Neo-Soul Fusion — Where Music Meets Art
18th & Vine Arts Festival 2026
September 25–27, 2026
Historic 18th & Vine District • Kansas City, Missouri
Three days of music, visual art, fashion, culture, food, creativity, and community in one of Kansas City's most historic cultural districts.
Experience local and national artists, live performances, fashion experiences, food trucks, cultural storytelling, youth creativity, immersive art, and community connections—all in the heart of the Historic 18th & Vine District.
18th & Vine Arts Festival Impact
Growing Art. Culture. Community.
Total Festival Attendees
Artists & Vendors Supported
Website Visits
2026 Attendance Goal
WHAT IS THE 18TH & VINE ARTS FESTIVAL?
More Than A Festival
The 18th & Vine Arts Festival is a community-centered celebration of creativity, culture, and opportunity.
Hosted by the 18th & Vine Arts Festival Foundation, our mission is to create meaningful opportunities for artists while celebrating the rich cultural history of Kansas City's Historic 18th & Vine District.
We believe art belongs in the community.
Our work extends beyond one weekend and includes:
• Artist Resource Center (ARC) initiatives
• Youth Arts programming
• Artist education and professional development
• Community partnerships
• Public art opportunities
• Cultural preservation
WHY NEO-SOUL FUSION?2026 Theme
Neo-Soul Fusion — Where Music Meets Art
Neo-Soul Fusion celebrates the intersection of sound, visual storytelling, fashion, movement, and creative expression.
This year's experience blends:
🎵 Music
🎨 Visual Art
👗 Fashion
🎭 Performance
🎬 Film
🍴 Culinary Arts
🖌 Cultural Storytelling
FESTIVAL EXPERIENCES
Friday | Fashion Meets Rhythm
September 25
5 PM–10 PM
Experience:
• Opening Night Celebration
• Film Experiences
• Fashion Activations
• Rock the Runway
• Live performances
• Artist Marketplace
Saturday | Music Meets Identity
September 26
10 AM–10 PM
Experience:
• Live on the Vine Music Competition
• Main Stage Performances
• Interactive Art Installations
• Live Painting
• Youth Experiences
• Artist Marketplace
• DJs and entertainment
Sunday | Food Meets Soul
September 27
10 AM–5 PM
Experience:
• Soulful Sunday Experiences
• Food Trucks
• Culinary Activations
• Community Programming
• Family Experiences
• Artist Marketplace
ARTIST SIGN-UP
Become a Featured Artist at the 18th & Vine Arts Festival 2026
Join more than a festival — become part of a cultural experience rooted in creativity, community, and opportunity.
The 18th & Vine Arts Festival welcomes painters, mixed media artists, photographers, sculptors, makers, illustrators, and creatives of all backgrounds.
As a participating artist, you'll have opportunities to:
• Showcase your work to thousands of attendees
• Sell directly to the public
• Build connections with collectors and community partners
• Increase visibility for your brand
• Join year-round artist initiatives through the Foundation
FOOD TRUCK SIGN-UP
Bring Your Flavor to the Festival
Food is culture, community, and experience.
The 18th & Vine Arts Festival is seeking food trucks, culinary creators, dessert vendors, and local food entrepreneurs ready to serve festival attendees throughout the weekend.
Participating vendors receive:
• Access to thousands of attendees
• Exposure through festival marketing
• Opportunities for repeat community activations
• Placement within a major cultural destination
FASHION DESIGNER SIGN-UP
Rock The Runway — Designer Applications Open
Fashion meets culture during our Rock The Runway experience.
We're inviting designers, stylists, wearable artists, and emerging fashion creators to showcase original collections and creative expression.
Opportunities include:
• Runway presentation opportunities
• Brand visibility and media exposure
• Networking with artists and creatives
• Audience engagement and promotional support
LIVE ON THE VINE COMPETITION SIGN-UP
Live on the Vine 2026
Kansas City's Stage for Emerging Artists
Think you have what it takes to own the stage?
Live on the Vine is the official music competition of the 18th & Vine Arts Festival, giving emerging artists an opportunity to perform live in front of festival audiences, community leaders, industry professionals, and music lovers from across the region.
This isn't just a performance.
It's a chance to showcase your talent, build your audience, and compete for prizes designed to help take your career to the next level.
Artists encouraged to apply:
• Solo Artists
• Vocalists
• Bands
• Hip-Hop Artists
• R&B Artists
• Neo-Soul Artists
• Jazz Artists
• Spoken Word Artists
• Singer-Songwriters
🏆 Competition Winner Receives:
💰 $1,000 Cash Prize
🎙 Professional Studio Recording Time
📸 Professional Artist Photo Shoot
📢 Featured Festival & Digital Promotion
SPONSOR SIGN-UP
Invest In Artists. Invest In Culture.
Support one of Kansas City's growing cultural experiences while connecting your organization with artists, families, and community members.
Sponsors receive opportunities for:
• Brand visibility
• Community engagement
• On-site activations
• Digital promotion
• Year-round partnership opportunities
VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
Join the Team Behind the Experience
Volunteers help create the energy that brings the festival to life.
Volunteer opportunities may include:
• Artist assistance
• Guest services
• Registration and check-in
• Setup and logistics
• Community engagement
• Festival operations
Whether you're looking to give back, gain experience, or connect with the creative community, there's a place for you.
