Kansas City, Mo. – September 25, 2026 -- The Historic West Bottoms district kicks off Halloween season with Boo in the Bottoms, running October 2-4 during First Friday Weekend, before the neighborhood's haunted attractions Beast and Edge of Hell open their 2026 season on the night of October 2.
More than 30 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues across the 13-block district will be open, mostly from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, with hours varying by business.
Daytime shoppers hunt vintage finds while costumed characters roam the streets
Visitors can trick-or-treat at participating stores, take photos with family-friendly haunt characters, and gather at fire pits for s'mores and seasonal drinks from the Full Moon Street Bar, available Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Haunt characters will appear Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.
Free Thriller dance lessons run Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dance instructor D3 Stepper leads a no-cost, all-ages session teaching Michael Jackson's zombie choreography in the streets. Live music will also play throughout the district during the weekend.
Beast and Edge of Hell open with only 13 nights scheduled this October
The two haunted attractions begin their season Friday night, October 2, after the daytime festival wraps. Amber Arnett-Bequeaith, spokesperson for the district and self-described Queen of Haunts, said the day starts with vintage shopping and photos with haunt characters before the district "takes a darker turn" at night.
Ticket details and showtimes for both attractions are listed on their respective websites. Additional weekend programming includes a KC Collectors Spooky Plant Sale on Saturday, October 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring plant vendors, Halloween-themed items, candy, costumes, and collectibles.
Two more West Bottoms festival weekends follow later in 2026
The district's First Friday Weekend series continues with Blessings in the Bottoms on November 6-8, followed by Bows in the Bottoms weekends each December before Christmas, starting December 4-6.