Best time to visit · Kansas City · United States
The best time to visit Kansas City
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Brit By Birth, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Kansas City are April to early June and September to October, when temperatures are comfortable and the Royals or Chiefs are playing. July and August are hot and humid, and January and February are cold but quiet and inexpensive outside Chiefs playoff weekends.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–May and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March, June and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 32°C (90°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 3°C (37°F))
- Rainiest month
- May (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- December–March
Seasons
Kansas City has a continental climate: hot, humid summers with thunderstorms, cold winters with occasional snow and ice, and short, pleasant springs and autumns. Severe storms are most frequent in spring.
March–May
Spring
Blooming parks, the start of baseball season and mild days, but also the peak of thunderstorm and tornado-warning season.
June–August
Summer
Hot, humid weather, festivals, fountains running and Royals home games; plan indoor museums for the afternoons.
September–November
Autumn
The most comfortable weather, Chiefs home games and autumn colour; hotel prices rise on game weekends.
December–February
Winter
Cold, sometimes icy days and low prices, with the Plaza Lights in December and indoor sights at their quietest.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C | -7°C | 6 | 9.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 6°C | -5°C | 6 | 10.7 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 13°C | 1°C | 9 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 19°C | 7°C | 10 | 13.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 24°C | 13°C | 12 | 14.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 29°C | 18°C | 10 | 14.9 h | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 32°C | 21°C | 8 | 14.7 h | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 31°C | 20°C | 8 | 13.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 26°C | 15°C | 8 | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 20°C | 8°C | 8 | 11.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 12°C | 1°C | 7 | 10 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 5°C | -5°C | 6 | 9.4 h | 3/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | NFL playoffs if the Chiefs qualify (January) |
| March | St Patrick's Day parade (usually on or around 17 March) |
| April | Royals opening day at Kauffman Stadium (usually late March or early April) |
| May | Celebration at the Station — free Kansas City Symphony concert at Union Station (usually Memorial Day weekend) |
| June | Juneteenth celebrations at 18th & Vine (usually mid-June) |
| July | Independence Day fireworks (4 July) |
| August | Chiefs preseason games (usually August) |
| September | Chiefs home games (September to January); Kansas City Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs (weekends, usually September–October) |
| October | Halloween haunted attractions in the West Bottoms (usually late September–October) |
| November | Plaza Lighting Ceremony (Thanksgiving night) |
| December | Plaza Lights (through mid-January); Holiday ice skating at Crown Center (usually November to January) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in December–March, and the sights are quietest in February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Kansas City?
The best times to visit Kansas City are April to early June and September to October, when temperatures are comfortable and the Royals or Chiefs are playing. July and August are hot and humid, and January and February are cold but quiet and inexpensive outside Chiefs playoff weekends.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Kansas City?
Usually in December–March. The coldest month, with occasional snow and icy winds; good for museums and hotel deals, unless the Chiefs are in the playoffs.
+What is the rainiest month in Kansas City?
May, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Kansas City get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 21°C (70°F).