WHY DO WE CHARGE FOR THE FESTIVAL?
Supporting Artists, Opportunity & Sustainability
One of the most common questions we receive is why the festival has an admission fee.
The answer is simple:
We made a decision early on to put artists first.
Many festivals charge artists and vendors $300–$500+ (and sometimes more) for booth space before they even sell a single item. We wanted to create a model that gives artists a better opportunity to succeed.
Instead of large booth fees, the 18th & Vine Arts Festival only charges artists a $50 application fee and does not charge a traditional booth fee.
This approach helps reduce financial barriers and gives artists a stronger chance to actually make money during the festival weekend.
Your ticket purchase helps make that possible.
Festival support helps fund:
• Festival stages, sound, and production
• Safety, operations, and guest experience
• Artist support initiatives
• Youth arts programming
• Live entertainment and cultural experiences
• Community activations and public programming
• Infrastructure that helps artists showcase and sell their work
Our goal is not simply to host an event.
Our goal is to build opportunities.
When you purchase a ticket, you are helping support artists, investing in culture, and helping create a sustainable creative ecosystem right here in Kansas City.
Your ticket is more than admission — it is an investment in artists and community.
Kansas City's Culture Lives Here
Join us September 25–27, 2026
Neo-Soul Fusion — Where Music Meets Art
Experience a full day of art, culture, music, food, fashion, and community at the 18th & Vine Arts Festival 2026.
This $10 Day Pass grants access to one day of festival programming during the festival weekend.
Festival Dates: September 25–27, 2026
Location: Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, Kansas City, Missouri
Your Day Pass includes access to:
🎨 100+ local Black and Brown artisan artists and vendors
🎤 Live music performances and DJ sets
🍽 Food trucks and culinary experiences
🛍 Cultural vendors, fashion, books, handmade goods, and more
🖌 Live art, creative activations, and art installations
👨👩👧 Family-friendly activities and youth programming
Festival Weekend Highlights:
Friday – Rock the Runway
Fashion, music, and art come together for a high-energy runway competition and creative showcase.
Saturday – Live on the Vine
Music takes center stage with live performances, DJs, artist showcases, and the Live on the Vine music competition.
Sunday – Soulful Sunday
A culinary and community-focused celebration featuring food trucks, chef competitions, wellness, and cultural programming.
Ticket Details:
This ticket is valid for one day of your choice: Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Your order number, name, or email confirmation may be used to confirm entry into the festival. Please bring your confirmation email or have your order information available at check-in.
Learn more about the festival, artist opportunities, sponsorship, and vendor participation at:
www.18thandvineartsfestival.com
Experience the full weekend of Kansas City’s celebration of art, culture, music, creativity, and community at the 18th & Vine Arts Festival 2026: Neo-Soul Fusion — Where Music Meets Art.
Your Weekend Pass gives you access to all three days of festival programming in the heart of the Historic 18th & Vine District. From live music and visual art to fashion, food, immersive experiences, and cultural storytelling, this is your all-access pass to one of Kansas City’s most vibrant creative experiences.
🎉 Festival Dates & Hours
Friday, September 25, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Fashion • Film • Opening Night Experiences
Saturday, September 26, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Live Music • Art Experiences • Marketplace • Family Activities
Sunday, September 27, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Food • Culture • Community • Soulful Sunday Experiences
🎟️ Weekend Pass Includes
✔ Entry to all 3 festival days
✔ Access to live performances and entertainment
✔ Explore 100+ artist and vendor experiences
✔ Access to visual art activations and cultural exhibits
✔ Shop local artists, makers, fashion, and creators
✔ Enjoy food trucks and culinary experiences
✔ Eligibility for exclusive festival giveaways and merchandise promotions
✔ Support year-round opportunities for artists through the 18th & Vine Arts Festival Foundation
📍 Location
Historic 18th & Vine District
Kansas City, Missouri
🎫 Festival Entry Information
Your order confirmation email, order number, or the name used during purchase will be accepted for festival check-in and entry.
Please have one of the following ready at arrival:
• Order confirmation email
• Order number
• Photo ID matching purchase name (if requested)
✨ Purchase early and save. Pre-sale pricing is limited and may increase as the festival approaches.
🌐 Learn more:
18th & Vine Arts Festival
Celebrate the rhythm, creativity, and culture of Kansas City's Historic 18th & Vine District with the official 2026 18th & Vine Arts Festival T-Shirt.
Created as part of this year’s Neo-Soul Fusion — Where Music Meets Art theme, this limited festival release blends art, music, and community into one wearable piece of culture. Featuring original artwork by Patricia Hart, this design captures the energy and spirit of the festival while paying homage to the artistic legacy that continues to shape Kansas City.
This is more than a t-shirt — it's a way to represent the movement and support opportunities for artists and youth in our community.
Features
• Official 2026 Festival Merchandise
• Original Artwork by Patricia Hart
• Inspired by Neo-Soul, Art, Music & Culture
• Soft Premium Feel
• Unisex Fit
• Designed for Everyday Wear
• Supports Artist & Community Initiatives
Every purchase helps support the ongoing work of the 18th & Vine Arts Festival Foundation and our mission to create more opportunities for artists, youth, and cultural programming throughout Kansas City.
Theme:
Neo-Soul Fusion — Where Music Meets Art
Website:
www.18thandvineartsfestival.com