Blog > Kansas City's Best Spring Festivals and Events

Kansas City's Best Spring Festivals and Events

by New Heights KC LLC

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Large crowd at a spring festival in Kansas City, with a banner promoting events.

Kansas City’s Annual Spring Festivals & Events

Kansas City comes alive in the spring, offering events you won’t want to miss! Whether you're raising a glass for St. Patrick's Day or cheering courtside during March Madness, there's something for everyone. Get ready to mark your calendar and dive into a season packed with unforgettable experiences.

 

MARCH EVENTS

  • Planet Comicon Kansas City 
    Experience over 25 years of celebrating superheroes, pop culture, and more at Kansas City’s biggest and longest-running comic convention. Dive into a world of comic books, fantasy, sci-fi shows, and blockbuster movies, all in one exciting event.

  • Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championships 
    The Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship is back in Kansas City, where teams will compete for the prestigious title.

Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championships  The Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship is back in Kansas City, where teams will compete for the prestigious title.

  • Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championships 
    Kansas City takes center stage on the path to the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship as Big 12 teams compete for the top spot. Between the action, dive into basketball history and channel your love for the game at the nearby College Basketball Experience. 

  • Snake Saturday Parade & Family Fun Festival 
    This long-standing Northland tradition typically takes place in March and is a favorite part of Kansas City's St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The festivities in North Kansas City offer fun for all ages, kicking off with a lively parade and wrapping up with a vibrant carnival.

  • Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade 
    One of the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades fills Midtown with hundreds of colorful floats. The celebration doesn’t stop there—it wraps up in Westport, where Irish-inspired festivities carry on late into the night.

  • Kansas City FilmFest International
    Grab some snacks and immerse yourself in over 100 films from local, regional, national, and international creators at this annual juried film festival.

Full movie theater audience seated in rows of dark chairs.

  • Spring American Royal Livestock Show 
    With a history stretching back to 1899, this legendary event stands as one of the most challenging competitions around. It attracts thousands of owners, breeders, aspiring agricultural leaders, and animal lovers from all over.

 

APRIL EVENTS

  • Fountain Day 
    Each April, the city comes alive with the celebration of Greater Kansas City Fountain Day. This annual event marks the moment when all 48 city-operated fountains are turned back on, filling the streets with the soothing sound of flowing water. Fountains in Kansas City are more than just decorative; they’re a source of pride, symbolizing the comfort, energy, and vibrancy that define the heart of the community.

    Nighttime fountain with illuminated water jets and bronze sculptures of horses and mythical figures, set against a backdrop of city buildings.
  • Gatsby Days 
    Hosted in Excelsior Springs, this event brings the Roaring ‘20s to life with street performers, live shows, music, classic cars, vintage fashion, and more. It’s a celebration of the culture, style, and history of the era, offering an unforgettable experience for all who attend. 

 

MAY EVENTS

  • Brookside Art Annual 
    The Kansas City art festival season begins with the Brookside Art Annual, where the picturesque streets of Brookside turn into open-air galleries. You can enjoy unique artwork, delicious food, and live music in this charming neighborhood.

  • Cinco de Mayo Celebration 
    Celebrate the lively energy of Cinco de Mayo at Guadalupe Centers' annual event. Over three exciting days, you can enjoy live music, unique artisan booths, and delicious local food in Kansas City's historic Westside neighborhood.

Group of people in traditional Mexican folk costumes dancing outdoors under a gazebo.

  • Harry's Hay Days 
    Every year, the City of Grandview honors its connection to Harry S. Truman with the lively Harry's Hay Days festival. The event features a bustling parade, a variety of food and drink vendors, unique arts and crafts, live music performances, and a welcoming beer garden for attendees to enjoy.

  • NASCAR at Kansas Speedway 
    Make your way to Kansas Speedway for an adrenaline-filled NASCAR experience. With two weekends each year, you’ll enjoy twice the action and excitement.

  • Worlds of Fun Season Opening 
    KC’s well-loved amusement park is kicking off the summer season, offering some of the area’s most exciting rides.

People on a yellow and green Mamba roller coaster train, ascending a hill at a theme park.

  • Turkey Creek Festival 
    Spend the day in Merriam, KS, enjoying activities for all ages at the beautiful Antioch Park. Start your morning with a pancake breakfast before taking on a 5K run. Stick around for live music, plenty of entertainment, and a dedicated Kid Zone for family fun.

  • Kansas City Triathlon 
    Kansas City’s top triathlon event kicks off summer at Longview Lake. You can choose from Olympic, Sprint, or Relay distances, along with a duathlon option.

  • Oceans of Fun Season Opening 
    The Midwest’s biggest outdoor water park kicks off its summer season and stays open through Labor Day.

  • Celebration at the Station
    Kick off your summer with the Midwest’s biggest free Memorial Day weekend celebration. Set against the stunning backdrop of Union Station, the Kansas City Symphony fills the air with patriotic music. Special guests add to the excitement, and the night wraps up with a breathtaking fireworks display.

Large crowd gathered in a park-like area in front of a historic train station, with tents and stage setup for an outdoor event.

  • Hospital Hill Run 
    Take on the challenge of Kansas City's iconic running event, offering half-marathon, 10k, and 5k options. Proceeds support Children's Mercy Hospital. Are you ready to conquer the hills?

 

 

MONTHLY EVENTS

  • First Fridays in the Crossroads Arts District
    Each First Friday brings a fresh experience with a vibrant mix of art galleries, unique shops, food trucks, and more. This free, late-night event has something for everyone in one of the liveliest areas of Downtown.

    Outdoor scene with a large mural of a woman and blue jays, people relaxing and browsing at a street fair.
  • First Weekends in the West Bottoms
    Once a bustling hub for Kansas City’s stockyards, the West Bottoms has transformed into a haven for antique and vintage enthusiasts. Every first weekend of the month, its unique shops open their doors, inviting you to uncover quirky and nostalgic treasures.

 

Spring in Kansas City proves that this city knows how to celebrate. Don’t just hear about it—be a part of it. Check event schedules, grab your friends or family, and make the most of the season.

Looking for something new to do? Check out Explore Kansas City for more ideas!

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