Boulevardia, KC’s longtime local music festival, is shutting down after 10 years
In 2025, when Kansas City-based music festival Boulevardia shifted to a one-day event, The Star asked fans what they thought would be its future.
Unfortunately for music lovers in the area, we have an answer.
The festival is shutting down, according to the Boulevardia Board of Directors on social media. The music festival traveled throughout Kansas City over the years, first starting in the West Bottoms when it began in 2014, moving to the Stockyards District in 2017 and taking its setup to Crown Center from 2022 until its final year after the COVID-19 pandemic postponed it in 2020 and 2021.
The festival ran for two days during the summer months from 2014 to 2024, before moving to one day in its final year.
“After 10 unforgettable years of beers, beats, makers, magic and the best fans in the world, we’ve decided that last year’s 10th anniversary celebration will stand as Boulevardia’s grand finale,” the board said on social media. “From transforming city blocks into pop-up nations to showcasing the best of KC music, culture, food and creativity — we’ve loved every wild, beautiful minute of this ride.”
When asked in 2025 why the music festival shifted to a one-day schedule, officials didn’t answer, and they did not respond immediately Thursday to questions about why they decided to shut down the festival. They did say in a press release sent to accounts on their email list that “ending on year ten feels right—like the final page of a story we’re incredibly proud to have written together.”
A statement to The Star from Boulevard Brewing Co., the leading sponsor of Boulevardia, said:
“For more than 10 years, Boulevard Brewing Co. has proudly helped sponsor Boulevardia, a beloved event that uniquely united Kansas City’s love of great beer, great community and great music. This journey has been truly special, and we are concluding this chapter on an awesome high. While the current version of Boulevardia is coming to a close, we are thrilled to continue celebrating all things Boulevard in Kansas City this summer and beyond, and the door remains open for different, exciting experiences in the spirit of Boulevardia in the future. We look forward to creating new traditions going forward. Stay tuned!”
Artists that played at Boulevardia over the years include Capital Cities, Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Mowglis, Nate Ruess, Gin Blossoms, George Clinton, Tech N9ne, Manchester Orchestra, Bleachers, Young The Giant, Fitz and the Tantrums, Dashboard Confessional, Lovelytheband, DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Greeting Commitee, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Dayglow, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The War and Treaty, Big Freedia, Surfaces, Milky Chance, Hanson and Thundercat.
Boulevardia also highlighted Kansas City-based acts, and a few of them took to social media to show their appreciation for the festival.
“It took so much courage and coordination to put a festival like this back to back. We will never take that for granted! Can’t wait to see what you all do next,” said hip-hop artist Kemet Coleman.
“Thank you for 10 years of this amazing KC event. We’re honored to have been a part of it. Onward and upward!” soul band The Freedom Affair, which also features Coleman, said.
“Thank you for everything over the years! Was a highlight of many of our summers as a band!!” said indie band Hembree.
“Thanks for the amazing memories and bringing an amazing event to KC,” folk artist Jessica Paige said.
“Blvdia gave me some of my favorite Kansas City mems 💕💕thank you we’ll miss you big,” indie-pop artist Kat King said.
This story was originally published January 8, 2026 at 2:09 PM.
