Updated: Your megaguide to holiday events around Kansas City
THREE BIG EVENTS
Plaza Lighting Ceremony
5 p.m. Nov. 23 at Country Club Plaza
The Chiefs’ Alex Smith and Derrick Johnson will flip the switch for Kansas City’s traditional holiday kickoff, which is scheduled for 6:45 p.m., with fireworks and a concert by the Elders to follow. Lights will shine 5 p.m.-3 a.m. daily through mid-January. countryclubplaza.com/event/plaza-lights.
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
5:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Crown Center Square
Mayor Sly James and a celebrity guest will light the 100-foot tree. Also, Santa’s arrival at Crown Center Shops, 10 a.m. Nov. 24. 816-274-8444. crowncenter.com. Free.
Winterfest
Opens 5 p.m. Nov. 24 at Worlds of Fun
Among the attractions of this first-time event will be a 70-foot tree on the new International Plaza, live holiday music, ice skating, costumed characters and shopping. Open Friday-Sunday through Dec. 17, then daily through Dec. 30 (except Dec. 24-25); 5-10 p.m. all days except 5-11 p.m. Saturday. 816-454-4545. Tickets are $15-$45 through worldsoffun.com.
SIX PLACES TO CHECK OUT
Crown Center Ice Terrace, through March 11
EBT Santa’s Countdown to Christmas, Nov. 24-Dec. 31
Santa’s Gingerbread Station, Nov. 24-Dec. 31
Santa’s Arrival, Nov. 24
Mayor’s Christmas Tree, Nov. 24-Dec. 30
Holiday Music, Sunday-Saturday, Nov. 25-Dec. 23
Holiday Choirs, Nov. 27-Dec. 19
Santa Dives, Nov. 24-26, Dec. 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17
Holiday Wild, Dec. 2-3
Winter Wonderland, Dec. 16-17, Kansas City Zoo
Christmas Stories, Dec. 16 and 23
Father Christmas Comes to T/m, Dec. 17
Festival of Lights, Dec. 1-Jan. 7
Holiday Music with Sinclair Jazz, Dec. 2
Wonderland Workshop, Dec. 2
Chapel Concert Series: Arcana Quartet, Dec. 3
Chapel Concert Series: Christmas Trio, Dec. 10
Making Spirits Bright, Dec. 16
Amoroso, Jan. 7
Rock the Red Kettle, Dec. 1
S’mores with Santa, Dec. 2 and 9
Bubbles off the Block, Dec. 7
12 Bars of Charity, Dec. 15
Brunch with Santa, Dec. 17
Classic Holiday Throwback Movie Series, through Dec. 14
Haverty Family Yards, through Dec. 31
Mini Holiday Express Train, through Jan. 1
Piano Recitals in Grand Hall, Dec. 1-3
Holiday Dance Showcase in Grand Plaza, Dec. 3
“Merry Science Day” in Science City, Dec. 9
Strawberry Swing’s Holiday Swing, Dec. 10
Gingerbread House Display, Dec. 14-Jan. 1
Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express Train, Dec. 15-19
Holiday Magic Laser Show at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, Dec. 16-Jan. 7
Snow Globe Performance in Grand Plaza, Dec. 16
Trombone Christmas in Grand Hall, Dec. 16
CLASSICAL MUSIC AND DANCE
Cantus, “Three Tales of Christmas”
Nov. 29, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
Kansas City Symphony and Canadian Brass: “Christmastime Is Here!”
Dec. 1, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org
North Star Community Band Concert
Holiday Concert, Dec. 1, Oak Park High School Auditorium. nstarband.org
Tallis Scholars
Dec. 1, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. chambermusic.org
Conservatory Choirs, “A Season for Giving”
Dec. 2, Visitation. conservatory.umkc.edu
Heartland Men’s Chorus, “Packages With Beaus”
Dec. 2-3, Folly, and Dec. 10, Yardley Hall. hmckc.org
Kansas City Chorale, “The Holiday Concerts”
Dec. 2, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Dec. 3, 1900 Building; Dec. 8, Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church. kcchorale.org
Liberty Symphony Orchestra, “Ring in the Holidays”
Dec. 2, Liberty Performing Arts Theatre. libertysymphony.org
KU School of Music Holiday Vespers
Dec. 3, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
Midwest Chamber Ensemble, “Holiday Brass”
Dec. 3, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. midwestchamberensemble.org
Musica Sacra Chorus and Orchestra Christmas Concert
Dec. 3, Arrupe Hall. rockhurst.edu
Northland Community Choir, “Rutter Carols by Candlelight”
Dec. 3, Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel. northlandcommunitychoir.org
TubaChristmas
Dec. 4 and 8, Helzberg Hall. kcsymphony.org
Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, “Saint Nicolas!”
