Saturday, July 4, 2026
The National WWI Museum and Memorial’s Stars and Stripes Picnic is Kansas City’s Official Independence Day Celebration!
Celebrate America's 250th and the Memorial's 100th with a fireworks spectacular launched from the North Lawn of the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Experience the fireworks from Penn Valley Park and throughout the neighborhood!
Programming presented by the National WWI Museum and Memorial will feature live performances from the FIFA Fan Festival stage – including Lost Wax and DJ Ashton Martin – which can all be enjoyed from the park.
In Penn Valley Park
A relaxed picnic experience, come and go as you please! Includes dedicated sound system to hear performances and programming.
Hours
Penn Valley Park hours: 5 a.m.-midnight
Select food vendors open: 3-10 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:40 p.m.
There will be some food and non-alcoholic beverages for sale, starting at 3 p.m. Guests are also welcome and encouraged to bring their own food and drinks.
- No grills or heating elements allowed.
As the weather will be hot, please make sure to bring plenty of water.
Dogs are permitted on leashes, but be advised that loud fireworks may not be the best environment for them. Please pick up after your pets.
There will be portable restrooms located in Penn Valley Park.
Parking/Transportation
There is no parking anywhere on the grounds.
Due to expected large crowds, traffic (including foot traffic) will be heavy. Please plan for extra time and dress for the weather.
Enter Penn Valley Park from the south.
Take the streetcar to the WWI Museum & Memorial stop, then walk down Memorial Dr. to Penn Valley Park.
or
Take the street car to the Union Hill stop, then walk down 31st St. to Penn Valley Park.
Plan your trip with Penn Valley Park as the destination.
Rideshare and taxi service is restricted in the area around Fan Festival. Plan to drop off south of Penn Valley Park and proceed by foot.
Looking to get up close to the Stars and Stripes Picnic programming, presented by the National WWI Museum and Memorial at FIFA Fan Festival? Learn more here
An All-Access ticket to the National WWI Museum and Memorial provides access to all galleries and guaranteed admission to FIFA Fan Festival. Learn more here
Map
Schedule
| 10 a.m. | Museum and Memorial opens (Get tickets) |
| 3 p.m. | Penn Valley Park opens |
| 6:45 p.m. | Performances by Lost Wax and DJ Ashton Martin |
| 9:40 p.m. | Fireworks |
| 10 p.m. | Performance by Lost Wax |
| 11 p.m. | Grounds close |
2026 Artists
Lost Wax
Lost Wax is the Original Mashup Party Band, blending six decades of pop, rock, hip hop, and R&B into electrifying live mashups and unforgettable medley sets. They're known for their high-energy performances and genre-blending sets that span everything from classic rock to modern hits. Based in Kansas City and performing nationwide, they’ve earned a reputation for turning events into unforgettable experiences.
DJ Ashton Martin
With a childhood deeply immersed in the music industry and an early start to his music education, Ashton Martin captivates audiences with an extensive and diverse music collection along with electrifying and dynamic stage presence. His seamless ability to transition between different musical genres at a rapid pace has become a distinctive hallmark, setting him apart with a rare skill that never fails to ignite the energy of the crowd.
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2026 Stars and Stripes Picnic
Presented By
2026 Sponsors
This project is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund
