Experience fall with these events and activities throughout Johnson County
Fall fun on the farm. Bonfires in the autumn night. Changing colors at local parks.
There are a variety of ways you and your family can enjoy the fall season in Johnson County, with events and activities taking place throughout October and November.
Johnson County Park and Recreation District is hosting several events themed around fall and Halloween, featuring food and fun for the whole family. Additionally, cities have their own activities going on throughout the season – including trick-or-treating, fall festivals and even escape rooms.
As you get your pumpkins out and your sweaters ready, check out all the ways you can take in the fall season in Johnson County.
Fall Fun in Johnson County
Mildale Farm Fall Fest is set for Oct. 28 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and will feature a pumpkin patch, disc golf and more.
“Little Shop of Horrors” at Theatre in the Park Indoors
Theatre in the Park’s 2023 Indoor Season begins Oct. 6 with “Little Shop of Horrors,” taking place in The Black Box Theatre at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. “Little Shop of Horrors,” rated PG-13, is a sci-fi smash musical about a floral assistant and his carnivorous plant – arriving just in time for spooky season. Tickets are on sale now, and shows run through Oct. 22. Learn more and purchase tickets at theatreinthepark.org.
Fun Fest at The Theatre in the Park
Intended as a “thank you” to the community for its support of JCPRD, Fun Fest at Theatre in the Park is a free inaugural public event on Oct. 14. The event includes a 5K/Family Fun Run, photo opportunities, hayrides, vendor market, food trucks, concessions, and a full schedule of performances on stage including bands, and local performance groups. The event culminates in a local cast of singers and dancers performing a 2024 TIP Season Announcement Show on the main stage.
Cars in the Park
Join JCPRD for the annual benefit event, Cars in the Park, on Oct. 21 from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Theatre in the Park. Come see vintage and contemporary cars, trucks and hot rods. This event is for all ages, and a DJ will be playing some golden oldies. There will be food trucks, raffle prizes, the 50/50 pot, and silent auction of amazing sports memorabilia. Proceeds from this event benefit JCPRD Special Olympics programs.
JCPRD JamBOOree
Get your costume on for JCPRD’s JamBOOree, held Oct. 27 from 5-8:30 p.m. at The Pavilion at Theatre in the Park. This family-friendly event will feature Halloween-themed activities, thrills, chills and treats. At 6:45 p.m., sit back and watch “Hotel Transylvania” on the big screen in the theatre bowl. Cost is free, but participants are asked to bring a canned donation.
Mildale Farm Fall Fest
Bring the family to Mildale Farm for the farm’s Fall Fest, taking place Oct. 28 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Visitors can explore and picnic on the farm’s 158-acre site. The free public event will offer several fall activities, including a pumpkin patch, roasting marshmallows, a petting zoo, disc golf, catch-and-release fishing and more.
JCPRD Park or Trail
Looking for a place to soak in the fall colors? There are 17 county parks operated by JCPRD that feature recreational opportunities during the fall.
One great outdoor destination is Shawnee Mission Park, where you can see the foliage along the hiking and mountain biking trails. You can also take in the scenery along the lake, whether you’re relaxing in a hammock or fishing for rainbow trout (fishing permits are required).
Ernie Miller Nature Center is another picturesque setting during the fall. The nature center is open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-4:30 p.m. on Sundays, and the trails are open from dawn to dusk for scenic walks. You can also register for Whimsical Woods, a Halloween-themed nature event for ages 11 and under with an adult.
Johnson County Museum
Enjoy Thanksgiving break by taking your family to the Johnson County Museum on Wednesday, Nov. 22 – a free admission day. Explore the Becoming Johnson County exhibit and the special exhibit, “TRAINS: Transportation and the Transformation of Johnson County.” Learn more about the museum at JCPRD.com/museum.
In addition, you can see the fall colors at the Lanesfield Historic Site, open on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. You can also attend an open house event with hands-on-activities Oct. 28 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and test your skills at the Lanesfield Escape Room, perfect for groups of 4-6 people.
Activities in Johnson County Cities
You can also attend fall events put on by cities across Johnson County. The City of Overland Park’s Denna Rose Children’s Farmstead is celebrating fall with Pumpkin Hollow and Halloween with Night of the Living Farm. The City of Olathe’s Arts Festival takes place Oct. 6-7 at the Johnson County Square, and Olathe is also hosting Trick-or-Treat Off the Street and Haunted Swamp events.
The City of Lenexa’s annual Chili Challenge on Oct. 13-14 features live music, fireworks and free samples in Old Town Lenexa. Lenexa is also hosting several Halloween events, including Truck or Treat and the Enchanted Forest. The City of Shawnee has a fall-themed Scarecrow Festival on Oct. 7, as well as a trick-or-treating Spookfest on Halloween.
View upcoming events through these cities as well: Gardner, De Soto, Edgerton, Fairway, Leawood, Merriam, Mission, Mission Hills, Mission Woods, Prairie Village, Roeland Park, Spring Hill, Westwood.