Dec. 5, Unity Temple on the Plaza. kcchamberorchestra.org
Kansas City Ballet, “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 7-24, Muriel Kauffman Theatre. kcballet.org
Kansas City Chorale, “Wintersong”
Dec. 7, Rozzelle Court. kcchorale.org
Kansas City Symphony, Handel’s “Messiah”
Dec. 8-10, Helzberg Hall. kcsymphony.org
“The Nutcracker, A Kansas Ballet”
Dec. 8-17, Lawrence Arts Center. lawrenceartscenter.org
Danú and Kansas City Chorale
Dec. 9, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/theseries
Fountain City Brass Band, “’Tis the Season”
Dec. 9, Bell Cultural Events Center. bellcenter.mnu.edu
Kansas City Chorale, “A Family Christmas”
Dec. 9, St. Michael the Archangel. kcchorale.org
Lee’s Summit Symphony, “Reflections Across the Pond: An English Christmas”
Dec. 9, Lee’s Summit High School Performing Arts Center. lssymphony.org
Northland Symphony, Annual Holiday Concert
Dec. 10, Staley High School. northlandsymphony.org
Truth Sent From Above Choir, Christmas Concert
Dec. 10, Bell Cultural Events Center. bellcenter.mnu.edu
William Jewell College choirs, “The City Come Again”
Dec. 11, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. kccathedral.org
Overland Park Civic Band, Christmas Concert
Dec. 14, Bell Cultural Events Center. facebook.com/opcivicband
Dramatic Truth Ballet Theatre, “The Mystery of Christmas”
Dec. 15-17, Goppert Theatre. dramatictruth.org/mystery-of-christmas-2
Jacomo Chorale, Christmas Concert
Dec. 15, Mission Woods Community of Christ Church. jacomochorale.org
Kansas City Symphony, Christmas Festival
Dec. 15-19, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org
William Baker Festival Singers, “Candlelight, Carols & Cathedral”
Dec. 15, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and Dec. 17, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. festivalsingers.org
American Youth Ballet, “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 16-17, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/theseries
Central Standard, “Holiday Harmonies”
Dec. 16, Folly. follytheater.org
Ensemble Iberica, “Cantigas de Santa Maria”
Dec. 16, St. Paul’s Episcopal. ensembleiberica.org
Heritage Philharmonic, “The Spirit of Christmas”
Dec. 16, Blue Springs High School Performing Arts Center. heritagephilharmonic.org
Kantorei KC, “Music for Advent and Christmas”
Dec. 16, Central United Methodist, and Dec. 17, Visitation. kantoreikc.org
“Messiah” Singalong
Dec. 16, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. kccathedral.org
Mid America Freedom Band, “Kringle and Krampus: Holidays on Screen”
Dec. 16-17, National World War I Museum. freedomband.com
Hermon Mehari Quintet, “Winterlude”
Dec. 17, Polsky Theatre. jccc.edu/theseries
Spire Chamber Ensemble, Handel’s “Messiah”
Dec. 20, Kauffman Center. spirechamberensemble.org
Kansas City Symphony, “Disney in Concert: Tim Burton’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ ”
Dec. 22-23, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org
Moscow Ballet, “Great Russian Nutcracker”
Dec. 22, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
THEATER AND COMEDY
“A Christmas Bette!”
