October Checklist: 10 Things To Do in Kansas City
/Since playoff baseball should be less of a distraction this year, we set our sights on the rest of KC for things to do in October. Here's what we've got for you.
Porchfest Sat 10/8 - Valentine Neighborhood
Porchfest is one of America's better ideas in the last few centuries, and KC's version has been the fastest-growing. The concept is self-explanatory: bands play on porches and people fest around them. The event outgrew its West Plaza home and will now be hosting all 140 bands on the porches of the Valentine neighborhood slightly north of Westport. There's technically no headliner, but those kids who rocked out to Metallica on the Plaza are playing at 3628 Pennsylvania Ave.
Oktoberfest Live! Sat 10/8 - Power & Light District
There are a lot of Oktoberfests, but the KCP&L District version is a top pick. It's an all-day event starting at 11am, so breakfast beforehand is highly recommended. They'll have live music, plenty of food & games an, most importantly, weiner dog races.
Weston Irish Fest Fri 10/7 - Sun 10/9 - Weston, MO
If you can safely swing a 45-minute drive north of the city, Weston's Irish Fest is worth it. It's mostly outdoors, but anyone who's been to Weston will confirm that O'Malley's [underground] Pub is a bucket list destination. If you can't drive safely, Weston is well-known for its bed and breakfast scene.
2016 Renaissance Festival Weekends thru 10/16 - Bonner Springs, KS
There's nothing normal about it, and it's the best. KC Ren Fest is a place where kids can be kids, and adults can be unicorns...or whatever they choose. There's plenty of liquid courage in the pubs and patios, in the form of beer, wine and more beer. The Ren Fest kingdom is always active with daily events and/or themed weekends so give this a serious second thought if you think you're too old for a good Renaissance Festival.
GLOW Jack-O-Lantern Festival Fri, 10/14 - Sat, 10/15 - Powell Gardens
This is actually pretty impressive. The Jack-O-Lantern Walk is a one-mile self-guided walk through over 700 pumpkins and 13 carved scenes. KC's own master pumpkin carver, Rudy Garcia, offers live pumpkin carving tutorials. He's worked with Lucasfilm, Marvel Entertainment, Universal Monsters and others. There are also hayrack rides and indoor activities.
Brew at The Zoo & Wine Too Saturday, 10/15 - Kansas City Zoo
...and also distilleries and food trucks. Combined, the Kansas City Zoo is hosting ~30 different local and regional beer, wine and spirits vendors for this 4th-annual event. Plus there's live music from Coin, The Unlikely Candidates and Judah and the Lion. Leave the kids at home - this is your turn at the zoo (and it's 21+ only).
Fed Up Fest: Sylvan Esso, Hippo Campus,... Saturday, 10/15 - Crossroads KC
Fed Up Fest is one of Crossroads KC's final concerts in 2016, and they've landed some great acts in Sylvan Ess, Hippo Campus, MarchFourth and more. It's all in support of Harvesters, which helps feed over 140,000 different people each month who could really use the help.
Wicked Wine Walk Saturday, 10/22 - Power & Light District
Local pets deserve shelter, and you deserve wine. Done. See you there. For $30, you actually get wine tasting plus a small plate from each of six downtown restaurants: Bar Louie, Cleaver & Cork, Yard House, Bristol Seafood, Drunken Fish and The Garment District Boutique.
P&L's Dead or Alive! - Halloween Party Saturday, 10/29 - Power & Light District
P&L could probably sell out tickets to a live broadcast of this event - the costumes and people-watching are worth the price of admission alone (which is technically free, but still). This party is always pure madness and, luckily, that madness is rewarded this year with over $15k in cash and prizes for the costume contest winners.
Featured Event: Halloween Glow Golf Tourney Friday, 10/14 - Heart of America Golf Academy
Deadline to register: this Sunday, 10/9. Buy Halloween Glow Golf Tournament tickets here.
West Bottoms Haunted Houses Thru 11/5 - West Bottoms
The West Bottoms haunted houses are consistently ranked as some of the country's best and are must-tries for any Halloween enthusiast or masochist.
The Beast
The Edge of Hell
Macabre Cinema
Worlds of Fun Halloween Haunt Thru October - Worlds of Fun
Worlds of Fun Haunt is Kansas City's top Halloween production and is designed for both kids and adults. It's actually pretty incredible what they turn the place into during October. There's rides, mazes, scare zones, shows and, of course, terror everywhere.
