KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Soak up the sun this summer at Kansas City’s newest entertainment district, at an international soccer match, or an outdoor music festival with a Chiefs star.
Whether it’s your first trip to Kansas City or you’re a veteran visitor, there are plenty of new attractions and events to see.
Here’s what’s new and exciting this summer in Kansas City.
NEW ATTRACTIONS, EXHIBITS AND EXPERIENCES
Rock Island Bridge (opening this June) – Rock Island Bridge is bringing new life to a historic railroad line, making it the country’s first entertainment district over a river. The project will feature restaurants, bars, event space and paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Disney100 (opening May 24) – Walt Disney began his animation career right in the heart of Kansas City. He established his first professional business, the Laugh-O-gram Studio, on East 31st Street. There, he found the inspiration for Mickey Mouse.
This year, Disney’s history and impact will come to Kansas City again as “Disney100: The Exhibition” takes over Union Station, opening this summer. Kansas City is one of the first three cities to host the historic North American tour. The exhibit features over 250 artifacts, props and costumes spanning 10 galleries.
Activate Kansas City (opening early summer) – Choose your own adventure at Activate in Overland Park. This new gaming experience will have guests trying to compete challenges like ducking under lasers and jumping across tiles like “The Floor Is Lava” or “Squid Games.”
Larks (opening early summer) – At this upcoming West Bottoms bar, “shuffleboard is king,” owners say. Larks will also feature nostalgic arcade games, plus a restaurant and cocktail bar. This is just the second location for the Texas-based company.
MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS
Copa America 2024 (June 25 and July 1) – Copa America is the oldest national team tournament in the world, and Kansas City is one of 13 host cities—the only in the Midwest. First Children’s Mercy Park will host Peru vs Canada, then the U.S. Men’s National Team brings the action to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for USA vs Uruguay.
NWSL x LIGA Femenil Summer Cup (July 27 and Aug. 1) – The action doesn’t stop there. The KC Current are drawing international competition as they host three matches in the new NWSL x LIGA MX Feminil Summer Cup. Catch the Current take on CF Pachuca on July 27, and then Tigres UANL come to CPKC Stadium on Aug. 1.
Leagues Cup 2024 (July 28 and Aug. 5) – There are even more primetime matchups this summer in the Soccer Capital of America. Sporting KC will host the Chicago Fire and 10-time LIGA MX champions Deportivo Toluca FC for the Leagues Cup. The top three teams in the tournament qualify for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
PickleCon (Aug. 8-11) – Pickleball has taken the nation by storm, and the center of all the action can be found here in Kansas City. The first-ever PickleCon will fill the Kansas City Convention Center with 100 courts, plus clinics, adaptive play and other opportunities for fans at all levels.
NEW RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL
Night Goat (opening this summer) – This barbecue joint, usually operating for just a few hours a week in a temporary space, is now getting its own brick-and-mortar location. Night Goat is opening as a “honky-tonk dive bar”—with its usual favorites—in the basement of Fox and Pearl.
JARS (opening this summer) – “Top Chef” contestant Fabio Viviani is bringing his dessert shop concept to Overland Park. Guests can enjoy single-serve jars of cheesecake, banana cream pie and more.
Toy Time (opening May 11) – This Crown Center shop is opening a third location at the Zona Rosa shopping district. The company sells more than 10,000 toys for customers of all ages.
Sushi Kodawari (opening early summer) – This fine dining sushi restaurant will have just eight seats, allowing for an intimate dining experience in the Crossroads. It’s also the first omakase restaurant in KC, meaning each course is determined by the chef.
TOP CONCERTS
Kelce Jam (May 18) – Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce is hosting his second annual Kelce Jam at Azura Amphitheater. Rappers Lil Wayne, Diplo and 2Chainz are this year’s headliners.
Noah Kahan (June 5) – After a breakout year, Grammy nominee Noah Kahan is hitting the road in 2024 and he’s headed to Kansas City. The singer-songwriter is known for hits like “Dial Drunk,” “Stick Season” and “She Calls Me Back.”
Kenny Chesney (July 6) – Country music star Kenny Chesney is returning to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium once again, already holding the record for the most performances in history at the stadium. The Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker will join him.
Olivia Rodrigo (July 26) – Popstar Olivia Rodrigo is coming to T-Mobile Center for her GUTS Tour, her first arena tour. It’s also her first show in Kansas City.
Blink-182 (Aug. 9) – Pop punk band Blink-182 will bring their “ONE MORE TIME…” tour to Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center.
Zach Bryan (Aug. 20 and Aug. 21) – After setting a new attendance record last year, country star Zach Bryan is returning to T-Mobile Center – this time for two shows.
For a full list of Kansas City-area events, check out visitkc.com/events.
About Visit KC
Headquartered in Downtown Kansas City, Visit KC is the chief hospitality sales and marketing organization for the region. With a mission of creating global passion for Kansas City, Visit KC collaborates with nearly 1,000 community partners to drive the marketing, sales and service of the destination’s convention and tourism industry—a sector that supports more than 41,000 local jobs. For more information about Kansas City, go to VisitKC.com.
## KC ##
