Kansas City Events This Weekend: September 19–20, 2026
Kansas City Events This Weekend: September 19–20, 2026
Looking for the best Kansas City events this weekend? September 19–20 brings free fall festivals, live music, pumpkin-patch fun, independent films, glowing zoo displays and a major Chiefs watch party.
Whether you live in the Northland, Johnson County, eastern Jackson County or downtown Kansas City, there is something happening within an easy drive.
After more than 25 years working in architecture, construction, development and Kansas City real estate, I have learned that local events tell you a lot about a community. Festivals, parks, entertainment districts and family traditions are part of what makes our different Kansas City neighborhoods feel like home.
Here are some of the best things to do in Kansas City this weekend. If you are also exploring homes or planning a move, you can schedule a call with Heartland Homes KC to get local guidance from a Kansas City real estate agent who knows both sides of the state line.
Best Kansas City Events This Weekend
Fall Fun Festival in Blue Springs
The 57th Annual Fall Fun Festival takes over downtown Blue Springs from Friday, September 18, through Sunday, September 20.
This is one of the largest free Kansas City fall festivals happening this weekend. More than 200 vendors are expected, along with carnival rides, festival food, live entertainment and activities for all ages.
Weekend highlights include:
More than 200 vendor booths
Carnival rides
Live entertainment
Classic car show
Hometown parade
Beer Garden
Dog Garden
Food and refreshments
Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
The festival takes place around 1000 West Main Street in downtown Blue Springs. Visit the official Fall Fun Festival event page for the latest schedule.
Blue Springs continues to be popular with buyers who want established neighborhoods, strong community events and access to both Kansas City and outdoor recreation. You can explore more communities and available properties through our featured Kansas City listings and neighborhood guide.
Camp Leavenworth Festival and 5K
Camp Leavenworth combines live music, outdoor activities, food and family entertainment near Leavenworth Landing Park.
The festival runs Friday evening and all day Saturday. Saturday’s activities are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The 5K run and walk begins at 9:30 a.m.
Better Than Ezra is scheduled to perform Saturday evening.
Visitors can also expect:
Carnival rides
Food trucks
Live music
Local vendors
Hands-on children’s activities
Camp-inspired games
Outdoor entertainment
Festival admission is free. Adult registration for the 5K is $35, while children can participate in the race for free.
The event is located near Leavenworth Landing Park and the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum at 2 Cherokee Street in Leavenworth, Kansas. Check the Camp Leavenworth Festival details before making the drive.
GloWild: Hidden Treasure at the Kansas City Zoo
GloWild returns to the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium with a new Hidden Treasure theme.
This nighttime event features a mile-long illuminated trail filled with large sculptures and immersive displays. This year’s scenes are inspired by shipwrecks, buried treasure, jungle expeditions and long-lost artifacts.
The displays were created using more than 34 tons of steel and 89,000 feet of fabric. There are also concessions, entertainment and plenty of photo opportunities along the route.
GloWild is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Advance tickets are recommended.
The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is located at 6800 Zoo Drive in Kansas City, Missouri. Visit the GloWild event page for ticket availability and current event information.
This is one of my top choices for families who want an evening activity. It also works well for a date night or a trip with visiting relatives.
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch Opening Weekend
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch opens its 2026 season this weekend in Liberty.
The 60-acre working farm has become a popular fall destination for Northland families. Regular activities include wagon rides, a train ride, the Country Carousel, a petting barn, pedal karts, slides and a large pumpkin jumping pad.
Weekend activities also include live music and scheduled pig races.
September 19–20 is Ren Fest Giveaway and Sampling Weekend. The first 50 adults each day are expected to receive a complimentary ticket to the 2026 Kansas City Renaissance Festival. Visitors can also sample kettle corn, roasted nuts, jams and jellies.
Weekend hours are:
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Online weekend admission generally ranges from $21.95 to $25.95 before taxes and fees. Children age two and younger enter free with a paid adult. Pumpkins and certain premium activities cost extra.
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch is located at 17607 NE 52nd Street in Liberty, Missouri. Review the pumpkin patch hours, activities and current discounts before visiting.
As a Northland Kansas City real estate agent, I see community attractions like this influence where families choose to live. Liberty offers convenient highway access, established neighborhoods, newer subdivisions and a strong sense of community.
Kansas City FilmFest International
Movie fans can see more than 100 local, regional, national and international films during the Kansas City FilmFest International.
