Free to party

KC Streetcar opening weekend is about celebrating the next chapter in Kansas City’s storied history. On Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, enjoy fireworks both nights, carnival rides, neighborhood street parties, entertainment, dining, shopping, arts and more! It’s all part of a re-energized Downtown Kansas City and the connectivity that the KC Streetcar provides! More information will be added as it’s available.

Connect, discover and explore! It’s #timetoridekc!

Friday May 6

UnionStaton

Union Station

10:00 a.m. – KC Streetcar Opening Celebration
Join Kansas City’s Mayor Sly James, dignitaries and city officials at the Grand Opening ceremony as the KC Streetcar officially begins service!

11:00 a.m. – KC Streetcar service begins
Free to ride, with 16 platform stops connecting Downtown Kansas City’s neighborhoods, residents, visitors, businesses and more, KC Streetcar service will run until 2 a.m. on Friday’s and Saturday’s!

11:00 a.m. – Carnival Rides at Union Station presented by Sprint
What’s a party without a ferris wheel? Check out the sites from high above or take a ride around the Merry Go Round! Best of all? Carnival rides are like the KC Streetcar … Free to Ride, courtesy of Sprint!
(Carnival will run from 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

11:00 a.m. – The Project H
The Project H will take your ears and your feet for a ride! This 7 piece instrumental group will get you moving whether you are sitting down or already moving. They’ve played with reggae bands, rappers, folk acts, hard rock bands and everything in between.

5:00 p.m. – Run With It
Built on a foundation of funk and soul, Run With It caters to those who enjoy a little bit of everything. Whether its One Republic, Maroon 5, Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder or Bruno Mars, this energetic trio will leave their unique pop-rock mark!

7:30 p.m. – The Zeros presented by Herzog Transit
The Zeros are Kansas City’s best party band! The Zeros will lead the way with non-stop fun for all ages, followed by fireworks from the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

9:00 p.m. – Fireworks presented by KC Streetcar Constructors 
Watch from Union Station as we celebrate the debut of the KC Streetcar with a special nighttime fireworks show over the lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial!

Crossroads

Crossroads (19th & Main Stop)

11:00 a.m. – Dine the Line
Take the KC Streetcar and grab lunch at a local favorite. Or walk to the best new dining spot in the neighborhood. Dine the line for lunch and thank the many restaurants that have been waiting for KC Streetcar service to begin. Many have food and drink specials all weekend long!
More Info >>

5:00 p.m. – First Friday’s in the Crossroads Arts District
Enjoy what has become the city’s liveliest and most popular recurring event! First Friday’s features arts organizations, galleries, studios and a wide variety of local businesses featuring local, regional and national artists as well as live entertainment from 5 to 9 p.m.
More Info >>

5:00 p.m. – Hocus Pocus at 17th & Locust
KC Conjure is hosting a big screen in the parking lot, showing fantastic, old, silent movies while serving up music, shenanigans and light snacks. Bring a chair and enjoy the free show! Artist, Key, will have several pieces on display as well.
(until 10:00 p.m.)

5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – #TimetorideKC BBQ
The launch of the KC Streetcar is an innovation corridor to #ThinkBig. Join fellow innovators for the Think Big BBQ at 1712 Main St. Kansas City award-winning BBQ team Maximum Loin will be grilling up their pulled pork. Learn more here.

6:00 p.m. – Tail Waggin’ Petstop
Meet greyhounds from MoKan Greyhound Adoption, a local group dedicated to rescuing retired race dogs. This is a great opportunity to meet these elegant yet incredibly sweet dogs – who also happen to make a perfect city and apartment pet!

6:00 p.m. – Middle of the Map Fest
The 6th Annual INK’s Middle of the Map Fest is Kansas City’s Music Fest, Ideas and Film Fest presented by INK magazine & curated by The Record Machine. Happening in the Crossroads and around Downtown KC, find tickets and more info here.

6:00 p.m. – First Friday at Ruins Pub and Tom’s Town
Ruins Pub & Tom’s Town Distillery are opening both parking lots and throwing a block party in celebration of the KC Streetcar Grand Opening.

