Things to Do in Kansas City This Weekend: Nov 6-8, 2026 Guide
Things to Do in Kansas City This Weekend: Nov. 6-8, 2026 Guide
Nov 6, 2026 · @Jason DeLong
This is one of the busiest weekends Kansas City will see all fall. Garth Brooks plays two nights downtown. The KC Current host an NWSL playoff match. The Chiefs host the Jets at Arrowhead on Sunday.
On top of that, it's Veterans Day weekend. That means free museum admission for veterans, a hometown parade in Lee's Summit, and the final weekend of a free light show at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. The first holiday markets of the season open too.
I'm Jason DeLong with Heartland Homes KC. I studied architecture at Kansas State, and I've been a Kansas City real estate agent since 2007. I've built over 100 homes and flipped over 150 homes personally, so I know a thing or two about the process. I also know that events like these tell you more about Kansas City neighborhoods than any listing photo ever will.
Below is your day-by-day guide to things to do in Kansas City this weekend, Nov. 6 to 8, 2026. It covers the urban core, the Northland, Johnson County, and eastern Jackson County. If you're weighing a move or a sale before the holidays, you can schedule a quick call with me anytime.
Quick Answer: What Is Happening in Kansas City This Weekend?
The biggest events in Kansas City this weekend (Nov. 6 to 8, 2026) are Garth Brooks at T-Mobile Center, the KC Current playoff match at CPKC Stadium, and Chiefs vs. Jets at Arrowhead. The best free option is the Veterans Day weekend at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Here are the headliners at a glance:
Garth Brooks: Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., T-Mobile Center, Downtown
KC Current vs. Angel City FC (NWSL quarterfinal): Saturday, 11 a.m., CPKC Stadium, Berkley Riverfront
Chiefs vs. New York Jets: Sunday, noon, GEHA Field at Arrowhead
Liberty's Beacon light show: Friday to Sunday, 6 to 10:30 p.m., WWI Memorial North Lawn, free
Lee's Summit Veterans Day Parade: Saturday, 11 a.m., Downtown Lee's Summit, free
Crown Center Ice Terrace opening: Friday morning free skate, 6 to 9 a.m.
Kansas City Weekend Weather
Expect a frosty start Saturday morning, with lows near 35 degrees. Saturday warms into the mid-50s under mostly sunny skies. Sunday is the pick of the weekend, sunny and in the low 60s. That's great tailgate weather for Arrowhead.
Friday, November 6: Ice Skating, First Friday, and Garth Brooks
Friday kicks off early and runs late. Here's how to plan it.
Crown Center Ice Terrace Opening Day
Kansas City's outdoor rink opens for the season Friday morning. The opening skate runs from 6 to 9 a.m., and it's free, with complimentary coffee and hot chocolate. Regular sessions start at 10 a.m. and run all weekend. Check Crown Center's site for current admission prices.
Crossroads First Friday
The Crossroads Arts District hosts its monthly gallery crawl Friday evening. Walking the district is free. A few highlights:
Beggars Bazaar: a local artist pop-up at Beggars Table, 6 to 9 p.m.
Free First Friday Comedy: stand-up at The Bird Comedy Theater, 7 p.m.
Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art: an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m.
Belger Crane Yard Studios: an exhibition opening plus glass-blowing and clay demos
Garth Brooks at T-Mobile Center
Garth Brooks brings his in-the-round arena tour to T-Mobile Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Resale tickets are running roughly $160 and up. Expect heavy traffic around the Power & Light District all evening.
Kansas City Pet Fest
Pet Fest opens at Hale Arena in the American Royal complex from 4 to 8 p.m. Think dock-dog diving, trick shows, rescues, and vendors. Tickets run about $17 to $21, with discounts for kids.
