Guys and Dolls
Step into the bustling streets of 1950s New York City at Guys and Dolls, a beloved Broadway classic brimming with charm, wit, and show-stopping tunes. The production follows high-rolling gamblers, showgirls and straight-laced missionaries as unlikely romances bloom. This timeless comedy’s score is full of musical theatre favorites like “Luck Be A Lady,” “A Bushel and a Peck” and more.
June 5—29. Times vary. Grand Theater.
The Wild Robot
Summer movie nights are in full swing at Legends and this weekend’s feature is last year’s Oscar-winning animated sci-fi The Wild Robot. Each Saturday night through October, the shopping center hosts an outdoor screening of a fan-favorite film. Pack a lawn chair and blanket and enjoy drinks from Dave & Buster’s mobile bar on the lawn.
June 28. 7 pm. Legends Outlets.
