Guide to Kansas City’s fall fun: Loads of festivals, shows, new aquarium — and Beyoncé

This amazing year for concerts in Kansas City (Bruce Springsteen, Janet Jackson, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran) has one more huge name to go — Beyoncé.

The genre-defying singing sensation will perform Oct. 1 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in what ranks as the area’s biggest event of the fall.

Almost as big is the arrival of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the 2023-24 season opener for PNC Broadway in Kansas City. The show was a huge hit after opening on Broadway in 2018 with Jeff Daniels as lawyer and father Atticus Finch.

Richard Thomas of “The Waltons” fame takes over the role for the national tour.

“We are committed to bringing the best of Broadway to Kansas City, and the premiere engagement of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ embodies the finest in touring,” said Amy Hamm, executive director of the American Theatre Guild in Kansas City. “… We are thrilled to welcome Richard Thomas and the outstanding cast to our city.”

“Mockingbird” will run Oct. 24-29 at the Music Hall. Opening the same night will be the Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s “What the Constitution Means to Me.” It earned nominations for the Pulitzer Prize and for a Tony Award for best play after running on Broadway in 2019.

Stuart Carden, KC Rep’s artistic director, said “What the Constitution Means to Me” is “consistently funny” as well as important.

“It makes the Constitution really feel alive and immediate and examines how it impacts us on a daily basis,” he said.

KC Rep will kick off its 60th anniversary season with “Cyrano de Bergerac.”

Other performing arts highlights in the coming weeks will include Audra McDonald’s concert with the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet’s “Jekyll and Hyde” and Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s “The Sound of Music.”

As always, the fall will be filled with fairs and festivals, starting with the traditional Labor Day weekend trio of the Kansas City Irish Fest, Santa-Cali-Gon Days and the Kansas City Renaissance Festival.

Also that weekend, the newly renamed Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium will open its $77 million Sobela Ocean Aquarium after more than 10 years in the planning.

Meanwhile, Rabbit hOle, the long-awaited children’s literature museum in North Kansas City, continues to inch near reality. Officials are scheduled to make an announcement about the grand opening this fall.

This fall’s Top 10

▪ “Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing — The Exhibition,” ongoing, through Oct. 1, Union Station: Learn the superhero’s story through original art, interactive displays and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, through Sept. 4; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, through Sept. 5-Oct. 1. $15-$22. unionstation.org.

▪ Sobela Ocean Aquarium opens Sept. 1, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium: More than 200 species, including sharks, eels and a giant Pacific octopus, will be on display in 34 exhibits. Included in regular admission, $9.50-$22 (timed reservations required through at least Sept. 15). kansascityzoo.org.

▪ Audra McDonald with Kansas City Symphony, 8 p.m. Sept. 15-16, 7 p.m. Sept. 17, Kauffman Center: The legendary stage performer with a record six Tony Awards will perform her renditions of Broadway classics and contemporary musical theater works. Broadway music director Andy Einhorn will be guest conductor. $79-$249. kcsymphony.org.

▪ American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Sept. 27-Oct. 1, Kansas Speedway: Billed as the world’s largest barbecue contest with more than 500 teams, the World Series of Barbecue is the American Royal’s largest fundraiser. Public events are the Pit Party and BBQ Marketplace, 3-10 p.m. Sept. 29, and KC’s Backyard Barbecue and BBQ Marketplace, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 30. $7-$20; weekend pass $5. americanroyal.com/bbq.

▪ Beyoncé, 8 p.m. Oct. 1, Arrowhead: “Queen Bey” won four Grammy Awards in February, bringing her total to a record 32. Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour stop here was rescheduled from Sept. 18. $86-$2,501. ticketmaster.com.

▪ Kansas City Ballet, “Jekyll and Hyde,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13-14, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19-20, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22, Kauffman Center: This North American premiere of Val Caniparoli’s ballet is based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella and features the author as a character in the classic tale of psychological torment and self-destruction. $34-$149. kcballet.org.

▪ “To Kill a Mockingbird,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24-27, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Music Hall: Richard Thomas will star in this new stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s 1960 novel with a script written by longtime TV and movie screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. $38-$116. broadwayinkc.com.

▪ “What the Constitution Means to Me,” Kansas City Repertory Theatre, opens 7 p.m. Oct. 24, runs through Nov. 12, Copaken Stage: Based on the experiences of playwright Heidi Schreck, who earned her college tuition by winning constitutional debate competitions, this play was a sensation off-Broadway before moving to Broadway in 2019. The New York Times described it as “not just the best play to open on Broadway so far this season, but also the most important.” $35-$65. kcrep.org.

