The Kansas City Monarchs are turning up the heat this fall with two fresh music festivals at Legends Field, injecting new life into the city’s vibrant scene. The KC Blues & Jazz Festival and Funkenstein Fest spotlight the city’s rich musical heritage and contemporary grooves over two consecutive weekends in October 2025.
KC Blues & Jazz Festival: Honoring the Kansas City Sound
On October 3rd and 4th, the KC Blues & Jazz Festival rolls out a lineup loaded with heavyweights of American roots and jazz. Expect soul-deep performances from the Stanley Clarke Quartet, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Shemekia Copeland, and the Bill Frisell Trio featuring Gregory Tardy. The festival also highlights local legends like High Society and Jackie Myers, along with Roosevelt Collier and Ken Lovern’s Organ Jazz Trio, paying tribute to the iconic Kansas City sound that shaped jazz history.
Funkenstein Fest: Deep Funk Meets Halloween Vibes
Later in the month on October 24th and 25th, dive into the groovy underbelly of the city’s music scene at Funkenstein Fest. Headlined by electronic funk powerhouses Big Gigantic and The Floozies, the fest offers an immersive Halloween-themed experience. The lineup is stacked with The Funk Hunters, Haywire, The Sponges, Marvel Years, and Jason Leech, paired with interactive art installations, curated eats and drinks, plus festive activities that bring fans into the party spirit.
Both fests uniquely bridge the worlds of sports and live music by using the Monarchs’ home ballpark as their stage, crafting a fresh autumn outlet for fans to celebrate sound and community. Mark your calendars — these new events are primed to become annual autumn staples in Kansas City’s cultural calendar.
Source: Kansas City Monarchs Announce 2025 KC Blues & Jazz + Funkenstein Festivals