Juliana Garcia  - Events

‘The Weekend’ — Music, culture and festivals in Johnson County

Terra Luna by Quixotic is coming to the Overland Park Arboretum. Photo via Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park.

Happy Friday, Blue Valley!

Welcome to “The Weekend,” our weekly roundup of fun things to do in and around Johnson County.

This weekend, there’s something for everyone from live music, an outdoor movie night, a festival and a kick off to Hispanic Heritage Month in the northern part of the county.

Check out these events happening in Johnson County this weekend.

Terra Luna at the Overland Park Arboretum

Photo via Facebook.

The immersive artistic experience Terra Luna returns to the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for two straight weekends of performances starting Thursday. Put on by local art collective Quixotic, this unique walk-through show combines dance, live music, light and acrobatics. General admission tickets are $35 for those 13 and up, and $25 for those 2-12.

‘Moo-vie Night’ at Deanna Rose Farmstead

Photo via city of Overland Park.

What’s better than a movie under the stars, accompanied by the sounds of barnyard life nearby? That’s the idea with this special outdoor showing Saturday night of the animated film “A Bug’s Life” on the lawn at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park. Kids’ activities and food trucks will start at 5 p.m, with the movie expected to turn on around 8 p.m.

Shawnee Town Craft and Fall Festival

Photo via Shawnee Chamber of Commerce.

You know it’s trending towards fall in Shawnee when the Friends of Shawnee Town nonprofit hosts its annual Craft and Fall Festival at the historic site near downtown. This year’s event is Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. Dozens of vendors are expected, offering items that could brighten your home or serve as a good gift for someone special. Entry tickets are $1 apiece.

‘Fiesta RP!’ in Roeland Park

Photo credit Tania Sosa Photography.

It’s a special edition of Roeland Park’s free summer concert series this Saturday night at R Park. “Fiesta RP!” is a celebration of Latin and Indigenous culture, with performances from two local dance troupes to go with various food and drink trucks and other vendors. The event starts at 6 p.m., with performers set to go on starting at 7 p.m.

Back Alley Brass Band plays Lenexa

Photo via Facebook.

Finish your weekend with some live music. Lenexa’s outdoor concert series this Sunday will feature the Back Alley Brass Band performing at the Grand Pavilion at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. The free show is set to run from 5-6:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket and get comfortable.

👋 Hello! I'm Juliana Garcia, and I primarily cover Prairie Village and northeast Johnson County for the Post.

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A bit about me and my background:

I grew up in Roeland Park and graduated from Shawnee Mission North before going on to the University of Kansas, where I wrote for the University Daily Kansan and earned my bachelor's degree in  journalism. Prior to joining the Post in 2019, I worked as an intern at the Kansas City Business Journal.