▪ Lyric Opera of Kansas City, “The Sound of Music,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, 8, 10, 2 p.m. Nov. 11-12, Kauffman Center: The popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical of Broadway and a 1965 movie tells the true story of Maria and the Von Trapp family set against the backdrop of Nazi-infested Austria. $48-$206. kcopera.org.

▪ “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-8, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10, Music Hall: This jukebox musical tells the story of the singer from her humble beginnings in Tennessee to her relationship with husband Ike to her rise to rock ’n’ roll legend. Songs include “Proud Mary,” “Private Dancer,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” and many more. Ticket prices TBA. broadwayinkc.com.

Fairs and festivals

▪ Kansas City Irish Fest, 5-11 p.m. Sept. 1, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 2-3, Crown Center: More than 150 acts (highlighted by The Elders, Gaelic Storm and Flannigan’s Right Hook) will provide entertainment on seven stages. Among the other draws will be Art in the Park, vendors, comedy shows, heritage workshops and displays and a huge children’s area. $8-$30 (general admission for Saturday and Sunday will be $35 starting Sept. 1; weekend pass, $75; comedy shows and whiskey tastings cost extra). kcirishfest.com.

▪ Santa-Cali-Gon Days, noon-11 p.m. Sept. 1, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 2-3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 4, Independence Square: With more than 400 vendor booths featuring arts and crafts, food and commercial goods, as well as a carnival (Aug. 31-Sept. 4) and two stages with live entertainment, Santa-Cali-Gon annually attract hundreds of thousands of visitors. Musical acts will include Eddie Montgomery (9 p.m. Sept. 2) and Elton Dan and the Rocket Band (9 p.m. Sept. 3). Free (except for carnival). santacaligon.com.

▪ Kansas City Renaissance Festival, opens 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 2, Bonner Springs: One of the nation’s largest renaissance fairs with an annual attendance of about 200,000 has special themes each weekend, including Swashbucklers & Sirens to open the event Sept. 2-4. The festival offers stage acts, street acts, music, games, rides, jousting and more. Weekends through Oct. 15, plus Labor Day (Sept. 4) and Discovery Day (Oct. 9). $12.50-$20.95 ($15.95-$24.95 at gate; season pass $60-$95). kcrenfest.com.

▪ Johnson County Old Settlers, noon-10 p.m. Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 8, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 9, Downtown Olathe: In addition to a carnival, arts and crafts, ice cream social and live music, Old Settlers includes a parade (10 a.m. Sept. 9) billed as the largest in Kansas. Musical headliners will be Rock Gods (7:30 p.m. Sept. 8) and Lonestar (7:30 p.m. Sept. 9). Free (except for carnival). johnsoncountyoldsettlers.com.

▪ Fiesta Hispana, 5-11 p.m. Sept. 16, noon-11 p.m. Sept. 17, noon-9:30 p.m. Sept. 18, Barney Allis Plaza: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Fiesta Hispana offers vendor booths, food, music, folkloric entertainment and children’s activities. Musical acts will include The Latin Breed, Los Cadetes de Linares and Johnny Molina and Los Sabaneros de Aniceto. Free. kcfiestahispana.com.

▪ Plaza Art Fair, 5-10 p.m. Sept. 22, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 24, Country Club Plaza: This will be the 92nd version of Kansas City’s premier art event, which attracts about 240 artists and more than 250,000 visitors. Attractions also will include three stages for live music and more than 20 restaurant booths. Free. plazaartfair.com.

More classical music and dance

Kansas City Symphony, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1” in Concert, Sept. 6-10, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

Pianist Mahani Teave, Sept. 9, Folly. hjseries.org

New Dance Partners, “The Ultimate Collaboration,” Sept. 15-16, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center

Kansas City Symphony, “The Music of Led Zeppelin,” Sept. 22, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

Lyric Opera of Kansas City, “Cavalleria Rusticana,” Sept. 23-Oct. 1, Kauffman Center. kcopera.org

Tower of Power with Kansas City Symphony, Sept. 30, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

Kansas City Symphony, “The Music Is Calling,” Oct. 6-8, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

Chicago Tap Theatre, “Unleash the Beats,” Oct. 13, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center

Kansas City Symphony, “Bond and Beyond: 55 Years of 007,” Oct. 13-15, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

Violinist Hilary Hahn, Oct. 13, Folly. hjseries.org

Gregorian choir, Oct. 17, Uptown. uptowntheater.com

Kansas City Symphony, “The Phantom of the Opera,” Oct. 25, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

Kansas City Symphony, “Explore Your Imagination,” Oct. 27-29, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

