We've prepped you for leaf peeping and shared the seasonal overview, but now it's time to go fall throttle with your weekend planning. Here are 20+ exciting October events and festivals you'll want on your calendar (plus, a few for next month).

Thursday, Oct. 3

Camp FrankenWines | Thursday, Oct. 3-Friday, Oct. 4 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Union Cemetery | $15 | A ticket to this 21+ spooky storytelling event (where over 55,000 souls have been laid to rest) comes with a complimentary McLain's treat.

Friday, Oct. 4

KC Oktoberfest | Friday, Oct. 4-Saturday, Oct. 5 | Times vary | Crown Center | $17+ | It's the metro's largest Oktoberfest celebration, featuring Bavarian-style bier, food, and music (lederhosen optional).

Saturday, Oct. 5

Plein Air Liberty | Saturday, Oct. 5 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Historic Downtown Liberty | $35+ | It's the city's first foray into painting al fresco as artists of all skill levels capture the essence of this picturesque town.
Fall Chick Event | Saturday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Oct. 6 | Times vary | Town Center Plaza, Leawood | Free entry | Get started on your holiday shopping with 120+ local handmade vendors and boutiques on display.
Applefest | Saturday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Oct. 6 | Times vary | Historic Weston | Free entry | Everything apple to its core, with an apple-themed parade, apple butter demonstration, and more crafters + artisans than ever before — plus, warm apple dumplings to boot.
Japan Festival | Saturday, Oct. 5 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Midwest Trust Center, Overland Park | $15+ | It's a cultural extravaganza with Japanese candy artists, musical performances, and a kintsugi workshop.

Friday, Oct. 11

Kansas City Ballet Presents ALICE (in Wonderland) | Friday, Oct. 11-Sunday, Oct. 20 | Times vary | Kauffman Center | $62+ | Ballet and contemporary dance blend to bring Lewis Carroll's iconic characters to life with vibrant costumes, a whimsical score, and exceptional choreography.

We'll see you there, Kansas City. | Photos by Kenney Ellison; GIF by KCtoday

Saturday, Oct. 12

Heartland Book Festival | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Kansas City Public Library: Central Library | Free with RSVP | The Heartland's premiere fest for readers returns, with appearances by NYT bestselling author Stacey Abrams, Sarah Chapelle (@taylorswiftstyled), and the internet's favorite wholesome librarian (@mychal3ts).
Boo-zy Book Fair | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 4-9 p.m. | The Gilded Page | $0+ | It's like the Scholastic Book Fairs from your childhood, but boozier and spookier, featuring local bookstores + bookish vendors galore.
David Spade | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 8 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland | $45+ | The SNL-alum and venerated comedy actor is bringing his "Catch Me Inside" tour to KC.

Tuesday, Oct. 15

Psycho in Concert Film + Live Orchestra | Tuesday, Oct. 15-Wednesday, Oct. 16 | 7 p.m. | Helzberg Hall | $48+ | The Kansas City Symphony underscores the emotional tension of the soul-searing plot, as one of the greatest films of all time plays on the giant Helzberg Hall screen.

Wednesday, Oct. 16

Movie Night at the Aztec | Wednesday, Oct. 16, Wednesday, Oct. 23, Wednesday, Oct. 30 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Aztec Shawnee Theater, Shawnee | $10 | The historic theater goes back to its roots with a double feature screening of "The Werewolf of London" (1935) and "The Wolfman" (1941).
Gold Over America Tour | Wednesday, Oct. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | T-Mobile Center | $70+ | Starring Simone Biles, prepare for a pop concert-style spectacle showcasing athletic brilliance, championship journeys, and of course, the Gold Squad dancers.

Thursday, Oct. 17

Electric Poe | Thursday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Nov. 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Union Cemetery | $19+ | Treat yourself and your family to superb acting accompanied by atmospheric underscoring in front of Union Cemetery’s “Holding Vault.”

Friday, Oct. 18

Planet Anime KC | Friday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 20 | Times vary | Kansas City Convention Center | $10+ | Visit the fandom-fueled universe for an incredible lineup of anime voice acting celebrities, amazing cosplay, and can't-miss panel discussions.

Orange looks good on you, KC. | Photo via KC Mavericks

Saturday, Oct. 19

Kansas City Current vs. San Diego Wave FC | Saturday, Oct. 19 | 12 p.m. | CPKC Stadium | $49+ | It's your second-to-last chance to catch the Current at home during CPKC's inaugural season.
11th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration | Saturday, Oct. 19 | 5-9 p.m. | Kansas City Museum | Donation requested | Once the sun sets at 6:33 p.m., the living will celebrate with puppetry performances, folk dancing, and local vendors while honoring the dead with community altars.
Kansas City Mavericks vs. Wichita Thunder | Saturday, Oct. 19 | 6:05 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence | $15+ | It's the Mavs' first game at home following last season's record-breaking, electrifying playoff run.

Thursday, Oct. 24

Night/Shift | Thursday, Oct. 24 | 5-9 p.m. | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | Free with RSVP | This art show shakes up the museum with a free-form evening of creative encounters, featuring live acts, live art, and unexpected ways to explore.
Mason Ramsey | Thursday, Oct. 24 | 8 p.m. | Knuckleheads Saloon | $38 | A viral video of him yodeling in Walmart made him famous, now Ramsey is back with a new set as a certified country crooner.

Friday, Oct. 25

The JOCO Home + Remodeling Show | Friday, Oct. 25-Sunday, Oct. 27 | Times vary | Overland Park Convention Center| $8+ | Prepare your home for hibernation with 200+ exhibitors ready to assist and inspire your next home project.
Hip Hops Hooray! Beer Fest + Brass & Boujee | Friday, Oct. 25-Saturday, Oct. 26 | Times vary | Vine Street Brewing | $65 | Start the inaugural fest with a costume competition and live music from a 20-piece hip-hop big band, Brass & Boujee, before sampling 25 regional + local craft beers.

Friday, Nov. 1

American Royal World Series of Barbecue | Friday, Nov. 1-Saturday, Nov. 2 | Times vary | Kansas Speedway | $7+ | The world's largest barbecue competition returns with more music, more games, and even more of KC's finest, all supporting the American Royal’s largest fundraiser of the year.