Weekend Possibilities | Worlds of Fun, KC Mavs and Lawrence Busker Fest Memorial Day Weekend in Kansas City

It’s Memorial Day weekend in Kansas City and with it comes patio tunes, waterpark openings and playoff hockey.

Friday, May 24

5 – 11 p.m. Lawrence Busker Festival returns to Downtown Lawrence, Kansas, 833 Massachusetts St., this weekend with three days of street performances, food, vendors and Free State beer. Jugglers, fire-breathers, dancers, comedians, musicians and entertainers of all kinds will perform across six locations in downtown Lawrence. Be sure to check out the full schedule and map in advance. Busker Fest is free.

6 p.m. Drinkaway Camp 2: Those Meddling Kids opens this weekend at The Big Rip Brewing Co., 216 E. 9^th Ave. The immersive pop-up experience will take your gang into the heart of Scooby-Doo’s world to solve a mystery and have a few brews and specialty craft cocktails along the way. Tickets are $20 and reservations are required.

7 p.m. It’s officially patio season and if you’re looking for skyline views plus tunes to start the weekend, Percheron Sessions with DJ Ne$$ is the move. Located atop Crossroads Hotel Kansas City, 2101 Central St., Percheron offers food and drink menus updated for the season, serving snacks like shrimp fatteh and spicy tuna falafel and sips including punches, cocktails, slushies and bubbly. The rooftop bar is open for all ages 4-8 p.m. and then 21+ until the last call. Table reservations are available online.

Saturday, May 25

10 a.m. – 7 p.m. The Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour pulls into Town Center Plaza, 5000 W. 119^th St., on Saturday morning. Mattel’s Barbie Truck comes to Leawood as a part of a road trip around the country, providing the chance for fans to pick up exclusive merch. Local Barbies can shop for one day only for dream wear, accessories for life on the go and more.

11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Adventure Oasis Water Park, 2100 S. Hub Drive, opens for the season this weekend in Independence and will once again welcome non-residents. Cool off in the water park’s lap pool, multiple water slides, splash park or lazy river. Adult day passes are $15 for non-residents and $10 for Independence residents. Youth and senior passes are $14/$9.

5 p.m. Local and regional rockers will make up Radfest 2 at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming St. The one-day music festival headlined by Radkey will also feature sets from Hammerhead, The Utilitarians, Emmaline Twist and Pink Fuzz. Tickets are available for $31.16, plus taxes and fees. The show is for ages 18-plus. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian.

7:05 p.m. The Kansas City Mavericks are in the thick of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs and will play Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals Saturday at Cable Dahmer Arena, 19100 E. Valley View Pkwy. The Mavs are looking to capitalize on their best season in franchise history by topping the Toledo Walleye and advancing to the Kelly Cup Finals. Tickets are available starting at $30, plus tax and fees.

Sunday, May 26

Noon – 5 p.m. Little ones are invited to play, sing, explore and pretend at Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit, this weekend at Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd. Located on the first level of the Crown Center Shops, the immersive Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood exhibit created by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is a life-size recreation of the PBS Kids universe, complete with appearances from Daniel Tiger himself. The exhibit is free.

2 – 11 p.m. Celebrate the long weekend with Burgers & Beer at Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen, 1526 Walnut St., in the Crossroads. While wine is their specialty, Tannin’s weekly deal features a rotating gourmet burger that comes with a $5 beer. Choose between KC Bier Co.’s Dunkel, Alma Mader Premiant Pilsner, Martin City Yoga Pants, Golden Ale, Founders All Day IPA and Schlafly’s Oatmeal Stout. Reserve your table in advance.

11 a.m. – 9 p.m. It’s that time of the year. Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave., are officially open for the summer. From major thrill rides like the new Zambezi Zinger, to calmer experiences in Camp Snoopy, the amusement park has a little something for everyone. On Sunday, Worlds of Fun will celebrate 35 years of the Timberwolf rollercoaster. Oceans of Fun closes at 7 p.m. Daily combo-park tickets are $36.99, plus tax and fees.

3 p.m. Celebration at the Station, Kansas City’s largest Memorial Day tradition, will honor our nation’s fallen and celebrate freedom on the North Lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Dr. Arrive early, bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy patriotic works performed by the Kansas City Symphony onstage in front of Union Station, a cannon salute and fireworks grand finale. Food trucks will start service at 4 p.m. The program officially starts at 5 p.m. Celebration at the Station is free.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.