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 2026
Labor Day Weekend
Sept. 4-7, 2026
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:
Thursday, Augus

t 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
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The answer to Friday's trivia? About 2,000 miles, and four to six months of walking.That was the road west for the pione...
07/26/2026

The answer to Friday's trivia? About 2,000 miles, and four to six months of walking.

That was the road west for the pioneers who outfitted right here in Independence, our old "Queen City of the Trails." You can still trace that history at the National Frontier Trails Museum just off the Square, the very ground that turns into a citywide celebration every September. From wagon ruts to Ferris wheels, this place has always been about the journey.

Ever visited the museum, or spotted trail history around town? Tell us where.

Ask around here and you'll find SantaCaliGon Days tends to run in the family.Grandparents who came as kids now bring the...
07/26/2026

Ask around here and you'll find SantaCaliGon Days tends to run in the family.

Grandparents who came as kids now bring their grandkids. Neighbors who set up their chairs in the same spot every single year. First dates that turned into anniversaries spent walking the Square. This festival isn't just an event, it's a thread that ties generations of Independence together, every Labor Day weekend.

Who do you come with every year? Tag your SantaCaliGon crew below.

Feel the excitement of the classic midway at Santa Cali Gon Days. Thrilling rides and classic games offer endless amusem...
07/25/2026

Feel the excitement of the classic midway at Santa Cali Gon Days. Thrilling rides and classic games offer endless amusement for everyone. Purchase your wristbands early to enjoy a full weekend of spinning and soaring.

https://www.santacaligon.com/

Prepare your tastebuds for the smoky goodness of tender beef brisket. Expert pitmasters at Santa Cali Gon Days are servi...
07/25/2026

Prepare your tastebuds for the smoky goodness of tender beef brisket. Expert pitmasters at Santa Cali Gon Days are serving up authentic, slow-cooked barbecue all weekend long. Experience the rich flavors that keep everyone coming back.

https://www.santacaligon.com/

Little thrill-seekers, this one's for you.The carnival is where a whole lot of family memories get made at SantaCaliGon ...
07/25/2026

Little thrill-seekers, this one's for you.

The carnival is where a whole lot of family memories get made at SantaCaliGon Days. Spinning rides, midway games, and lights that come alive as the sun goes down over the Square. There's a gentler lineup for the littlest riders and bigger thrills for the brave ones, so every kid finds their speed. It all rolls onto Historic Independence Square, September 4 through 7.

Which one is your family's must-ride every year? Tell us below.

There's a magic hour before SantaCaliGon Days that most folks never get to see.Early in the morning, before the crowds r...
07/25/2026

There's a magic hour before SantaCaliGon Days that most folks never get to see.

Early in the morning, before the crowds roll in, the Square hums with a quieter kind of energy. Vendors rolling up their canopy walls, the first fryers clicking on, the smell of coffee and kettle corn drifting between the booths. It's the calm before four days of happy chaos, and honestly, it's one of our favorite parts of the whole weekend.

We'll keep sharing these peeks as we count down to September 4 through 7. What goes on behind the scenes are you most curious about?

https://www.santacaligon.com/

Trivia time, put those guesses in the comments. 🐂Pioneers who set out from Independence faced a journey of roughly how m...
07/24/2026

Trivia time, put those guesses in the comments. 🐂

Pioneers who set out from Independence faced a journey of roughly how many miles to reach Oregon or California? Take your best shot below, and we'll reveal the answer (and just how long it took) this weekend.

No sneaking off to a search engine. See you on the Square September 4 through 7.

https://www.santacaligon.com/history

Nothing compares to the delicious aroma of roasted sweet corn roasting over an open fire. Grab a hot, buttered cob at Sa...
07/24/2026

Nothing compares to the delicious aroma of roasted sweet corn roasting over an open fire. Grab a hot, buttered cob at Santa Cali Gon Days for a perfect snack while you stroll through the historic square.

https://www.santacaligon.com/

Meet the creative minds showcasing brilliant jewelry collections at Santa Cali Gon Days. Every piece is designed with me...
07/23/2026

Meet the creative minds showcasing brilliant jewelry collections at Santa Cali Gon Days. Every piece is designed with meticulous care, offering beautiful styles you cannot find anywhere else. Support these talented creators during your visit.

https://www.santacaligon.com/

We want to know your thoughts. When visiting Santa Cali Gon Days, do you head straight for the savory turkey legs or the...
07/23/2026

We want to know your thoughts. When visiting Santa Cali Gon Days, do you head straight for the savory turkey legs or the sweet kettle corn first? Cast your vote below and share your favorite choice.

https://www.santacaligon.com/

Address

210 W Truman Road
Independence, MO

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+18162524745

Website

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