Your guide to going to First Fridays in Kansas City’s Crossroads
Kansas City’s signature monthly arts event returns Friday, June 5, drawing thousands to the Crossroads for art, food, music and vendors. The Star gathered tips on how to make the most of it.
FULL STORY: Art, food and vibes: Here’s how to make the most out of First Fridays in KC
Here are key takeaways:
- When and where: First Fridays typically run 5-9 p.m. in the Crossroads Arts District, with streets blocked off near 18th and Wyandotte. Most galleries and performances are free.
- Go early for food: The event gets more packed as the night goes on, so grab food earlier. Food trucks featuring Thai, Mediterranean and other options gather at the Food Truck Plaza off 19th and Grand Boulevard.
- Key hangout spots: The MADE MOBB parking lot at 221 Southwest Blvd. hosts 34 vendors inside and out. The Art Garden on 19th and 20th streets is another hub, and Café Corazón opens its doors for DJ sets.
- Be open-minded: Local artists and gallery curators say the event brings together a huge amount of diversity. Visitors should be eager to discover new art and find creatives to follow in their community.
- Art galleries are open: More than 35 galleries throughout the Crossroads open their doors to walk-ins. A full list is available at kccrossroads.org.
- Getting deals: Check vendor social media for deals, and don’t be afraid to ask people on site for help.
- Parking tip: Parking gets rough late — arrive early for street parking, use a garage or take the streetcar in.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.