Location: Strawberry Festival at the Vaile Victorian Mansion in Independence, Missouri

Date: June 2022 (specific dates TBD)

This is the festival for you if your image of summer is homemade strawberry shortcake in a garden! While it is modest and quaint, it is an excellent reason to travel south of Kansas City to explore a Victorian estate and listen to live music. You’ll also find merchants offering everything from homemade jams to craft products, many of which are themed around strawberries.

For more information, visit Strawberry Festival

Location: Wyandotte County Fair at the Fairgrounds in Kansas City, KS

Date: July 13-17, 2021

Kansas City is a big city, but there are farms, cattle, and a true county fair not far away. A carnival, concerts, magic performances, and a two-night rodeo are all part of the Wyandotte County Fair. Put on your nicest boots and head to the Fairgrounds, y’all!

For more information, visit Wyandotte County Fair

Location: KC Fringe Festival venues across Kansas City, MO

Date: July 18-August 1

This two-week festival honors local, national, and international art and culture through performances, activities, and installations. Artists from several disciplines collaborate to create a non-competitive and inclusive presentation of theater, dance, film, music, and visual arts. There is practically someone for everyone.

For more information, go to KC Fringe Festival

Location: Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens in Kingsville, MO

Date: July 22-August 8, 2021

Powell Gardens attracts visitors from all around the city, despite the fact that it is a bit of a trip for some Kansas Citians. The Festival of Butterflies is only one of the many reasons to visit these lovely gardens and walking trails. During the festival, the butterflies are featured across the property as they migrate south.

For more information, go to the Festival Of Butterflies

Location: Kansas City Irish Festival at Crown Center in Kansas City, MO

Date: September 3-5, 2021

Featuring some of the most talented Irish bands and dancers, the KC Irish Festival is just what the fall needs as we wait on St. Patrick’s Day in March. This festival draws in big crowds for food, entertainment, Irish goods, and of course, beer and Irish whiskies. If you want to do it right, get a room at the Sheraton, and you won’t have to worry about parking.

For more information, go to the Kansas City Irish Festival

Location: SantaCaliGon Days in Independence, MO

Date: September 3-6, 2021

If celebrating Irish culture isn’t your thing, you can go to SantaCaliGon Days, which is located further south. This celebration honors the City of Independence as the starting place for the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails—hence the muddled name.

Even though the inaugural festival was held in 1940, it has only been held 47 times since then. It has grown into a rather major annual festival, attracting 300,000 people each year.

For more information, go to SantaCaliGon Days