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 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - There are few places where the sights and sounds of the holiday season are more alluring than in Kansas City. From 79 years of dazzling light displays to the city's celebrated entertainment, Kansas City's holiday appeal comes from its traditions that create a Season of Magic throughout the city. Following are eight activities you'll find only in KC to help you plan a visit to this holiday metropolis. Who knows, perhaps you'll start your own Kansas City tradition.
Country Club Plaza's Season of Lights
www.countryclubplaza.com
Nov. 27-Jan. 11
The crown jewel of Kansas City's holiday celebration for the past 79 years is the Country Club Plaza's Season of Lights. The Plaza spends seven weeks dressed up in more than 80 miles of colored lights that outline every shop, dome and tower of the Spanish-inspired shopping and entertainment district. Thousands gather to watch the Plaza lighting ceremony on Thanksgiving night. This year, "American Idol" champ David Cook will flip the switch.
Visitor tip: Charter a horse-drawn carriage ride for a unique way to experience the beauty of the Plaza lights.
Mayor's Christmas Tree
www.crowncenter.com
Nov. 28-Jan. 1
A century old tradition, the Mayor's Christmas Tree at Hallmark Cards' Crown Center is strung with more than 7,200 white lights and stands 100 feet tall-taller than the famous trees at the White House and Rockefeller Center. After the holidays, the tree is cut into commemorative ornaments and sold to benefit the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund, which assists the city's less fortunate. Turning on the lights this year is hometown celebrity and "Daily Show" star Rob Riggle.
Visitor tip: Take in the sights and sounds of the holidays at Crown Center with a spin around the city's only public outdoor ice skating rink, which offers a great view of the tree.
Kansas City Repertory Theater's "A Christmas Carol"
www.kcrep.com
Nov. 17-Dec. 27
Recognized as one of the Midwest's premier professional theatres, the KC Rep is presenting their 28th annual production of this seasonal favorite. Ghostly apparitions, festive dancing and traditional carol-singing will make you feel the warmth and spirit as you follow Ebenezer Scrooge on his ageless journey from miser to munificent, kind citizen.
Visitor tip: Join the families that gather to hear carolers before and after the show in the lobby. And don't leave with out taking a photo of the kids by their giant Christmas Tree-it's tradition.
Fairy Princess
www.zonarosa.com, www.unionstation.com
Nov. 22-Dec. 4 & Dec 6, 13 & 20
Started more than 70 years ago, the Fairy Princess has become a KC holiday icon. Parents bring their kids to tell the beautiful Fairy Princess their holiday wishes before receiving a free photo of them together. The Fairy Princess will be at two KC locations, Nov. 22-Dec. 4 at Zona Rosa, and Dec 6, 13 and 20 at the Kansas City Museum.
Visitor tip: If you go to Zona Rosa, enjoy their Holiday Crowns, which were a longtime tradition in downtown Kansas City during the mid-1900s. If you go to the Kansas City Museum, take a drive through beautiful Cliff Drive, the first urban Scenic Byway in Missouri.
Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake
www.jacksongov.org
Nov. 26-Dec. 31
This 21-year-old display transforms Longview Lake Park into a delightful winter wonderland of 300,000 lights and almost 200 animated figures. Load up the kids and turn up the carols for a holiday drive through this free event. Donations are accepted to benefit local charities.
Visitor tip: Christmas in the Park kicks off with KUDL's Christmas in the Sky on Nov. 26 with a night filled with local celebrities, holiday performances and a colorful fireworks display.
Kansas City Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
www.kcballet.org
Dec. 6-28
The Kansas City Ballet's million-dollar production of this timeless classic has been a family favorite for 36 years. This is the largest production of "The Nutcracker" in an eight state region, involving more than 200 area children who are students in the Kansas City Ballet School that perform alongside 25 Kansas City Ballet company dancers.
Visitor tip: Bring the family an hour early to have their photograph taken with one of the characters from "The Nutcracker."
Kansas City Symphony's "The Magic of Christmas"
www.kcsymphony.org
Dec. 12-14
Set against a backdrop of warm childhood memories and holiday traditions, "The Magic of Christmas" includes beloved Christmas carols, popular songs of the season and jazzy yuletide tunes. This 13th annual event includes an appearance by Santa Claus himself.
Visitor tip: Enjoy dinner at your choice of more than 30 restaurants at the new eight-block Kansas City Power & Light District before walking to the Lyric Theatre for the show.
Holiday Village Model Train Display
www.unionstation.org
Through Jan. 4
Visitors can find Disneyland, the North Pole and Downtown Kansas City at Union Station this holiday season in their elaborate Holiday Village Model Train Display, now in its fifth year. Several train enthusiasts work for months to build this display of garden-scale trains that has grown so big, it takes over a wing of Union Station's Grand Hall.
Visitor tip: While you're there, walk through the 100 holiday-themed trees and wreaths in Marillac's Enchanted Forest-part of Union Station's holiday celebration.
Learn more about Kansas City's holiday traditions and plan your trip at VisitKC.com.
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Photo Credit: Photos Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention
& Visitors Association
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