PowerandLight

Power & Light (14th & Main Stop)

11:30 a.m. – KCMO Smart City Village at the KCP&L Energy Center, 1200 Main Street
Learn more about the “future” of Kansas City and how our city plans to operate more efficiently while bridging the digital divide with free public WiFi, smart streetlights, traffic signals and interactive kiosks. #SmartCityKC rolls out along the streetcar line this weekend to make our city smarter, safer and better connected. (11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

11:00 a.m. – Dine the Line
Take the KC Streetcar and grab lunch at a local favorite. Or walk to the best new dining spot in the neighborhood. Dine the line for lunch and thank the many restaurants that have been waiting for KC Streetcar service to begin. Many have food and drink specials all weekend long!

4:00 p.m. – Sporting KC’s Main Event / Live KC / Fan Three Sixty Parking Lot Party
Join Sporting KC, Live KC and FanThreeSixty for the MAIN EVENT. The parking lot at 1511 Baltimore will be jumping with food, drinks, music and fun so hop off the KC Streetcar at Power & Light stop or the Kauffman Center stop and join the action!

6:00 p.m. – Middle of the Map Fest
The 6th Annual INK’s Middle of the Map Fest is Kansas City’s Music Fest, Ideas and Film Fest presented by INK magazine & curated by The Record Machine. Happening at the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland and around Downtown KC, find tickets and more info at here.

6:30 p.m. – Latte Art Throw Down

Join with baristas from around Kansas City as they compete to make the best Cup O’ Joe. Competition starts at 7:00 p.m. at Kaldi’s Coffee, 1201 Main Street (right on the KC Streetcar line). Prizes and money go to 1st & 2nd place winners.

RiverMarket

City Market / River Market (Multiple Stops)

11:00 a.m. – Dine the Line
Take the KC Streetcar and grab lunch at a local favorite. Or walk to the best new dining spot in the neighborhood. Dine the line for lunch and thank the many restaurants that have been waiting for KC Streetcar service to begin. Many have food and drink specials all weekend long!

6:00 p.m. – KCAC “What in the World” Art Exhibition
Artists of the world join the Kansas City Artists Coalition in a true global project. Check out this unique exhibit called “What in the World” that requires all artists to submit their works via mail. More Info >>

9:00 p.m. – A Streetcar Named Desire presented by Friends of the River
Pack a snack, grab a chair and blanket and watch the 1951 film classic under the stars on the big screen. Based on the 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winning Tennessee Williams play, A Streetcar Named Desire was the breakout role for legendary actor Marlon Brando. Presented by Friends of the River, the movie will be shown in the park just northwest of the City Market, adjacent to 3rd Street.

Library

Kansas City Public Library (9th & Main Stop)

11 a.m. – Books and Coffee from the Library
The Kansas City Public Library will be offering coupons for a complimentary cup of coffee at their Central Library Cafe. Sign up for a library card (physical or e-cards) and visitors can receive a free book! The library will also be giving out their custom “Readers” pins and temporary tattoos!
(11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

11:00 a.m. – Park University 
Park University will have giveaways, raffle items, temporary tattoos and pirate mascot Sir George will be on hand for pictures with the kids and young at heart! (11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

Saturday May 7

UnionStaton

Union Station

7:00 a.m. – KC Streetcar service begins
Free to ride, with 16 platform stops connecting Downtown Kansas City’s neighborhoods, residents, visitors, businesses and more, KC Streetcar service will run until 2 a.m. on Saturday’s!

10:00 a.m. – Carnival Rides at Union Station presented by Sprint 
What’s a party without a ferris wheel? Check out the sites from high above or take a ride around the Merry Go Round! Best of all? Carnival rides are like the KC Streetcar…Free To Ride, courtesy of Sprint!
(Carnival will run from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

1:00 p.m. – The Liz Finnity Affair
This accessible jazz ensemble is comprised of five long-standing members from Kansas City’s legendary music community. From familiar favorites flavored with a sultry spice to long-standing jazz and R&B standards, The Liz Finnity Affair is perfect for every occasion, especially this one!

