KC Scene is your go-to, unbiased resource for everything Kansas Cityโwhere to live, what to do, and how to make this city feel like home. Whether you're moving in or moving up, weโve got you covered with real estate, development, lifestyle, and local gems.
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๐ค Planet Comicon KC This Weekend, ๐ข Worlds of Fun Returns, ๐ฝ๏ธ Anjin James Beard Nod
Published 5 days agoย โขย 10 min read
Kansas City is starting the year with big news, exciting developments, and cultural highlights that show just how much the metro keeps evolving. โ
This edition, weโre checking out: โข Worlds of Fun bringing back its iconic wooden roller coaster in 2026, giving thrill-seekers a nostalgic ride experience and boosting excitement for the summer season. โข Crossroads hotspot Anjin earning a James Beard Award semifinalist nod for Best New Restaurant, putting Kansas Cityโs culinary scene back in the national spotlight. โข Wallyโs breaking ground in Independence with a 2027 opening target, signaling continued commercial growth in the eastern KC metro. โข The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum unveiling new portraits honoring four Kansas City legends, strengthening its mission to celebrate Black baseball history and the cityโs cultural heritage. โข Screenland Armour reintroducing the rare 70mm film experience to KC audiences, offering a unique cinematic alternative for classic and arthouse film lovers. โข Progress on an inflatable dome at Leeโs Summit Sports Complex, bringing year-round indoor athletic space closer to reality for the community. โ
From theme parks and fine dining to sports history and innovative facilities, Kansas City continues to surprise and grow in every corner. โ
Planet Comicon Kansas City returns this weekend - March 27th through the 29th - at the Kansas City Convention Center Bartle Hall.
Started in 1999 in Overland Park, Planet Comicon has become one of the largest comic book and pop culture events in the country, featuring three days of celebrity and creator guests, panels, and memorable fan experiences.
Inside Bartle Hall, fans can explore a massive show floor filled with more than 800 artists, crafters, authors, retailers, and merchandise vendors from all over the country.
Now in its 27th year, Planet Comicon Kansas City welcomes tens of thousands of fans to downtown KC, delivering an estimated economic impact of $13.8 million dollars according to Visit KC, including 2,000+ hotel room nights at 7 different downtown hotels.
Celebrity guests for this yearโs show include:
Jared Padalecki from Supernatural
Elijah Wood and Sean Astin from Lord of the Rings
Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden
The iconic Priscilla Presley
Corey Taylor from Slipknot
Kiefer Sutherland and Lou Diamond Phillips
Ernie Hudson from Ghostbusters
Peter Facinelli, Ashley Greene, and the cast of Twilight
Famke Janssen and Maggie Grace from Taken
Jason Isaacs from Harry Potter
The legendary William Shatner
And many more
Attendees can meet their favorite celebrities, including autograph and photo opportunities while also enjoying cosplay, gaming, hundreds of hours of panel programming, and after-hours events.
Planet Comicon Kansas City is a celebration of fandom for all ages and has become one of Kansas Cityโs most anticipated annual events.
Planet Comicon KC runs Friday through Sunday, March 27th through 29th. Tickets and full events details are available at PlanetComicon.com and on-site at the Kansas City Convention Center.
๐ข ICONIC WOODEN ROLLER COASTER RETURNING TO WORLDS OF FUN IN 2026โโ Worlds of Fun is bringing back its beloved wooden roller coaster, giving thrill-seekers a classic ride experience ahead of the summer season. The return is expected to generate buzz among longtime park fans and draw renewed interest to the Worlds of Fun lineup.โ
๐ฝ๏ธ KANSAS CITY'S ANJIN NAMED JAMES BEARD SEMIFINALIST FOR BEST NEW RESTAURANTโโ โCrossroads hotspot Anjin has earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nod for Best New Restaurant, putting Kansas City's dining scene back on the national map. The recognition highlights the city's growing reputation as a serious culinary destination.
๐ง WALLY'S BREAKS GROUND IN INDEPENDENCE WITH 2027 OPENING TARGETโ The popular travel center and convenience brand Wally's is planting its flag in Independence, with a groundbreaking underway and a 2027 opening on the horizon. The development signals continued commercial growth in the eastern KC metro.
โพ NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM UNVEILS PORTRAITS HONORING FOUR KC LEGENDSโโ The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum has revealed new portraits celebrating four Kansas City legends and community leaders, deepening its mission to preserve and honor the legacy of Black baseball and its cultural impact on the city.
๐ฌ SCREENLAND ARMOUR BRINGS 70MM FILM BACK TO KANSAS CITYโโ Screenland Armour is reviving the large-format 70mm filmgoing experience for Kansas City audiences, offering a rare and cinematic alternative to the standard multiplex. The move taps into growing enthusiasm for classic and arthouse film presentation.
๐๏ธ INFLATABLE DOME PROJECT AT LEE'S SUMMIT SPORTS COMPLEX MOVES FORWARDโโ Plans for an inflatable dome at the Lee's Summit Sports Complex are advancing, bringing year-round indoor athletic space closer to reality for the community. The project would expand training and event capacity for one of the area's premier recreational facilities.
What you might have missed last week
Jackson County is beginning to lay out a more structured plan for what comes next at the Truman Sports Complex, with Commissioner Phil LeVota announcing the creation of a formal task force to guide the process.
Kansas City's iconic Western Auto sign has been dark for over eight monthsโand it might stay that way through the World Cup.
The American Kennel Club just dropped its 2025 rankings, and for the fourth year in a row, the French Bulldog is officially the most popular dog breed in the U.S.โending what used to be a 31-year reign by the Labrador Retriever.
