18 Things to Do in Kansas City This Week · August 20–23, 2026

Music & Nightlife

Flor Choices - Flor de Toloache with The Poor Choices

Ensemble Ibérica presents New York's all-female mariachi group Flor de Toloache paired with The Poor Choices for a genre-crossing evening at MTH Theater at Crown Center.

Friday, August 21, 2026 · MTH Theater at Crown Center, Kansas City, MO

J. Chris Newberg at The Comedy Club of Kansas City

Comedian J. Chris Newberg performs two nights of shows at The Comedy Club of Kansas City with multiple showtimes available.

Friday, August 21, 2026 6:00 PM · The Comedy Club of Kansas City, 1130 W 103rd St

The Kansas City Symphony Presents: European Tour Send-Off Concert

The Kansas City Symphony performs a special send-off concert before heading to Europe, presented at the iconic Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Friday, August 21, 2026 7:00 PM · Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Family-Friendly

Bluey's Big Play

The beloved Australian children's TV character Bluey comes to life on stage in this theatrical production at the Kauffman Center for multiple performances across the weekend.

Friday, August 21, 2026 6:30 PM · Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Free Events

Light Up the Lawn: Katy Guillen and The Drive

Midwest Trust Center presents a free outdoor concert featuring Kansas City blues-rock guitarist Katy Guillen and The Drive on the lawn of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.

Friday, August 21, 2026 8:00 PM · Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park, KS

KCAC's 50th Anniversary Community Celebration

The Kansas City Artists Coalition marks five decades with a free outdoor block party featuring artist demonstrations, interactive art, live music, local food and drinks, and community organizations.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 3:00 PM · 3124 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64109

Festivals & Special Events

Full Tilt Film Festival

Kansas City's own film festival kicks off with a 20th anniversary screening of Friday Night Lights at Union Station, with cast members including Zach Gilford in person.

Friday, August 28, 2026 · Union Station, Kansas City / 18th and Vine

Food & Drink

Wine Walk for Wildlife

Sip wine while supporting wildlife conservation at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium during this popular annual fundraising walk.

Friday, August 28, 2026 · Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Arts & Culture

The Berlin Wall: A World Divided Exhibition

Union Station hosts an ongoing exhibition exploring the history and global impact of the Berlin Wall, running through December 13.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 · Union Station Kansas City

Cross Threaded & The Sketchbook Project at KCAC

The Kansas City Artists Coalition presents two simultaneous exhibitions: Cross Threaded, a textile group show, and The Sketchbook Project, an interactive exhibition of artists' sketchbooks, running through September 4.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 11:00 AM · Kansas City Artists Coalition

Intimate Apparel

Kansas City Actors Theatre presents Lynn Nottage's powerful drama Intimate Apparel at City Stage Theatre at Union Station through August 23.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 7:30 PM · City Stage Theatre at Union Station

KC Baroque - Cieli Stellati Summer Series Concert III

Kansas City Baroque Consortium performs the third summer series concert Cieli Stellati at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village.

Friday, August 21, 2026 · Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, KS

Sports

Kansas City Royals vs. Athletics

The Kansas City Royals host the Athletics in an afternoon home game at Kauffman Stadium.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 1:10 PM · Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Outdoors & Active

Run Her Way with Kansas Run Club

An all-girls community run at the WWI Memorial Lawn in Downtown KC, welcoming runners of all paces for yap sessions, laughs, and movement.

Friday, August 21, 2026 6:30 PM · WWI Memorial Lawn, Downtown Kansas City

816 Relays at Rock Island Bridge

816 Run Club presents the 816 Relays at Rock Island Bridge in the West Bottoms — a 4x1 mile relay or open 2-mile race celebrating the KC running community.

Friday, August 28, 2026 · Rock Island Bridge, West Bottoms, Kansas City

Date Night

Amber 'Flutinastiness' Underwood Jazz at The Ship

Jazz flutist Amber 'Flutinastiness' Underwood performs live at The Ship in the West Bottoms for an intimate Thursday evening of jazz.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 7:00 PM · The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, Kansas City

Terra Luna at Overland Park Arboretum

Terra Luna transforms the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens into an immersive nighttime experience with illuminated gardens, art installations, and live music.

Friday, August 21, 2026 · Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

CAAMP at Starlight Theatre

Folk duo CAAMP performs at the beautiful outdoor Starlight Theatre in Kansas City's Swope Park.

Monday, August 24, 2026 · Starlight Theatre, Kansas City