Events

scavenger hunt
farmers market pic_edited
FEATURED: SUNSHINE SCAVENGER HUNT
Bring on the Just Right sunshine! From May 1 to September 30, Merriam invites you to participate in the Sunshine Scavenger Hunt for summer. Seek and find eight sunshines all across town. To play along, just look for the sunshine icon at locations throughout Merriam, and have fun exploring all that Merriam has to offer!  Click here for more information!

FEATURED: MERRIAM FARMERS' MARKET SEASON
Enjoy the great outdoors, fresh veggies, home-baked goods and much more at Merriam's 2019 Farmers' Market season. Click here for the weekly lineup and to learn more about the farm fresh finds in downtown Merriam.

Art-Gallery
January 3-February 2: "Pencils, Paint & Air" 
Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Enjoy works by artists Gary Cadwallder, Fred Schollmeyer adn Jodie Harsch at the TMAG January exhibit. Opening evening reception is held on the first Thursday of the exhibit, January 3 from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.

Art-Gallery

February 7-23: "Back Roads and Dirt Roads"


Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Enjoy works by artists Nate Evans, Geoffrey Restau and Linda Guenther at the TMAG February exhibit. Opening evening reception is held on the first Thursday of the exhibit, February 7, from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.

Daddy-Daughter-Dance

February 9: Daddy Daughter Dance


Irene B. French Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive
Join us for our 13th Annual Daddy Daughter Dance and don't be late for this very important date! Come for light appetizers and dessert, and dance the night away with DJ Kirby. Each couple receives a limo ride and a keepsake photo. Pre-registered couples will be entered into a drawing to win a limo ride from their home to the party. Click here for more information.
Art-Gallery

March 2-30: 23rd Annual Heartland Artist Exhibition


Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Join us for the 23rd Annual National Heartland Artist Exhibition at the TMAG! Merriam's largest art show of the year, this national juried show draws artists from all corners of the United States--from New York to California! The opening reception and awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 2 from 5:00–7:00pm. Delicious hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served with live music.
Big12

March 13-16: Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship


Sprint Center, 1407 Grand, Kansas City
If you're coming to Kansas City to watch Big 12 Men's Basketball, be sure to stay in Merriam and catch a FREE ride to the games. Guests of any Merriam hotel are welcome to ride the scheduled shuttle provided by the Merriam Visitors Bureau. We'll pick you up from Drury, Quality Inn or Hampton and deliver you back post-game.
Art-Gallery

April 4-27: "Layers of Creativity"


Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Enjoy the mixed media works of Gayle Faulkner, Gloria Gale and Jan Fellers at the April TMAG exhibit. Join the opening reception held on Thursday, April 4 from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Brunch-with-the-Bunny

April 13: Brunch with the Bunny


Irene B. French Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive
Grab your basket and bonnet and hop on over to visit the Easter Bunny as we celebrate Easter and the spring season. Face painting, story time with the Johnson County Library, crafts, games, a Chris Cakes pancake breakfast and a fun Easter egg hunt will be part of the festivities. Learn more and register here.
Sunshine-Scavenger-Hunt
May 1-Sept 30: Sunshine Scavenger Hunt
Eight locations across Merriam!
Bring on the Just Right sunshine! Starting May 1, join the Visitors Bureau for the Sunshine Scavenger Hunt. You can seek and find eight sunshines all across town. Just look for the sunshine icon by following clues to the locations. Learn more here or use the handy sunshine tracker in the 2019 Merriam Visitors Guide. 
Farmers-Market

May 4: Merriam Farmers' Market Opens


Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive
Saturdays, May 4-Sept 28 (7:00am-1:00pm)
Garden staples, home-baked goods and other local finds are all on display at the Merriam Marketplace in downtown Merriam. This favorite regional market is a great place to grab fresh fruits and veggies for your evening dinner or to stock-up for winter preserving. Enjoy weekly entertainment on Saturday mornings and Farmers and Food Trucks on Wednesday evenings.
Turkey-Creek-Festival

May 18: Turkey Creek Festival


Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road
Merriam's Turkey Creek Festival is the place for family fun on the third Saturday each May. From kids activities to plenty of carnival-inspired eats, a wide assortment of vendor booths, live music, paddle boats and much more, Antioch Park will be bustling with tons to see and do from 10:00am-4:00pm. For extra Turkey Creek Fun, join the 5K taking place in downtown Merriam at 8:00am, then head over to the park for the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast.
Art-Gallery

June 6-29: "North American Spirit"


Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Enjoy the works of various artists from Irene Schomacker and Kay Tucker at the monthly TMAG exhibit. Join the opening reception held on Thursday, June 6 from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Party-in-Your-Park