The juried festival runs from Friday through Sunday at AMC Ward Parkway 14. Its schedule includes a variety of independent films that may not receive a traditional theatrical release.
The theater is located at 8600 Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri.
Because showtimes and ticket requirements vary, review the Kansas City FilmFest lineup and ticket information before heading out.
This is an excellent indoor option if the weather changes or you want something quieter than a large outdoor festival.
Chiefs vs. Colts Watch Party at KC Live!
The Kansas City Chiefs face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night, and KC Live! is hosting a downtown game-day watch party.
The game will be shown on a 40-foot screen inside the Kansas City Power & Light District. Surrounding bars will offer game-day food and drinks. The event also includes giveaways and interactive games.
Doors open at 5:20 p.m. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:20 p.m.
The cover charge is $20, and the event is restricted to guests age 21 and older. KC Live! is located at 13 Grand Boulevard in downtown Kansas City.
Tickets and current entry information are available through the Chiefs watch-party event page.
If you want the energy of Arrowhead without attending the game, this should be one of the liveliest places in Kansas City on Sunday night.
KC Pitch Dessert Week
KC Pitch Dessert Week continues through Sunday, September 20.
Participating restaurants and bakeries are offering selected desserts for half price. Options include cakes, cheesecake, bread pudding, ice cream cookie sandwiches, candy apple nachos and fried Oreos.
Participating locations include businesses in Kansas City, Liberty, Mission, Olathe and other parts of the metro.
Because the featured desserts and hours vary by business, check the KC Pitch Dessert Week participating locations before visiting.
This could be an easy addition to another weekend activity. Stop for dessert after the Fall Fun Festival, GloWild or an afternoon spent touring different Kansas City neighborhoods.
Free Things to Do in Kansas City This Weekend
If you want to enjoy the weekend without spending much, start with these options:
Fall Fun Festival in Blue Springs
Camp Leavenworth Festival
Linda Hall Library Arboretum Tour
Browsing local vendors and entertainment at community festivals
KC Pitch Dessert Week for discounted treats
Camp Leavenworth and the Fall Fun Festival offer the most entertainment without an admission charge. You may still want to budget for food, drinks, carnival rides or vendor purchases.
Best Family Events in Kansas City This Weekend
Families with younger children should consider:
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch
GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo
Fall Fun Festival
Camp Leavenworth
Kansas City FilmFest International
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch is the most traditional fall experience. GloWild is the strongest evening choice. The Fall Fun Festival provides the broadest mix of activities with free admission.
Planning Your Kansas City Weekend
Outdoor festivals can become busy during peak afternoon and evening hours. Arriving near opening time usually makes parking and navigating the event easier.
Before leaving home:
Confirm hours on the event’s official website
Purchase timed tickets in advance when required
Check parking instructions
Review age restrictions
Bring water and weather-appropriate clothing
Allow additional travel time around downtown events
Schedules, ticket prices and availability can change. Always verify final details with the event organizer.
Discover the Best Kansas City Neighborhoods
Weekend events are a fun way to experience the communities that make the metro unique. Blue Springs offers a different lifestyle from Liberty. Leavenworth feels different from downtown Kansas City. Each area has its own housing options, commute patterns, amenities and personality.
That is why identifying the best neighborhoods in Kansas City is not about choosing one universal winner. It is about matching a neighborhood with your preferred lifestyle, budget and long-term plans.
Heartland Homes KC helps buyers and sellers evaluate more than the house itself. We look at construction quality, potential improvements, resale value, location and the financial impact of the move.
If you are considering selling, start with a complimentary Kansas City home-value estimate.
Homeowners who prefer a faster sale can also compare options from cash home buyers in Kansas City. A cash offer can be helpful when speed or certainty matters, but it is not automatically the best choice for every property.
Owners who want maximum market exposure can review the Heartland Homes KC 100-Point Marketing Plan. It explains how we position and promote properties across the Kansas City market.
Make the Most of This Kansas City Weekend
Kansas City has a little bit of everything happening September 19–20. You can attend a free fall festival, explore a pumpkin patch, watch independent films, walk through GloWild or cheer on the Chiefs downtown.
My top recommendations are the Fall Fun Festival for an affordable family day, Camp Leavenworth for free live music and GloWild for a memorable evening experience.
If a weekend drive has you thinking about a different part of the metro, let’s talk. Schedule a call with Heartland Homes KC for experienced guidance on buying, selling or comparing Kansas City neighborhoods.