๐ข DEVELOPMENT SCENE
Historic 18th & Vine Castle Set for Film-Inspired Hotel and Creative Hub
A Kansas City entrepreneur is advancing a long-awaited plan to restore the historic Workhouse Castle at 18th & Vine, transforming the long-abandoned structure into a vibrant mixed-use destination. โ The proposal includes a $23 million, 46-room boutique hotel called The Jazzonian, featuring cinema-themed rooms inspired by iconic cultural figures, along with micro-cinemas and interactive media spaces. โ Behind the castle, a 10,000-square-foot production facility, Show Me Studios, would support film, television, and AI-driven media projects while offering educational opportunities. The broader vision also includes event spaces, potential extended-stay accommodations, and nearby residential development. โ With initial funding secured and surrounding investment gaining momentum, the developer aims to activate the site with a World Cup pop-up in 2026 and complete the full restoration and development by early 2028.
๐ Friday, March 27
Kansas City Symphony: The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John ft. Michael Cavanaugh @ Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center | orchestral | 8:00 PM | INFOโ
Know someone making Kansas City better right now? A neighbor. A small group. A quiet act that mattered.
Weโre spotlighting real stories of people showing up for their community, creating change, and doing good without chasing attention. Big impact or small moment. If it moved you, it belongs here.
Help us tell the stories that actually shape this city.
Kansas City is about to host the world. Literally.
Weโre building a World Cup Guide that helps visitors find the best places to eat, drink, shop, and explore beyond the stadium. This guide puts local businesses front and center when thousands of fans are deciding where to go and what to do.
If you want visitors to experience the real Kansas City, this is where you show up.
Travis Kelce Signs $57.7M Extension with Chiefs Through 2026 Season
Travis Kelce has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs worth up to $57.7 million, potentially making him the highest-paid tight end in the league with an average annual value of about $19.25 million. โ While the headline number is significant, the deal includes $12 million in guaranteed money and is structured in a way that could effectively make it a year-to-year arrangement depending on how the later years play out. โ Kelce enters the extension following a 2025 season where he recorded 76 receptions, 851 yards, and five touchdowns, adding to an already decorated career that includes multiple 1,000-yard seasons and All-Pro honors.
4115 E Linwood Blvd is a 4-bedroom, 2-bath move-in ready home with a smart rental layoutโtwo bedrooms and a full bath on each level. Updates include new flooring, carpet, fully renovated kitchen and bathrooms, fresh paint, and recent roof, gutters, water heater, and furnace.
Just 3โ4 miles from Downtown Kansas City, it offers easy access to major employment centers, highways, parks, and schools. Perfect for investors or anyone seeking a ready-to-rent property with minimal upfront work.
Listing Provided by: Ryan Mcbryar with KW KANSAS CITY METRO
3500 E 104th Street, Kansas City, MO 64137
Comfortable Ranch Living with a Functional Layout in Birchwood Hillsโ Welcome to 3500 E 104th Street, a well-maintained true ranch offering three bedrooms and two bathrooms across 1,896 square feet. Built in 1972 and set on a generous lot, this home delivers a layout that feels both practical and easy to live in from the moment you step inside. A proper foyer greets you at the entrance and leads into a large formal dining room, creating a defined space thatโs perfect for gatherings or everyday meals.
The kitchen connects seamlessly to the main living areas and offers plenty of storage, making daily routines feel effortless. All three bedrooms are conveniently located on the main level, including a spacious primary suite complete with its own private ensuite bathroom. Downstairs, the finished basement adds valuable flexibility, whether you need a second living space, rec room, or even a non-conforming fourth bedroom.
Located in the established Birchwood Hills neighborhood with quick highway access, this home offers both comfort and convenience for your daily commute and lifestyle.
Listing Provided by: Kyle Talbot with KW KANSAS CITY METRO
At Loans in KC, we understand that every financial situation is unique. Thatโs why we offer personalized loan solutions designed to meet your specific needs. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing you with fast and reliable service. โ Mortgage rates change constantly, much like the weather, and they vary depending on your unique circumstances. Just like finding the right tool for a job, getting the right mortgage rate is crucial. Let us help you discover the perfect match with a FREE customized quote today! Youโre not just another number to us; youโre part of the family.
๐ Kansas City Convention Center | โฐ Fri 1โ8 PM ยท Sat 10โ7 PM ยท Sun 10โ5 PM Pop culture convention. Elijah Wood, Kiefer Sutherland, and William Shatner are all in KC this weekend. Biggest con in the Midwest.
๐ Kansas Children's Discovery Center | โฐ Sat 9 AM โ 5 PM Family event. Real construction equipment, real operators, real science โ bring the kids.
๐ American Royal Complex | โฐ March 26โ29, 2026 Historic livestock show. One of the toughest competitions in the country โ expect top breeders, future ag leaders, and thousands of attendees.
Weโre building the ultimate library of local guides to help you experience Kansas City like never before. From art walks to foodie finds, keep an eye outโnew guides are dropping all year long. Download now, save for later, and share with a friend!
Got an idea for a guide you'd love to see? Weโd love to hear it. Reach out anytime at media@thekcscene.com.
Your Guide to Living, Working & Thriving in Kansas City
KC Scene is your go-to, unbiased resource for everything Kansas Cityโwhere to live, what to do, and how to make this city feel like home. Whether you're moving in or moving up, weโve got you covered with real estate, development, lifestyle, and local gems.
Kansas City is having a week full of big moves, new experiences, and cultural highlights that show how the metro keeps evolving. This edition, weโre looking at: โข Justin Fields being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, bringing a new dynamic to the teamโs offense and exciting fans citywide. โข The Big 12 Menโs Basketball Tournaments continuing to fuel downtownโs economy, drawing thousands of visitors and generating millions in local spending. โข Martin City Brewing Company expanding with a new...
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