Things heat up in Kansas City beginning in late March with the Greater Kansas City Home Show at Bartle Hall, presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City. Also in March is the St. Patrick's Day Parade , which threads through downtown and is followed by festivities that continue throughout the city well into the night. The NAIA Division 1 Men's Basketball Championship , which features smaller colleges and universities, takes place in mid-March.
Say Ciao L'Italia! to Festa Italiana , a 3-day weekend festival in late May and/or early June that's guaranteed to bring out your inner Italian.
The Crown Center sponsors free outdoor Summer on the Square activities, including concerts and children's entertainment, the Hospital Hill Run in June and the Kansas City Irish Fest in early September.
Over the July 4th weekend KC Riverfest , at Berkley Park on the Missouri River, salutes the nation's birthday with entertainment, games, crafts, food and a spectacular fireworks display.
The third full weekend of August brings the Ethnic Enrichment Festival to Swope Park, where the world's cultures are celebrated with live music and dance performances, craft exhibitions and a tempting lineup of food booths. Among the fun things to do with friends: watch Scottish Highland games and the colorful pageantry of the Parade of Nations.
In early September, the 3-day Greek Food Fest will have you shouting "Opa!" as you load up on souvlaki, baklava, gyros (pronounce it like "hero" if you want to sound authentic) with tzatziki sauce and other goodies. It takes place at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 120th Street and Wornall Road. Fiesta Kansas City is held in early September in the Kansas City Power & Light District. The event celebrates Hispanic culture with a day of Latin-American food, drink, art, crafts and entertainment.
Thanksgiving evening marks the KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony , which illuminates Country Club Plaza's fanciful towers with miles of tiny, colored light bulbs. The display lasts until mid-January. The day after Thanksgiving, a nearly 100-foot-tall Christmas tree is illuminated during the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Crown Center Square. Decorated with more than 900 red and gold ornaments and white lights, the tree stands as the symbol of a citywide charity drive to help people in need during the holidays.
See all the AAA recommended events for this destination.