Zona Rosa Summer Fest
Summer Fest at Zona Rosa—a block party meets pop-up shopping experience—aims to be the perfect all-ages summer event.
All day, KC favorite The Strawberry Swing will hold an indie craft fair with more than 50 local makers selling unique wares. Food and drinks will also be available throughout the day, including The Rub BBQ, Sugar Daddy’s Lemonade and over half a dozen others.
This year’s Summer Fest will also have ongoing entertainment, including a two-hour dance party for children curated by DJ Miles of Theatre of the Imagination, a petting zoo by Paramount Pony and Petting Zoo, a foam party in North Park and a musical performance by Nick Nave. Local Park Hill Robotics Club will also demonstrate the robots they’ve created.
There will also be photo ops to help you remember summer ’24, with a Summer Fest floral sign by Luminate KC and a balloon wall by BalloonistaKC.
So, embrace the heat and head to Zona Rosa to celebrate summer and support all the talent that KC has to offer with Summer Fest.
GO: July 20. 11 am–6 pm. North Park and the bridge at Zona Rosa.
July
1
United States vs. Uruguay
Fourteen U.S. cities will host Copa América, the oldest still-running men’s football (soccer) tournament among national teams from South America. On July 1—just a few days ahead of the quarterfinals on July 4 in Houston—Kansas City will host Uruguay as part of the 16-team tournament. This is a huge opportunity for U.S. soccer fans, as this will be only the second time Copa América has been held outside of South America since the inaugural tournament in 1916. July 1. 10 am. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
6
Kenny Chesney
One of the most popular country acts of all time, Kenny Chesney is hitting the home of the Chiefs at Arrowhead on his Sun Goes Down stadium tour, based on his When the Sun Goes Down album released 20 years ago. No Shoes Nation will get to hear Chesney’s wide, decades-spanning catalog of hits, with Zac Brown Band opening. July 6. 6 pm. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
7
Totally Tubular Festival
90.9 The Bridge presents this one-night festival at Grinders—one of the best intimate outdoor venues KC has to offer—featuring musicians Thomas Dolby, Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, Men Without Hats and The Plimsouls. Totally Tubular Festival is a throwback concert honoring the ’80s music scene, with legendary bands of the time performing hits of the decade, including “The Safety Dance” and “What I Like About You,” for a dance-filled nostalgic celebration. July 7. 6 pm. Grinders.
9–14
Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Presented by KC Care Health Center as part of the 2024 AdventHealth Broadway Series, Disney’s beloved 1989 cartoon gets an adaptation for the stage. The Little Mermaid follows the beloved musical tale of Ariel the mermaid, who lives in the ocean but dreams of seeing the world above the water with friends Flounder the fish and Sebastian the crab. July 9–14. 8 pm. Starlight Theatre.
14
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys may be one of the longest-enduring rock bands of all time, with a career spanning 50-plus years. Best known for their iconic 1966 album Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys have cemented themselves as icons in the music industry. The band is embarking on the Endless Summer Gold tour, which will be led by Mike Love with longtime member Bruce Johnston and a number of touring musicians playing their expansive, timeless catalog of hits. July 14. 7 pm. Uptown Theater.
16
Killer Queen
Killer Queen is a world-renowned Queen tribute band—and the only tribute band to have played and sold out the same arenas as Queen. They are making their way across the pond to play the iconic hits of the legendary band. July 16. 8 pm. Uptown Theater.
17
Train
Pop-rock band Train formed 30 years ago in San Francisco and has been creating timeless music ever since, with hits like “Drops of Jupiter” and “Hey, Soul Sister.” They will be performing their catalog of catchy tunes underneath the stars at Starlight with opener Yacht Rock Revue. July 17. 8 pm. Starlight Theatre.
18
Bowling for Soup
Texas pop-punk rock band Bowling for Soup, best known for radio hits like “1985” and “Stacy’s Mom,” has garnered a loyal fanbase through the years with their whimsical humor and beloved songs. The band hits KC on tour in support of the 20th anniversary of A Hangover You Don’t Deserve with openers Keep Flying and Eternal Boy. July 18. 7:30 pm. The Truman.
