KC RiverFest – Berkley Riverfront Park – 1298 River Front Drive, KC – KCRiverFest.com

Photo courtesy KC RiverFest

Fireworks are the focus of this Independence Day festival which takes place July 4 along the south bank of the Missouri River, just north of downtown KC. The pyrotechnics show begins between 10-11 PM, but food trucks, vendors, entertainment, activities, and music will get the patriotic party started at 3 PM While the event is free, donations are strongly encouraged. 

Porches and Peaches – Lexington – Purchase tickets here 

The summer peach harvest calls for a celebration. On July 31, a short drive fifty miles east of central KC will lead to a craft fair, farmer’s market, and live music at five historic venues. There will also be plenty of fresh peaches to enjoy along with peach mimosas, BBQ, and other tasty treats. Tickets are $11 per person. 

“Under the Sea Adventure” – Crown Center – 2450 Grand Boulevard, KC – CrownCenter.com/Events/Under-Sea-Adventure

Photo courtesy Crown Center

Dive into a fascinating world filled with mermaids, buried treasure, sunken pirate ships, dolphins, and other deep-sea discoveries. From now through Sept. 6, this free exhibit offers children of all ages a chance to have fun and embrace their creativity in a magical aquatic environment. “Under the Sea Adventure” is part of the Crown Center Passport to Summer Fun series. 

Starlight Theatre reopening – 4600 Starlight Road, KC – KCStarlight.com 

After cancelling its entire 2020 season due to COVID-19, Kansas City’s largest and oldest performing arts institution is back with a diverse lineup of Broadway musicals, concerts and theatrical shows scheduled through August 2022.  Performances include violinist Lindsey Stirling (July 3); magic act The Illusionists (July 20-25); singer-songwriter Jason Mraz (Aug. 3); “On Your Feet!,” a musical about Emilio & Gloria Estefan, (Sept. 7-12); The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour (Sept. 14); and comedian Bill Burr (Sept. 15). The outdoor venue, located in Swope Park, also offers buffet-style dining options, concessions, pre-show entertainment, and front-of-house tours. 

Society/ Scarlet Room- 2050 Central St., KCMO – SocietyKC.com and ScarletRoomKC.com 

Photo courtesy Scarlet Room

With a goal of emerging from the pandemic to “inspire a new renaissance,” Society fits right into its creative surroundings in the Crossroads District. Local artists collaborated with the bar – restaurant – art gallery concept to design custom installations and furnishings that bring the space to life. The dinner menu includes main dishes like prime rib with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables and pan-seared scallops with parmesan and asparagus risotto, as well as various sushi rolls, starters, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. 

Located inside Society, Scarlet Room offers an intimate lounge experience with a selection of wine, beer, and high-end cocktails like Scarlet Wildfire (oak-aged tequila, brûléed orange, lime, vanilla, and hibiscus), Rocknrolla (gin, lychee, sherry, and citrus smoke) and C’est La Vie (vodka, vermouth, elderflower, blood orange rooibos, cucumber, lemon, and grapefruit).