Kansas City’s November First Friday: What to see, do in the Crossroads and West Bottoms
Kansas City’s air is getting crisp, and the nights are getting longer. Before it gets too cold to walk outside, First Friday in the Crossroads and West Bottoms are still ongoing, and have a lot in store for you to see, buy and try.
Here’s what to know for November.
WEST BOTTOMS
The Historic West Bottoms is celebrating 15 years of First Friday weekends. The district has a lot to be thankful for and invites all to celebrate what they’re thankful for this month, as this month’s theme is “Blessing in the Bottoms.”
The theme connects to Thanksgiving and the blessings many have in their lives.
Over 30 stores in the West Bottoms shops should be open on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., including Good JuJu, the first vintage store to set up shop in the district.
Visitors can also make their own candles at 12th Street Post, the newest store in the West Bottoms. Each candle will cost $1.75 per ounce.
Learn more about the West Bottoms shops here. All stores will have holiday decorations on sale.
Full Moon Escape will be open for groups to solve puzzles and work through the escape room from 12 to 11:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 12 until 8:45 p.m. on Sunday.
Openings for The Beast, The Edge of Hell and The Macabre were extended throughout the weekend before they close out their 35th season on Nov. 12. If you’ve never been to a haunted house, check out our guide to prepare yourself.
“It’s all in a day’s work, but it was decades in the making. We are proud to be celebrating 15 years of the Festival of the Full Moon and the haunts’ 35-year milestone in the West Bottoms, so don’t be scared to come down,” district spokesperson Amber Arnett-Bequeath said in a statement.
WHEN TO GO
The First Friday festivities will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
WHERE TO PARK
Free street parking in the West Bottoms is typically extremely limited during First Friday weekends. City parking lots cost $10 for the day and may require a short walk. Here’s a map of the neighborhood parking lots.
CROSSROADS
The food trucks and art alleys are gone from the Crossroads for the colder months, but everything else stays the same. Art displays and all of your favorite breweries and restaurants are open for First Friday
You can see these exhibits scattered throughout the entertainment district:
A holiday art show by Anne Garney from 5 to 8 p.m. at 1920 Wyandotte St.
Over 150 pieces from local and national artists fill the Jones Gallery on 1717 Walnut St. The artist reception is from 5 to 9 p.m. and all are welcome to join.
Michele Renee Sherlock, a Kansas City-based contemporary abstract painter and October’s featured artist, has her closing reception from 5:30 to 9 p.m at Cheryl Eve Acosta’s Crossroads studio.
The art goes on, and you can find more exhibits here.
WHEN TO SHOW UP
Events in the Crossroads start as early as 10 a.m. on Friday, and many events are happening on Saturday and Sunday as well. Here’s where you can see all the events, including what time they start.
WHERE TO PARK
Parking will likely be tight on a First Friday. People who show up early will have the best chance at on-street parking, according to the Crossroads website.
You can use public transit like the Kansas City Streetcar to avoid any parking nightmares. The 16th Street and the 19th Street stops will put you right in the heart of the Crossroads.
