The best things to do in KC this month: June 2025

Here are things to do in KC this month, June 2025:

Make Music Day returns to Kansas City for its fifth year

A grassroots celebration that began in Paris in 1982, aimed at bringing live music to public spaces like parks and city sidewalks, has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon.

Now, 1,000 municipalities across the globe participate in Fête de la Musique—also known as Make Music Day—on the longest day of the year: June 21. Kansas City is among the participating cities, and this year marks the city’s fifth year.

Organized by Kansas City Parks and Recreation, the all-day affair stretches across the entire metro. Last year’s solstice celebration included a total of 99 performers and 55 host venues. This year is the first time in KC the day has landed on a Saturday, and KC Parks and Rec anticipates it will be even more popular than before.

Although many area businesses register to host performers, KC Parks and Rec also uses its own spaces, including Brookside Court Park, downtown’s Garment District Park and Swope Park’s Lakeside Nature Center.

The lineup spans an array of skill levels, from musician hobbyists and emerging acts to seasoned professionals. The range of musical styles is also broad, with this year’s highlights including R&B singer Jass, internationally touring singer-songwriter and guitarist David Luther, family ensemble Barton Street Band and steel pan player Chill Phil.

“We never quite know what to expect,” says Heidi Markle, communications and events manager for KC Parks and Rec.

But according to Markle, the event also serves as an opportunity for the public to get involved. “It’s not just about watching people perform,” Markle says.

Make Music Day includes hands-on workshops, such as Musication Station—an instrument petting zoo hosted by Union Station—as well as clinics on harmonica and bucket drumming.

A full schedule will be available on June 17 at makemusicday.org/kcmo and on the Grandstand Events and Guides app. 

7

Vaile Mansion Strawberry Festival

There’s nothing like sweet, in-season strawberries to commemorate the early days of summer. The annual Vaile Strawberry Festival blends Victorian-style charm with community fun to raise funds for Independence’s historic Vaile Mansion and Arboretum. Enjoy a family-friendly day of antique vendors, fruity treats, live music and more. June 7. 9 am. Vaile Mansion. 

7 

Waldo Brews Tour

Waldo Brews Tour isn’t just about beer—the bar crawl includes all of the neighborhood’s best beverages, including teas, coffees and mixed drinks. The tour will kick off at noon with a non-alcoholic stop at Emilie’s French Teas, with subsequent trips to area favorites like City Barrel Brewing, Front Range, KC Bier Co. and more. June 7. 12 pm. Waldo. 

9

B. Dylan Hollis

TikTok sensation B. Dylan Hollis hits the road again for the tour of his latest cookbook, Baking Across America: A Vintage Recipe Road Trip. Presented by Rainy Day Books, the cross-country voyage features recipes from every state, including gooey butter cake from Missouri and bierocks from Kansas. June 9. 7 pm. Unity Temple on the Plaza.

12

Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth KC is partnering with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to commemorate Freedom Day, as well as honor and educate people on African American culture and history. The free event includes live music and dancing, film screenings, storytelling and interactive educational guides throughout museum galleries. June 12. 10 am. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

12

Natalia Lafourcade

With 17 Latin Grammy Awards, Natalia Lafourcade makes history as the most decorated artist in the organization’s history. Hailing from Veracruz, Mexico, the legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist’s characteristic style weaves Mexican folklore with jazz and pop. Her Kauffman Center performance is in support of her latest album, Cancionera. June 12. 7:30 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.

14

Boulevardia

Kansas City’s favorite festival, Boulevardia, returns to celebrate 10 years. Although festivities are pared down to a single day, the emphasis is still on showcasing KC’s finest bands—and, as always, plenty of craft beer and concessions. This year, the highly anticipated headliner is a homecoming performance by hip-hop icon Tech N9ne. To commemorate the occasion, Boulevard Brewing Company is bringing back the limited-release brew Bou Lou—a tropical wheat beer created in collaboration with the rapper—for the first time since 2018. June 14. 12 pm. Crown Center.

15

The Nace Brothers

Celebrate Father’s Day with a performance from a longtime local favorite, The Nace Brothers. Honoring their family’s four generations of performers, the roots band’s Knuckleheads performance is a tribute to their own father, honky tonk musician Johnny Nace. June 15. 7 pm. Knuckleheads.

18

The Head & The Heart

Indie band The Head & The Heart rose to popularity on the Seattle music scene when self-burned copies of their debut self-titled album began flying off shelves at local record stores. That caught the eye of numerous labels, too. Fifteen years later, their breakthrough album remains one of their best-known with hits like “Rivers and Roads” and “Lost in My Mind.” Although founding member and frontman Josiah Johnson amicably left the group in 2018, the band has maintained a loyal following. As part of their Aperture Tour, Futurebirds and Anna Graves will open. June 18. 7:30 pm. Uptown Theater.

17— July 6

Love’s Labour’s Lost

Enjoy a summer evening of free live theater under the stars. Each year, Heart of Shakespeare Festival brings one of the Bard’s classics to life in Midtown’s Southmoreland Park. This summer’s production is Love’s Labour’s Lost, an early comedy that follows four young men who vow to avoid the company of women—only to find themselves falling in love. Food trucks and concessions will be available on site. June 17—July 6. Times vary. Southmoreland Park.

21

International Dragon Boat Festival

Cheer on rowers along Brush Creek at the International Dragon Boat Festival. Hosted by Kansas City-Xi’an Sister City Committee and the Society for Friendship with China, rowing teams warm up bright and early on the Plaza at 8 am, and a traditional dragon dance precedes the races at a quarter till 10. June 21. 9:45 am. Brush Creek, Country Club Plaza.

24

Modest Mouse

Formed in the early ’90s in suburban Seattle, Modest Mouse is a staple in the alt-rock scene, with hits like their beloved millennial anthem “Float On.” Catch them live for an outdoor show at Grinders in the East Crossroads as part of their summer North American tour. Doug Martsch—guitarist and singer of Built to Spill—will open. June 24. 8 pm. Grinders.

26

Pride Ride and City Market Jam

All aboard! Pride Ride and City Market Jam returns for its second year to celebrate and spotlight local LGBTQ+ musicians. The evening will kick off as community brass band Sass-a-Brass boards the tram at Fifth and Walnut for a serenading ride-along and parade around River Market. The jam culminates in a performance from Jamogi and The Jammers in the heart of City Market, and we recommend enjoying the music from the comfort of Enzo Bistro and Wine Bar’s patio with a cold Aperol spritz in hand. June 26. 5:30 pm. City Market.

26

Weird Al Yankovic

The king of musical parodies, Weird Al Yankovic, is coming to
KC for an evening of laughs. The comedian-singer-accordionist has built his decades-long career on poking fun at pop songs, but he also performs an extensive catalogue of his own quick-witted, non-spoof songs. His Starlight Theatre performance is a part of his Bigger & Weirder Tour. June 26. 8 pm. Starlight Theatre.

27 & 28

Great Lenexa BBQ Battle

Since 1982, pitmasters have been bringing the heat—and the meat—at the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle. As the official Kansas State Championship, the event has grown to attract over 150 teams each year to compete for the $3,000 grand prize. On Friday, join in the excitement and enjoy live music, concessions and family-friendly activities as teams host private, pre-battle parties. Saturday is the main event: Teams fire up their smokers early in the morning, and judging takes place all afternoon to crown the best BBQ in the region. June 27 & 28. 4:30 pm & 9 am. Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.

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