Kansas City Christmas Events for Families: Top Holiday Activities

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With Advent well under way and Christmas quickly approaching, now is the time to market the calendar for holiday fun. VisitKC shared a number of local events for families to enjoy this season.

Kansas City’s most iconic holiday display makes its return for the 96th year as the Country Club Plaza is adorned in thousands of twinkling lights. Through January 11.

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-thru village returns to offer a mesmerizing stroll through one of Kansas City’s most historic spaces. Through January 4.
Make your way through Winter Magic at Platte Purchase Park, a mesmerizing drive-through display featuring a mile of lights. Proceeds benefit KC Parks improvement projects. Through January 4.
This 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 benefit concert at the Gem Theater. December 5-7.
Independence‘s Vaile Mansion offers tours of the stately Victorian property dressed in its finest holiday decor during A Victorian Fashionable Christmas. Through December 28.
Stroll the glowing paths of Powell Gardens during the Festival of Lights, returning this season with new sparkling sights and installations to explore. Through January 3.
Explore the holiday hub on the grounds of the KC Renaissance Festival. Knights of Lights offers thousands of twinkling lights, holiday music and visits with Santa, plus a few special events. Through December 31.

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 for the Performing Arts, the Kansas City Symphony offers a pair of holiday performances in Handel’s “Messiah” and :Christmas Festival:, an energetic presentation of the season’s favorite tunes. December 5-7 and December 18-21.
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 27.
The show (literally) goes on the road with the return of the KC Streetcar’s Holiday Jam, bringing a series of spirited live music performances to Kansas City’s popular mode of public transportation. Through December 21.
The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra presents “A Charlie Brown Christmas,: featuring classic tunes from the beloved TV special with the whole Peanuts gang at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. December 9.
Embrace the holiday spirit with “Milking Christmas” from Music Theater Heritage at Crown Center. This musical comedy tells the story of Macey Maid-a-Milking, who seems to be the only person in all of Christmastown to sense that something strange is going on. Through December 28.
See classic holiday movies such as “Elf” and “Polar Express” at Union Station’s Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre, the biggest screen in Kansas City.
The Trans Siberian Orchestra returns to Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center with its high-energy holiday show, packed with pyrotechnics, lasers and the incredible storytelling. December 6.
Celebrate the holidays with a musical revue spanning multiple genres and decades. “Christmas in Song” at Quality Hill Playhouse has everything from traditional to contemporary, gospel to today’s hits. Through Deember21.

Always a favorite destination for the holidays, Crown Center shines brighter than ever with the Hallmark Christmas Experience. Visit the Crown Center Square to shop Hallmark gifts, cards and other exclusive merchandise, or browse the Christmas Market to find local vendors offering home goods, clothing and artisan gifts. December 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21.
The City Market‘s Merry Market brings an outdoor shopping extravaganza to the neighborhood in partnership with Art Garden KC, featuring more than 75 retailers throughout the streets of the market. Stroll the area and pick up all of your holiday necessities across four weekends in November and December . December 6-7,13-14 and 20-21.
Join the Strawberry Swing for the 15th Annual Holiday Swing, where local artists and makers are ready to stock your shelves with crafts, handmade artwork and much more. December 20-21
Find everything on your list and step into the holiday spirit at Legends Outlets in KCK. The shopping destination offers more than 75 stores and plenty of seasonal celebrations, including the annual Christmas tree lighting, holiday movies on the lawn and more.
A brand-new holiday celebration arrives in the streets of Kansas City’s oldest district this season. Browse local vendors and embrace the friendly cheer of live music performances, all enveloped in the allure of Westport‘s neighborhood charm, at the Westport Christmas Market. December13.