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
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
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
$10 for one festival day of your choice. All shows that day are included.
Make a day of art, music, fashion, food and community in Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine District. Choose Friday, September 25; Saturday, September 26; or Sunday, September 27, 2026. Children 13 and under are free.
Choose your festival day
Friday: Community Awards, Rock the Runway and Film on the Vine trailers.
Saturday: Live on the Vine semifinals and evening finals.
Sunday: Soulful Sunday and Brush Wars.
All listed artists participate all three days. Food, drinks, artwork and merchandise are purchased separately.
Festival hours
Friday, September 25: 5–10 p.m.
Saturday, September 26: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Sunday, September 27: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday entertainment begins at 11 a.m. All times are Central.
Arriving and enjoying the festival
Have your order confirmation, order number or purchase name ready for check-in. Same-day re-entry is available with your wristband. The festival takes place rain or snow.
Want the whole weekend? The $20 weekend pass covers all three days—$10 less than three separate day passes.
Explore the complete schedule, artist directory, festival map, food vendors and visitor guide.
$20. All three days. All festival shows included.
Make room for the whole weekend on the Vine—September 25–27, 2026, in Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine District. A weekend pass costs $10 less than three separate $10 day passes. Children 13 and under are free.
Your weekend includes
Friday: Community Awards, Rock the Runway and Film on the Vine trailers.
Saturday: Live on the Vine semifinals and evening finals.
Sunday: Soulful Sunday and Brush Wars.
Meet the artists all weekend—all listed artists participate all three days.
Food, drinks, artwork and merchandise are purchased separately.
Festival hours
Friday, September 25: 5–10 p.m.
Saturday, September 26: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Sunday, September 27: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday entertainment begins at 11 a.m. All times are Central.
Arriving and enjoying the festival
Have your order confirmation, order number or purchase name ready for check-in. Same-day re-entry is available with your wristband. The festival takes place rain or snow.
Explore the complete schedule, artist directory, festival map, food vendors and visitor guide.
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