3:00 p.m. – Kansas City Royals Watch Party
In cooperation with the Kansas City Royals and Fox Sports Kansas City, fans can watch the World Series Champion Kansas City Royals live on our mega mobile LED Screen as they take on the Cleveland Indians! Join “KayCee” and come cheer on our boys in blue as they go for the “W”!

7:00 p.m. – The Buhs
Kansas City’s “supergroup”, The Buhs, are ready to rock the KC Streetcar Grand Opening. Featuring many of Kansas City’s most talented musicians, this 11-piece pop, hip-hop and soul will have you dancing and singing with trumpets, keys, percussion, vocals and more! Don’t miss this!

9:00 p.m. – Fireworks
Watch from Union Station as we celebrate the debut of the KC Streetcar with a special nighttime fireworks show over the lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial!

Crossroads

Crossroads (19th & Main Stop)

9:30 a.m. – Tail Waggin’ Petstop
Try Pup-Up Pilates! Bring your dog to the class and learn massage and stretching techniques for him or her! Free goodie bags for your pup too! Registration at 9:30 a.m., class at 10 a.m. Pre-registration required with proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of Kansas City. Adoptions will also be available from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
www.ThrivePilatesKC.com

10:00 a.m. – Crossroads Pop-Up Record Shop Powered by Think Big Coworking
Come dig at the Crossroads Pop-Up Record Shop at 1712 Main Street! One day only! Powered by Think Big Coworking, this pop-up shop will feature The Vinyl Underground at 7th Heaven, Gotwhatulike kc#1 and Revolution Record Kansas City! More Info >>
(Pop-up Record Shop will be open from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

6:00 p.m. – Middle of the Map Fest
The 6th Annual INK’s Middle of the Map Fest is Kansas City’s Music Fest, Ideas and Film Fest presented by INK magazine & curated by The Record Machine. Happening in the Crossroads and around Downtown KC, find tickets and more info here.

PowerandLight

Power & Light (14th & Main Stop)

9:00 a.m. – KCMO Smart City Village at the KCP&L Energy Center, 1200 Main Street
Learn more about the “future” of Kansas City and how our city plans to operate more efficiently while bridging the digital divide with free public WiFi, smart streetlights, traffic signals and interactive kiosks. #SmartCityKC rolls out along the streetcar line this weekend to make our city smarter, safer and better connected. (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

3:00 p.m. – Kansas City Derby Fest
Head to the Live! Block for the most exciting Kentucky Derby Party in Kansas City! Featuring drink specials, great food, music, contests, raffles and more! General admission and VIP tickets are available in advance. For ticket info and more details visit: https://kcderbyfest.com/

6:00 p.m. – Middle of the Map Fest
The 6th Annual INK’s Middle of the Map Fest is Kansas City’s Music Fest, Ideas and Film Fest presented by INK magazine & curated by The Record Machine. Happening at the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland and around Downtown KC, find tickets and more info here.

RiverMarket

City Market / River Market (Multiple Stops)

7:00 a.m. – City Market Farmers’ Market
The region’s largest Farmers’ Market happens year-round at the City Market every Saturday and Sunday. 140+ vendor stalls bursting with plants, fruits, vegetables, meats, herbs, spices, fresh baked goods and more. Stop by and support local farmers and find unsurpassed value.

Library

Kansas City Public Library (9th & Main Stop)

10 a.m. – Comic Books and Coffee from the Library
The Kansas City Public Library will be offering coupons for a complimentary cup of coffee at their Central Library Cafe. Sign up for a library card (physical or e-cards) and visitors can receive a free book! It’s also National Comic Book Day and the Kansas City Public Library will be celebrating by giving away FREE comic books while supplies last!
(10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

11:00 a.m. – Park University 
Park University will have giveaways, raffle items, temporary tattoos and pirate mascot Sir George will be on hand for pictures with the kids and young at heart! (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)