Santa Cali Gon Days Festival

Santa Cali Gon Days Festival A second celebration was held after World War II in 1947. The event would not be held again until 1973.

SANTACALIGON DAYS FESTIVAL 2025
Labor Day Weekend
Aug. 29th-Sept. 1st, 2025
Historic Independence Square
Commemorating the origin of the Santa Fe, California, & Oregon Trails during the country’s great westward expansion by early pioneers. FESTIVAL HOURS:
Friday, Sept. 1st | Noon-10pm
Saturday, Sept. 2nd | 10am-10pm
Sunday, Sept. 3rd | 10am-10pm
Monday, Sept. 4th | 10am-5pm

CARNIVAL HOURS:
Thurs

day, August 31st | 5pm-11pm
Friday, Sept. 1st | 12pm-11pm
Saturday, Sept. 2nd | 10am-11pm
Sunday, Sept. 3rd | 10am-11 pm
Monday, Sept. 4th | 10am-5pm

The first Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival was held in 1940 to celebrate the unique heritage of the City of Independence as the starting point of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails. The festival, then called Three Trails Days, featured a beard and mustache contest, the Miss Independence pageant and a pioneer costume contest. In 1974 the festival was renamed Santa-Cali-Gon Days, a name originally penned by Velma Katschkowsky in a 1940 contest to name the festival. In 38 years the Festival has evolved into one of the nations premier festivals, drawing more than 300,000 people. https://twitter.com/santacaligon
http://instagram.com/santacaligon

🤠Monday / Festival Wrap-Up Post 🤠That’s a Wrap on SantaCaliGon #53!Labor Day Monday brought the perfect finale to an un...
09/05/2025

🤠Monday / Festival Wrap-Up Post 🤠

That’s a Wrap on SantaCaliGon #53!

Labor Day Monday brought the perfect finale to an unforgettable weekend. The Whataburger Community Stage lit up the day with amazing performances from the KC Heart of America Chorus, School of Rock, and Time Bandits KC.

We officially closed out Labor Day Weekend with the best of what makes this tradition so special...music, food, rides, shopping, and community spirit on the Historic Independence Square

A huge THANK YOU to our sponsors, vendors, performers, volunteers, and thousands of festival-goers who made this year’s event such a success.

Want to relive even more of the weekend? Visit our Flickr page for the full gallery👇
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCsZSC

A standing ovation (from the porta-potties, no less) to Riley’s Complete Lawn Professionals for being our festival Potty...
09/05/2025

A standing ovation (from the porta-potties, no less) to Riley’s Complete Lawn Professionals for being our festival Potty Sponsor!

Their motto? “Does your lawn look like poo? Give us a call, we can help you!” 💩➡️🌱

Thanks to them, you can take care of your business in style while they take care of your lawn.

🤠Sunday Recap Post🤠 Sunday was full of fun and friendly competition!The Whataburger Community Stage hosted crowd favorit...
09/05/2025

🤠Sunday Recap Post🤠

Sunday was full of fun and friendly competition!
The Whataburger Community Stage hosted crowd favorites with an Ice Cream Eating Contest (thanks to Clinton's Soda Fountain) and a Root Beer Chugging Contest (sponsored by Polly's Pop) and fabulous performances from three fantastic bands: Critical Rock Theory, Miragekc, and Bound & Determined. Festivalgoers cheered, laughed, battled brain freeze, and maybe even caught a sugar rush!

We also took a special moment to honor and pin our veterans, a tradition that makes this festival about more than just fun, it’s about community and gratitude.

As the sun went down, the carnival lights lit up the Square, and the Main Stage closed the weekend concerts with Sebastian James and The Rock Gods — loud, legendary, and absolutely epic.

Explore more Sunday memories on our Flickr gallery here 👇
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCt863

Talk about a win-win!Congratulations to Julie Brodersen with Cedarthorn Candle Collections — the winner of our $500 boot...
09/04/2025

Talk about a win-win!

Congratulations to Julie Brodersen with Cedarthorn Candle Collections — the winner of our $500 booth credit drawing for the 2026 festival!

Julie registered early during this year’s event and scored big...talk about a bright idea! If you visited her booth this year, you already know why festival-goers couldn’t resist her handcrafted candles are a must-have for cozy vibes.

Thank you to all our amazing vendors who help make SantaCaliGon the incredible tradition it is. We can’t wait to see you back in Independence next year!

🤠 Saturday Festival Recap🤠Saturday at SantaCaliGon #53 was unforgettable!Families explored Main Street 1849 (sponsored ...
09/04/2025

🤠 Saturday Festival Recap🤠

Saturday at SantaCaliGon #53 was unforgettable!

Families explored Main Street 1849 (sponsored by State Farm and hosted by The Independence Square), shopped the Square, and filled up on festival favorites before the music lit up the night. Things were hoppin’ at the Whataburger Community Stage with dancing, singing, and bands keeping the energy high all day long.

