Brookside Art Annual

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Arts & CultureKansas City
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsUnlike the larger, more heavily produced
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Brookside Art Annual in Kansas City

The Brookside Art Annual is a juried outdoor art show held each May in Kansas City's Brookside neighborhood, centered at 63rd Street and Brookside Boulevard. Hosted by the nonprofit Brookside Business Association since the late 1980s, the show is considered one of the top art fairs in the country by Art Source rankings and functions as the first major art show of the Kansas City season.

The Brookside Art Annual began as a neighborhood initiative rather than a citywide production, organized by the merchants of the Brookside Business Association to bring visitors into their commercial district each spring.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike the larger, more heavily produced Plaza Art Fair later in the year, the Brookside Art Annual is rooted in a single walkable neighborhood commercial strip, run by the merchants' own Brookside Business Association rather than a large event company

02

The mystery stays covered

Consistently ranked in the top 25 art shows nationally according to Art Source, the show has built a loyal following among artists and collectors precisely because of its scale: a compact footprint at 63rd and Brookside Boulevard that puts booths, neighborhood restaurants, and shoppers within easy walking distance of each other

03

The city starts moving

As the first major outdoor art show of the Kansas City calendar each spring, it also functions as an informal season opener, drawing thousands of visitors before the city's larger summer festival lineup begins

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The show has kept its identity tied to the Brookside neighborhood itself rather than moving to a larger downtown venue

Water and renewal

Living ritual

staying centered at 63rd and Brookside Boulevard since its early years

The sacred route

Living ritual

Its role as the unofficial opener of Kansas City's spring and summer festival season has become its own tradition

The local code

Living ritual

and neighborhood restaurants participating with special festival-only food booths remains a consistent part of each year's show

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Early May weather in Missouri can range from warm to chilly, so layered casual clothing works best: a light jacket for morning and evening hours, comfortable shoes for walking neighborhood...

Safety

Brookside Art Annual is best approached as a guest: follow local crowd guidance and avoid blocking participants.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Kansas City you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.10 N, 94.58 WOpen in Google Maps

Kansas City, MO

Nearest airportMCI — Kansas City
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Kansas City you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Kansas City via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Kansas City, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearEarly May weather in Missouri can range from warm to chilly, so layered casual clothing works best: a light jacket for morning and evening hours, comfortable shoes for walking neighborhood sidewalks and streets, and a hat or sunglasses if the weekend turns sunny.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Brookside Art Annual?

Brookside Art Annual is listed for Past edition: 2–4 May 2025. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Brookside Art Annual take place?

The festival is listed in Kansas City, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Kansas City, MO

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLbrooksidekc.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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