Christmastime in the city: Area events for the family

Several publications have named Kansas City one of the top travel destinations for 2024. Local residents can enjoy the city’s attractions this month during its many Christmas events. Visit KC recommends these sights and show opportunities.

• Kansas City’s most iconic holiday display makes its return for the 93rd year as the Country Club Plaza is adorned in thousands of twinkling lights. Explore the neighborhood and soak in the Evergy Plaza Lights all season.
• Lace up your skates and take in the picturesque sights at the Crown Center Ice Terrace, recognized by “USA Today” as one of America’s top ice skating rinks. Skate rentals, lessons and private parties are available.
• Every moment of the season shines bright at Union Station. In addition to towering trees, festive decorations and classic seasonal films, the Holiday Reflections walk-through village returns to offer a mesmerizing stroll through one of Kansas City’s most historic spaces through January 1.
• Make your way through Winter Magic at Cliff Drive, a mesmerizing drive-through display featuring a mile of lights. Proceeds benefit KC Parks improvement projects and continues through December 31.
• Christmas in the Park is a festive drive-through display in Longview Lake Park with more than 500,000 lights. The event is free, but donations are accepted to benefit local charities through December 31.
• The Soul of Santa brings a full lineup of holiday cheer to 18th & Vine and the Shops on Blue Parkway, including a tree lighting, community breakfast and toy giveaway, plus a concert at the Gem Theater. It will be held on the weekends of December 2-3 and 9-10.
  

  Vaile Mansion in Independence on a snowy day. Courtesy photo.

  Independence‘s Vaile Mansion offers tours of the stately Victorian property dressed in its finest holiday decor during A Victorian Fashionable Christmas through December 30.

• Stroll the glowing paths of Powell Gardens during the Festival of Lights, returning this season with new sparkling sights and installations to explore through December 30.
• A favorite tradition for many years, the Kansas City Ballet performs “The Nutcracker: at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, offering a sparkling start to the holidays through December 24.
• Also at the Kauffman Center, the Kansas City Symphony offers a pair of holiday performances in Handel’s “Messiah” on December 1-3 and “Christmas Festival,” an energetic presentation of the season’s favorite tunes, on December 14-17.
• The Kansas City Repertory Theatre returns to the stage at Spencer Theatre for a favorite holiday tradition. Join Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and a cast of irresistible characters for performances of “A Christmas Carol,” select nights each week through December 24.
• The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra presents “Hallelujah Holidays,” a concert celebrating the sounds and influence of soul jazz at the Kauffman Center on December 7.
• Embrace the holiday spirit with “A Spectacular Christmas Show” from MTH Theater at Crown Center. Featuring inventive arrangements of holiday favorites, the song and dance extravaganza guarantees you’ll be feeling the season’s spirit through December 23.

–Anita Widaman | MV