Heart of America Shakespeare Festival free play

The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival runs June 16 through July 5 in Southmoreland Park. This year’s production is Macbeth.

Admission to the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival is FREE.

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. You can bring along your own blanket or lawn chair to use in designated spaces. Plastic chairs can be rented for $10 per chair.

Reserved seats and blanket spaces are available for a fee. The cost is:

• $25 for Sunday –  Thursday shows
• $35 for Friday and Saturday shows

Heart of America Shakespeare Festival 2026 Schedule

Performances are nightly Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. June 16 through July 5. There are no shows on Mondays or on July 4.

Signed performances by American Sign Language interpreters are June 18 and June 23.

The nightly schedule for each show is:

6 p.m. Gates open. Food and drinks available from vendors.

6:30 p.m.: Pre-show parody by Team Shakespeare, written by teens.

7 p.m.  Show Talk: Local Shakespeare enthusiasts will give you an entertaining and educational preview of the play. The speakers are Dr. Felicia Londré, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Theatre at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Honorary Co-Founder of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival; and Phillip blue owl Hooser, an arts educator and playwright.

7:15 p.m.: Pre-show parody by Team Shakespeare.

8 p.m.: Macbeth performance

Festival Tips & Bits

Here are some things to know that will help you have a great experience at the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, one of Kansas City’s long-running performances.

Attendees: All ages are welcome at the festival. No pets, though. Only service animals are allowed.

Food and Drink: A variety of concessions, including alcohol are available for purchase at the festival. You can also bring along their own food and beverages (including alcohol).

Weather: Dress for warm weather because everything takes place outside. The show must go on unless conditions are unsafe for the cast, crew and audience. The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Facebook page and website are the best resources for updates.

Festival Location & Parking

Southmoreland Park is located two blocks east of the Country Club Plaza and across the street (to the west) from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri.

Due to the popularity of the festival and other cool things happening in the neighborhood, parking is pretty limited so carpool or rideshare if you can. Bike racks are available near the front gate. Here are some places where parking may be available:

• The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art for $20 per car, credit/debit cards only.
• 44th Street and Warwick Boulevard (FREE)
• 45th Street and Oak Street (FREE)
• 48th Street and Rockhill Road (FREE)
• UMKC Oak Street Parking Garage (FREE)