The best things to do in KC this month: October 2026

2&3

Heartland Book Festival

This free festival returns for its fourth year, bringing together local and national authors for two days of programming. Heartland Book Festival kicks off on Friday night with Tayari Jones, whose latest release, Kin, made the New York Times’ list of best novels this year. On Saturday, bestselling romance authors Sierra Simone (who calls KC home) and Tessa Bailey team up for a discussion. Victoria Aveyard and Soman Chainani close out the festival by recording an episode for their podcast, “Plot Twist,” as they discuss Tempest, Aveyard’s latest release. October 2 & 3. Times vary. Mid-Continent Public Library Woodneath Library Center & Kansas City Public Library Central Branch. 

3 & 4

Weston Applefest

Head to Weston Applefest for a beautiful fall weekend just outside of the city. The free festivities kick off on Saturday morning with a parade, followed by live music, local crafters, warm apple dumplings and more in Weston’s quaint downtown. While nearby, we recommend making a pit stop at Weston Bend State Park’s overlook to take in the fall foliage and scenic river bluff views. October 3 & 4. Times vary. Main Street, Weston.

6

John Green presents Hollywood, Ending

If you grew up devouring John Green’s popular young adult novels like Paper Towns and The Fault in Our Stars, then you’re in for a treat. The author has debuted his first novel written for adults. Hollywood, Ending—Green’s first work of fiction in nearly a decade—follows two emerging actors in the midst of filming an Andy Warhol biopic, navigating romance and a sudden life in the public eye. Green stops in KC on his book tour for this Rainy Day Books event. October 6. 7 pm. Unity Temple on the Plaza.

9–11

Panda Fest

This Asian food and cultural festival, one of the biggest in the nation, makes its KC debut. At Panda Fest, Legends Field transforms into an open-air market featuring live performances, artisans and more than 90 food vendors. Sample cuisines from Vietnam, China, Japan, Thailand and beyond throughout the weekend. October 9–11. Times vary. Legends Field.

9–11

Kansas City Symphony Presents The Planets

Since its debut in 1918, Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets has been an international 

sensation. From aggressive, brass-heavy movements like “Mars” to the more serene “Jupiter,” this sweeping celestial work has even inspired Hollywood scores like Star Wars. In addition to pieces by Giacinto Scelsi, Ludwig van Beethoven and Bohuslav Martinů, the Kansas City Symphony performs all seven movements alongside the Symphony Chorus. October 9–11. Times vary. Helzberg Hall.

10

Waldo Fall Fest

Experience a day of family fun at the 34th annual Waldo Fall Fest. Each year, the free festival welcomes food trucks, pop-up shops, kids’ activities and live performances. October 10. 10 am. Wornall Road & Gregory Boulevard.

16 & 17

Kansas City Mavericks vs. Rapid City Rush

For the past three seasons, the Kansas City Mavericks have made a name for themselves as one of the ECHL’s best teams, consistently sitting atop the Mountain Division. With standout players like Marcus Crawford and Casey Carreau returning to the rink, the sticks are down as the Mavs kick off the 2026–2027 season with two home matches against Rapid City Rush. October 16, 7:05 pm and October 17, 6:05 pm. Cable Dahmer Arena.

16–31

Dark Forest

In need of an adrenaline rush? Head to Dark Forest for an eerie evening of performance art in the great outdoors. A collaboration between Powell Gardens and cirque company Quixotic, attendees take a one-mile, after-hours stroll through the botanical gardens among special effects and live performers like acrobats, musicians and dancers. October 16–31. Gates open at 5:30. Powell Gardens.

17

Día de los Muertos Celebration

The Museum of Kansas City celebrates Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, a little early. The museum’s 13th annual festival features music from Mariachi Estrella, dance performances from Grupo Folklórico Izcalli, face painting and more. Grab a bite from one of the food trucks on the museum lawn, browse the vendor fair, and be sure to bring an item of remembrance for the community altars. October 17. 5 pm. The Museum of Kansas City.

20

Sammy Rae & The Friends

When listening to Sammy Rae & The Friends’ funky hits like “Kick It to Me” and “The Feeling,”  it’s hard to sit still. Led by frontwoman Sammy Rae’s powerful and agile voice, the group is an amalgamation of each member’s wide-spanning influences: rock, jazz, soul and beyond. The band’s KC performance follows the release of their third studio album, SUN. Indie-soul band Melt opens. October 20. 8 pm. The Truman. 

23

Yee Haw! 

Missouri-born comic Caleb Hearon’s career has skyrocketed in recent years. In addition to his popular podcast “So True!,” his film and TV credits continue to accumulate with recent roles in The Devil Wears Prada 2, Sweethearts and his own HBO Max comedy special. But each fall, Hearon reliably hosts Yee Haw!, KC Tenants’ annual fundraiser, alongside singer-songwriter Waxahatchee. This year, famed drag queen Trixie Mattel joins the lineup. October 23. 8 pm. Uptown Theater.

23–25

PBR Outlaw Days

The Kansas City Outlaws, one of 10 teams in the Professional Bull Riders, host their annual homestand and the final event of the league’s regular season: Outlaw Days. While traditional rodeos include a range of riding and roping competitions, expect just one event at PBR matches. Competitors are scored on their ability to hold on to a bull, one-handed, for eight seconds. October 23–25. Times vary. T-Mobile Center.

24 & 25

Boo at the Zoo

Enjoy daytime trick-or-treating (and another opportunity to don a costume) at the Kansas City Zoo’s “not-so-scary” Halloween event. Collect candy while roaming the park, and be sure to visit the zoo’s new indoor habitat, Giraffe Crossing, which opened earlier this year. October 24 & 25. 9:30 am. Kansas City Zoo.

25

Ryan & Ryan Kickin’ the Clouds Away

From Rachmaninoff to Billy Joel, this father-son piano duo plays a little bit of everything. Donald Ryan, the patriarch of the group, is a native of Trinidad and Tobago who came to the United States to study music and is now a member of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Following in his father’s footsteps, Barron Ryan first took the stage as a four-year-old and hasn’t stopped since. Expect a program that spans ragtime, classical, funk and more. October 25. 7 pm. Polsky Theatre.

31

In My Jazz Era: Nosferatu

Celebrate Halloween with a frightful screening of the pioneering 1922 silent film Nosferatu, accompanied by a new score from the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. An unauthorized spin-off of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the film became the blueprint for the horror genre, despite most copies being destroyed as a result of a copyright lawsuit. October 31. 6 pm. Tom’s Town Distillery.

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