Here’s your guide to Oktoberfest events in the Kansas City area
If you want to experience the closest thing to a Munich-style Oktoberfest in Missouri or Kansas, you’ll have to drive nearly three hours east to the quaint town of Hermann, where the celebration lasts all month.
In Kansas City, Oktoberfest events are limited to one or two days, but you can still fully immerse yourself in the German tradition — especially the beer.
KC Oktoberfest, which last year attracted more than 16,000 partygoers, will fill Crown Center Square with brews, food and entertainment on Oct. 3 and 4. It’s worth noting that pop phenom Chappell Roan will perform nearby on the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial on the same dates, so the area is likely to be congested.
If you want to get a head start on the annual celebration, there are two options the weekend prior: Lee’s Summit Oktoberfest and Oktoberfest Live! in the Power & Light District.
Here is what you need to know about all three area events.
Lee’s Summit Oktoberfest
When: 3-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Just the carnival (no vendors or other activities) will operate noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.
Where: Throughout downtown Lee’s Summit, with arts and crafts booths on Third Street, Southeast Main Street and Douglas Street.
What: In addition to arts and crafts booths, there will be beer and brat tents, two stages of live entertainment, a carnival and children’s activities.
Cost: Free except for the carnival, with wristbands for extended sessions available for $25 or $30.
Parking: Free parking on lots throughout downtown.
More information: lsoktoberfest.com
Oktoberfest Live!
When: 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27.
Where: KC Live! block in the Power & Light District, 1330 Grand Blvd.
What: Food, seasonal beer, live music, games and wiener dog races.
Cost: Free, with VIP tickets for $54.29.
Parking: Available at KC Live! garage with validation from any Power & Light District venue.
Note: This event is restricted to those 21 and older.
More information: powerandlightdistrict.com
KC Oktoberfest
When: 5-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.
Where: Crown Center Square, 2425 Grand Blvd.
What: Beer from the Kansas City Bier Company as well as two stages of live entertainment, food and family-friendly activities. There is covered seating for more than 1,000, with 36 reserved tables and 169 others on a first-come-first-served basis.
Cost: Tickets are $17 until 4 p.m. Oct. 3, then $20. Reserved tables for six people are available for $175-$225. To purchase beer, commemorative mugs ($4 for 16-ounce or $6 for 32-ounce) and tokens ($8; one token for 16-ounce fill, two for 32-ounce) will be available on site. You may use mugs and tokens from previous KC Oktoberfests, but no other mugs will be allowed.
Parking: There will be free parking all weekend in Crown Center parking garages.
More information: kcoktoberfest.com
Other events near Kansas City
Junction City Oktoberfest: 4-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; downtown Junction City, Kansas (two hours west of Kansas City). junctioncityoktoberfest.com
Cheers to Oktoberfest Run 5K/10K/13.1: 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; Mill Creek Park in Country Club Plaza, Broadway and West 43rd Street. runsignup.com
Oktoberfest in Martin City: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; downtown Martin City, 135th Street just west of Holmes Road. martincity.org
Oktoberfest: Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11; Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery, 18807 158th St., Basehor, Kansas. holyfieldwinery.com