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18th & Vine Arts Festival 2026

Friday, September 25, 2026 5:00 PM
Sunday, September 27, 2026 5:00 PM

18th and Vine Arts Festival Foundation 1512 East 18th Street Kansas City, MO, 64108 United States (map)

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18th & Vine Arts Festival 2026

September 25–27, 2026

Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District • Kansas City, Missouri

Where Music Meets Art. Where Culture Meets Community.

The 18th & Vine Arts Festival returns September 25–27, 2026, for three unforgettable days celebrating art, music, fashion, film, food, entrepreneurship, and culture in one of America's most historic cultural districts.

Hosted in the legendary 18th & Vine Jazz District, the festival brings together artists, performers, designers, food vendors, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, families, and community leaders from across the region and beyond.

With more than 10,000 attendees expected, 150+ artists and vendors, live entertainment, youth programming, fashion competitions, visual arts, culinary experiences, and cultural showcases, the 18th & Vine Arts Festival continues its mission of creating opportunities for artists while preserving and celebrating the legacy of the historic district.

2026 THEME

NEO SOUL FUSION

The 2026 festival theme, Neo Soul Fusion, celebrates the intersection of classic soul, jazz, blues, hip-hop, visual arts, fashion, and contemporary Black creativity.

Neo Soul Fusion honors tradition while embracing innovation, creating a space where artists can explore identity, culture, history, and the future through their work.

Throughout the weekend, attendees will experience immersive artistic expressions inspired by this year's theme.

FESTIVAL HOURS

Friday, September 25, 2026

5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Saturday, September 26, 2026

10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday, September 27, 2026

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

FRIDAY FEATURE

ROCK THE RUNWAY

Fashion Meets Rhythm

Friday night opens the festival with a celebration of fashion, identity, and creative style through Rock the Runway, the festival's signature fashion competition.

Designers from across the region compete live on stage, presenting collections inspired by the Neo Soul Fusion theme while showcasing creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence.

Featured Experiences

• Rock the Runway Designer Competition

• Emerging & Established Fashion Designers

• Natural Hair Artistry Showcase

• Fashion, Beauty & Cultural Expression

• Live DJ Entertainment

• Interactive Fashion Experiences

• Runway Presentations

2026 Rock the Runway Judges

• Pinklipps

• Toni Talley

• Lawrence Crawford

• Ms. Champu

• Vanne McMillan

Hosts & Entertainment

• Skittles

• Ayron Gucci

• DJ Gregg CYNsere

Grand Prize

🏆 $1,000 Cash Prize

🏆 Official Rock the Runway Championship Trophy

SATURDAY FEATURE

LIVE ON THE VINE

Kansas City's Premier Artist Showcase Competition

Live on the Vine is one of the festival's most anticipated events, featuring vocalists, musicians, poets, rappers, spoken-word artists, and performers competing live on the festival stage.

Artists from across the region compete for prizes, exposure, mentorship, and recognition while performing before thousands of festival attendees.

Performance Categories

• R&B

• Soul

• Hip-Hop

• Gospel

• Jazz

• Alternative

• Acoustic

• Spoken Word

• Poetry

2026 Judges

• Tobbi & Tommi

• Jo Blaq

• Rob Trib

• Sean Tyler

Each judge will mentor and advance three artists into the final showcase competition.

Grand Prize Package

🏆 $1,000 Cash Prize

🎙 Professional Studio Time

📸 Professional Photo Shoot

🎤 Featured Main Stage Performance

📣 Festival-Wide Marketing Exposure

VISUAL ARTS EXPERIENCE

The 18th & Vine Arts Festival showcases emerging and established artists working across multiple disciplines.

Festival Art Experiences

• Fine Art

• Contemporary Art

• Live Painting

• Sculpture

• Mixed Media

• Photography

• Illustration

• Digital Art

• Public Art

• Interactive Art Installations

• Artist Demonstrations

• Art Marketplace

Attendees can meet artists, purchase original artwork, commission custom pieces, and support creative entrepreneurs.

BRUSH WARS LIVE ART COMPETITION

Throughout the season, artists compete during First Saturdays for a chance to advance to the Brush Wars Championship at the festival.

Artists battle live through timed painting competitions before a live audience.

The Brush Wars Finale will bring together the season's top artists to compete for the championship title and cash prize.

YOUTH ARTISTS INITIATIVE (YAI)

The Youth Artists Initiative provides opportunities for young creatives to learn, create, showcase, and sell their artwork while developing entrepreneurship and leadership skills.

Youth Programming Includes

• Youth Art Exhibitions

• Creative Workshops

• Entrepreneurship Education

• Mentorship Opportunities

• Artist Development

• Community Art Projects

• Youth Vendor Experiences

• Creative Career Exploration

KIDS CREATIVE ZONE

Families can enjoy a dedicated area designed specifically for youth engagement and creativity.

Activities Include

• Painting Stations

• Arts & Crafts

• Community Murals

• Interactive Art Activities

• Family-Friendly Experiences

• Creative Play Areas

• Educational Arts Programming

FOOD TRUCKS & CULINARY EXPERIENCES

Enjoy some of Kansas City's favorite food trucks and culinary businesses throughout the weekend.

Festival Culinary Experiences

• Local Food Trucks

• Soul Food

• BBQ

• International Cuisine

• Desserts

• Specialty Beverages

• Family-Friendly Dining

Sunday Feature

SOULFUL SUNDAY

Sunday concludes the festival with a celebration of food, culture, family, and community.

Enjoy culinary experiences, live performances, local vendors, and community engagement activities throughout the district.

FILM, CULTURE & COMMUNITY

The festival celebrates Black storytelling and cultural expression through:

• Independent Film Experiences

• Cultural Programming

• Community Conversations

• Heritage Celebrations

• Educational Experiences

• Entrepreneurship Resources

• Artist Networking

• Creative Industry Connections

SHOP THE FESTIVAL

Explore a vibrant marketplace featuring:

• Visual Artists

• Fashion Designers

• Authors

• Handmade Goods

• Creative Entrepreneurs

• Cultural Products

• Collectibles

• Festival Merchandise

WHY ATTEND?

The 18th & Vine Arts Festival is more than a festival.

It is a year-round investment in artists, youth, entrepreneurship, culture, and community.

Every ticket purchased, every piece of artwork sold, every vendor supported, and every sponsorship invested helps create opportunities for artists while preserving and celebrating the cultural legacy of the historic 18th & Vine District.

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY

🎟 Weekend Passes Available

🎨 Support Artists

🎤 Experience Live Entertainment

👗 Enjoy Rock the Runway

🎶 Watch Live on the Vine

🍴 Explore Food Trucks

🖼 Shop Original Artwork

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring The Entire Family