Updated for Nov. 20: Your mega guide to holiday events, from tree lightings to shows
Here’s an updated list of holiday happenings in the Kansas City area!
Sensory Friendly Concert: “In The Holiday Spirit,” Nov. 27, Kauffman Center
The Texas Tenors: “Deep in the Heart of Christmas,” Nov. 30, Kauffman Center
“Handel’s Messiah,” Dec. 7-9, Kauffman Center
TubaChristmas, Dec. 7, Municipal Auditorium
Christmas Festival, Dec. 14-18, Kauffman Center
“It’s a Wonderful Life” in concert, Dec. 21-22, Kauffman Center
Crown Center Ice Terrace, through March 10
EBT Santa’s Countdown to Christmas, Nov. 23-Dec. 31
Santa’s Gingerbread Station, Nov. 23-Dec. 31
Santa’s Arrival, Nov. 23
Mayor’s Christmas Tree lighting, Nov. 23
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament Signing, Nov. 28
Holiday Choirs, Nov. 26-Dec. 21
“The Nativity,” Mesner Puppet Theater, Nov. 30-Dec. 2. mesnerpuppets.org
“Advent Lessons and Carols,” Dec. 2
Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, “Bach Home for the Holidays!” Dec. 4. kcchamberorchestra.org
William Jewell College choirs, “The City Come Again,” Dec. 10
“Messiah” Singalong, Dec. 15
William Baker Festival Singers, “Candlelight, Carols & Cathedral,” Dec. 16. festivalsingers.org
Santa Dives, Nov. 23-25, Dec. 1-2, 8-9 and 15-16
Holiday Wild, Dec. 1-2
Winter Wonderland, Dec. 15-16
Holiday Magic Laser Show at Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, through Jan. 6
“Laser Nutcracker” at Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, through Jan. 6
Strawberry Swing’s Holiday Swing, Dec. 1-2
“The Little Prince,” Mesner Puppet Theater, Dec. 4-29
Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express Train, Dec. 14-18
Visits with Santa Claus, Nov. 23-Dec. 24
PJ Party with St. Nick, Nov. 30
CLASSICAL MUSIC AND DANCE
Kansas City Ballet, “The Nutcracker”
Nov. 30-Dec. 23, Muriel Kauffman Theatre. kcballet.org
KU Vespers
Nov. 30, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/theseries
North Star Community Band, “Santa Stops Here!”
Nov. 30, Oak Park High School Auditorium. nstarband.org
Rezound! Handbell Ensemble, Christmas Concert
Nov. 30, Village Presbyterian; Dec. 1, St. Gabriel Catholic; Dec. 2, Rainbow Mennonite. rezound.org
Conservatory Choirs: A Season for Giving
Dec. 1, Visitation Church. conservatory.umkc.edu
Heartland Men’s Chorus, “Sleigh!”
Dec. 1-2, Folly, and Dec. 9, Yardley Hall. hmckc.org
Holiday Harmony Spectacular
Dec. 1, Unity Chapel, Unity Village. hoachorus.com
Ibsen Ballet Theatre Youth Company, “The Nutcracker Ballet”
Dec. 1-2, Staley High School Performing Arts Theatre. ibsendance.net
Redemptorist Christmas Concert
Dec. 1, Redemptorist Church. redemptoristkc.org
“Handel’s Messiah”
Dec. 2, Bell Cultural Events Center. bellcenter.mnu.edu
“Messiah” SingAlong
Dec. 3, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Lee’s Summit. festivalsingers.org
Kansas City Chorale, “Wintersong”
Dec. 6, Rozzelle Court. kcchorale.org
“The Nutcracker, A Kansas Ballet”
Dec. 7-16, Lawrence Arts Center. lawrenceartscenter.org
“A Winter’s Tale in Words and Song”
Dec. 7, Polsky Theatre. jccc.edu/theseries
Heritage Philharmonic, “A Holiday Journey”
Dec. 8, Blue Springs High School Performing Arts Center. heritagephilharmonic.org
Kansas City Chorale, “Family Christmas”
Dec. 8, St. Michael the Archangel. kcchorale.org
Liberty Symphony Orchestra, Holiday Concert
Dec. 8, Liberty Performing Arts Theatre. libertysymphony.org
Miller Marley Youth Ballet, “Clara’s Dream”
Dec. 8-9, Olathe South High School Performing Arts Center. millermarley.com
Northland Community Choir, “Rutter Carols by Candlelight”
Dec. 8, Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel. northlandcommunitychoir.org
Canadian Brass Christmas
Dec. 9, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
Lee’s Summit Symphony, “Christmas in the Village”
Dec. 9, Pavilion at John Knox Village. lssymphony.org
Kansas City BrassWorks, “Holiday in Brass”
Dec. 10, Atonement Lutheran Church. kcbrassworks.com or atoneluth.org
Joyce DiDonato and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Schubert’s “Winterreise”
