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Non-stop entertainment options available now through Christmas

powell gardens christmas kansas

The festival of lights covers dozens of acres at Powell Gardens.

As the song says, it’s Christmas in Kansas City. From holiday music to light displays to ice skating, families have plenty of entertainment options between now and December 25. These are a few of the recommendations from TravelinMissouri.com.

Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens through December 30. Kansas City’s botanical garden transforms into a winter wonderland. Bundle up with family and friends while you stroll a lighted outdoor path, pausing for plenty of Instagram and Christmas card-worthy photo moments along the way. You’ll see immersive botanic installations that show off the exceptional architecture and landscape elements of the Powell Gardens’ holiday light experience during the most festive season of the year.

609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville

Crown Center Ice Terrace through March 2023. Kansas City’s original outdoor skating rink is open for its 50th season. This is one of the most popular Crown Center events and one of the best family activities to get into the holiday spirit. Crown Center has a ton of walkable, themed holiday exhibits and activities for anyone looking for a budget-friendly event this Christmas.

2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City

Plaza lights through mid-January. The Country Club Plaza buildings and shops are decorated with more than 200,000 bulbs every December, and this year is no different. Although the lights look best at night, you can go a little earlier in the day and check out popular shopping or restaurants with the whole family. But make sure to stay until 5 p.m., when the lights are turned on. This is a favorite holiday tradition for many families in Kansas City and beyond.

Country Club Plaza

Santa at Crown Center through December 24. Santa will greet visitors at the Gingerbread Station through Christmas Eve.

2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City

A Charlie Brown Christmas through December 31. The animated Charlie Brown Christmas classic will come to life on the Coterie stage, and a live jazz trio will play the original Vince Guaraldi arrangements. Join Charlie Brown on a memorable journey as he tries to direct the school Christmas pageant. In their letters to Santa, everyone seems to be acting materialistic, so Charlie Brown tries to restore the holiday spirit with a ragged little fir tree.

2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 144, Kansas City

A Christmas Carol through December 24. The live production of A Christmas Carol by The Rep provides an opportunity to watch the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge on stage in Kansas City. With a run time of 1 hour and 15 minutes, plus an intermission, this metro tradition of A Christmas Carol is a great way for audiences of all ages to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

4949 Cherry St., Kansas City

The Nutcracker through December 24. For fans of Kansas City Ballet, their performance of The Nutcracker offers a beautiful set, magical costume, and top-notch choreography for audiences this December. This Victorian-era classic is brought to life in KC every year and is one of metro area’s holiday classics.

1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City

KC Symphony Christmas Festival, December 18. The KC Symphony will play Christmas carols and other classic songs during their Christmas Festival performance. Touted as a “‘musical sleigh ride,” this performance will feature a visit from Santa, a family sing-along and special guests.

1601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City

Elf Film + Live Orchestra, December 21-24. For Christmas movie buffs, the KC Symphony will be perform live to the movie ELF. This is a family friendly performance featuring a PG rating, Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf and plenty of Christmas spirit.

1601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City

The Bird Comedy Theater Holiday Spectacular, December 23

The Bird is an 18+ comedy club venue that is hosting a variety show Holiday Spectacular for its first Christmas in Kansas City. This show should bring plenty of Christmas spirit, merriment and laughs.

103 W. 19th St Kansas City

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, December 26. The T-Mobile Center will host the Trans-Siberian Orchestra again this Christmas season for The Ghosts of Eve tour. Kansas City is one of a mere 60 cities in North America that the band will be touring, you will not want to miss seeing this multi-platinum group.

1407 Grand Blvd., Kansas City

GloWild at the Zoo through December 30. GloWild is a lantern festival and light show like no other, featuring massive handmade steel and silk works of art depicting animals, local landmarks, botanicals and Asian cultural creations.

6800 Zoo Drive Kansas City

Winter Magic Drive-Through Light Show through January 1. The 2022 Kansas City Winter Magic has moved to Cliff Drive in the Historic Northeast to accommodate more cars each night. Book your ticket, gather some fun snacks, put a holiday playlist together and take a ride into a winter wonderland. Once you enter the first tunnel of light displays, you’ll be transported to a winter wonderland of one mile of twinkly lights and life-sized decorations that celebrate Kansas City and the holidays.

1800 Cliff Drive in Kessler Park, Kansas City

Holiday Reflections at Union Station through January 1. Holiday Reflections captures the holiday spirit with enchanting lights and floating ornaments, dozens of trees and a mini Holiday Express train that’s a favorite for kids. Filling the Grand Plaza at Union Station, this is truly a beautiful Christmas experience that you won’t want to miss.

30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City

Polar Express Movie at Union Station through December 20. This is the story of a young hero boy on Christmas Eve who boards a powerful magical train that’s headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’s home. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City

Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express, December 17. Union Station will be visited once again by Kansas City Southern’s holiday train. Onboard the train will be Santa and his elves, and upon arrival Santa will mingle with the crowd. KC Southern’s Holiday Express features free admission to three of the six themed cars, which feature festive themed displays. If you make reservations in advance you can also tour the inside of the final three cars, which feature festive holiday displays.

Haverty Family Yards, 30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City

Hearthside Christmas Storytime at the John Wornall House Museum, December 18. Visit the John Wornall House Museum for a classic Christmas story time in the historic home. Stories will be read in the Wornall House parlor followed by holiday craft time. Some of the stories will include 1987 Little Golden Book version of The Night Before Christmas, which was illustrated using the Wornall House as inspiration.

6115 Wornall Road, Kansas City

Santa Delivers at the Zoo, December 17-18. Free with admission to the KC Zoo, guests to Santa Delivers will love getting to see Santa delivering gifts personally to animals at the Zoo that made their way to the nice list. This event also coincides with one of four penguin march events, where the KC zoo penguins are let out to walk about the zoo during the cold weather.

6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City

Hanukkah Glow Party, December 18. The Hanukkah Glow Party 2022 is an annual event with crafts, games, food, a DJ, dance party and more.

5801 W 115 St., Overland Park

Fort Osage Christmas Tree Farm Fun. What is the holiday season without planning to pick out a Christmas tree? Fort Osage Farm is the closest Missouri Christmas tree farm to Kansas City

3022 N. Twyman Road, Independence

-Anita Widaman | MV

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