The cooler season brings festivals, concerts, plays, nature walks and more to enjoy. Here’s a roundup of events from around KC.

 

Kansas City Marathon

October 18
An estimated 8,000 athletes take the streets for the annual marathon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K events. This year’s full marathon course will close Ward Parkway in both directions as far south as 74th St.
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Be More Chill 

October 24 to November 2
Leawood Stage Company will produce the hit Broadway musical Be More Chill at Avila’s Goppert Theater. Tickets are $5 each.
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Caroline Rhea at The Comedy Club

November 7-8
The stand-up comedian is best known as Hilda Spellman from “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” Tickets start at $31.
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Melissa Villaseñor at The Comedy Club

November 20-22
The first-ever Latina SNL cast member is known for her hilarious impressions. Tickets start at $30.
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The Crucible at the Arts Asylum

November 13-23
Phoenix is a new resident theatre company at the Arts Asylum, taking on Arthur Miller’s allegorical tale of the witch trials. Tickets are $28.52.
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George Orwell’s 1984

November 20-23
Can one person’s desire for freedom and truth win out against Big Brother? Presented by Avila’s Performing Arts Department at the Goppert Theater. Tickets are $10 and $8 for seniors/students. Free for Avila students.
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Past events:

Bash on Byars

September 12
Grandview Chamber of Commerce presents this evening of free fun at the Grandview Amphitheater. Watch the original Ghostbusters movie on the big screen at 5 pm followed by a danceable show by JAM: Jackson and Mars starting at 7 pm. The night ends with a fireworks display. VIP tickets available.
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Belton Main Street’s Fall Festival 

September 13
It’s an all-day party on Main Street in downtown Belton with live music, food trucks and free kid zone complete with petting zoo, bookmobile and lawn games. Shop local vendors and browse downtown’s sweet shops.
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Ward Parkway Fall Festival

September 13
The shopping center celebrates its first fall festival from 11 am – 2 pm on the south Pavilion, 85th and State Line Rd. with music, face painting, pumpkin decorating and raffle giveaways.
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KC Symphony Mobile Music Box outside Blue Ridge Public Library 

September 15
The traveling symphony will give a free performance at 6:30 pm outside the Blue Ridge branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library. Bring blankets or chairs for seating.
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Fall Sip and Shop at the Brookside Shops

September 18
Browse historic shops of Brookside and enjoy drink samples and in-store specials from 5 to 8 pm. 21 and older.
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Avila University Homecoming Weekend

September 18-21
Students and alumni celebrate with multiple sports games and a Saturday festival.
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Un-WINEd Yoga 

September 19
Head to the Grandview Amphitheater for a unique yoga session, featuring relaxing stretches and a glass of your favorite wine. Registration is $5 per person through Grandview Parks and Recreation.
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Smoking ‘n Waldo 

September 19-20
St. Elizabeth hosts the annual outdoor barbecue contest with more than 40 contestants competing for best ribs, pork, chicken and brisket. Friday night is adults only with live music. Saturday is a family atmosphere.
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Plaza Art Fair

September 19-21
The 94th annual Plaza Art Fair features work by 240 artists with multiple stages for live entertainment and refreshments available for purchase.
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Angel Street (Gaslight)

September 19-28
Belton’s Main Street Theater captures the eerie terror of the classic play, Angel Street – also known by its film title Gaslight. Tickets are $18 each, $15 for seniors, youth and students.
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Wilma’s Birthday Party at Lakeside Nature Center

September 20
Lakeside Nature Center is hosting a birthday bash for its favorite box turtle resident with a free day of reptile fun from 10 am to 2 pm. Meet Wilma at 11 am (no gifts please!).
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Oktoberfest

September 20
The German American Citizens Association presents a classic Oktoberfest celebration at Coronation of Our Lady Parish, 13000 Bennington Ave, Grandview. Features a German dinner, music by The Happy Wanderers, drink and dancing. 5 to 8:30 pm. Tickets are $25 each/$45 couple. $10 ages 6-18. Call 816-331-4937.

