KC holiday event guide: The lights, the music, the celebrations and Jack Sock
This has been an eventful year for Jack Sock.
The former Blue Valley North High School tennis star rose to a career-high No. 22 in the ATP World Tour rankings in January, and he later became the top-ranked U.S. player. He won a gold medal in mixed doubles at the Summer Olympics, as well as a bronze in men’s doubles, despite battling walking pneumonia while in Rio. And just this past Saturday in St. Louis, he accepted a Musial Award for being one of the class acts in sports.
Oh, he also ran for president (check out jacksockforpresident.com).
Now for the capper: He will be the ceremonial switch-flipper for the KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony, whichannually attracts up to 100,000 folks to the Country Club Plaza on Thanksgiving night.
The event is the biggest of a series of lighting ceremonies around the area in the coming days, from Parkville to Kansas City, Kan., to Lee’s Summit.
Sock, who won the Wimbledon doubles title in 2014, told Tennis World magazine that he has been watching the Plaza ceremony since he was a youngster. “When I was asked to flip the switch, I was not just honored but incredibly excited,” he said.
The 24-year-old will be one of the youngest celebrities to turn on the thousands of Plaza lights and will continue a tradition of sports heroes to do so, including Tom Watson, Derrick Thomas, George Brett, Buck O’Neil and Jamal Charles.
Last year’s switch-flipper was Gillian Flynn, best-selling author of “Gone Girl” and a Bishop Miege High School graduate.
Here are some other historical tidbits about the Plaza lights:
▪ This is billed as the 87th lighting ceremony; the first official ceremony occurred in 1930. But the initial lights display was in 1925, when Charles “Pete” Pitrat, maintenance supervisor for the Nichols Co., hung bulbs on the Plaza’s first building.
▪ The Plaza lights have shined every year since except 1973, when President Richard Nixon asked Americans not to use Christmas lights in an effort to reduce dependence on oil imports.
▪ The display now encompasses 15 blocks and has become one of the most popular Christmas spectacles in the nation.
▪ The lights are taken down by March each year and are tested, cataloged and stored before being put up again after Labor Day.
▪ Each building tower is always one solid color.
▪ Retired Plaza lights are available for $10 at plazachristmaslights.com.
▪ Tours by airplane and helicopter are available at countryclubplazaflights.com, riversedgekc.com and kcplazaflights.com.
Here’s a calendar of holiday events through the end of the year:
Classical and traditional music and dance
Holiday choirs
Nov. 27-Dec. 20, Crown Center Shops. crowncenter.com
Kansas City Chorale
“Wintersong,” Dec. 1, Rozzelle Court. kcchorale.org
Kansas City Symphony
“Handel’s Messiah,” Dec. 1-4, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org
North Star Community Band Concert
Holiday Concert, Dec. 2, Oak Park High School Auditorium. nstarband.org
Stile Antico
“A Wonderous Mystery: Flemish and German Music,” Dec. 2, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. chambermusic.org
TubaChristmas
Dec. 2 and 12, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org
Heartland Men’s Chorus
“Kansas City Christmas,” Dec. 3-4, Folly, and Dec. 10, Yardley Hall. hmckc.org
Kansas City Ballet
“The Nutcracker,” Dec. 3-24, Kauffman Center. kcballet.org
Lee’s Summit Symphony
“Holiday Magic,” Dec. 3, Lee’s Summit High School Performing Arts Center. lssymphony.org
Spire Chamber Ensemble
“Christmas With Spire,” Dec. 3, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and Dec. 4, Village Presbyterian Church. spirechamberensemble.org
The Ten Tenors
“Home for the Holidays,” Dec. 3, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/theseries
