Kansas City Día de los Muertos weekend road trip 2026

Kansas City celebrates Día de los Muertos on both sides of the state line: a night parade on the Westside on Friday, holiday shopping in Leawood on Saturday morning, then ofrendas, a car show and a parade on Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas. On Sunday, the National WWI Museum and Memorial marks Veterans Day weekend. November 6–8, 2026.

The four stops

1. Friday night · Night parade

   Mattie Rhodes Calaca Night Parade

   Friday, November 6 · Kansas City, Missouri · event dates: November 6, 2026

   Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center closes its Día de los Muertos altar exhibit with a First Friday celebration and the Calaca Night Parade through the historic Westside, 6 pm to 10 pm. The center is at 1701 Jarboe Street.

   Event websiteOur listing

2. Drive about 20 min (about 13 mi) to Leawood.

3. Saturday daytime · Holiday market

   Gift Gallery

   Saturday, November 7 · Leawood, Kansas · event dates: November 6–7, 2026

   More than 70 local vendors fill this volunteer-run holiday market, and all proceeds go to local charities. Doors open at 9 am and shopping runs until 3 pm. Santa's Workshop for kids runs 9:30 am to noon. General admission is $10.

   Event websiteOur listing

4. Drive about 25 min (about 17 mi) to Kansas City.

3. Saturday evening · Street festival and parade

   Día de Muertos on Central Avenue

   Saturday, November 7 · Kansas City, Kansas · event dates: November 7, 2026

   Food, art, ofrendas and a car show line Central Avenue from noon, with live entertainment from 2 pm and walking Catrinas from 3 pm. The parade runs 6 pm to 7:30 pm, and the fun ends at 9 pm. Use 1120 Central Avenue for GPS.

   Event websiteOur listing

4. Drive about 15 min (about 6 mi) to Kansas City.

5. Sunday on the way home · Museum and history

   Veterans Day Weekend at the National WWI Museum and Memorial

   Sunday, November 8 · Kansas City, Missouri · event dates: November 6–11, 2026

   For the centennial Veterans Day weekend, veterans and active-duty military get in free and the public pays half-price general admission. Research stations help you trace family links to World War I (10 am to 5 pm), and a Vietnam-era Huey helicopter is on display outside through Sunday.

   Event websiteOur listing

Drive home to Kansas City, MO: about 10 min (about 3 mi). Gas prices near Kansas City

Drive times are approximate. Check your route before you leave.

At a glance

Event websites

• Mattie Rhodes Calaca Night Parade
• Gift Gallery
• Día de Muertos on Central Avenue
• Veterans Day Weekend at the National WWI Museum and Memorial

Dates can change, so check the event’s website before you go.

More: All weekend drives · Missouri events · Kansas events