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Explore 8 signature summer events transforming Kansas City in 2025

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City's summer in 2025 is packed with vibrant events and fresh attractions. The Brookside Art Annual brings together artists and families for a lively, outdoor celebration of creativity. Music fans can look forward to the return of Hot Country Nights at the Power & Light District, featuring a lineup of popular and rising country acts.

Big concerts across venues like T-Mobile Center and Starlight Theatre showcase names from Katy Perry to The Lumineers. Boulevardia's 10th anniversary and the energetic Tacos & Tequila Festival add even more excitement to the city's summer festival scene.

The 18th and Vine float at the 13th annual Juneteenth Heritage Parade. By Susan Pfannmuller

NO. 1: 10 WAYS TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH AROUND KANSAS CITY: FESTIVALS, WORKOUTS, MUSIC & MORE

Kansas City is commemorating Black culture and history all month long. | Published June 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

FILE PHOTO. Children play in the Concourse fountain in George Kessler Park on a hot day in Kansas City. By File

NO. 2: WANT TO BEAT THE HEAT IN KANSAS CITY? CHECK OUT THESE COOLING CENTERS AND SPLASH PADS

Temperatures in Kansas City are expected to reach 100 degrees this week. | Published June 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

The splash pad at Roe Park was popular with visitors. By File

NO. 3: NEW KCK SPRAY PARK STAYS CLOSED DURING HEAT WAVE AFTER VANDALISM. WHEN COULD IT OPEN?

The parks department is making up for about $20,000 in damage and stolen equipment to the new park meant to help keep kids cool. | Published June 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Bill Lukitsch

A view from the northwest corner of the KC Current’s new CPKC Stadium. By Emily Curiel

NO. 4: 2 OF THE ‘WORLD’S GREATEST PLACES’ ARE IN KANSAS CITY, TIME MAGAZINE SAYS. HERE’S WHERE

The attractions opened within the same week in 2024 and received global fanfare. | Published July 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

NO. 5: HOT COUNTRY NIGHTS IS BACK AT KC'S POWER & LIGHT. WHO’S PERFORMING IN 2025?

This year marks the 17th edition of the country concert series in Kansas City. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

The line for the Childish Gambino concert at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City stretched out well before the doors opened. Many fans waited multiple hours for a good seat in general admission. By Dominick Williams

NO. 6: FROM POP ICONS TO COUNTRY STARS, THESE 14 CONCERTS COME TO KC THIS SUMMER

Venues around Kansas City will be busy and loud this spring and summer as performing artists make their trips around the nation and worldwide. | Published April 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

The Miami County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a jet ski rider drowned at a Hillsdale Lake marina Sunday. This Google Maps Street View image shows the area.

NO. 7: HILLSDALE LAKE, OTHER REC AREAS FACE SERVICE CUTS, CLOSURES IN KC REGION

The Kansas City District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will temporarily close or reduce services at recreation areas at lakes in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa in May. | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

Crowds flooded the Brookside Shops for the 39th annual art fair in the Kansas City neighborhood on Saturday, May 3.

NO. 8: ARTISTS COME FROM ALL OVER TO KANSAS CITY FOR BROOKSIDE FAIR. MEET A FEW OF THEM

The popular art fair continues Sunday. | Published May 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Courtney Lane

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.