17 Things to Do in Kansas City This Week · May 21–24, 2026

Music & Nightlife

Ben Rector with the Kansas City Symphony

Singer-songwriter Ben Rector performs alongside the Kansas City Symphony for a special one-night concert at Helzberg Hall.

Thursday, May 21, 2026 8:00 PM · Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO

DJ Sandhu at The Comedy Club of Kansas City

DJ Sandhu brings two nights of laughs and music to The Comedy Club of Kansas City with shows at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.

Friday, May 22, 2026 7:00 PM · The Comedy Club of Kansas City, 1130 W 103rd St, Kansas City, MO

TrapSocaFlow After Dark – 1-Year Anniversary Celebration

TrapSocaFlow celebrates its one-year anniversary with an after-dark dance and movement celebration at ArtsTech in Kansas City.

Friday, May 22, 2026 7:00 PM · ArtsTech, Kansas City, MO

Claypool Gold featuring Primus at Starlight

Claypool Gold featuring Primus takes the outdoor stage at Starlight Theatre for a one-night psychedelic rock spectacle.

Wednesday, May 28, 2026 · Starlight Theatre, Kansas City, MO

Food & Drink

Big Grove Brewing Grand Opening – Prairie Village

Big Grove KC opens its massive indoor-outdoor Prairie Village location with tons of seating, kid-friendly patio, games, food, and drinks at their Grand Opening.

Thursday, May 21, 2026 · Prairie Village, KS

KC Cocktail Festival

The inaugural Kansas City Cocktail Festival takes over the Rock Island Bridge with hand-crafted cocktails, food from River House, and vinyl from Shaun Crowley of Manor Records. 21+.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 7:00 PM · Rock Island Bridge, Kansas City, MO

Festivals & Special Events

The Strawberry Swing – Heritage Days Pop-Up

KC's premier makers market brings 75+ local artists and vendors, food trucks, and live music to Liberty Courtyard in the West Bottoms.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 10:00 AM · Liberty Courtyard, West Bottoms, Kansas City, MO

Sports

Kansas City Monarchs vs. Chicago Dogs

Catch the KC Monarchs take on the Chicago Dogs at Legends Field in Kansas City, KS.

Thursday, May 21, 2026 6:35 PM · Legends Field, 1800 Village W. Parkway, Kansas City, KS

Arts & Culture

Stories of Becoming at Nerman Museum

Artist Julie Buffalhead's exhibit 'Stories of Becoming' at the Nerman Museum weaves Indigenous animal stories with European folklore for a can't-miss summer art experience, on view through July 26.

Friday, May 22, 2026 · Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park, KS

Don't Touch My Hair at Unicorn Theatre

Douglas Lyons' play 'Don't Touch My Hair' at Unicorn Theatre lets Black women flex their superpowers in a production that is both hilarious and deeply moving.

Friday, May 22, 2026 · Unicorn Theatre, Kansas City, MO

Mrs. Doubtfire at Kauffman Center

The beloved Broadway musical Mrs. Doubtfire arrives at the Muriel Kauffman Theatre for a limited run full of comedy and heart.

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 · Muriel Kauffman Theatre, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO

Family-Friendly

Painted Garden at Powell Gardens

An ongoing outdoor exhibit at Powell Gardens celebrating the beauty of nature through art, perfect for a family outing through May 30.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 · Powell Gardens, Kansas City, MO

Romantasy Book Fair

A fantasy and romance book fair hosted by Rabid Unicorn Events, perfect for book lovers of all ages.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 12:00 PM · Kansas City, MO

Date Night

Atlas9 Immersive Art Experience

Atlas9 is an immersive art experience combining art, drinks, live music, and live performance all in one space — described as a standout date night destination.

Friday, May 22, 2026 · Atlas9, Kansas City, MO

LATIN DANCE NIGHT for a Cause

A fundraising Latin dance night hosted by the Latin Music Social Dancing Group — bring your partner and dance the night away.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 7:30 PM · Kansas City, MO

Free Events

816 Run Club – Saturday Morning Group Run

Join the 816 Run Club for a free community group run departing from Rochester Coffee in the Crossroads, with marked routes from 10 feet to 20+ miles.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 7:30 AM · Rochester Coffee, Crossroads, Kansas City, MO

Science Coffee Hour: Dolphins and Whales

A free casual science discussion about dolphins and whales hosted by the Philosophy of Science Meetup Group in Kansas City.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 10:00 AM · Kansas City, MO