Then the Main Stage (sponsored by Visit Missouri) capped off the evening...
Jason Craig and the Wingmen brought the country twang, and Phil Vassar had the crowd singing along to every hit.

📸 Relive Saturday festival fun with more photos on our Flickr page 👇
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCt7bJ

🤠Friday Festival Recap Post🤠 - Friday Highlights from #53!Opening night was pure magic! Fast Times took us back to t...
09/03/2025

🤠Friday Festival Recap Post🤠

- Friday Highlights from #53!
Opening night was pure magic! Fast Times took us back to the ’80s, and the Women of Rock Tribute kept the crowd rocking into the evening. Add in food, vendors, carnival fun, and local talent shining on the Whataburger Community Stage, and the festival was off to an incredible start!

A special shout-out to our Medallion Hunt winner, Grace Burns! Thank you to The Examiner for sponsoring this much-loved SantaCaliGon tradition.

Want more Friday highlights? Check out our full photo gallery on
Flickr here 👉 https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCsWzc

🚨LAST CALL for SantaCaliGon swag!🚨If you’ve been eyeing those fresh #53 SCG t-shirts, the classic throwback tees, or ou...
09/01/2025

🚨LAST CALL for SantaCaliGon swag!🚨

If you’ve been eyeing those fresh #53 SCG t-shirts, the classic throwback tees, or our brand-new collectible magnets & stickers, hats, koozies and more. TODAY is your final shot to snag ‘em!

👉 Shop at the Info Booth (corner of Maple & Main) while you’re here on the Square
👉 Or order online at https://santacaligon.square.site/s/shop before they’re gone!

Once the festival ends, these goodies disappear faster than a funnel cake at midnight. 😉 Don’t miss out on your piece of SantaCaliGon history!

It’s the FINAL DAY of the SantaCaliGon Days Festival presented by Xfinity ...let’s go out in style on the Community Stag...
09/01/2025

It’s the FINAL DAY of the SantaCaliGon Days Festival presented by Xfinity ...let’s go out in style on the Community Stage presented by Whataburger!

Here’s your Monday, Sept. 1 lineup:
🎤 11:00 AM – KC Heart of America Chorus → barbershop harmony at its finest
🎤 12:30 PM – School of Rock → young local musicians ready to rock the stage
🎤 2:00 PM – Time Bandits KC → classic rock & party favorites to close out the festival with high-energy fun

Catch them at the heart of the Square and let’s celebrate one more day of music, food, rides & memories together!

💙 🧡 Thank you, Independence, for another amazing weekend!

HAPPY LABOR DAY, Independence!We hate to say it… but today is your LAST CHANCE to soak up the SantaCaliGon Days Festival...
09/01/2025

HAPPY LABOR DAY, Independence!

We hate to say it… but today is your LAST CHANCE to soak up the SantaCaliGon Days Festival fun!

Gates are open 10 AM – 5 PM so grab that funnel cake, snag those vendor finds, and make one more lap around the square before the festival wraps for 2025.

Don’t miss the entertainment lineup at the Community Stage (under the rest tent—aka shade + snacks = happiness):

⭐ 11:00 AM – KC Heart of America Chorus
⭐ 12:30 PM – School of Rock
⭐ 2:00 PM – Time Bandits KC

👉 It’s the final curtain call, friends. Come out, eat, shop, and sing along before SantaCaliGon officially calls it a wrap!

Headed to the SantaCaliGon Carnival tonight? Here’s what you need to know before you go!🚫 No backpacks or large bags (al...
08/31/2025

Headed to the SantaCaliGon Carnival tonight? Here’s what you need to know before you go!

🚫 No backpacks or large bags (all other bags are subject to search)
🎟️ Wristband or ticket required for entry
👨‍👩‍👧 After 5 PM, minors under 18 must be with a parent or legal guardian (21+) at a 4:1 ratio
🚷 No weapons of any kind allowed
🚪 Carnival fenced area access will be through the corner of Kansas & Liberty at the Wade Shows ticket booth

We want everyone to have a safe and fun experience...so pack light, grab your tickets, and get ready for an amazing night at the carnival!

TONIGHT on the MAIN STAGE presented by Visit Missouri...6:00 PM – Sebastian James Country with a soulful twist. He’ll ha...
08/31/2025

TONIGHT on the MAIN STAGE presented by Visit Missouri...

6:00 PM – Sebastian James
Country with a soulful twist. He’ll have you singing along before the first chorus is done!

8:00 PM – The Rock Gods
Get ready for an arena-style rock show packed with legendary anthems that will light up the Square and close out your weekend with a bang!

👉 Who’s ready to sing, dance, and rock out tonight? Tag your concert crew below!

Address

210 W Truman Road
Independence, MO

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 10pm
Saturday 10am - 10pm
Sunday 10am - 10pm

Telephone

+18162524745

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Santa Cali Gon Days Festival posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Santa Cali Gon Days Festival:

Shortcuts

Share

Category