June 21: Party in Your Park


Quail Creek Park, 7025 Grandview Ave.
The first of three Party in Your Park events for summer, 2019 will be held at Merriam's Quail Creek Park. Pack up your lawn chairs or blanket, sunscreen and bug spray and head out for a fun Friday evening meeting new people, listening to a local band and enjoying an outdoor meal with friends! Kids will love the inflatables and playground too.
Art-Gallery

July 11-27: "Art of the Northland"


Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Enjoy the works of various artists from the Northland Art League at the July TMAG exhibit. Join the opening reception held on Thursday, July 11 from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Flags4Freedom

June 29-July 6: Flags 4 Freedom


Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive
Each year, Downtown Merriam transforms into perfect rows of patriotic pride as Flags 4 Freedom organizers place more than 1,500 United States flags at the Merriam Marketplace, Irene B. French Community Center and along Merriam and Johnson Drive. Everyone is invited to stop by during the week of the Fourth of July to view this astonishing and beautiful display that honors our nation. For more information, click here.
Party-in-Your-Park

July 19: Party in Your Park


Campbell Park, 9674 W. 61st Street
Party in Your Park #2 will take place at Campbell Park, known for our town's founder, David Gee Campbell. Take a break and come out for this fun evening outing with friends, neighbors and guests while you enjoy food, music and activities for the kids from 6:30-8:30pm.
Party-in-Your-Park

August 6: Party in Your Park + National Night Out


Waterfall Park, 5191 Merriam Drive
Party in Your Park #3 will take place at Waterfall Park, known for the its prominent water feature and home to the third public art installation, "Hmmm..." coming in 2019. Take a break and come out for this fun evening outing with friends, neighbors and guests while you enjoy food, music and activities for the kids from 6:30-8:30pm.
Art-Gallery

August 1-31: "Three Artists -- A Journey of Discovery"


Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Enjoy the works of Matt Krawcheck, Jhulan Mukarji and Wendy Taylor at the monthly TMAG exhibit. Join the opening reception held on Thursday, August 1 from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Cruise-Night

August 10: Cruise Night


Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive
Shine up that snazzy car or truck and head to downtown Merriam for the 2019 Cruise Night. Just a few weeks shy of the annual Turkey Creek Car & Motorcycle show, this evening is set aside for cruisin' Merriam and showing off your wheels. Enjoy meeting other car enthusiasts, live music and plenty of miles up and down Merriam Drive from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Art-Gallery

September 5-28: "To See...Photographic Perspective"


Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Enjoy the works of artists Roger Cissner, Steve Hauck and Sharon Rodriguez at the monthly TMAG exhibit. Join the opening reception held on Thursday, September 5 from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Car-Show

September 14: Turkey Creek Car & Motocycle Show


Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive
Held rain or shine on the second Saturday each September, the Turkey Creek show is one of the most popular in the region featuring all classes of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Join the fun at this free spectator event from 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. featuring area food trucks, music, entrant awards and plenty of beautiful, shiny vehicles lining Merriam Drive and the Merriam Marketplace. Click here for more information.
Art-Gallery

October 3-November 2: "Aldridge Studio Painters"


Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
This art show features works by the Aldridge Studio Painters. Join the opening reception held on Thursday, October 3 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
MDL2

October 5: Merriam Drive Live


Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive
Live local musicians, a beer garden, kids activities, vendors and more take over Merriam Drive for this day-long music festival in downtown Merriam. Click here to learn more!
Halloween

October 26: Halloween Happening


Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive
Gather your ghosts and witches in costume and bring them over to the Merriam Marketplace for an afternoon Halloween event in downtown Merriam. Your trick-or-treaters will enjoy Halloween games, crafts, story time and a photo booth, in addition to the annual parade and costume contest. Event runs from 2:00-3:30pm--be there or be scared!
Art-Gallery

November 7-30: "A Neutral World"


Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Enjoy the works of Ted Denton, William Eickhorst and Crystal Nederman at the monthly TMAG exhibit. Join the opening reception held on Thursday, November 7 from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Art-Gallery

December 5-28: High School Visual Arts Competition


Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
This juried art show features works by high school students across the Kansas City region.  Join the opening reception and awards ceremony held on Thursday, December 5 from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Breakfast-with-Santa

December 6: Mayor's Tree Lighting


Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive
Get your holiday jingle on with Santa Claus and the Mayor. Join in this annual tradition of lighting the tree and spending time with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Sundown-with-Santa

December 7: Breakfast with Santa


Irene B. French Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive
No long lines or crowds at the mall--join us for breakfast with Santa, a favorite Merriam tradition. The morning is full of holiday fun, story time with the Johnson County Library, face-painting, elf crafts and a visit with Ho-Ho himself! Learn more here!
STILL LOOKING FOR MORE TO DO? Check out the regional and state-wide events at the links below!