Holiday Dance Showcase
Dec. 4, Sprint Festival Plaza, Union Station. unionstation.org
Johnson County Chorus and Choraliers
“Songs of Peace,” Dec. 4, Yardley Hall. facebook.com/johnsoncountychorus
Liberty Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Concert featuring “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 4, Liberty Performing Arts Theatre. libertysymphony.org
Midwest Chamber Ensemble
“Holiday Brass,” Dec. 4, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. midwestchamberensemble.org
Musica Sacra
Christmas Concert, Dec. 4, Arrupe Hall Auditorium. rockhurst.edu/center-arts-letters/musica-sacra-kansas-city/concerts
Northland Community Choir
Winter Concert: “Rutter Carols by Candlelight,” Dec. 4, Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel. northlandcommunitychoir.org
Kansas City Chamber Orchestra
“Baroque and Classical for the Holidays,” Dec. 6, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. kcchamberorchestra.org
Joyce DiDonato and Il Pomo d’Oro
Dec. 7, Folly. hjseries.org
Kansas City Symphony
Classics Uncorked: “Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’ and ‘Greensleeves,’ ” Dec. 7, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org
Jim Brickman with Kansas City Symphony
Dec. 9, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org
Owen/Cox Dance Group
“The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” Dec. 10-11, Polsky Theatre. owencoxdance.org
Kansas City Chorale
“Hello, Holidays!” Dec. 9, Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church; Dec. 11, Karbank 1900 Building; and Dec. 13, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. kcchorale.org
Kansas City Civic Orchestra
“Sounds of the Season,” Dec. 9-10, Atonement Lutheran Church. kccivic.org
Central Standard Men’s A Cappella Ensemble
Dec. 10, Powell Gardens. powellgardens.org/holidayconcerts
Ensemble Iberica
“Kilmore Carols,” Dec. 10, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. ensembleiberica.org
Kansas City Chorale
“A Chorale Family Christmas,” Dec. 10, St. Michael the Archangel Church. kcchorale.org
Chamber Ensemble of Heartland Men’s Chorus
Dec. 11, Powell Gardens. powellgardens.org/holidayconcerts
Kansas City Symphony
Christmas Festival, Dec. 15-18 and 20, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org
Overland Park Civic Band
Christmas Concert, Dec. 15, Bell Cultural Events Center. opcivicband.com
WindSync
Dec. 15, Folly. hjseries.org
Jacomo Chorale
Christmas Concert. Dec. 16, Mission Woods Community of Christ Church. jacomochorale.org
William Baker Festival Singers
Dec. 16, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and Dec. 18, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. festivalsingers.org
Central Standard Men’s A Cappella Ensemble
Holiday Concert, Dec. 17, Folly. centralstandard.net
Kansas City Women’s Chorus
“We, Angels and Mortals … Seeking Peace.” Dec. 17-18, Rose Theater, Rockhurst High School. kcwomenschorus.org
Kantorei Christmas
“Heaven’s Gate,” Dec. 17, Westport Presbyterian, and Dec. 18, Visitation. kantoreikc.org
Liberty Youth Ballet Company
“The Nutcracker,” Dec. 17-18, Liberty Performing Arts Theatre. eventbrite.com
St. Joseph Symphony
“Holiday at the Ballet,” Dec. 17, Missouri Theater. saintjosephsymphony.org
Mid America Freedom Band
Holiday 2016 Concert: “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” Dec. 17-18, National WWI Museum. freedomband.com
Northland Symphony
“Celebrating the Holidays in the Northland,” Dec. 18, Staley High School. northlandsymphony.org
Dickens Carolers in Concert
Dec. 21-22, Chestnut Fine Arts Center. chestnutfinearts.com
Kansas City Symphony
Screenland at the Symphony, “Home Alone,” Dec. 21-22, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org
Spire Chamber Ensemble
“Handel’s Messiah,” Dec. 21, Redemptorist Church, and Dec. 23, Kauffman Center. spirechamberensemble.org