Kansas City Symphony, “Heroes and Villains,” Nov. 5, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Nov. 10, Atkins Auditorium. hjseries.org

Vienna Boys Choir, Nov. 11, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu

András Schiff, Nov. 14, Kauffman Center. chambermusic.org

Kansas City Symphony, “Music Illuminates the Soul,” Nov. 17-19, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

Mark Morris Dance Group, “The Look of Love,” Nov. 17, Kauffman Center. hjseries.org

Kansas City Symphony, “You Belong,” Nov. 24-26, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

Tenor Juan Diego Flórez, Nov. 26, Folly. hjseries.org

Kansas City Ballet, “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 1-24, Kauffman Center. kcballet.org

Kansas City Symphony, “Handel’s Messiah,” Dec. 1-3, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

“The Jewish Nutcracker,” Dec. 3, White Theatre. thejkc.org

Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung, Dec. 5, Folly. chambermusic.org

Kansas City Symphony, “The Muppet Christmas Carol” in Concert, Dec. 8-9, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

More theater

“Cyrano de Bergerac,” Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Sept. 5-24, Spencer Theatre. kcrep.org

“Native Gardens,” Sept. 6-24, Unicorn Theatre. unicorntheatre.org

“Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,” Fishtank Theatre, Sept. 7-Oct. 1, Black Box. blackboxkc.com

“Always a Bridesmaid,” Sept. 13-Nov. 19, New Theatre and Restaurant. newtheatre.com

“Skeleton Crew,” Kansas City Actors Theatre, Sept. 13-Oct. 1, City Stage. kcactors.org

“Terra Luna,” Quixotic, Sept. 14-16 and 21-23, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. artsandrec-op.org

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” Live in Concert, Sept. 22, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center

“The Rocky Horror Show,” Oct. 6-21, Black Box. padgettproductionskc.com

“Ain’t Misbehavin’,” Oct. 12-29, MTH Theater at Crown Center. mthkc.com

“Ghost Light: A Haunted Night of Songs and Stories from KC’s Cultural Crossroads,” Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Oct. 13-14, Roanoke Park. kcrep.org

“Macbitches,” Oct. 18-Nov. 5, Unicorn Theatre. unicorntheatre.org

“Electric Poe,” Coterie, Oct. 19, Nov. 5, Union Cemetery. thecoterie.org

“Black Girl Therapy,” Oct. 28, City Stage. trefloyd.com

“Into the Woods,” Oct. 28-Nov. 19, White Theatre. thejkc.org

“Jesus Christ Superstar,” Nov. 4, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu

“The Screwtape Letters,” Nov. 18, Kauffman Center. kauffmancenter.org

“A Christmas Carol,” Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Nov. 21-Dec. 24, Spencer Theatre. kcrep.org

“Catch Me if You Can,” Nov. 22-Feb. 4, New Theatre and Restaurant. newtheatre.com

“Annie,” Nov. 28, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu

“Journey to the Poles of Inaccessibility,” Nov. 29-Dec. 17, Unicorn Theatre. unicorntheatre.org

“A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 7, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu

“Million Dollar Quartet Christmas,” Dec. 7, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center

“It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play,” Dec. 7-23, MTH Theater at Crown Center. mthkc.com

More music

Goo Goo Dolls and O.A.R., Aug. 27, Starlight. kcstarlight.com

The Chicks with Ben Harper, Aug. 29, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Gojira and Mastodon with Lorna Shore, Aug. 30, Azura Amphitheater. azuraamp.com

Zach Bryan, Aug. 30, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Shinedown with Papa Roach and Spiritbox, Sept. 4, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

3 Doors Down, Sept. 6, Starlight. kcstarlight.com

Janelle Monáe, Sept. 9, Midland. midlandkc.com

Gregory Porter, Sept. 10, Kauffman Center. kauffmancenter.org

Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper, Sept. 15, Azura Amphitheater. azuraamp.com

Juicy J, Sept. 16, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Fantasia with Joe, Sept. 17, Starlight. kcstarlight.com

Nickelback, Sept. 19, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Queens of the Stone Age with Viagra Boys and Jehnny Beth, Sept. 20, Starlight. kcstarlight.com

David Cook, Sept. 21, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com

Herb Alpert and Lani Hall, Sept. 21, Kauffman Center. kauffmancenter.org

Three Days Grace and Chevelle, Sept. 21, Starlight. kcstarlight.com

Carin Leon, Sept. 22, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, Sept. 22, Uptown. uptowntheater.com

Guns N’ Roses with Alice in Chains, Sept. 23, Kauffman Stadium. gunsnroses.com

Avenged Sevenfold with Falling in Reverse, Sept. 26, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