More Friday Night Options Across the Metro
Kansas City Mavericks vs. Tahoe Knight Monsters: 7:05 p.m., Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence
Mistletoe Madness Holiday Craft Show: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Gamber Community Center, Lee's Summit, free
Downtown Lee's Summit Holiday Open House: Friday and Saturday during shop hours, free
GloWild: Hidden Treasure: evening lantern festival at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, ticketed
Winter Magic: drive-through and walk-through holiday lights at Platte Purchase Park in the Northland, per-car fee
John Lennon's Birthday Bash: a Beatles tribute at Knuckleheads in the East Bottoms
Footloose by First Act Theatre Arts: youth musical theater in Olathe, through Sunday
Saturday, November 7: The Busiest Day of the Weekend
Saturday packs the most into one day. You can catch a playoff match, a parade, and a holiday market before lunch.
KC Current NWSL Quarterfinal
The KC Current host Angel City FC in the NWSL quarterfinal at 11 a.m. at CPKC Stadium on the Berkley Riverfront. The Current come in on a five-match win streak and a franchise-record home unbeaten run. The match airs on CBS and Paramount+. Dress warm. It's a chilly morning on the river.
Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit hosts its Veterans Day Parade, "Legacy of Liberty: America 250," from 11 a.m. to noon at SE Main and SE 3rd. It's free. Some older listings still say noon, but the updated start time is 11 a.m. Stick around for the Downtown Holiday Open House and day two of the Mistletoe Madness craft show (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Free Holiday Markets Across the Metro
Saturday is the day to start your holiday shopping. Three good free options:
KC Local Holiday Market: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thompson Barn, Lenexa. More than 55 local vendors.
KC Parks Fall Bazaar: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Union Cemetery Park near Crown Center. Vendors, food trucks, and guided history tours.
Holidazzle Vendor Fair: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 6850 College Blvd., Overland Park. Small businesses plus a silent auction.
Smithville Winter Wine Walk and Christmas Market
Downtown Smithville hosts its Winter Wine Walk from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door, and it's 21 and up. The open-air Christmas Market on the Courtyard Square is free to browse. Proceeds benefit the Smithville Main Street District.
Dia de Muertos on Central Avenue in KCK
Kansas City, Kansas celebrates Dia de Muertos along Central Avenue from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Expect altars, food, and music. Walking Catrinas appear from 3 to 6 p.m., and the parade runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. It's free. Check the organizer's schedule for the exact site.
Troost United Fest
Troost United Fest runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3101 Troost Ave. It's free, with live music, food, and exhibits on the history of the Troost corridor.
Family-Friendly Saturday Picks
Kansas City Pet Fest: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Hale Arena
Nelson-Atkins Free Weekend Fun: drop-in family art activities in the afternoon, free
Lakeside Nature Center: "Mother Nature Reads" at 10 a.m. and a naturalist hike at 10:30 a.m., Swope Park, free
Uptown Matsuri Japanese Festival: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Independence Uptown Market, ticketed
Cottonwood Tales: outdoor story time at the Overland Park Arboretum, 10 a.m.
Farmers markets: City Market in the River Market (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and the Overland Park Farmers Market (8 a.m. to noon)
Saturday Night Shows
Garth Brooks (night two): 8 p.m., T-Mobile Center. The 2 p.m. matinee was canceled, so any afternoon tickets are no longer valid.
Lyric Opera's The Marriage of Figaro: 7:30 p.m., Kauffman Center
KC Jazz Orchestra, Music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane: Gem Theater, 18th & Vine
Joe Gatto (Impractical Jokers): 6:30 and 9:15 p.m., Funny Bone at Zona Rosa
Amythyst Kiah with Buffalo Nichols: 8 p.m., Knuckleheads
38 Special: 8:30 p.m., Ameristar Casino
Kansas City Mavericks: 6:05 p.m., Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence
College Football Watch Parties
If you're catching games at a local spot, here's the Saturday slate:
Missouri vs. No. 7 Texas: 11 a.m. in Columbia
K-State vs. Oklahoma State: noon in Manhattan
KU vs. UCF: in Lawrence. Kickoff listings vary, so check KU Athletics before you go.
Sunday, November 8: Chiefs Kickoff and a Calm Finish
Sunday belongs to the Chiefs. Kickoff against the New York Jets is at noon at GEHA Field at Arrowhead, on CBS and Paramount+. With sunny skies and temps in the low 60s, it's a great day to tailgate.
