Things to Do in Kansas City This Weekend: October 2–4, 2026
Apple dumplings, cider doughnuts, live music, and a little fall adventure—October is starting with plenty to do around Kansas City! 🍎🍂 Here are 11 weekend events, followed by pumpkin patch and apple orchard ideas to help you plan your outing.
All times are Central. Check the linked event pages before heading out for weather updates, tickets, and schedule changes.
1. KC Oktoberfest at Crown Center 🍻 — My Weekend Pick!
Bring your friends and celebrate fall with German-style beer, Bavarian food, live entertainment, games, and family activities. KC Bier Co.’s Oktoberfest brings a taste of Munich to Crown Center for two days of festive fun.
When: Friday, October 2, 5–11 p.m.; Saturday, October 3, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
Where: Crown Center Square, 2450 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO
Details and tickets: KC Oktoberfest
2. Weston Applefest 🍎
Spend the day exploring downtown Weston, shopping arts and crafts vendors, listening to live music, and enjoying apple treats. Apple dumplings and apple butter demonstrations make this a sweet way to welcome October. Saturday’s apple-themed parade begins at 10 a.m.
When: Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, October 4, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Historic downtown Weston, along Main Street, Weston, MO
Admission: Free
Details: Weston Applefest
3. Gladfest 🎡
Enjoy a community fall festival with carnival rides, vendors, live music, and a Saturday morning parade. Friday and Saturday offer the full festival experience; Sunday is carnival only.
When: Friday, October 2, 5–10 p.m.; Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m.; Sunday, October 4, noon–4 p.m., carnival only
Where: Downtown Gladstone, around 70th Street and N. Holmes Street and Linden Square, Gladstone, MO
Admission: Free festival admission; carnival rides cost extra
Details: Gladfest
4. Louisburg Cider Mill Ciderfest 🍩
Fresh apple cider and warm cider doughnuts? Yes, please! Ciderfest also features bluegrass music, craft vendors, festival food, and activities for kids. Start early for the Lions Club pancake breakfast, served from 8–11 a.m. each day.
When: Saturday and Sunday, October 3–4, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Louisburg Cider Mill, 14730 K-68 Highway, Louisburg, KS
Admission: Free admission and parking; breakfast, purchases, some activities, and the Family Farm cost extra
Details: Louisburg Ciderfest
5. Merriam Drive Live 🎶
Pack a lawn chair or blanket for an afternoon of free live music at Merriam Marketplace. The lineup includes Surfin’ Safari, The Original Silver Bullet, The Punching Pandas, and The Suburbans. Food trucks, yard games, face painting, and balloon art round out the outing.
When: Saturday, October 3, 2–8 p.m.
Where: Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive, Merriam, KS
Admission: Free
Details: Merriam Drive Live
6. Missouri Town’s 50th Annual Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts & Music 🍂
Step into an autumn celebration inspired by life in the mid-1800s. Explore historic buildings, watch artisans demonstrate traditional skills, and enjoy food, music, games, and family-friendly vendors.
When: Saturday and Sunday, October 3–4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Missouri Town Living History Museum, 8010 East Park Road, Lee’s Summit, MO
Admission: $15 per car; $25 per van or bus
Details: Missouri Town Fall Festival
7. Vintage Market Days of Kansas City 🛍️
Browse antiques, original art, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, and home décor at this indoor market in the West Bottoms. Food and live music make it easy to turn your shopping trip into a weekend outing.
When: Friday and Saturday, October 2–3, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday, October 4, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: American Royal Association, 1701 American Royal Court, Kansas City, MO
Details and tickets: Vintage Market Days
8. Crossroads First Fridays 🎨
Kick off the weekend with local art, galleries, creative businesses, vendors, and the lively atmosphere of the Crossroads. Make an evening of it with dinner and a stroll through the district.
When: Friday, October 2, approximately 5–9 p.m.; individual gallery and business hours vary
Where: Crossroads Arts District, around 19th and Wyandotte streets, Kansas City, MO
Details: Crossroads First Fridays
9. Kansas City Renaissance Festival 🏰
Add a little imagination to your weekend with costumed performers, entertainment, artisan shopping, and festival food. Gather your friends, dress up if you like, and spend the day exploring the festival grounds.
When: Saturday and Sunday, October 3–4, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Where: Kansas City Renaissance Festival grounds, 633 N. 130th Street, Bonner Springs, KS
Details and tickets: Kansas City Renaissance Festival
10. GloWild: Hidden Treasure ✨
Take an evening walk through a world of glowing lanterns at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. This year’s Hidden Treasure theme features scenes inspired by shipwrecks, buried treasure, expedition camps, and jungle landscapes.
When: Friday through Sunday, October 2–4, 6–10 p.m.
Where: Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO
Details and tickets: GloWild
11. PNC Family Fun Day at Power & Light 🧡
Looking for a free family outing downtown? Power & Light’s PNC Family Fun Day is a fall festival with activities for the whole family.
When: Saturday, October 3, beginning at 11 a.m.; check the event page for the full schedule
Where: Kansas City Power & Light District, downtown Kansas City, MO
Admission: Free
Details: PNC Family Fun Day
My Recommended Event: KC Oktoberfest at Crown Center 🍻
My pick for this weekend is KC Oktoberfest! Between the live entertainment, German-style beer, Bavarian food, and festive atmosphere, it sounds like a fun way to welcome October with friends or plan a fall date night.
Friday’s festivities run from 5–11 p.m., while Saturday gives you more time to explore, from 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Food and drinks are purchased separately from admission, so plan your budget for a few festival treats, too.
My planning tip: Go earlier if you want time to eat, explore, and settle in before the evening gets going. Find festival information and tickets here.
Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard Ideas Near Kansas City 🎃🍎
Want to spend part of the weekend outdoors? These farms offer more ways to enjoy the season. The hours below are for October 2–4.
| Farm | Location | Hours this weekend | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard | 18545 County Road H, Weston, MO | Friday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Apple picking, pumpkins, cider doughnuts, and farm activities. |
| Johnson Farms Plants & Pumpkins | 17701 Holmes Road, Belton, MO | Friday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. | A pumpkin patch, U-pick apple orchard, fall flowers, and family activities. |
| KC Pumpkin Patch | 13875 S. Gardner Road, Olathe, KS | Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Pumpkins and more than 60 farm attractions and activities. |
| Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch | 650 N. Jefferson Street, Kearney, MO | Friday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. | Pumpkin patch adventures and a fall festival with evening hours. |
| Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch | 17607 NE 52nd Street, Liberty, MO | Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Pumpkin picking, wagon rides, animals, a train, and a carousel. Last entry is one hour before closing. |
| Louisburg Cider Mill Family Farm | 14730 K-68 Highway, Louisburg, KS | Friday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. | Pumpkin patch, corn maze, wagon rides, and farm animals. Family Farm admission is separate from free Ciderfest admission. |
| Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch | 1791 N. 1500 Road, Lawrence, KS | Friday–Sunday, noon–6 p.m. | A pumpkin-picking outing close to Lawrence. |
Grandparents Weekend: Carolyn’s is offering grandparents $4 off admission at the gate on October 3–4. See its weekend events here.
Before you go: Check the farm’s website for tickets, weather updates, and picking availability. Apple varieties and crop conditions change during the season, and pumpkins or other purchases may cost extra.
Make a Fall Weekend of It 🍂
Pick a festival, add an orchard or pumpkin patch, and leave a little time for a cider doughnut along the way. Whether you’re planning a date, an afternoon with friends, or a family outing, there’s plenty to enjoy around KC this weekend.
