Downtown KC Parks Activated with Summer Music & Performance Series

By Ann Holliday, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Downtown Council of Kansas City

Downtown KC will be alive with activities for residents, visitors and workers this summer with event series co-produced by the Downtown Council, Downtown & River Market Community Improvement District (CIDs), Art in the Loop and our other partners! This year we are bringing 4 different art, music, and performance series to activate Downtown KC parks and open spaces throughout the summer! Click here to download our event flyer!

Summer in the City: Starts Thursday, May 8

The Downtown Community Improvement District is pleased to present “Summer in the City” for its second year. Starting Thursday, May 8, join us monthly for music, dance, poetry, food trucks, games, and other activities at Oppenstein Park, a pocket park located at 12th and Walnut Streets in Downtown Kansas City.

ACTIVATION SERIES – May through September, 2025

Summer in the City is a free to the public event located in Oppenstein Park in Downtown Kansas City. Once a month, the pocket park is activated with local performers, community activities, yard games, artist vendors, and food trucks. With the goal of engaging workers and residents, Summer in the City supports our thriving, creative community by weaving various talented artists and community members of Kansas City into the tapestry of Downtown. Sponsored by the Downtown Community Improvement District (DCID), in partnership with Jackson County, Art in the Loop, The Downtown Council, and area businesses, Summer in the City ignites, activates, and celebrates the greater community of Downtown Kansas City.

Second Thursdays

12:00 to 1:00 p.m.: Local Performances and Food Trucks over Lunchtime

1:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Yard Games

2:30 to 4:00 p.m.: Community Activities

3:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Art Market

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Local and Regional Performances and Food Trucks

Mark your calendars now and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram for updates on performances, events and inclement weather plans.

The Summer in the City Series is brought to you by the Downtown Community Improvement District (DCID), in partnership with Jackson County, Art in the Loop, and area businesses. Events and performances are free and open to the public.

Interested in holding an event in Oppenstein Park? Please contact Mark Rowlands at mark@downtownkc.org.

Art in the Loop: Wonder Kick Off Event, June 5

The Art in the Loop Project is a curated outdoor exhibition of temporary artworks and performance series presented in partnership with the KC Streetcar. This year marks the twelfth year for the Art in the Loop Project and includes visual artwork based on paintings and digitized illustrations, and performance artwork based in dance, experimental jazz, hip hop, spoken word, and more.

This year, we asked artists to respond to our theme, Wonder and explore the depth of curiosity within our community and the ways in which we relate to one another. We encouraged artists to reflect on the complexities of connection, discovery, and the shared experiences that shape us.

The public is invited to the Kick-Off event for the 2025 Art in the Loop Project: Wonder, on Wednesday, June 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the Kansas City Public Library – Central Branch. Guests will enjoy an evening of art and music as they are invited to meet the 2025 visual and performance artists. The event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with a musical performance by Monarch Duo; a traditional dance performance by Kathak Aura and also featuring live painting by social practice artist, Olivia Michka.

Guests are invited to meet with visual and performing artists for a chance to learn about the work the artists are creating for this year’s project.

This event is free and open to the public however we ask that you RSVP for planning purposes. Click here to RSVP.

We appreciate the generous support of the KC Streetcar Authority, Henderson Engineers, Stinson LLP, Copaken Brooks, the Kansas City Art Institute. This project is also funded in part by the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts, the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation and the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, with public support from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency, as well as other corporate sponsorships and philanthropic contributions

For more information, contact Ann Holliday, ann@downtownkc.org.

Garment District Grooves: Starts Wednesday May 21

On Wednesday, May 21 Garment District Grooves returns for its seventh season bringing music and food to the Historic Garment District in Downtown Kansas City. The concert series is produced by the DCID, KC Parks & Recreation, Crossroads Charter Schools, and the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA). This year, there will be lunchtime concerts on the third Wednesday of each month from May through October from 11:30am to 1:00pm and two evening performances in the fall.

The fun starts on Wednesday, May 21,with Stan Kessler & Friends (Jazz). For more information, contact Jared Campbell, jared@downtownkc.org.

River Market Melodies: Starts Thursday, May 1

The River Market CID (RMCID) is partnering with the River Market Community Association, and Port KC to present live music in City Market Park located off 3rd Street directly west of the City Market. Performances will take place on first Thursdays, May through October, from 5:00-7:30 p.m. starting Thursday, May 1.

For more information, contact jared@downtownkc.org.