BoysGrow 6th Annual Farm Fest  

September 21
BoysGrow invites the community for a day of fun on the farm including fishing, archery, delicious local foods, mechanical bull riding and more. Tickets are $25 ($10 for youth 13 and under). Event is 12 to 3 pm.
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Jazz Vespers at First Baptist Church

September 21
Will Matthews will perform a free jazz concert at First Baptist Church, 100 W. Red Bridge Rd, from 6 to 8 pm. All are welcome.
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KC Symphony Mobile Music Box at Belton Chamber of Commerce

September 26
The free concert starts at 6 pm at 517 Main St. Bring blankets or chairs for seating. Weather permitting.
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Brandon Santini at BB’s Lawnside

September 26
The Illinois bluesman will play BB’s Lawnside from 7 to 10 pm, a stop on the US tour supporting his new album. $8 cover.
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25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 

September. 26-28
Stage Right youth productions’s fall musical takes place at Center High School.
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Angel Street at Belton Main Street Theater

September 26-28
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35th Annual Strut with Your Mutt 

September 28
More than 2,000 dogs and their people take to the Trolley Trail for a 3K or 5K walk/run benefiting Wayside Waifs.
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Turkey Bone & Full Count Band at Rosehill Winery

September 28
Rosehill Winery, 311 E. 135th St, welcomes Turkey Bone and the crew playing blues, funk and soul from 2 to 5 pm. Wine and other beverages are available to purchase.
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The Mouse Trap by Agatha Christie

October 2-4, 5
Avila’s theater department will perform Agatha Christie’s “whodunnit” classic at The Goppert Theater. Tickets are $10 and $8 for seniors. Avila students may attend for free.
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bare: a pop opera 

October 2-12
The Arts Asylum presents this intense musical story of youth at a Catholic boarding school. Tickets are $28.52. Theater is located at 824 E. Meyer Blvd. with adjacent free parking
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Suburban Gardens Dahlia Show 

October 3-4
Dahlia enthusiasts from around the metro will show their best blooms at Suburban Lawn & Garden at 135th and Wornall. Public may view entries from 1-6 pm on Friday and 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday.
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KC Bier Co Oktoberfest

October 3-4
The south KC brewer is behind KC’s largest Oktoberfest gathering in Crown Center, which is modeled after Munich.
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Martin City Oktoberfest

October 4
Charming 135th Street goes Bavarian for the day with live music at Rosehill Winery and restaurants, craft beer and wine, costume contest, pumpkin painting and more.
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4th Annual Marlborough Fall Festival & Resource Fair

October 4
Marlborough Community Coalition welcomes the community to Center Elementary, 8401 Euclid, for an afternoon of fun free activities, live entertainment and community connections. Noon to 5 pm. Registration is required.
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Martin City Wine Run 5K 

October 5
Rosehill Winery is hosting this brand new race for folks who live to run and who love wine.
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Into the Night Fall Festival 

October 10
Leawood Parks & Rec celebrates fall with autumn crafts, a petting zoo, food, live entertainment, food and more at Ironwoods Park, 14701 Mission Rd, from 5 to 8 pm. Tickets are $9 per person.
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South KC Block Party  

October 11
Join more than 1,000 of your neighbors at the Red Bridge Shopping Center for live entertainment, crafts, food and fun giveaways. Shop local artists and vendors and make new friends! 10 am to 3 pm.
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33rd Annual Waldo Fall Fest            

October 11
Fall Fest descends on the parking lots at Gregory and Brookside Blvd from 10 am to 6 pm with live music, food trucks, kids activities and shopping from local vendors and community info booths. Includes swearing in of the new honorary Mayor of Waldo.
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3rd Annual Blue River Discover Days Festival

October 11
This free family-friendly annual fall event celebrates the Blue River and offers guided hikes, kayaking, river-side yoga, macroinvertebrate sampling, and more. Park at the Minor Park picnic area, 11477 Blue River Road. 9 am to 1 pm.
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Sky Smeed at Whistle Stop Antiques

October 11
The Lawrence-based folk musician will perform an intimate show at Whistle Stop Antiques in downtown Belton. To reserve your spot, call Sally at the shop at 816-322-0200.

Transcendence by Choral Spectrum KC

October 11-12
Choral Spectrum KC performs music by Barber, Copland, Lloyd and more, at Holmeswood Church, 9700 Holmes Rd. Tickets available soon.
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Walktoberfest 2025: Longview Lake

October 12
Jackson County Parks and Rec and Kansas City Parks and Rec partner for four walks throughout the metro in the month of October, this weekend at Longview Lake, 11101 Raytown Rd. Event is 10 am to noon. The first 200 participants will receive a commemorative Walktober button designed by artist Alex Hamil.
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Pinnacle Winds in Concert, featuring Randall Standridge

October 12
KC’s professional concert band welcomes composer Randall Standridge for a performance inspired by stars and the night sky. 2 pm at the First Church of the Nazarene, 11811 State Line Rd. Tickets are $20 and $10 for students and seniors.
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