Contemporary music
Kenny Rogers
“Christmas & Hits” tour. Nov. 25, Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. silversteineyecentersarena.com
Wynton Marsalis: Big Band Holidays
Dec. 1, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. hjseries.org
Rock the Red Kettle
The Fray and David Cook, Dec. 2, KC Live! rockredkettlekc.com
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dec. 3, Sprint Center. sprintcenter.com
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra
“The KCJO Swings The Nutcracker,” Dec. 6, Kauffman Center. kcjazzorchestra.net
Big Band Christmas
Dec. 10, Liberty Hall. libertyhall.net
K-LOVE Christmas
Dec. 10, Sheffield Family Life Center. klove.com/events/christmastour
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Dec. 10, Midland. midlandkc.com
“Jazz! A KC Holiday Tradition”
Dec. 11, H&R Block City Stage. jazzakcholidaytradition.com
“Nutcracker”: All Jazz’d Up
Dec. 17, Union Station. unionstation.org
Theater
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical”
Through Dec. 31, Coterie. thecoterie.org
“A Christmas Stalking”
Mystery Train Theatre. Through Dec. 31, Crown Plaza Hotel. kcmysterytrain.com
“A Christmas Carol”
Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Nov. 18-Dec. 24, Spencer Theatre. kcrep.org
Right Between the Ears Holiday Show
Nov. 19, Liberty Hall, Lawrence. libertyhall.net
“Three Wise Cats: A Christmas Musical”
Nov. 22-Dec. 24, H&R Block City Stage. tya.org
“Christmas in Song”
Nov. 25-Dec. 24, Quality Hill Playhouse. qualityhillplayhouse.com
“A Very Bedrock Christmas!”
Late Night Theatre, Nov. 25-Dec. 24, Missie B’s. latenighttheatre.com
“Sister’s Christmas Catechism”
Nov. 26-Dec. 18, Starlight Theatre Cohen Community Stagehouse. kcstarlight.com
“The Happy Elf”
Blue Springs City Theatre, Dec. 1-11, Blue Springs Auditorium. bluespringscitytheatre.com
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”
Dec. 1-11, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre. metkc.org
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
Dec. 2-18, Olathe Civic Theatre Association. olathetheatre.org
“Child of Hope”
Culture House and Storling Dance Theater, Dec. 2-4, Lewis and Shirley White Theatre. culturehouse.com
Heart of America Christmas Pageant
Dec. 2-11, First Baptist of Raytown. firstbaptistraytown.com
“The Nativity”
Paul Mesner Puppets, Dec. 2-4, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. mesnerpuppets.org
Christmas at Resurrection
Dec. 8-11, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood. cor.org
“The Santaland Diaries”
Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Dec. 8-24, Copaken Stage. kcrep.org
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Dec. 9, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
“A Spectacular Christmas Show”
Dec. 9-23, Musical Theater Heritage. mthkc.com
“Rudolph Revue”
Dec. 10 and 17, Puppetry Arts Institute. hazelle.org
“Songs of the Season”
Paul Mesner Puppets, Dec. 12-19, Mesner Studio. mesnerpuppets.org
“Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)”
Summit Theatre Group, Dec. 14-18, Longview Mansion. summittheatre.org
“The Nightcap Holiday Hangover: The Musical”
Dec. 27, Buffalo Room. brownpapertickets.com/event/2712596
Home tours and open houses
Christmas Tours
Nov. 25-Dec. 30, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. bwestate.net
Victorian Crystal Fantasy
Nov. 25-Dec. 30, Vaile Mansion. vailemansion.org
Westport Historical Society Tour
Nov. 25-26, 1855 Harris-Kearney House. westporthistorical.com
Olde World Christmas Nighttime Tour
Nov. 26, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, Strawberry Hill Museum. strawberryhillmuseum.org
Mantels and Martinis
Dec. 1, Longview Mansion and New Longview neighborhood. mantelsandmartinis.com
Independence Young Matrons Holly and Mistletoe Tour
