Witchy Experiences
Markets, pop-ups & seasonal happenings
Vampire Nights
Vampire balls to gothic nights
Themed Experiences
Pop-up bars, screenings & seasonal events
I chase vampire stories around the world, so you can find a little magic at home.
I’ve chased vampire lore across three continents….from themed restaurants in Tokyo and New Orleans to eating at Dracula in Transylvania itself.
And while I’ll always happily get on a plane for a good vampire story, I also love finding the strange, spooky, and magical things happening close to home.
This guide is a collection of the Kansas City experiences that let you get a little taste of that world without needing a passport.
What’s Happening Right Now
Practical Magic 2
Sept. 11 – In theaters
The long-awaited sequel brings Sally and Gillian back to the screen for another dose of Practical Magic.
Boos, Books, and Brews
Oct 23 – 6-9PM – Read & Rooted
A spooky season gathering combining books, drinks, and a little Halloween atmosphere.
Harvest Moon Botanica
Year-round – KCMO
A botanica filled with herbs, teas, and natural goods for anyone curious to explore the plant based side of KC.
Pop-Up Bars
Experience it all with seasonal drinks.
Ghouls Halloween Pop-Up Bar
Sept 4-Oct 31 – KC Wine Co
A Halloween themed pop-up with spooky drinks, seasonal atmosphere, and plenty of reasons to linger.
Addams After Dark Pop-Up
Oct 17-The Elms Hotel & Spa
An Addams Family-inspired evening with dark glamour, themed drinks, and a little macabre fun.
🌙 Historic & folklore
Historic buildings, haunted stories, and local legends come together in some of Kansas City’s most atmospheric corners.
West Bottoms
Explore the historic district and its vintage shops, seasonal attractions, and unusual corners.
Union Cemetery
A historic cemetery with ghost stories and local legends.
Vaile Mansion
An ornate Victorian home with a long history, and plenty of stories attached to it.
Sauer Castle
A Gothic landmark known for its unusual history and reputation for unexplained activity.
More ghoulish finds
These are easy to miss places and events that are worth your attention now, or all year long.
Sept 22 + Additional d
Best Laid Plans – An Old Hollywood Whodunnit
Oct 1-31 – Frost Frozen Bar
An interactive murder mystery inspired by Old Hollywood, perfect for a night of sleuthing and seasonal fun.
Lizzie Borden Ghost Tours
All season long – Kansas City & Riverside
The Lizzie Borden story has followed me well beyond Kansas City. I’ve visited the actual Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast in Fall River, Massachusetts, so when I found a local ghost-tour experience connected to the story, it felt like exactly the kind of strange little connection I love finding close to home.
If you can’t make it to Massachusetts, you can still spend an evening with one of America’s most infamous murder stories right here in the Kansas City area.
Editors Note: The photo shown is my old coworker having fun during our tour in 2023!
Glore Psychiatric Museum
All year long – St Joe, MO
A museum exploring the history of mental health care inside a former state psychiatric hospital.
Terror on the Plains Horror Film Festival
Sept 25-26 – Boulevard Drive-In Theatre
Two nights of independent horror, cult classics, and live entertainment celebrating emerging filmmakers. Experience horror outside, in the dark, and surrounded by fellow fans.
Curious places. Real stories.
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