Looking for some fun this Labor Day? Here are 4 big events in Kansas City this weekend

Joseph Hernandez
·4 min read
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This Labor Day weekend is expected to be another hot one in Kansas City, with temperatures rising into the 90s.

But the National Weather Service has said it isn’t expecting temperatures to get so high that a heat advisory will be required. So while you should take care of yourself in the heat, the weather likely won’t postpone any events in the city this weekend.

And there are plenty of events.

From singing along to Irish songs, dancing with street performers at the fair or riding a Ferris wheel, Kansas City’s full of activities all weekend.

If you and your family are looking for something to do, check out these festivals.

Kansas City Irish Fest

More than 150 performing acts, including The Elders, Gaelic Storm and Flannigan’s Right Hook, will provide entertainment at KC Irish Fest this weekend. The festival features over seven stages and three days of celebrating Irish culture in Crown Center.

An art showcase in Washington Square Park, food and drink vendors, Irish goods, comedy shows, heritage workshops and a large children’s play area are also on site over Labor Day weekend.

Washington Square Park, which is a venue for the annual Kansas City Irish Fest, will be the site of the Kansas City Folk Festival on May 20.
Washington Square Park, which is a venue for the annual Kansas City Irish Fest, will be the site of the Kansas City Folk Festival on May 20.

Tickets cost $25 for Friday and $30 for Saturday and Sunday for adults and $8 for all days for children ages 3-11. Children ages 3 and under can enter for free. Tickets bought after Friday will cost $35 for adults.

Tickets for the comedy shows are separate from KC Irish Fest admission tickets, and those cost $15 for general admission and $40 for VIP access.

The KC Irish Fest is open 5-11 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Santa-Cali-Gon Days

Santa-Cali-Gon Days, the annual celebration at Independence Square, is back for another year of free, family-friendly fun.

The carnival at Independence Square opens starting Thursday, but all the rides and games inside require tickets. It costs $30 for an unlimited ride pass, which is available until Friday.

The price jumps to $35 when the festival begins. You can buy tickets for the games and rides inside the carnival at $7 for five tickets, $30 for 25 tickets or $50 for 50 tickets.

The 43rd annual SantaCaliGon Days Festival concluded on a rainy note on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. The event commemorates the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails.
The 43rd annual SantaCaliGon Days Festival concluded on a rainy note on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. The event commemorates the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails.

All along the festival grounds, you can buy from over 400 vendors, featuring everything from arts and crafts to local foods and hear live music on two separate stages.

The festival hours are as follows:

  • Friday: Noon to 11 p.m.

  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

  • Sunday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

  • Monday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The carnival is open at the same time as the festival, except for Thursday, where it’s open from 5-11 p.m.

Kansas City Renaissance Festival

The Kansas City Renaissance Festival is one of the nation’s largest renaissance fairs, and it opens back up at Bonner Springs this weekend. Stage acts, street performers, music, games, rides, jousting and more take over the space near Azura Amphitheater.

Tickets bought online cost $20.95 for adults and $12.50 for children. Tickets for seniors ages 65 and up and students with a valid student ID tickets cost $18, and an adult two-pack costs $36. All prices are before processing fees.

Kansas City Renaissance Festival performer Hannah Rames chats with Abigail Hoehn, 6, of Shawnee at the Overland Park Arboretum’s Enchanted Faire.
Kansas City Renaissance Festival performer Hannah Rames chats with Abigail Hoehn, 6, of Shawnee at the Overland Park Arboretum’s Enchanted Faire.

If you buy tickets in person, it costs $24.95 for adults, $22.25 for seniors and students, $20.95 for veterans with a valid military ID and $15.95 for children ages 5-12. Season passes range between $60-95.

The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. this weekend, rain or shine.

First Friday at the West Bottoms

The West Bottoms entertainment district has a themed event every first weekend of the month, and September’s theme is “The Brews and BBQ in the Bottoms.”

It mixes together key elements of a football tailgate as the college football season for Kansas, Kansas State and Mizzou start this weekend, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ NFL season follows the week after.

Football fans can get some essential tailgating items from Stockyard BBQ Supply or any of the stores open across the district’s 13 blocks. Vintage and antique items from Stuffology, Porcelain Monkey, and Bella Patina are also curated towards the biggest fans visiting the district this weekend.

The West Bottoms will celebrate another First Friday weekend with shopping and more Sept. 1-3
The West Bottoms will celebrate another First Friday weekend with shopping and more Sept. 1-3

First Friday weekend at the West Bottoms runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Free street parking in the West Bottoms is typically extremely limited during First Friday weekends. City parking lots cost $10 daily and may require a short walk to the district.