Many events have either canceled or been postponed due to COVID-19. Please visit https://www.merriam.org/944/COVID---19-Updates for all Merriam-wide event and meeting cancellations, updates and news.
FEATURED: LOCAL LOVE CHALLENGE
You can still shelter in place, socially distance and enjoy your local community! We've compiled 12 ways to social distance while strengthening your community. Check out this special feature!
FEATURED: MERRIAM FARMERS' MARKET SEASON Enjoy the great outdoors, fresh veggies, home-baked goods and much more at Merriam's 2020 Farmers' Market season opening on Saturdays, May 23 - September 26.
January 2-February 2: "On the Road" Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Enjoy works by the Northland Artists' Gallery Group at the TMAG January exhibit. Opening evening reception is held on the first Thursday of the exhibit from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
February 6-29: "Here, Where We Live"
Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive Enjoy works by artists Barbara O'Leary & Associates at the TMAG February exhibit. Opening evening reception is held on the first Thursday of the exhibit from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
February 8: Daddy Daughter Dance
Irene B. French Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive Join us for our 14th Annual Daddy Daughter Dance--a night in Arendelle! 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.
March 7-28: 24th Annual Heartland Artist Exhibition
Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Join us for the 24th 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! The opening reception and awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 7 from 5:00–7:00pm. Delicious hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served with live music.
March 11-14: 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 a Merriam hotel 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.
April 2 - May 2: "Senior's Spring Fling"
Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive
Enjoy the works of the Senior Arts Council at the April TMAG exhibit. Join the opening reception held on the first Thursday of the exhibit from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
April 4: Brunch with the Bunny
Irene B. French Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive
Easter eggs, yellow and blue, Easter eggs for me and you. Easter eggs, pretty and funny, but where, oh where, is the Easter Bunny? Well, luckily we've found him here in Merriam! Wear your Easter best, bring your basket, and come visit the Easter Bunny. No crowds, just plenty of pancakes from Chris Cakes. Plus, games, a craft, storytime with the Johnson County Library, and an EGG HUNT! Learn more and register here.
May 1-Sept 30: Sunshine Scavenger Hunt* Various locations across Merriam! Back by popular demand--the Sunshine Scavenger Hunt returns! Starting May 1, you can seek and find 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 2020 Merriam Visitors Guide.
*Due to COVID regulations, some SSH locations may not be accessible on May 1. Please feel free to seek and find the outdoor options, practice social distancing and enjoy the sunshine!
May 23: Merriam Farmers' Market Opens
Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive Saturdays, May 23-Sept 26 (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 or take a quick stroll along the connecting Turkey Creek Streamway Trail. Click here for the market details.
May 16: Turkey Creek Festival
Cancelled // 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 and festival fun.
June - August: "Wall of Fame Exhibit"
NEW LOCATION: Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 6040 Slater Street INSIDE the new Merriam Community Center Enjoy the works of various artists from the past 24 years at the summer TMAG exhibit from the brand new location at the Merriam Community Center!
June 19: Party in Your Park
Quail Creek Park, 7025 Grandview Ave.
The first of three Party in Your Park events for summer, 2020 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.
June 27-July 11: 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, City offices 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.
July 17: 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.
August 4: 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..." 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.
August 8: Cruise Night
Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive Shine up that snazzy car or truck and head to downtown Merriam for the 2020 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.
September 3-26: "Pigments with Imagination"
Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 6040 Slater Street (Merriam Community Center) Enjoy the works of artists Yvonee Caroll, Steven Greenland and Cyncha Jeansonne at the September TMAG exhibit. Join the opening reception held on the opening Thursday of the exhibit from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
September 12: 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.
October 1-31: "Two Men and a Brush"
Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 6040 Slater (Merriam Community Center) This art show features works by Dennis Broockerd and Kermit Dyer. Join the opening reception held on the opening Thursday evening of the exhibit from 7:00-8:30 p.m. featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
October 3: 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!
October 24: 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!
November 5-28: "Sensitivity & Beauty"
Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 6040 Slater (Merriam Community Center) Enjoy the works of Michael Schupp at the November TMAG exhibit. Join the opening reception held on the first Thursday evening from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
December 3 - January 2: High School Visual Arts Competition
Tim Murphy Art Gallery, 6040 Slater (Merriam Community Center) This juried art show features works by high school students across the Kansas City region. Join the opening reception and awards ceremony held on the first Thursday of the exhibit from 7:00-8:30pm featuring hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
December 4: Mayor's Tree Lighting
NEW LOCATION: 6040 Slater (Merriam Community Center) 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. New location at the Merriam Community Center.
December 5: Breakfast with Santa
Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater 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!