$uicideboy$ with Ghostemane, City Morgue, Sematary and Ramirez, Sept. 27, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Grand Funk Railroad and Jefferson Starship, Sept. 28, Uptown. uptowntheater.com

Gregory Alan Isakov with Damien Jurado, Sept. 29, Midland. midlandkc.com

Paul Thorn, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com

Playboi Carti with Destroy Lonely, Ken Carson and Homixide Gang, Sept. 30, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

The Temptations, Oct. 7, Ameristar. ameristarkansascity.com

Jason Aldean with Mitchell Tenpenny, Corey Kent and Dee Jay Silver, Oct. 12, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

MercyMe, Oct. 15, Cable Dahmer Arena. cabledahmerarena.com

Jazz at Lincoln Center featuring Wynton Marsalis, Oct. 20, Folly. hjseries.org

The 1975, Oct. 25, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Lauren Daigle, Oct. 26, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Clint Black, Oct. 27, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center

Pink with Grouplove and KidCutUp, Oct. 27-28, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, “She’s the Talk of the Town” featuring Marilyn Maye, Oct. 27-28, Folly. kcjo.org

Kirk Franklin with Tye Tribbett, The Clark Sisters and Israel Houghton, Oct. 29, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Buddy Guy with Ally Venable, Nov. 6, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu

Joe Bonamassa, Nov. 10, Midland. midlandkc.com

Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Nov. 11, Ameristar. ameristarkansascity.com

Aerosmith with The Black Crowes, Nov. 16, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Comedy

Dave Chappelle, Sept. 17, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Katt Williams, Oct. 21, Municipal Auditorium. ticketmaster.com

Matt Rife, Oct. 21, Music Hall. ticketmaster.com

Nikki Glaser, Oct. 29, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu

Chris Tucker, Nov. 8, Music Hall. ticketmaster.com

John Cleese, Nov. 9, Kauffman Center. kauffmancenter.org

More visual arts

Art Westport, Sept. 8-10, Westport District. westportkcmo.com

Brush Creek Art Walk, Sept. 15-17, Brush Creek. kcparks.org

Julie Blackmon Solo Exhibition, Sept. 15-Jan. 7, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. kemperart.org

“Evelyn Hofer: Eyes on the City,” Sept. 16-Feb. 11, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. nelson-atkins.org

Hallmarket, Sept. 23, Crown Center Square. crowncenter.com

PeaceWorks KC Local Art Fair, Sept. 23-24, Theis Park. peaceworkskc.org

18th & Vine Arts Festival, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 18th & Vine District. 18thandvineartsfest.com

River Market Art Festival Revival, Oct. 7, River Market. eventbrite.com

Artist’s Bash, Oct. 14, Tower Park. eventbrite.com

“Monet and his Modern Legacy,” Oct. 28-March 10, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. nelson-atkins.org

More festivals

De Soto Days Festival, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, De Soto. desotodays.com

Kansas City Chalk and Walk Festival, Sept. 2-3, City Market. kcchalkandwalk.org

Kansas City Underground Film Festival, Sept. 7-16, Charlotte Street Foundation. kcundergroundfilmfest.com

Belton Fall Festival, Sept. 8-9, Main Street, Belton. belton.org

Grain Valley Fair, Sept. 8-9, Grain Valley Community Center. grainvalleyfair.org

Greek Festival, Sept. 8-10, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. greekfoodfest.org

Jesse James Festival, Sept. 8-9 and 15-17, Kearney. jessejamesfestival.com

Kansas State Fair, Sept. 8-17, Hutchinson. kansasstatefair.com

Festival of the Trails, Sept. 9, Raytown. raytown.mo.us

Fiesta on the Square, Sept. 9, Linden Square. lindensquare.info

Independence Uncorked, Sept. 9, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. bwestate.net

Kansas City Cigar Festival, Sept. 9, Diebel’s roof. kccigarfestival.com

Spinach Festival, Sept. 9, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. lenexa.com

Raymore Festival in the Park, Sept. 14-16, Raymore. raymorefestival.com

Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival, Sept. 15-17, Downtown Blue Springs. bluespringsfallfestival.com

Nehemiah Festival, Sept. 15-17, Smith’s Fork Park, Smithville. nehemiahfest.com

Freedom Festival, Sept. 16-17, John Brown Museum State Historic Site, Osawatomie. kshs.org

Friends of Shawnee Town Arts & Crafts Fair & Fall Festival, Sept. 16, Shawnee Town 1929. shawneetown.org