Nov. 24-Jan. 1, Martin City Melodrama & Vaudeville Co. martincitymelodrama.org
“Christmas in Song”
Nov. 24-Dec. 24, Quality Hill Playhouse. qualityhillplayhouse.com
“Raggedy Ann & Andy’s Christmas Adventure,” Theatre for Young America
Nov. 28-Dec. 30, H&R Block City Stage. tya.org
“Milking Christmas”
Nov. 29-Dec. 23, Living Room. thelivingroomkc.com
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
Nov. 30-Dec. 2, Lawrence Arts Center. lawrenceartscenter.org
“Child of Hope,” Störling Dance Theater and The Culture House
Nov. 30-Dec. 3, Culture House Stage and Studio. culturehouse.com
“Emmanuel,” Greenleaf Performing Arts Academy
Dec. 1, Bell Cultural Events Center. bellcenter.mnu.edu
“The Judy Garland Pill Popping Christmas,” Late Night Theatre
Dec. 1-23, Missie B’s. latenighttheatre.com
“The Nativity,” Mesner Puppet Theater
Dec. 1-3, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. mesnerpuppets.org
Pretty.Funny. Holiday Spirits
Dec. 1-2, Westport Coffeehouse Theater. eventbrite.com/event/39460961799
“A Spectacular Christmas Show”
Dec. 7-23, MTH Theater at Crown Center. mthkc.com
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”
Dec. 7-17, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre. metkc.org
“A Crooner Christmas, Sinatra Style”
Dec. 14-16, MTH Theater at Crown Center. mthkc.com
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”
Dec. 16, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
Dickens Carolers in Concert
Dec. 20-22, Chestnut Fine Arts Center. chestnutfinearts.com
OTHER MUSIC
Lúnasa with Ashley Davis, “An Irish Christmas”
Dec. 2 and 5, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
Lúnasa with Ashley Davis
Dec. 3, Drexel Hall. irishcenterkc.org
K-LOVE Christmas
Dec. 5, Connection Point Church. klove.com/events/christmas-tour
106.5 The Wolf Acoustic Christmas
Dec. 6, VooDoo. voodookc.com
Home Free, “A Country Christmas”
Dec. 6, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Decades Rewind, “Rockin’ the Holiday Spirit”
Dec. 7, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
Christmas with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith
Dec. 8, Sprint Center. sprintcenter.com
Jewel, Handmade Holiday Tour
Dec. 8, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Lindsey Stirling, Warmer in the Winter Christmas Tour
Dec. 8, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
KPR Big Band Christmas
Dec. 9, Liberty Hall. libertyhall.net
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dec. 9, Sprint Center. sprintcenter.com
Hip Hop Nutcracker with Kurtis Blow
Dec. 10, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, “A Kansas City Christmas”
Dec. 13, Helzberg Hall. kcjazzorchestra.net
HOMES TOURS
Christmas Candlelight Tour
Nov. 24-25, Harris-Kearney House. $7-$10. westporthistorical.com
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
Nov. 24-Dec. 30, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. $3-6. bwestate.org
Victorian Holiday Elegance
Nov. 24-Dec. 30, Vaile Mansion. $3-$6. vailemansion.org
Weston Candlelight Tour
Dec. 1-3, Weston. $15-$20. westonmo.com
Pendleton Heights Home Tour and Artist Market
Dec. 2, Pendleton Heights Neighborhood. $12-$15. pendletonheights.org
Strawberry Hill Holiday Homes Tour
Dec. 2, Kansas City, Kan. $20-$25. eventbrite.com/event/37003397157
Health Care Access Holiday Home Tour
Dec. 3, Lawrence. $20. healthcareaccess.org/holiday-homes-tour
Kappa Kappa Gamma Tour
Dec. 6-7, Mission Hills area. $25-$30. kappahomestour.com
Mantels and Martinis
Dec. 7, Winterset Valley, Lee’s Summit. $45. mantelsandmartinis.com
Young Matrons Holly & Mistletoe Tour
Dec. 7, Independence. $12-$15. independenceyoungmatrons.org
Candlelight Tour
Dec. 8-9, John Wornall House. $15. wornallmajors.org
Downtown Dazzle Urban Homes Tour
Dec. 9, Kansas City. Free. downtowndazzle.com/kansas-city-urban-homes-tour
LET THERE BE LIGHTS
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
Nov. 23-Jan. 7, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. drfarmstead.org
Lee’s Summit Magic Christmas Tree
Nov. 23-Jan. 7, I-470 and View High Drive. lsmagictree.com