Where to Watch the Chiefs Game
No ticket? KC Live! in the Power & Light District hosts its Coca-Cola Game Day watch party on the big screen. Entry is typically free.
Other Sunday Plans
Veterans Day 5K, 10K, and 15K: 8 a.m., English Landing Park, Parkville. Part of the proceeds benefit the VFW Foundation. Registration closes Saturday night.
Kansas City Symphony's Buckets N Boards: 4 p.m., Kauffman Center. A family show built on percussion and comedy.
City Market Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., River Market
WWI Museum veterans weekend: last day of the Huey helicopter display, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Everclear with American Hi-Fi: evening show at The Truman
Shawnee Mission Park Fall Hayrides: by registration through Nov. 22
Winter Magic: holiday lights at Platte Purchase Park in the Northland
The east side of the metro is quiet Sunday. Arrowhead traffic will dominate I-70 and I-435 from late morning on, so plan your route around it.
Free Things to Do in Kansas City This Weekend
You don't need concert tickets to have a great weekend. The best free plan in town is the Veterans Day weekend at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Liberty's Beacon and the WWI Museum Veterans Weekend
This is the final weekend of Liberty's Beacon, a free projection show on the Memorial. It runs from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Watch from the North Lawn. All three artists' installations rotate each night.
During the day, the museum offers free admission to veterans and active-duty military, plus spouses and dependents with ID. Everyone else gets in at half price. A Huey helicopter display and WWI family-history research stations run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all three days.
More Free Events This Weekend
Crown Center Ice Terrace opening skate, Friday 6 to 9 a.m.
Crossroads First Friday gallery walk, Friday evening
Lee's Summit Veterans Day Parade, Saturday at 11 a.m.
Mistletoe Madness Holiday Craft Show, Lee's Summit, Friday and Saturday
KC Local Holiday Market at Thompson Barn in Lenexa, Saturday
KC Parks Fall Bazaar at Union Cemetery, Saturday
Holidazzle Vendor Fair in Overland Park, Saturday
Troost United Fest, Saturday
Dia de Muertos on Central Avenue in KCK, Saturday
Nelson-Atkins Free Weekend Fun, Saturday afternoon
Smithville Christmas Market on the Courtyard Square, Saturday
City Market and Overland Park farmers markets, free to browse
Know Before You Go: Traffic, Changes, and Tips
Three big crowds will hit three different parts of town this weekend. Plan around them and your weekend gets a lot easier.
Friday and Saturday nights: Garth Brooks fills Downtown and the Power & Light District.
Saturday late morning: the Current match packs the Berkley Riverfront.
Sunday from late morning on: Arrowhead traffic takes over I-70 and I-435.
A few other things to know:
The Garth Brooks Saturday matinee is canceled. Only the 8 p.m. shows are happening.
The Lee's Summit parade starts at 11 a.m., not noon as some older listings say.
Most pumpkin patches closed Nov. 1. Shawnee Mission Park's hayrides are the main fall-farm option still running. Call any farm before you drive out.
The big Veterans Day ceremonies are Wednesday, Nov. 11, not this weekend. That includes events at the WWI Museum, Liberty, and Parkville.
Event details change. Confirm times and prices on the organizer's site before you head out.
What This Weekend Tells You About Kansas City Neighborhoods
Here's the part most event guides skip. Where a community gathers says a lot about how it was built, and how it will hold value.
My architecture training taught me to look at how people use space, not just what the space looks like. After building subdivisions across this metro, I still look at events the same way. A parade route, a town square, or a barn that hosts a holiday market is a sign of a community that people actually show up for.
Walkable Downtowns Hold Their Appeal
Look at where this weekend's free events land. Downtown Lee's Summit hosts a parade, a holiday open house, and a craft show in the same few blocks. Smithville runs its wine walk and Christmas market around its Courtyard Square. These are compact, walkable centers. Buyers keep asking for that, and builders can't easily recreate it.
