Lucky you. You just found KCtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Kansas City each month.

Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.

(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)

Festivals

¡Oktoberfiesta! | Wednesday, Oct. 1-Sunday, Oct. 12 | 12 p.m. | Boulevard Tours & Rec Center | Free | This Oktoberfest + Día de Los Muertos mash-up features 12 days of keepsake steins, an interactive ofrenda installation, limited-edition to-go crowler, German + Mexican-inspired food, and a limited release of Oak Aged Bob’s.

Family Fun Day by Kansas City Power & Light District and PNC Bank | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Kansas City Power & Light District | Free | This event is replacing Cornucopia with a giant play zone featuring inflatables, games, crafts, and performances perfect for littles (and their grown-ups).

KC Oktoberfest turns Crown Center into the "Munich of the Midwest." | Photo via Visit KC

Comedy

Concerts + live performance

Eternamente: A Día de los Muertos Spectacular | Friday, Oct. 10 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | Midwest Trust Center, Overland Park, KS | $25+ | This show, an homage to Mexico's rich cultural heritage, blends graceful traditional dance with vibrant storytelling that also tips a hat to the great Mexican singers of yesterday such as Vicente Fernandez, Pedro Infante, and Lucha Villa.

Kansas City Symphony Presents "Top Gun: Maverick" in Concert | Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 19 | Times vary | Helzberg Hall | $64+ | Buckle up for the ultimate adrenaline rush as "Top Gun: Maverick" takes flight on the big screen, with the Kansas City Symphony performing the electrifying score live.

Kansas City Ballet Presents "Swan Lake" | Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 26 | Times vary | Helzberg Hall | $34+ | Perhaps the most beloved ballet of all time, Swan Lake returns to captivate audiences with its iconic struggle of good versus evil set to the most lavishly romantic music ever written.

A Live Conversation with Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Midwest Trust Center, Overland Park, KS | $25+ | Step back into the late ‘90s for a special screening of “She’s All That,” followed by a live conversation with the film’s iconic stars, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook.

"Beauty & the Beast" | Tuesday, Oct. 28-Sunday, Nov. 2 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Music Hall Kansas City | $52+ | Be our guest at Disney’s 30th anniversary production, with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes from members of the original Tony Award-winning artistic team.

Kauffman Center Presents "PlayStation | The Concert" | Thursday, Oct. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Kauffman Center | $54+ | Featuring the unforgettable music of "God of War," "The Last of Us," "Uncharted," "Bloodborne," and more, this show blends breathtaking musical performances with state-of-the-art visuals and immersive production.

Cornucopia has given way to PNC Family Fun Day. | Photo via Visit KC

Seasonal events

ArtSmash Kemper Museum Gala 2025: Riff/Evolve | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 7 p.m. | Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art | $350 | Style and music, emotion and technology, digital intimacy and analog simplicity — it all collides in this evening of drinks, dinner, and dancing.

Variety KC's Heart & Swing | Monday, Oct. 27 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Oakwood Country Club 9800 Grandview Road | $293 | Each drive makes a difference at this fundraiser tournament, featuring delicious food, cold drinks, and a lively atmosphere from tee-off to the final putt.

Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:

Go to our Events page.
Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.