Dazzling Lights and Stunning Sights

• 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. Beginning Nov. 23
• 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. Beginning Nov. 3
• 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. Nov. 20-Jan. 1, 2024
• 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. Nov. 2-Dec. 31
• Thanksgiving week marks the return of Christmas in the Park, 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. Nov. 22-Dec. 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. Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10
• Independence's Vaile Mansion offers tours of the stately Victorian property dressed in its finest holiday decor during A Victorian Fashionable Christmas. Nov. 25-Dec. 30
• Stroll the glowing paths of Powell Gardens during the Festival of Lights, returning this season with new sparkling sights and installations to explore. Nov. 16-Dec. 30

Stellar Shows

• 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. Dec. 1-24
• 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. Dec. 1-3, Dec. 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. Nov. 21-Dec. 24
• The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra presents Hallelujah Holidays, a concert celebrating the sounds and influence of soul jazz, with renowned KC artist Eboni Fondren at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dec. 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. Dec. 8-23

Local Shopping

• Always a favorite destination for the holidays, Crown Center shines brighter than ever with Holiday Swing by the Strawberry Swing. Featuring dozens of local artists and makers in a European-inspired, open-air market, stop by to explore all kinds of shopping options along with local food, warm drinks and more, every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Nov. 25-26, Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10, Dec. 15-17
• 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. Nov. 24-26, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, Dec. 16-17
• 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 a nightly Christmas tree light show, holiday movies on the lawn and more. Beginning Nov. 11
• 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. Dec. 9

Access more holiday resources to find all the ways you can celebrate the season in Kansas City, from stunning displays to shopping hotspots.

Holidays in KC