Holiday Luminary Walk
Nov. 24-25, Dec. 1-2 and Dec. 8-9, Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. opabg.org
Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 30, Riverside. riversidemo.com
Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 1, Downtown Raytown. raytownmainstreet.org
Sar-Ko Aglow
Dec. 1, Sar-Ko-Par Park, Lenexa. lenexa.com
Soup’s On with Santa and Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Dec. 1, Irene B. French Community Center. exploremerriam.com
Candy Cane Christmas and Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Dec. 2, Centennial Park, Bonner Springs. bonnersprings.org
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 2, Shawnee City Hall. cityofshawnee.org
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 5, Blue Springs City Hall. bluespringschamber.com
Christmas on the Square: Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting, Tree Auction and Chili Dinner
Dec. 9, downtown Harrisonville. harrisonvillechamber.com
OTHER HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
“Norman Rockwell’s Christmas: Original Artwork for Hallmark Cards”
Through Jan. 27, Hallmark Visitors Center. corporate.hallmark.com/about/hallmark-cards-company/hallmark-visitors-center
Downtown Dazzle
Nov. 24-Jan. 1, downtown Kansas City. dazzlekc.com
Christmas in the Park
Nov. 27, Cornerstone Park, Gardner. gardnerkansas.gov
Christmas on the River
Dec. 1, Parkville. parkvillemo.org
Santa’s Wonderland
Dec. 1, Gillham Park. kcparks.org/event/santas-wonderland-gillham-park-2-2
Champagne & Chandeliers
Dec. 2, Vaile Mansion. vailemansion.org
Christkindlmarkt
Dec. 2, Shawnee City Hall. cityofshawnee.org
Nutcracker Tea Party
Dec. 2-3, Ritz Charles. artsandrec-op.org/public-arts/nutcracker-tea-party
Santa Express
Dec. 2-3 and 9-10, National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame. aghalloffame.com
Visit from St. Nicholas
Dec. 2, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. shoalcreeklivinghistorymuseum.com
Celebrate Christmas with Civil War Soldiers
Dec. 3, Lone Jack Civil War Museum. historiclonejack.org
Cirque Musica Holiday
Dec. 5, Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. silversteineyecentersarena.com
Puppets for Paws with Santa Claus
Dec. 8, Summit Fair. kansascity.carpediem.cd/events/5039247
A Christmas Celebration
Dec. 9, Missouri Town 1855. makeyourdayhere.com
Whoville Holidays
Dec. 9-10 and 16-17, City Market. thecitymarket.org
Santa Rampage bike ride and pub crawl
Dec. 9, The Filling Station. facebook.com/santarampagekc
Ruth Fredman Cernea Great Latke Hamantash Debate
Dec. 10, White Theatre, Jewish Community Campus. greatdebatekc.org
Brunch with Santa
Dec. 17, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
ICE RINKS
The Ice at Park Place
Through Feb. 19, Park Place. parkplaceleawood.com/special-offers/ice
Crown Center Ice Terrace
Through March 11, Crown Center. crowncenter.com/iceterrace
Linden Square Skating Rink
Opens Nov. 21, Linden Square, Gladstone. lindensquare.info
Winter Holiday Show
Dec. 10, Line Creek. kcparks.org/facility/line-creek
Skate with Santa
Dec. 15, Line Creek Community Center Ice Arena. kcparks.org/facility/line-creek
RACES
Kansas City Turkey Trot 5K & 8K
Nov. 23, Arrowhead Stadium. missouriruns.com/kansascityturkeytrot
Pilgrim Run 5K Run/Walk
Nov. 23, Pilgrim Chapel. pilgrimrun.org
Thanksgiving Day 5K Run and Family Stroll
Nov. 23, Sprint Campus. sportkc.org/thanksgiving-day-5k
Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Run
Nov. 23, Ward Parkway Center. wardparkwaythanksgivingdayrun.com
Westport Santa Dash 5K
Dec. 2, Westport. santadashrun.com
Santa Express 5K and 1 Mile
Dec. 2, National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame. aghalloffame.com
Great Santa Run 5K
Dec. 3, Johnson County Community College. kcsantarun.com
Candy Cane Course 5K and 10K
Dec. 16, Lee’s Summit. bodiesracecompany.com/kansascity
Dan Kelly, dkelly@kcstar.com
This story was originally published November 22, 2017 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Updated: Your megaguide to holiday events around Kansas City."