Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival

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MusicSedalia
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsSedalia is not simply hosting a themed music
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival in Sedalia

The Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival brings pianists and ragtime scholars to Sedalia, Missouri, the town where composer Scott Joplin lived and published Maple Leaf Rag in 1899. The festival, listed among Sedalia's official annual events, centers on ragtime piano performances and competitions tied to the town's place in the music's history.

Scott Joplin moved to Sedalia, Missouri, in the 1890s, a railroad town in the middle of the state that was, at the time, a lively enough hub of saloons and social clubs to support a working pianist.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Sedalia is not simply hosting a themed music festival

02

The mystery stays covered

it is the actual town where Scott Joplin worked as a pianist in the 1890s and wrote the piece that launched ragtime as a national music craze, and the Maple Leaf Club referenced in that history stood in Sedalia's downtown

03

The city starts moving

That direct historical connection gives the festival a legitimacy among ragtime scholars and performers that a festival in an unrelated city could not claim, drawing international competitors and researchers to a small central Missouri town for a genre-specific gathering found almost nowhere else in the country

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's core tradition is competitive and exhibition ragtime piano performance

Water and renewal

Living ritual

honoring Scott Joplin's years living and performing in Sedalia in the 1890s

The sacred route

Living ritual

when he composed and published Maple Leaf Rag

The local code

Living ritual

named for the Maple Leaf Club where he played

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Programming built around that history

Tradition 6

Living ritual

including site tours

Tradition 7

Living ritual

treats Sedalia's downtown itself as part of the festival experience rather than an incidental backdrop

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

For Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival, plan transport around the exact Sedalia venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual to smart-casual clothing works for most daytime events; evening concerts may lean slightly dressier, and comfortable shoes are useful for any walking tours of Joplin-related sites...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival, stay near the part of Sedalia you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map38.70 N, 93.23 WOpen in Google Maps

Sedalia, MO

Nearest airportMCI — Kansas City
TransportFor Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival, plan transport around the exact Sedalia venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival, stay near the part of Sedalia you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

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 Sedalia via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Sedalia, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearCasual to smart-casual clothing works for most daytime events; evening concerts may lean slightly dressier, and comfortable shoes are useful for any walking tours of Joplin-related sites downtown.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 Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival?

Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival is listed for May · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Sedalia, 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?

Spring 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?

Sedalia, 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 URLscottjoplin.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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