First Friday is a treasured tradition in Kansas City. Happening on the first Friday of every month, neighborhoods invite everyone for a large scale block party to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells visitors may not typically seek out.

Kansas City has two prominent First Friday events, located in the Crossroads and West Bottoms neighborhoods. Each event showcases different restaurants, vendors and experiences, all promoting Kansas City’s arts and culture scene. The celebration got its start in 1999 when some of the larger art galleries in the district sought to help out their smaller neighbors by including them in mailing lists.

The event officially got the name First Friday in 2003, then drawing up to 1,500 guests. Now you can expect tens of thousands each month from April to October to come together to support the arts, eat from the many food trucks and local establishments on site, and walk around on a nice day to enjoy the scene. Regulars make this a monthly gathering spot to catch up with friends or just support the area’s businesses and artists.

The gathering hasn’t always been idyllic; it’s seen its fair share of low points. A 2019 shooting that killed an innocent bystander from Overland Park dropped attendance, and then the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 emptied the neighborhood for months before people felt comfortable returning to large crowds.

Today, many of the bars, restaurants and shops in these neighborhoods offer deals to entice visitors to spend time and money at their establishments. With so many opportunities to spend your hard-earned cash floating around, a visit to First Friday in either neighborhood can get expensive quickly.

The first First Friday of 2025 took place April 5, and it couldn’t have happened at a worse time. It rained nearly all day in Kansas City, and for an event that mostly requires visitors to walk outside, the vibrant atmosphere the arts district promotes was muted.

The Star braved the gloomy weather conditions for the first edition of On the Budget, a new series in which reporter Joseph Hernandez checks out activities and restaurants around Kansas City and sees what fun can be had on a $25 budget. We decided to check out the Crossroads’ First Friday event first to see what kind of there is to be had.

Can you enjoy First Friday on a small budget? Here’s what I found out.

See you at the Crossroads

First Friday at the Crossroads typically runs from 5 to 9 p.m., and it covers a wide area in downtown Kansas City. The art galleries, breweries and restaurants included on the Crossroads’ map span from Washington Street to Troost Avenue east to west and Truman Road to 22nd Street north to south. The map even includes Union Station for any streetcar riders, which the Crossroads encourages you to take to get to the action.

The journey started at Cafe Corazon, 110 Southwest Blvd., where I met up with some friends. I’d circle back to the Latino-owned coffee shop later since they had a performance from Banda Pedipano, a Brazilian band, and carnival dancers that was free for everyone to watch.

We ventured to Art Garden KC’s outdoor setup, located between Baltimore and Wyandotte streets from 18th Street to Southwest Boulevard. Local vendors like Leighton’s Nerd Space and Commander Brand fought through the rain to be here, and there were plenty of other shops on hand while live performers serenaded the patrons. After our first walk through the art alleys, my friends abandoned me for warmer pastures.

The monthly event’s walkability is the selling point. Even with colder weather for the spring, there was a lot of foot traffic traveling from one end of the Crossroads to the other.

Whether it was getting a happy hour drink at Border Brewing Co. or getting a quick bite to eat at one of the food trucks found at 1907 Grand Blvd., the rain didn’t seem to stop anyone from enjoying the start to the weekend.

Art galleries hosted by local artists inside the Blue Gallery, 118 Southwest Blvd.; the MOD Gallery, 1809 McGee St.; and the Jones Gallery, 1717 Walnut St., drew in plenty of guests who ogled their handcrafted sculptures and city-themed artwork, and shops like Josey Records and Lifted Spirits Distillery had free live performances for visitors where they could hear covers of popular songs and original works from local talent.

Better weather conditions would make First Friday a better time. If you’re planning on going, make sure to check the forecast before finalizing your plans. While it’s fun to go alone and explore at your own pace, this is an experience that is improved with your significant other and/or a group of friends by your side.

Can you attend First Friday in Kansas City on a budget?

Remember that $25 budget I mentioned earlier? I didn’t.

The amount I spent at First Friday was $27.52, and it could’ve been much higher with how much was on sale. With more planning, I could’ve spent less or nothing at all, as the event can be enjoyed without spending a single penny.

Past First Fridays I can remember spending $0 and having a good time frolicking the streets, but I can also remember spending at least $35 inside Casual Animal on drinks for myself and others, and it didn’t help my bank account that local pizza shop Orange by Devoured hosted a pop-up at a previous First Friday in 2024.

Most of the time, I’m there for the entire duration of First Friday and stay in the Crossroads beyond those hours, hanging around in Brewer’s Alley.

There are free spots in downtown Kansas City and in the Crossroads when First Friday starts, but you have to search along the side streets since many of the street parking options are now paid. If spots are taken or you don’t want to hassle with parking in such a packed area, you can find a spot farther away and walk to the free streetcar to get to the action.

All art exhibits are free for people to wander through, but the prices for each piece vary. Some found inside the Jones Gallery ranged from $100 to $1,000, while prices inside the Blue Gallery started at $50. The vendors with Art Garden KC have budget-friendly options including jewelry, thrifted goods or artwork, but these can put a dent in your bank account in a hurry if you’re buying from so many people.

The Bird Comedy Theater, 103 W. 19th St., hosts a free comedy show every First Friday at 7 p.m., which is an easy way to enjoy a night out and save some money.

Food deals, like the $4.99 cheeseburger special at Bizz & Weezy Confections, 1800 Baltimore Ave., also would’ve saved me some money. I’m not sure how it tastes, but a burger mashed into candied bacon sugar, topped with a grilled cheese “cap,” a strip of candied bacon and cilantro lime aioli on a soft egg bun only sounds like a good thing.

Here’s what I bought:

$5.54 pint of Lima Fresca, a beer made by Border Brewing Co.
$7 mystery movie and popcorn date night pack from a vendor at Art Garden KC. The vendor didn’t have a business name, but I hope my girlfriend likes “Spaceballs.”
$11.99 on the chicken Parmesan sandwich at Grinders. They charged $2.99 to upgrade from chips to fries for the side, which I didn’t realize until I received the check. So close, but so far.

on-a-budget

2 cheeseburgers and beers for under $25? It’s possible at Lee’s Summit spot

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