Uncorked: KC Wine Fest, Sept. 16, Union Station. uncorkedwinefestivals.com

Waldo Fall Festival, Sept. 16, Waldo Area, 75th and Wornall. waldokc.org

Liberty Fall Festival, Sept. 22-24, Liberty Square. libertyfallfest.com

Oktoberfest, Sept. 22-23, Lee’s Summit. lsoktoberfest.com

Ciderfest, Sept. 23-24 and Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Louisburg Cider Mill. louisburgcidermill.com

Harvest Festival, Sept. 23, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. kcparks.org

Oktoberfest Live!, Sept. 23, KC Live! powerandlightdistrict.com

18th & Vine Arts Festival, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 18th & Vine District. 18thandvineartsfest.com

Gladfest, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Gladstone. gladstonechamber.com

Overland Park Fall Festival, Sept. 29-30, Downtown Overland Park. opkansas.org

Universal Film Festival, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, B&B Theatres Mainstreet. universalfilmfestival.com

KC Oktoberfest, Oct. 6-7, Crown Center Square. crowncenter.com

Applefest, Oct. 7, Weston. westonmo.com

Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts & Music, Oct. 7, Missouri Town. makeyourdayhere.com

Greater Kansas City Japan Festival, Oct. 7, JCCC. kcjapanfestival.org

Scarecrow Festival, Oct. 7, Shawnee City Hall. shawnee-ks.com

Cornucopia, Oct. 13-15, KC Live! powerandlightdistrict.com

Botanical Brewfest, Oct. 14, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. artsandrec-op.org

Tobacco Festival, Oct. 14, Weston. westonmo.com

Turner Days Festival, Oct. 14, Kansas City, Kansas. turnerdays.squarespace.com

Jewish Culture Fest, Oct. 15, Jewish Community Center. thejkc.org

The Prospect KC Gumbo Festival, Oct. 15, 2000 Vine. theprospectkc.org

Midwest Tea Festival, Oct. 21-22, Overland Park Convention Center. midwestteafest.com

Dogtober Fest, Oct. 22, Kemper Outdoor Education Center. makeyourdayhere.com

Mildale Farm Fall Fest, Oct. 28, Mildale Farm, Edgerton. jcprd.com

Other events

Shawnee Great Grillers Blues and Barbeque State Championship, Sept. 22-23, Shawnee Town. shawneegreatgrillers.com

Fall Parade of Homes, Sept. 23-Oct. 8, throughout city. kcparadeofhomes.com.

“Nelly Don: The Musical Movie” premiere, Sept. 29, venue TBA. nellydon.com

The Foolers, Oct. 4, Kauffman Center. kauffmancenter.org

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party, Oct. 7-8, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

JOCO Home + Remodeling Show, Oct. 27-29, Overland Park Convention Center. johnsoncountyhomeandremodelingshow.com

Peppa Pig’s Sing-Along Party!, Oct. 27, Midland. midlandkc.com

Jurassic Quest, Nov. 3, Overland Park Convention Center. opconventioncenter.com

Derek Hough Symphony of Dance, Nov. 7, Music Hall. ticketmaster.com

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Nov. 10-12, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com

Ararat Shrine Circus, Nov. 16-19, Cable Dahmer Arena. cabledahmerarena.com

Holiday highlights

The Beast and Edge of Hell, Sept. 15-Nov. 11, Macabre Cinema, Sept. 15-Oct. 31, West Bottoms. fullmoonprod.com

Halloween Haunt, Sept. 15-Oct. 28 (Fridays and Saturdays; Thursdays and Sundays in October), Worlds of Fun. worldsoffun.com

Great Pumpkin Fest, Sept. 16-Oct. 29 (Saturdays and Sundays), Worlds of Fun. worldsoffun.com

GloWild, Sept. 29-Dec. 30, Kansas City Zoo. kansascityzoo.org

Dark Forest, Oct. 20-22 and 26-29, Powell Gardens. powellgardens.org

CarnEVIL, Oct. 28, KC Live! powerandlightdistrict.com

Festival of Lights, Nov. 16-Dec. 30, Powell Gardens. powellgardens.org

Holiday Boutique, Nov. 16-19, Overland Park Convention Center. kcholidayboutique.com

Holiday Reflections, Nov. 21-Jan. 1, Union Station. unionstation.org

Christmas in the Sky, Nov. 22, Longview Lake Beach. makeyourdayhere.com

Christmas in the Park, Nov. 22-Dec. 31, Frank White Jr., Softball Complex. makeyourdayhere.com

Plaza Lighting Ceremony, Nov. 23, Country Club Plaza. countryclubplaza.com

Luminary Walk, Nov. 24-Dec. 16, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. artsandrec-op.org

The Fairy Princess, Dec. 7-10, Kansas City Museum. kansascitymuseum.org