19–20
Amelia Earhart Festival
The birthplace of Amelia Earhart keeps her soaring spirit alive with a weekend-long summer fest. This two-day family-friendly community event features a food and crafts fair, an outdoor concert, children’s activities, Earhart research and literature, a fun run, music on the riverfront, aerobatic performances and a “Concert in the Sky” fireworks show for the grand finale. July 19–20. Times vary. Atchison, KS (various locations).
19 & 20
Disney’s Beauty & the Beast
The Culture House Summer Broadway Series presents Disney’s Beauty & the Beast. The magical 1991 musical is reimagined for the stage with incredible costuming, beloved music and dazzling sets to create this enchanting, family-friendly adventure. Experience the magic of these classic characters live as bookish Belle changes the Beast’s heart and saves both him and her father with the magic of love and determination. July 19 & 20. 2 & 7 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
20
Summer Outdoor Movies In The Park
As part of their summer series, Zona Rosa will be showing both new movies and classic flicks in their free, family-friendly outdoor movie nights all summer long. Grab a blanket or lawn chair and find a spot in North Park (the green space south of Dillard’s). On the 20th, cult-classic favorite Clueless will be playing. Loosely adapted from Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma, the comedy follows shallow and rich popular girl Cher (played by Alicia Silverstone) as she turns her Beverly Hills high school world out of order—as if! July 20. 8:45 pm. Zona Rosa North Park.
21
Jason Mraz
Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz reached fame in the early-aughts with radio hits like “I’m Yours” and “Lucky.” He hits KC during the second leg of the Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride tour supporting Mraz’s eighth album of the same title. July 21. 7:30 pm. Starlight Theatre.
22
Vampire Weekend
Exploding on the scene with their massively successful self-titled 2008 album, Vampire Weekend’s indie-rock sound became a blueprint for others and dominated the airwaves in the 2010s—and you can still hear them at least once an hour on 96.5 Not-The-Buzz. Vampire Weekend hits KC on the Only God Was Above Us tour in support of their album of the same name released earlier this year. Fellow 2010’s indie-rock band Ra Ra Riot opens. July 22. 7 pm. Starlight Theatre.
July 23 – Aug 4
Moulin Rouge
Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film comes to life on stage in a new jukebox musical version of Moulin Rouge. Directed by Tony Award nominee Alex Timbers with choreography by Emmy nominee Sonya Tayeh, this musical is a celebration of beauty, freedom and love. Moulin Rouge takes audiences to a world filled with glitz, glamor, drama and romance at the turn of the 20th century in Paris. July 23–August 4. Times vary. Kansas City Music Hall.
26
Olivia Rodrigo
Singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo exploded on the scene with “Driver’s License,” which dominated airwaves and charts and catapulted her to stardom virtually overnight. She hits KC on her world tour in support of her newest album, Guts. July 26. 7:30 pm. T-Mobile Center.
27
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure
As part of Screenland Armour Theatre’s Backyard Movies series, cult-classic comedy for all ages Pee-wee’s Big Adventure will be playing underneath the stars. Based on Pee-wee’s Playhouse TV series that aired in the mid-to-late ’80s, the PG-rated comedy follows Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman, an eccentric child-like man who goes on a hilariously bizarre cross-country road trip to be reunited with his beloved bicycle at the Alamo. July 27. 9 pm. Screenland Armour Theatre.
31
Melissa Etheridge & Jewel
Kansas-born singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge has been a staple in the music scene since her debut eponymous album was released in 1988. Etheridge is joined by fellow ’90s powerful singer-songwriter Jewel. Jewel will perform music from her latest studio album, Freewheelin’ Woman, as well as fan favorites from her extensive catalog, including “Pieces of You.” July 31. 7:30 pm. Starlight Theatre.