Dec. 1, Independence. independenceyoungmatrons.org
Weston Candlelight Tour
Dec. 2-4, Weston. westonmo.com
Pendleton Heights Holiday Homes Tour & Art Market
Dec. 3, Pendleton Heights Neighborhood. pendletonheights.org
Health Care Access Holiday Home Tour
Dec. 4, Lawrence. healthcareaccess.org
Kappa Kappa Gamma Homes Tour
Also a boutique. Dec. 7-8, Mission Hills and Kansas City. kappahomestour.com
Candlelight Tours
Dec. 9-10, John Wornall House. wornallmajors.org
Candlelight Vintage Homes Tour
Dec. 11, Leavenworth. leavenworthhistory.org
Historic Westheight Manor Tour
Dec. 11, Westheight neighborhood, Kansas City, Kan. historicwestheight.org
Holiday celebrations, displays and lightings
Christmas at the Orchard
Nov. 18-19, Cider Hill Family Orchard, Kansas City, Kan. ciderhillfamilyorchard.com
Christmas on the River
Nov. 18, Parkville. parkvillemo.org
Independence Square Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 18, Historic Truman Courthouse House. jacksongov.org
Mayor’s Downtown Holiday Lighting Festival
Nov. 18, Downtown Kansas City, Kan. downtownkck.org
Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Nov. 18, Downtown Lee’s Summit. downtownls.org
Osawatomie Christmas Festival
Nov. 18-20, Osawatomie City Auditorium. osawatomiechamber.org
Holiday Kickoff & Ceremony
Nov. 19, Union Station. unionstation.org
Legendary Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 19, Legends Outlets. legendsshopping.com
Northern Lights Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 19, Zona Rosa. zonarosa.com
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Nov. 22, Linden Square, Gladstone. gladstone.mo.us
Christmas in the Park
Nov. 23-Dec. 31, Longview Lake Campground, Lee’s Summit. jacksongov.org
Christmas in the Sky
Nov. 23, Longview Lake Beach, Lee’s Summit. jacksongov.org
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
Nov. 24-Jan. 7, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. drfarmstead.org
Plaza Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 24, Country Club Plaza, Nichols Road and Pennsylvania Avenue. countryclubplaza.com/event/plaza-lights
Holiday Luminary Walk
Nov. 25-26, Dec. 2-3 and Dec. 9-10, Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. opabg.org
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 25, Crown Center Square. crowncenter.com/event-list/tree-2016
Santa’s Arrival
Nov. 25, Crown Center Shops. crowncenter.com
Christmas at Lanesfield
Nov. 26-Dec. 31, Lanesfield Historic Site. jocogov.org/dept/museum/home
A Midwestern Family Christmas
Nov. 29, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. mbts.edu/event/christmas-concert
Downtown Dazzle
Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18, Downtown Kansas City. visitkc.com/downtowndazzle
Santa’s Wonderland
Dec. 2, Gillham Park. kcparks.org
Christmas Around Town
Dec. 3, Shawnee Town and Downtown Shawnee. visitshawneeks.com/event/christmas-around-town
Christmas Open House
Dec. 3, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. mahaffie.org
Hogwartz Christmas Party
Dec. 3, Kansas City Scottish Rite Temple. kccevents.yapsody.com
Holiday Wild
Dec. 3-4, Kansas City Zoo. kansascityzoo.org
Santa’s Wonderland
Dec. 3, Penguin Park. kcparks.org
Tree Lighting
Dec. 3, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. nelson-atkins.org
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Event
Dec. 6, Downtown Blue Springs. bluespringsgov.com
Gardens by Candlelight: A Luminary Walk
Dec. 10-11, Powell Gardens. powellgardens.org
Holiday Night
Dec. 10, Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum. atkinsjohnsonfarm.com
Missouri Town Christmas
Dec. 10, Missouri Town 1855. jacksongov.org
Whoville Holidays
Dec. 10-11 and 17-18, City Market. thecitymarket.org
Winter Wonderland
Dec. 10-11, Kansas City Zoo. kansascityzoo.org
Gingerbread House Display