Dec. 13, Folly. hjseries.org
Overland Park Civic Band, Holiday Concert
Dec. 13, Bell Cultural Events Center. facebook.com/opcivicband
Dramatic Truth Ballet Theatre, “The Mystery of Christmas”
Dec. 14-16, Goppert Theatre. dramatictruth.org/mystery-of-christmas-2
Kansas City Chorale, “Remembering Christmas 1968”
Dec. 14, Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church; Dec. 16, Unity Temple on the Plaza; Dec. 18, 1900 Building. kcchorale.org
American Youth Ballet, “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 15-16, Yardley Hall. americanyouthballet.org
Fountain City Brass Band, “Home for the Holidays”
Dec. 15, Bell Cultural Events Center. mnu.edu/bell-center
Kansas City Women’s Chorus, “Secret Santas”
Dec. 15, Central Presbyterian Church. kcwomenschorus.org
Liberty Youth Ballet Company, “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 15-16, Liberty Community Center. lybc.live
Mid America Freedom Band, “Silver and Gold”
Dec. 15, Medallion Theater, Plexpod Westport Commons. freedomband.com
“Lessons and Carols,” an Event of Music on Troost
Dec. 16, St. Mark Hope and Peace Lutheran Church. kcwomenschorus.org
Northland Symphony, Annual Holiday Concert
Dec. 16, Staley High School. northlandsymphony.org
Olathe Civic Band Holiday Concert
Dec. 18, Olathe Northwest High School. olathecivicband.org
Stile Antico, “A Spanish Nativity”
Dec. 18, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. chambermusic.org
Spire Chamber Ensemble, “Handel’s Messiah”
Dec. 19, Kauffman Center. spirechamberensemble.org
William Baker Festival Singers, “Candlelight, Carols & Cathedral”
Dec. 21, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. festivalsingers.org
Kantorei KC, “The Mystery of Christmas”
Dec. 21, Our Lady of Sorrows, and Dec. 22, St. Peter’s. kantoreikc.org
Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker”
Dec. 28, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
THEATER AND COMEDY
“A Christmas Carol” with Gerald Dickens
Through Nov. 27, Mid-Continent Public Library locations. mymcpl.org
“Journey to Judea”
Through Dec. 2, Countryside Baptist Church. journeytojudea.com
“A Christmas Carol,” Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Through Dec. 30, Spencer Theatre. kcrep.org
“Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical”
Through Dec. 30, Coterie Theatre. thecoterie.org
“Fred The Flake, Or There’s No Business Like Snow Business!”
Through Jan. 1, Martin City Melodrama. martincitymelodrama.org
“Christmas in Song”
Nov. 23-Dec. 23 Quality Hill Playhouse. qualityhillplayhouse.com
Jane Lynch, “A Swingin’ Little Christmas!”
Nov. 27, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
“Junie B. Jones, Jingle Bells, Batman Smells”
Nov. 27-Dec. 22, City Stage Theater. unionstation.org or tya.org
“Deck the Stage”
Nov. 29-Dec. 9, Blue Springs City Theatre. bluespringscitytheatre.com
“Child of Hope,” Storling Dance Theater and Culture House
Nov. 30-Dec. 2, Oak Park Mall. culturehouse.com
“A Neighborhood Noel”
Nov. 30-Dec. 16, Main Street Theater. mainstreettheaterbelton.com
“On Shoulders Now,” KC MeltingPot Theatre
Nov. 30-Dec. 15, Just Off Broadway Theatre. kcmeltingpot.com
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
Dec. 1-2, Goppert Theatre. eventbrite.com/event/50232301165
“A Drag Queen Christmas”
Dec. 5, Folly. follytheater.org
“Milking Christmas”
Dec. 5-30, Living Room. thelivingroomkc.com
“Not Another Christmas Letter!” Summit Theatre Group
Dec. 6-9, MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center. summittheatre.org
“A Spectacular Christmas Show”
Dec. 6-23, MTH Theater at Crown Center. mthkc.com
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
Dec. 6-16, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre. metkc.org
“All is Calm — the Christmas Truce of 1914”
Dec. 7-16, B&B Live. mtkc.org
“Emmanuel,” Greenleaf Performing Arts Academy
Dec. 7, Bell Cultural Events Center. greenleafstudio.org
“The Happy Elf,” Theatre in the Park
Dec. 7-23, Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center. theatreinthepark.org
“Home for the Holidays”