Gathering Spaces Are Built In, Not Added Later
Lenexa's Thompson Barn and Overland Park's farmers market are good examples of planned community space. When a city invests in places like these, residents get a reason to stay local on a Saturday. That's a big part of why so many Johnson County suburbs keep showing up on lists of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City. If you're curious how that plays out in prices, my look at Shawnee KS home price trends for 2026 breaks it down.
The Urban Core Has Its Own Rhythm
The Crossroads, the River Market, 18th & Vine, and Central Avenue in KCK all show up on this weekend's calendar. Each has a distinct character. For buyers, that variety is the point. You can pick a neighborhood that matches how you actually like to spend a weekend.
If you're buying your first home and trying to narrow it down, start with my guide to the best neighborhoods in Kansas City for first-time homebuyers. Then go spend a Saturday there. A weekend like this one is the best neighborhood tour you'll get.
Thinking About Selling Before the Holidays?
The first holiday markets mean the year-end clock is ticking. Many homeowners assume they should wait until spring to sell. That isn't always the right call.
At Heartland Homes KC, we don't push one path. We lay out your options and help you pick the one that puts the most money in your pocket. The goal is your net, not just your list price.
Start With Your Number
Every good decision starts with knowing what your home is worth today. You can get a free home value estimate in a couple of minutes. It's the fastest way to see where you stand.
Your Seller Options
Cash Offers+: a market-value cash offer with a fast close, often in 7 to 14 days. If you're comparing cash home buyers Kansas City has to offer, you can request your cash offers here and see real numbers side by side.
Fix It & List It: we handle repairs and upgrades with no upfront cost to you, then list for top dollar.
Trade-In Program: buy your next home first, then sell the current one. No double move.
A full-market listing: backed by our 100-Point Marketing Plan, built to create demand before your home ever hits the market.
If you live in a suburb and want to understand how cash offers compare to a listing, my sellers guide to cash offers in Kansas City suburbs walks through it.
Selling on Your Own?
Some homeowners want to try selling by owner first. That's fine. Just go in with a plan. My for sale by owner guide for Kansas City, MO is a good place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Kansas City this weekend?
The top events in Kansas City this weekend (Nov. 6 to 8, 2026) are Garth Brooks at T-Mobile Center on Friday and Saturday, the KC Current NWSL quarterfinal on Saturday at 11 a.m., and Chiefs vs. Jets on Sunday at noon. Free options include the WWI Museum's Veterans Day weekend and the Lee's Summit Veterans Day Parade.
What free events are happening in Kansas City this weekend?
The best free event is Liberty's Beacon, a light show at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, from 6 to 10:30 p.m. nightly. Other free options include holiday markets in Lenexa, Overland Park, and Union Cemetery, Dia de Muertos in KCK, and Crossroads First Friday.
Is the WWI Museum free for veterans this weekend?
Yes. Veterans and active-duty military get free admission Nov. 6 to 8, 2026, along with spouses and dependents with ID. General admission is half price for everyone else.
What time is the Lee's Summit Veterans Day Parade?
The parade runs from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 7, in Downtown Lee's Summit at SE Main and SE 3rd. It's free.
Are there holiday markets in Kansas City this weekend?
Yes. The KC Local Holiday Market at Thompson Barn in Lenexa, the KC Parks Fall Bazaar at Union Cemetery, and the Holidazzle Vendor Fair in Overland Park all run Saturday. Smithville also hosts a Christmas Market alongside its Winter Wine Walk.
Is November a good time to sell a house in Kansas City?
It can be. The right timing depends on your home, your price point, and your next move. A Kansas City real estate agent can walk you through your options, including a cash offer, a listing, or a trade-in, so you can compare your net proceeds before you decide.
Enjoy the Weekend, Then Let's Talk About Your Next Move
Kansas City has a lot going on this weekend. Catch a match, skate at Crown Center, or stand on the WWI Memorial lawn when the lights come on. It's a great reminder of why so many people choose to live here.
If this weekend has you thinking about a new neighborhood, or about selling the house you're in, I'd love to help. As a Kansas City real estate agent and builder, I'll give you a straight answer on your options, your timing, and your numbers.
Schedule a call with Jason DeLong and the Heartland Homes KC team today. No pressure, just a clear plan.