Kansas City Culinary Arts School, Dec. 13-24, Union Station. unionstation.org
Ice rinks
Crown Center Ice Terrace
Through March 12, Crown Center. crowncenter.com/iceterrace
The Ice at Park Place
Nov. 18-Feb. 20, Park Place, Leawood. parkplaceleawood.com/special-offers/ice
Linden Square Skating Rink
Nov. 25-March 5, Linden Square, Gladstone. lindensquare.info
Skate with Santa
Dec. 17, Line Creek Community Center Ice Arena. kcparks.org/facility/line-creek
Other events
Adventure to Santa
Through Dec. 24, Oak Park Mall. thenewoakparkmall.com/holiday
Lake Quivira Holiday Bazaar
Nov. 18-19, Lake Quivira clubhouse. facebook.com/lakequiviraholidaybazaar
Visits with Fairy Princess
Nov. 19-Dec. 1, Zona Rosa. zonarosa.com
Trip the Light Fantastic
Bike ride through Christmas in the Park, Nov. 22, Frank White Jr. Softball Complex. jacksongov.org
Santa Dives
Nov. 25-27, Kansas City Zoo. kansascityzoo.org
Santa’s Gingerbread Station
Nov. 25-Dec. 31, Crown Center Shops. crowncenter.com
Breakfast with Santa
Nov. 26 and Dec. 10, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. mahaffie.org
WWE Live Holiday Tour
Nov. 26, Sprint Center. sprintcenter.com
Holiday Chick Event
Dec. 2-4, Summit Fair Shopping Center. chickevents.com
Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 3, Shoal Creek Golf Course. kcparks.org
Breakfast with St. Nick
Dec. 3, Strawberry Hill Museum. strawberryhillmuseum.org
Champagne & Chandeliers
Victorian Mystery Masquerade. Dec. 3, Vaile Mansion. vailemansion.org
Hot Chocolate Happy Hour
Dec. 3, 10 and 17, Kansas City Live! powerandlightdistrict.com
The Nutcracker Tea Party
Dec. 3-4, Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. opabg.org
Santa Express
Dec. 3-4 and 10-11, National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame. aghalloffame.com
S’mores with Santa
“Polar Express,” Dec. 3, Alamo Drafthouse. drafthouse.com/kansas-city
Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball
Dec. 3, Muehlebach Tower of Downtown Marriott. kcballet.org
Visit from St. Nicholas
Dec. 3, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. shoalcreeklivinghistorymuseum.com
Brunch with Santa
Dec. 4, Gallery Event Space. ticketfly.com
Go Green for the Holidays
StoneLion Puppet Theatre and Kansas City Parks and Recreation. Noon Dec. 4, Westport Roanoke Community Center. stonelionpuppets.org
Fairy Princess
Dec. 10-11 and 17-18, Kansas City Museum. kcmo.gov/kansascitymuseum
Holiday Brick-Tacular
Dec. 10-11 and 17-18, Legoland. legolanddiscoverycenter.com/kansascity
“Merry Science”
Dec. 10, Science City, Union Station. unionstation.org
Celebrate Christmas With Civil War Soldiers
Dec. 11, Lone Jack Civil War Museum. historiclonejack.org
“Holiday Swing” Craft Fair
Dec. 11, Union Station. unionstation.org
Kansas City Southern Holiday Express
Dec. 16-20, Union Station. unionstation.org
Hanukkah Glow Party
Dec. 17, Jewish Community Center Social Hall. thejkc.org
Santacon Pub Crawl
Dec. 17, Kelly’s Westport. brownpapertickets.com/event/2602427
Snow Globe Performance
Dec. 17, Sprint Festival Plaza, Union Station. unionstation.org
Father Christmas Comes to T/M
Dec. 18, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. toyandminiaturemuseum.org
“Ice Age on Ice”
Dec. 20-24, Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. silversteineyecentersarena.com
KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony
Date: Thursday, Nov. 24.
Main Stage: Nichols Road and Pennsylvania.
Schedule: Preshow performances and giveaways, 5-6 p.m.; lighting ceremony begins, 6 p.m.; flip of the switch followed by fireworks, 6:50 p.m.; the Elders concert, 7-8 p.m.
When else to see them: 5 p.m.-3 a.m. through mid-January.
This story was originally published November 16, 2016 at 8:00 AM with the headline "KC holiday event guide: The lights, the music, the celebrations and Jack Sock."