Art, food and vibes: Here’s how to make the most out of First Fridays in KC
One thing to know when you’re in Kansas City: On the first Friday of the month, the Crossroads is the place to be.
First Fridays is one of KC’s ultimate experiences, bringing together thousands of people in the Crossroads area to partake in vendors, food, music, and of course, art. While First Fridays on a smaller scale have been happening earlier in the year, May 1 was the first time when the event went into full swing.
Multiple streets were blocked off for customers and vendors, including the road near 18th and Wyandotte streets. The vendor options feel endless, with folks selling art, jewelry, crafts, books and many more items. There were so many vendors that some of them are tucked away in alleys, which were basically shoulder-to-shoulder during the prime time of the market.
While the thousands of people in attendance may seem overwhelming, it’s an opportunity for the community to come together and connect.
First Fridays typically run 5-9 p.m. Since it gets more packed as the night goes on, it’s smart to get your food earlier in the evening. Most of the experiences like the performances and galleries are free to check out.
You can also find deals from different vendors in the Crossroads. One jewelry vendor was doing buy one, get one half off on rings. It’s also worth paying attention to social media posts from vendors and restaurants to see if they’re going to be at First Fridays and if they’ll have deals going on.
Also, closed mouths don’t get fed. If you have questions about deals, you can ask vendors to see what they’re offering. If you’re lucky, they might even cut you a deal.
One of the hundreds of vendors present throughout the Crossroads is Josh and Milikha Williams, a husband and wife duo who own Thousand Phases LLC, which offers handmade arts and crafts. They’ve been vendors at First Fridays for roughly four years, admiring the market for the creativity it displays in Kansas City.
“You come here, you’ll find all kind of original art, creators and diversity,” Milikha said. “You’ll find something here that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.”
Josh expressed how those visiting First Fridays should come through with an open mind, as it gives visitors a chance to learn from other creatives in the area.
“It’s also a place you can learn from. Come down here and get involved. We’ll encourage you, we’ll show you where we are,” Josh said. “We’re all here for one another. It’s definitely a place to come and vibe and find your tribe in whatever craft you’re doing.”
When you go to First Fridays, be a local
One of the prime hangout spots is the MADE MOBB parking lot. The streetwear brand whose presence extends way beyond Kansas City makes rooms for 34 vendors both inside and out of its storefront at 221 Southwest Blvd.
Mark Launiu is one of the MADE MOBB founders, and he said the brand’s goal is to showcase the Kansas City experience for visitors. But just because their parking lot is the hot spot, doesn’t mean that’s the only thing you should experience when you go.
“There are other hubs in the Crossroads that’s doing First Friday. We got the Art Garden on 19th and 20th Street,” Launiu said. “We got the East side where all the food trucks are at, in the parking lot. Over here it’s vibes, music, a place to make new friends at. Other places you shop local, eat local, and just be local for a day or two.”
Kansas City will be a major location when the 2026 FIFA World Cup makes its way to town this summer. This will give visitors the chance to go to the June and July First Fridays, as the Crossroads will also host a night market for five consecutive weekends during the World Cup.
“We’re super excited for that. For us, we’re gonna continue to do First Fridays, offer Kansas City culture to the people that are traveling in,” Launiu said. “That’s what we plan on doing. If the formula works, why change it?”
You can also find people hanging out around local businesses in the Crossroads. Café Corazón had its doors open for people to dance to during a DJ set, while still being able to order their coffee.
Local talent is on full display on First Fridays
First Fridays also allow for open art galleries throughout the Crossroads. Many of them will open their doors for people walking by, allowing them to soak in the arts of the area. The Crossroads is known as the city’s main art district.
One of those galleries was ArtsKC, 106 Southwest Blvd. The venue hosted a gallery May 1 by It’s Giving: Kansas City Queerness, which offers art and performances from local queer artists, vendors and performers.
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Cedar Valdez is the gallery coordinator for the event. Despite the work that goes into putting together a gallery, Valdez said that it allows for Kansas City artists to platform their talents to the community.
“First Friday is just a great way to meet local artists. You get a lot of influences from people who have a lot of influence online,” Valdez said. “But this is a great way for you to meet people right here in Kansas City. Local to your area who are doing incredible artwork, who are selling incredible products, that just don’t have the same platform as other people. This is the way you find them.”
Valdez also said that First Fridays will usually have plenty of space for those interested in selling their art. Even if you’re not selling anything, he recommends people to meet the artists selling, as he believes a big part of the arts community is networking with those in the same space.
A list of over 35 art galleries within the crossroads can be found online at kccrossroads.org.
First Fridays is supposed to be a fun event, so have fun
Culture is on full display when you step into the Crossroads on a First Friday. Food trucks featuring Thai food, Mediterranean and other options can be found in the area, especially in the Food Truck Plaza in the parking lot off 19th and Grand Boulevard.
Kansas City native Michael Merritt has been visiting First Fridays consistently for roughly three years. One of the reasons he enjoys the monthly event is that you get to see all the culture that Kansas City has to offer when you go. It’s also a great way for folks to truly connect with KC, which should be a goal when you arrive.
“If you just notice, It’s a lot of different cultures, foods, fashions, ideas. My favorite thing about First Fridays is that it just brings a lot of people together,” Merritt said. “You never know who you’ll run into out here. Old friends, new friends, it’s a great vibe.”
When you pull up to First Fridays, be open-minded and be loose. Merritt said that despite how many people you may see, there’s no reason to be anxious, and that you should try to get to know people.
“Be calm enough to get a feel for the experience. It’s gonna be a lot going on. Try new things.” he said. “Try new restaurants, new stores. Just get a feel for the city, cause this is really what it is, the vibe is really here.”
His one gripe with the market is that it’s “terrible with the parking,” especially in the later hours of First Fridays. He suggests people drive up early looking for street parking or to park in a garage. Otherwise, you’ll be riding around for a while.
