Saturday, July 4, 2026
The Stars and Stripes Picnic at the National WWI Museum and Memorial is Kansas City’s official Independence Day celebration!
Check this page often for the latest updates as the celebration gets closer.
This year, there are two ways to experience the Picnic:
In Penn Valley Park OR inside FIFA Fan Festival.
In Penn Valley Park
FREE to the Public.
- Relaxed picnic experience, come and go as you please!
- There will be some food and non-alcoholic beverages for sale.
- Access to portable restrooms.
- Dedicated sound system to hear performances and programming.
- Bring as much food, drink and supplies as you like.
- No grills or heating elements allowed.
- Available even after Fan Festival reaches capacity.
Inside FIFA Fan Festival™
Free pass required to enter. Subject to capacity limits.
- Officially part of the Fan Festival game day experience.
- Up close to the Stars and Stripes Picnic main acts: Lost Wax and DJ Ashton Martin.
- Additional music programming, activities and broadcasts of World Cup games.
- Access to food and drink for purchase inside Fan Festival (no outside food or drink allowed).
- Access to the Museum and Memorial (with purchase of All-Access Museum ticket).
In Penn Valley Park
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.
Inside FIFA Fan Festival™
Hours
Museum and Memorial: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fan Festival: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:40 p.m.
There are two ways to attend Fan Festival:
Museum and Memorial All-Access Ticket
- Access to all Museum galleries, air conditioning, restrooms and Museum Café
- $20-30 per person
- Includes pass to Fan Festival
- Guaranteed admission even after Fan Festival reaches capacity
Get Museum and Memorial All-Access Ticket
Fan Festival Passes
- Reserved through KC2026
- Free GA pass is subject to Fan Festival capacity limits
- Premium passes available for purchase
- No access to Museum and Memorial
No outside food or drinks are allowed into Fan Festival.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase inside Fan Festival. With the Museum and Memorial All-Access Ticket, you will also be able to visit the Museum Café.
Pets are not permitted inside Fan Festival on July 4.
FIFA Fan Festival™ Kansas City will have a fenced perimeter, and all guests will be subject to security screening protocols including metal detectors and a clear bag policy.
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.
Suggested parking and transportation alternatives:
Take the streetcar to the WWI Museum & Memorial stop, then walk to the South gate on Memorial Dr. (Google Maps) (Apple Maps) (OpenStreetMap)
Plan your trip with Liberty Memorial as the destination, then walk to the South gate on Memorial Dr. (Google Maps) (Apple Maps) (OpenStreetMap)
Rideshare and taxi service is restricted in the area around Fan Festival. Please refer to KC2026 for more information (coming soon)
This is a motorcoach bus service offered during FIFA World Cup 26™ (June 11-July 13, 2026), connecting riders between FIFA Fan Festival™ and 15 regional sites.
ConnectKC26 bus services require a purchased pass. Details on how to get your pass and pricing available at KC2026
Schedule
| 10 a.m. | Museum and Memorial opens (Get tickets) |
| 11 a.m. | FIFA Fan Festival™ opens |
| Noon | World Cup Match 1 |
| 3 p.m. | Penn Valley Park vendors open |
| 4 p.m. | World Cup Match 2 |
| 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
