12 Things to Do in Kansas City This Weekend: August 28–30, 2026

Kansas City is giving us one of those weekends where the hard part is picking one plan. Wine tasting, hometown jazz, soccer, Broadway, outdoor festivals, Japanese culture, and a big outdoor concert are all on the table.

If you’re looking for things to do in Kansas City this weekend, this list stretches across KC, Kansas City, Kansas, Bonner Springs, Paola, and Merriam, with a film program connected to Union Station. Check times, prices, ticket rules, and outdoor weather plans on every linked event page before heading out.

For more Kansas City events and dates worth keeping on the calendar, including future plans for the Renaissance Festival, browse Kansas City’s annual events.

Things to Do in Kansas City This Weekend on Friday

Friday can be a grown-up zoo night, a small-town festival evening, a sports-film outing, or free carnival fun. With family events in the mix, there isn’t a bad direction to go.

Sip and explore at Wine Walk for Wildlife

Wine Walk for Wildlife takes over the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium on Friday, August 28. VIP access runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., while general admission goes from 6 to 10 p.m.

This is a 21-and-older night with wine samples, food, live music, and a conservation focus. VIP admission includes extra wine samples, food and dessert, beer and wine, plus access to the Sobela Ocean Aquarium.

Wine Walk is cashless and happens rain or shine, so bring a card and dress for whatever August decides to do.

Hear roots, blues, and Americana at Paola Roots Festival

The Paola Roots Festival returns to Paola Park Square on Friday and Saturday, August 28 and 29. This community festival features live music, a barbecue cook-off, carnival rides, food vendors, arts and crafts, and family activities.

Friday admission is $15, Saturday is $20, and an advance two-day pass is $35. Kids 12 and younger get in free. Lawn chairs are welcome, and the festival runs rain or shine.

Watch sports stories at Full Tilt Film Festival

The new Full Tilt Film Festival is built around sports films, documentaries, and the stories behind the scoreboard. Friday programming connects with Union Station, while Saturday events move into the historic 18th and Vine District.

Look for screenings, filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, and conversations with athletes and entertainment professionals. The schedule has moving parts, so confirm your film and ticket details before making the trip.

Enjoy free family fun at Tiblow Days

Tiblow Days Festival wraps up Friday in downtown Bonner Springs. The annual heritage festival includes a carnival, parade, Tiblow Trot 5K, car show, food trucks, vendors, kids’ activities, and music and entertainment.

Friday’s listed hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Admission is free, making this one of the weekend’s easy free summer events, though rides and a few activities may cost extra. This year’s festival is listed as August 26 through 28, so Friday is the last chance to catch it.

Saturday plans for sports, culture, and a night out

Saturday has an early start if you’re feeling ambitious, then keeps rolling into theater, jazz, brunch drinks, and soccer. Pick a lane, or build your day around one daytime stop and one evening plan.

Start the morning with yoga at the Kauffman Center

Yoga at the Kauffman Center offers an intermediate class at 8:30 a.m. and Yoga Foundations at 10:30 a.m. Bring your own mat.

Tickets include one class and a souvenir gift, and space is limited. Check the final schedule, ticket availability, and pricing before you go.

Celebrate Charlie Parker and Kansas City jazz

The Charlie Parker Day Celebration honors the Kansas City jazz legend on what would have been his 106th birthday. Head to the American Jazz Museum for the Bird Lives statue, jazz performances, a Parker history presentation, listening activities, trivia, an instrument petting zoo, and a guest artist panel.

The main celebration is expected to be free, while museum gallery admission may still apply. Confirm exact hours before you leave.

Brunch and dance at Mimosa Fest

Mimosa Fest brings an adults-only brunch party to the Power & Light District’s KC Live! from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expect specialty mimosas, DJs, entertainment, games, photo spots, and specials at participating venues.

Tickets are required, and guests must be 21 or older. Take a look at the event page for current tickets and the restaurant lineup.

Pick your soccer night

For Saturday, Sporting Kansas City versus Vancouver Whitecaps is listed for 5:30 p.m. at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Kansas City Current schedule and tickets list North Carolina Courage at CPKC Stadium on Sunday, August 30, with Brain Health Awareness Night. The Current match is listed for 5:30 p.m. too, so don’t accidentally plan for both on Saturday. Confirm kickoff, tickets, parking, and stadium rules before game day.

See Wicked during its final Kansas City weekend

Wicked in Kansas City closes its run at Kansas City Music Hall this weekend. The musical tells the other side of Oz, with plenty of familiar songs and a story that still lands.

Shows are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Ticket availability can change fast, so check before getting attached to a seat.

Sunday events to close out the Kansas City weekend

Sunday is made for a slower plan, unless you decide to spend it singing along under the stars. Either way, bring a little patience for parking and changing weather.

Experience Japanese food and traditions at Natsu Matsuri KC

Natsu Matsuri KC runs from 2 to 8 p.m. at Merriam Marketplace. This family-friendly festival brings cultural events, Japanese and Japanese-related businesses, local artists, cultural groups, traditional performances, food, and games like water-balloon fishing and goldfish scooping.

Kids 12 and younger receive free admission. Bring lawn chairs or a picnic blanket, then check admission details and weather plans before heading to Merriam.

End the weekend with O.A.R. at Starlight Theatre

O.A.R. at Starlight Theatre brings the Three Decades Tour outdoors on Sunday, August 30, at 6:30 p.m. Gavin DeGraw and KT Tunstall are part of the listed lineup.

Starlight nights are a Kansas City summer classic, but weather can change the mood fast. Check the official ticket page for entry rules, seating, parking, and the confirmed lineup. You can also keep an eye on Kansas City’s 2026 concert calendar for the next show.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Kansas City this weekend?

Kansas City has options for nearly every kind of weekend plan, including jazz, soccer, Broadway, outdoor festivals, Japanese culture, wine tasting, and live music. Use the day-by-day schedule to pair a daytime event with an evening activity.

Are there any free events in Kansas City this weekend?

Yes. Tiblow Days is free to attend, and the Charlie Parker Day Celebration is expected to be free, though museum admission may apply. Kids 12 and younger can also attend Paola Roots Festival and Natsu Matsuri KC for free.

What outdoor events are happening in Kansas City this weekend?

Outdoor options include Wine Walk for Wildlife, Paola Roots Festival, Tiblow Days, Natsu Matsuri KC, Sporting Kansas City, and O.A.R. at Starlight Theatre. Check each event page for weather plans, parking details, and any rain-or-shine policies before you go.

Do I need tickets for this weekend’s Kansas City events?

Several events require tickets, including Wine Walk for Wildlife, Mimosa Fest, Sporting Kansas City, Wicked, and O.A.R. at Starlight Theatre. Admission rules vary, so confirm prices, availability, age restrictions, and entry details on the official event page.

What should I check before heading to a Kansas City event?

Confirm the time, location, ticket rules, parking, and weather policy before leaving. Give yourself extra travel time when crossing between Missouri and Kansas, especially for popular outdoor events.

Make the Most of Your Weekend

Families have Tiblow Days, Paola Roots, and Natsu Matsuri KC. Sports fans can choose Sporting Kansas City. Kansas City Chiefs fans should check the team’s separate schedule for football updates. Theater lovers have Wicked, and jazz fans should make room for Charlie Parker Day.

Nearby options can expand your weekend activities. Check current hours and programming in Overland Park and at Powell Gardens before visiting. A farmers market, including Lenexa Farmers Market, can also be a good addition. Verify current dates and hours first.

Indoor culture fans can look for art exhibitions at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, after confirming what’s available. For future planning, keep the Renaissance Festival on your calendar and consider Union Station for a downtown itinerary.

Give yourself extra travel time when crossing between Missouri and Kansas, and keep an eye on the forecast for every outdoor plan. For more concerts and live music, check out more Kansas City weekend events. Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter for local entertainment and the next round of plans. Kansas City weekends are better with a loose plan and room for one good surprise.