Memorial Day weekend in Kansas City: So many events, especially around Union Station

Dan Kelly
·3 min read
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It will be a busy Memorial Day weekend at Union Station and its environs.

“Disney100: The Exhibition” opens in Union Station’s Bank of America Gallery on Friday. The Kansas City Symphony’s wildly popular Celebration at the Station will fill the grounds in front of the historic building on Sunday. And the National WWI Museum and Memorial will offer its annual Memorial Day weekend activities and will open a new exhibition called “Sacred Service.”

Crown Center will add to the fun with “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit” and the Kansas City Tattoo Arts Festival.

▪ “Sacred Service” at the National WWI Museum highlights the stories and contributions of chaplains, opens May 23; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (free with admission, $10-$18). theworldwar.org.

▪ “Disney100: The Exhibition” will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Co. with interactive installations and artifacts, works of art, costumes, props and memorabilia. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday (May 24-Sept. 2). Hours change after Labor Day. $18.50-$50. unionstation.org.

▪ The National WWI Museum will offer half-price general admission ($5-$9; free for veterans and active-duty military) all weekend (10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 24-27), as well as free outdoor activities including research stations, military vehicle displays and a Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. May 27. theworldwar.org.

▪ The Kansas City Tattoo Arts Festival will bring local, national and international artists to the Sheraton Crown Center, 2-11 p.m. May 24, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. May 25, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. May 26 ($25; three-day pass $50). villainarts.com.

▪ Children will be able to explore the world of Daniel and his friends at “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit” at the Crown Center Showplace, runs May 25-Sept. 2; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day (free). crowncenter.com.

▪ Michael Stern will lead the symphony’s performance of patriotic tunes at his final Celebration at the Station before stepping down as music director; also, more than 20 food trucks, live pre-concert entertainment and a fireworks finale, 5 p.m. May 26 (free). kcsymphony.org/celebration.

Celebration at the Station featuring the Kansas City Symphony, which annually draws thousands to Union Station, will return May 26.
Celebration at the Station featuring the Kansas City Symphony, which annually draws thousands to Union Station, will return May 26.

More entertainment

▪ Fortopia, an outdoor exhibition featuring a variety of forts, will open at Powell Gardens, runs May 23-Sept. 2 Tuesday-Sunday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (included with admission, $5-$12). powellgardens.org.

▪ Downtown Lawrence will be populated by street performers for the 16th annual Lawrence Busker Festival, 5 p.m. May 24, 1 p.m. May 25 (Art Tougeau Parade at noon), 1 p.m. May 26 (free; tips encouraged). lawrencebuskerfest.com.

Comedian and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Pete Davidson will perform May 26 at the Uptown.
Comedian and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Pete Davidson will perform May 26 at the Uptown.

▪ Former “Saturday Night Live” funnyman Pete Davidson will perform at the Uptown, 7 p.m. May 26 ($129.50). uptowntheater.com.

▪ “The Cher Show,” with three women sharing the title role of the pop star, will kick off Starlight Theatre’s seven-show 2024 AdventHealth Broadway Series, 8 p.m. May 28-June 2 ($12-$100). kcstarlight.com.

Three woman portray the pop music legend at different stages of her career in “The Cher Show,” which will run May 28-June 2 at Starlight Theatre.
Three woman portray the pop music legend at different stages of her career in “The Cher Show,” which will run May 28-June 2 at Starlight Theatre.

Music

▪ From Ashes to New, 6 p.m. May 23, Uptown ($35-$55). uptowntheater.com.

▪ Bleachers with Samia, 7:25 p.m. May 23, GrindersKC (sold out). grinderskc.com.

▪ The Mavericks, 8 p.m. May 23-25, Knuckleheads ($55). knuckleheadskc.com.

▪ Elefante, 9 p.m. May 23, Madrid ($56.50). madridtheatre.com.

▪ Galantis, 6 p.m. May 24, Kansas City Live! ($25-$75) powerandlightdistrict.com.

▪ Whitey Morgan, 8 p.m. May 24, Madrid ($30). madridtheatre.com.

▪ Radkey with Pink Fuzz and more, 5 p.m. May 25, Lemonade Park ($31.16). lemonadeparkkc.com.

Recently announced

▪ Kirk Franklin, Sept. 17, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com.

▪ Justin Timberlake, Dec. 20, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com.