Best Summer Events in Kansas City for Couples and families

Your curated guide to the best Kansas City summer ever!

Summer in Kansas City is a vibrant tapestry of festivals, concerts, and events that cater to both couples seeking romantic outings and families in search of fun-filled adventures. From June through August 2025, the city offers a plethora of activities that promise to make your summer unforgettable. Here's my personally curated guide to the best summer events in Kansas City for couples and families. 🎶🍔

Get ready for summer…

🌊 Water Lantern Festival (The Most Romantic Event of the Summer)

📅 Date: May 10, 2025
📍 Location: Kansas City (Specific location to be announced)
🎟️ Why Go? Experience a peaceful, magical night where participants release glowing lanterns into the water.
- 💑 For Couples: Enjoy a breathtaking date night with floating lights and live music.
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families: Children can decorate their own lanterns and participate in the launch.

🔗 For more information, check the Water Lantern Festival's official website.

June 2025 – Kick Off Summer in KC! 🎉

🍻 Boulevardia (Perfect for Couples & Foodie Families)

📅 Date: June 14, 2025
📍 Location: Crown Center
🎟️ Why Go? Boulevardia is Kansas City's signature beer, music, and food festival, featuring local breweries, live bands, and gourmet food trucks.
- 💑 For Couples: Enjoy craft beer tastings, VIP experiences, and rooftop views.
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families: Participate in kid-friendly activities, carnival games, and savor delicious food options.

🔗 For more details, visit Boulevardia's official website.

🎡 Fun on the Bluff (Perfect for Families & History Enthusiasts!)

📅 Date: June 14, 2025
📍 Location: Fort Osage National Historic Landmark, 105 Osage Street, Sibley, MO 64088
🎟️ Why Go? Step back in time and experience life on the early 1800s frontier with music, food, storytelling, games, and crafts. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Missouri River from the bluffs of this National Landmark.
- 💑 For Couples: Immerse yourselves in the rich history and scenic beauty of Fort Osage.
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families: Engage in interactive activities that are both fun and educational for all ages.

🔗 Learn more about this event at Jackson County Parks + Rec.

🎭 Future Stages Festival (Great for Families with Young Kids)

📅 Date: June 15, 2025
📍 Location: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
🎟️ Why Go? This free festival showcases performances from local youth groups, offering hands-on arts experiences and interactive workshops.
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for: Families who love music, dance, and theater.

🔗 Learn more at the Kauffman Center's Future Stages Festival page.

🚣‍♀️ Dragon Boat Festival (Exciting Cultural Experience for Everyone!)

📅 Date: June 21, 2025
📍 Location: Brush Creek, Country Club Plaza
🎟️ Why Go? Experience the thrill of dragon boat racing, a cultural tradition celebrating teamwork, strength, and heritage. Alongside the exciting races, enjoy live cultural performances, food vendors, and family-friendly activities.
- 💑 For Couples: Enjoy a scenic day at the Plaza, exploring the festival and cheering on the racers.
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families: Kids will love the interactive booths and the high-energy race atmosphere.

🔗 Stay updated with details on the Dragon Boat Festival's official page.

🎬 Free Outdoor Movie Nights (Great for Everyone!)

📅 Dates: Every Friday in June 2025
📍 Locations: Various parks around Kansas City, including Loose Park and Longview Lake
🎟️ Why Go? Enjoy classic and family-friendly movies under the stars for free!
- 💑 For Couples: Pack a picnic, bring a cozy blanket, and enjoy a romantic evening.
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families: Bring the kids for a fun, relaxed night outdoors.

🔗 Check the Kansas City Parks and Recreation website for the movie schedule.

🍖 Great Lenexa BBQ Battle (Perfect for Foodie Couples & Families)

📅 Date: Friday, June 27, 2025
📍 Location: Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa
🎟️ Why Go? As Kansas City's official BBQ championship, this event offers live cooking, food tastings, and live music.
- 💑 For Couples: Sample BBQ tasting flights and enjoy cold local brews.
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families: Enjoy carnival rides, games, and ice cream vendors.

🔗 Visit the City of Lenexa's official page for updates.

July 2025 – Celebrate Summer with Fireworks, Concerts, and Exhibits! 🎇

🇺🇸 Stars & Stripes Picnic at the National WWI Museum (Best for Families & Patriotic Couples)

📅 Date: July 4, 2025
📍 Location: Liberty Memorial
🎟️ Why Go? Kansas City's biggest 4th of July celebration features live music, food trucks, and an incredible fireworks show over the city skyline.
- 💑 For Couples: Enjoy a VIP picnic with an exclusive view of the fireworks.
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families: Engage in face painting, kids' activities, and an interactive history zone.

🔗 More information can be found on the National WWI Museum's event page.

🎸 Father John Misty Concert (Ideal for Music-Loving Couples)

📅 Date: July 19, 2025
📍 Location: Uptown Theater, Kansas City, MO
🎟️ Why Go? Father John Misty, known for his soulful and eclectic music style, will be performing live as part of his 2025 tour. This concert offers an intimate setting for couples to enjoy an evening of live music and connection.

🔗 For more details, visit Pitchfork's announcement.

🌳 Kansas City's Lawn Party (Fun for Everyone!)

📅 Date: July 20, 2025
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
🎟️ Why Go? Celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month with a massive bash on the Nelson-Atkins lawn. Enjoy local food trucks, lawn games, art activities, and live musical performances in the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park.
- 💑 For Couples: Relax on the lawn with delicious food and live music.
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families: Engage in interactive art activities and fun lawn games suitable for all ages.

🔗 For more details, visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum's official event page.

🎨 'A Match Made in Heaven' Art Exhibition (Great for Art Enthusiasts)

📅 Date: February 7 – August 3, 2025
📍 Location: Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park, KS
🎟️ Why Go? This exhibition features works by renowned designer Jeremy Scott and artist Katherine Bernhardt, both Kansas natives. Their art showcases vibrant pop culture references, making it a delightful experience for those interested in contemporary art.

🔗 Learn more at Vogue's coverage of the exhibition.

August 2025 – Soak Up the Last Days of Summer! ☀️

🌍 Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Festival (Perfect for Couples & Families Who Love Culture & Food)

📅 Date: August 15–17, 2025
📍 Location: Swope Park Bandstand, Pavilion Road
🎟️ Why Go? One of the largest multicultural festivals in the Midwest, featuring over 60 cultures represented through food, performances, and crafts.
- 💑 For Couples: Savor authentic global cuisine and enjoy diverse cultural performances.
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families: Participate in children's passport activities, storytelling sessions, and interactive workshops.

🔗 For more details, visit the Ethnic Enrichment Commission's official website.

🎈 Kansas City’s Great Balloon Glow (Romantic for Couples & Fun for Families)

📅 Date: Saturday, August 20, 2025 at 5 PM CST
📍 Location: Liberty Memorial
🎟️ Why Go? Witness colorful hot air balloons taking flight at sunset, complemented by food trucks, live music, and tethered balloon rides.
- 💑 For Couples: Experience sunset balloon rides and wine tasting areas.
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families: Enjoy a kids’ zone, craft vendors, and face painting.

🔗 Details will be available on the Great Balloon Glow website.

Plan Your Perfect Summer in Kansas City! 🎡🌞

With so many incredible events happening throughout the summer, Kansas City is the perfect place to make unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Whether you're looking for a romantic date night or a fun-filled family adventure, there’s something for everyone!

👉 Which event are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to share this guide with friends and family so they can plan their perfect summer, too! 😊☀️