Need no-cost summer fun? See 9 free outdoor shows around Kansas City
It’s a summer of shows around Kansas City, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to town. Many of the outdoor concerts and performances are scheduled for the new amphitheater in Riverside, but there are plenty scattered throughout the metro — for free.
All around the city are free concerts and events that anyone can sit back and enjoy during the summer. Some you will have to apply for in advance, while others you can walk in and set up shop with lawn chairs and blankets.
Enjoy these budget-friendly shows happening throughout Kansas City during the summertime. If there are any we’re missing, email us at kcq@kcstar.com, and we’ll add it to our list.
Americana & Ales
The new, free one-day festival Americana & Ales takes place Saturday, June 20, in downtown Shawnee. The event runs all day and is split into two segments: a morning Craft Beverage Festival featuring a curated selection of premium beverages and craft beers and a music festival that lasts into the night.
The craft beverage portion of the festival is paid, and prices will be shared in the coming month. The music portion is free, featuring Grammy-winning Bluegrass fiddler Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and Grammy-nominated local rock band Making Movies.
FIFA Fan Fest
The FIFA Fan Fest, hosted at the National World War I Museum and Memorial throughout the duration of the global soccer tournament, brings live music to its free festivities.
Both local and national acts will perform while it’s active, but here are the scheduled headlining musicians:
- June 12: Tech N9ne
- June 13: The Chainsmokers
- June 19: Flo Rida and DJ Mal-Ski
- June 20: Cimafunk
- July 3: Gabby Barrett and DJ DeeRock
- July 5: DJ DeeRock
- July 11: Tech N9ne and The All-American Rejects
Fans can register for digital passes online at the KC World Cup website. You can pick the days for when you want passes and receive a QR code approximately 48 hours before each date.
Fan Fest will be open on these days:
- United States Men’s National Team games (not in KC): June 12, 19 and 25
- Argentina vs. Algeria: June 16
- Ecuador vs. Curaçao: June 20
- Tunisia vs. Netherlands: June 25
- Algeria vs. Austria: June 27
- Round of 32 match: July 3
- Quarterfinal match: July 11
Friday Night Sound Bites
The Lenexa Public Market hosts its Friday Night Sound Bites series. Each performance has a special dinner and dessert to accompany the show from local food trucks. but visitors will have to pay for those.
Friday Night Sound Bites runs all the way through Halloween weekend in October, but here are the scheduled headliners for the spring and summer months:
- May 29: The Suburbans
- June 5: Way Too Famous
- June 19: 2Proud 2Beg
- July 3: Ronni Ward Band
- July 10: Punk’d KC
- July 17: Just Add Water
- July 24: Clay Clear Band
- July 31: Unfit Wives
- Aug. 7: Groove Pilots
- Aug. 14: KC Groove Therapy
- Aug. 21: Landrush
- Aug. 28: RetroGradeSchool
- Sept. 4: Vinyl Revival
Future Stages Festival
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts hosts the free Future Stages Festival on Sunday, June 14, from noon to 5 p.m. at 1601 Broadway Blvd. The community festival showcases hundreds of Kansas City-based youth performers.
Performances are happening inside Helzberg Hall, Muriel Kauffman Theatre and on the outdoor stage. Find out which local bands and schools are performing online.
Tickets are not required, but visitors can RSVP online to receive updates.
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival
The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival returns to Southmoreland Park, 4600 Oak St., right by the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, from June 16 to July 5. The 2026 performance is “Macbeth,” the story about a Scottish general who encounters three witches who deliver his prophecy.
The event is free to attend, but they do accept donations from visitors. Guests can also get reserved seating starting Wednesday, May 13. Prices haven’t been revealed yet, but last year reserved seating cost $25 on Sunday through Thursday performances and $35 for performances on Friday and Saturday shows.
There is no show July 4.
The gates open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. You can visit the schedule, click on your preferred date and reserve your seats there.
Mobile Music Box
The Kansas City Symphony’s “Mobile Music Box” is returning for the summer weather, bringing free concerts to different locations around the metro. All shows start at 6 p.m. unless stated otherwise. You can find the Symphony throughout the summer at these locations:
- May 13: Westwood Park
- May 17: Mohawk Park in Mission
- May 20: National World War I Museum and Memorial North Lawn
- May 27: Roanoke Park
- June 3: Loose Park
- June 7: AdventHealth South Overland Park, 7 p.m.
- June 9: Shawnee Mission Park Inclusive Playground in Shawnee,
- June 13: Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council, 11 a.m.
- June 14: Future Stages Festival, 2 p.m.
- June 17: Gillham Park
Olathe Live!
Olathe Live! returns to Stagecoach Park, 1205 E. Kansas City Road, for the summer.
Shows start at 7 p.m. on Fridays and you can bring blankets, lawn chairs, food and non-alcoholic beverages to watch these tribute bands:
- June 12: Arena Rock Giants with Goddesses of Rock
- July 10: Surfin’ Safari with Vinyl Revival
- July 17: Steve Miller Experience, The John Cougar Project and Creedence Clearwater KC
- Sept. 18: Liverpool Project
- Sept. 25: We’re So Petty and The Wilburys Twist
June 12 and July 10 shows are special “Goal-the Live!” editions with food trucks, concessions, yard games and family activities to celebrate the FIFA World Cup games played on these days. The additional activities open at 5 p.m.
Zona Rosa concerts in the park
Summer concerts in the park return to Northland shopping center Zona Rosa every Friday starting June 12. Visitors can watch a free show by a local artist in Central Park, 8731 N. Stoddard Ave. right next to Bravo Italian Cucina. Each performance is scheduled to go from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m:
- June 12: Vinyl Revival
- June 19: Ryan Lynch and the Lucky Stripes
- June 26: The Vincents
- July 10: Way Too Famous
- July 17: Urban Legends
- July 24: Run With It
