How to spend Memorial Day weekend in KC: Fireworks, music, tributes & more
Music and fireworks will highlight Celebration at the Station, the annual free concert that defines Memorial Day weekend in Kansas City.
A crowd of about 50,000 is expected Sunday, May 25, outside Union Station for the tribute to those who have died in service to the nation.
The Kansas City Symphony, with guest conductor Jason Seber, will play compositions by John Williams, Leonard Bernstein and Carlos Simon, as well as other crowd favorites. Joining the symphony will be singer Mikaela Bennett, who portrayed Maria in the Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s 2023 production of “The Sound of Music.”
Here’s what you need to know about Celebration at the Station and other Memorial Day weekend events in the area.
Celebration at the Station
When: 5-10 p.m. Sunday, May 25.
Where: In front of Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road.
Schedule: Preconcert performances, 5 p.m.; Kansas City Symphony concert, 8 p.m.; fireworks, 9:30 p.m.
Other activities: Veterans Place (services for veterans), 5-8 p.m.; food trucks (more than 20 expected), 5 p.m.-close.
Transportation and parking: Your best plan likely is to park elsewhere downtown and take the free Kansas City streetcar, which will operate until midnight. On-street metered parking is free on weekends. The West Yards Parking Garage west of Union Station charges $7 for up to four hours and $16 for four to eight hours.
Television: Kansas City PBS will broadcast the symphony’s concert live at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 25, with a rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Monday, May 26.
More information: kcsymphony.org.
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Highlights:
- New exhibit “Encounters,” opens Friday, May 23, Main Gallery
- Military Vehicle Display, Saturday-Sunday, May 24-25, Southeast Lawn
- Screening and discussion of movie “Sheepdog,” 1 p.m. Saturday, May 24, Auditorium
- Memorial Day Ceremony, 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, Memorial Courtyard
- Bell Tolling Ceremony, noon Monday, May 26, Memorial Courtyard
- Walk of Honor Dedication, 2 p.m. Monday, May 26, Auditorium
Museum hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, May 23-25; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, May 26.
Cost: Outdoor events and Walk of Honor Dedication free; film screening free with RSVP; museum general admission half-price ($5.75-$9.75) for the public, free for veterans and active-duty military.
Note: The Liberty Memorial Tower is closed to visitors for scheduled cleaning and maintenance.
More information: theworldwar.org.
Other events
“Voices from the Past: Historical Epitaphs”: 5:30 p.m. May 23, noon May 24, Union Cemetery. $35. uchskc.org.
Memorial Day Salute: 11 a.m. May 26, Truman Library. Free. trumanlibrary.gov.
