Celebrate Memorial Day
Flocks of people gather at Union Station on Memorial Day right before dusk. When the symphony begins, featuring horns and strings to fill the night air, it’s the perfect way to remember those who served—and gave all. Ending in a massive fireworks show, it’s the grand finale of a weekend dedicated to remembering fallen soldiers. The rare, free, outdoor show from the Kansas City Symphony has been performing every year for well over a decade. The event starts at 3 p.m. with the concert at 8 p.m.
Just north of Union Station is the National World War I Museum and Memorial. It’s the only museum in the country dedicated to the Great War. Here, active duty military personnel and veterans enjoy free admission. The general public gets half-price admission during the entire weekend. Explore the multi-sensory experience capped with a performance from the 35th Infantry Division Band on Monday.
A Weekend to Remember
Memorial Day Weekend is also the kickoff to music festival season. Two major festivals take place throughout the weekend. The Kansas City Jazz and Heritage Festival pays homage to the city’s jazz legacy. Performers from around the world are featured at venues all over town. There’s also the Westport Roots Festival by Westport Saloon, which packs a lot of music into a small venue famous for their whiskey options.
The holiday weekend is also the unofficial start to summer. Oceans of Fun and Schlitterbahn open this weekend, both major waterparks featuring lazy rivers and wave pools. Head to the Kansas City Zoo to celebrate a gorilla’s birthday, or check out Westport and the Westport Block Party for the best nightlife with Memorial Day celebrations.
Where will Memorial Day in KCMO find you?