Dec. 7-8 and 14-15, Olathe Civic Theatre. olathetheatre.org
“Santa Land Christmas”
Dec. 8 and 15, Puppetry Arts Institute. hazelle.org
“A Child’s Christmas in Wales”
Dec. 9, KC Central Library. kclibrary.org
“An Awkward Christmas”
Dec. 13-16, Bell Road Barn Players. bellroadbarn.org
“The Holly and The Ivy: Celebrating the Season in Song,” Culture House
Dec. 13-16, Oak Park Mall. culturehouse.com
“Buddy’s Holly Jolly Christmas”
Dec. 14-16, MTH Theater at Crown Center. mthkc.com
The Kinsey Sicks, “Oy Vey in a Manger”
Dec. 15, White Theatre. thejkc.org
OTHER MUSIC
K-LOVE Christmas
Nov. 28, Sheffield Family Life Center. klove.com/events/christmas-tour
The Hip Hop Nutcracker with Kurtis Blow
Nov. 29, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
98 Degrees Christmas Show
Nov. 30, Ameristar. ameristarkansascity.com
Lúnasa Holiday Concert
Nov. 30, Drexel Hall. irishcenterkc.org
The Snow Globes
Nov. 30, Pilgrim Chapel; Dec. 15, Union Station. thesnowglobes.com
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, “Winter Wonderland”
Dec. 4, Kauffman Center. kcjazzorchestra.net
Martina McBride, “The Joy of Christmas”
Dec. 6, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
Under the Streetlamp
Dec. 8, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/theseries
Jim Brickman
Dec. 10, Folly. follytheater.org
Central Standard, “Holiday Harmonies”
Dec. 15, Folly. follytheater.org
Julian Vaughn and Friends, “Gift Of Christmas”
Dec. 15, Gem. brownpapertickets.com/event/3738612
Harry Connick Jr., “A New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration … Holiday Edition”
Dec. 19. Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
Dickens Carolers in Concert
Dec. 20-22, Chestnut Fine Arts Center. chestnutfinearts.com
For King & Country with Cory Asbury, “Little Drummer Boy”
Dec. 21, Sprint Center. sprintcenter.com
The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher’s “Man! It’s Christmas”
Dec 23, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dec. 26, Sprint Center. sprintcenter.com
MUSEUMS/HOMES TOURS
Olde World Christmas
Through Dec. 29, Strawberry Hill Museum. strawberryhillmuseum.org
Christmas Candlelight Tour
Nov. 23-24, Harris-Kearney House. westporthistorical.com
Holiday Tours
Nov. 25-Dec. 30, Vaile Mansion. vailemansion.org
“’Tis the Reason for the Season”
Nov. 27-Dec. 30, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. bwestate.org
A Dickens of a Christmas Tour
Dec. 1, Vaile Mansion. vailemansion.org
Pendleton Heights Holiday Homes Tour and Art Market
Dec. 1, Pendleton Heights Neighborhood. pendletonheights.org
Weston Candlelight Tour
Dec. 1-2, Weston. westonmo.com
Kappa Kappa Gamma Tour
Dec. 5-6, throughout area. kappahomestour.com
Young Matrons Holly & Mistletoe Tour
Dec. 6, Independence. independenceyoungmatrons.org
Candlelight Tour
Dec. 7-8, John Wornall House. wornallmajors.org
Candyland Christmas
Dec. 7-9, Ben Ferrel Platte County Museum. pchs1882.org
Downtown Dazzle Urban Homes Tour
Dec. 8, Kansas City. downtowndazzle.com/kansas-city-urban-homes-tour
Holiday Homes Trolley Tour
Dec. 8, Kearney. eventbrite.com/event/52227586116
Historic Westheight Neighborhood Association Holiday Tour
Dec. 9, Kansas City, Kan. historicwestheight.org
LET THERE BE LIGHTS
Christmas in the Park
Through Dec. 31, Longview Lake. makeyourdayhere.com
Lane of Lights
Through Dec. 31, Excelsior Springs. visitexcelsior.com
Magic Christmas Tree
Through Jan. 5, I-470 and View High Drive. lsmagictree.com
KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 22 (run through Jan. 13), Country Club Plaza. countryclubplaza.com
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
Nov. 22-Jan. 7, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. drfarmstead.org
Festival of Lights
Nov. 23-Jan. 6, Powell Gardens. powellgardens.org
Luminary Walk
Nov. 23-Dec. 8, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. opabg.org
Christmas in the Park/Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Nov. 26, Cornerstone Park, Gardner. gardnerkansas.gov
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Nov. 27, Peculiar. facebook.com/events/2285634591470558
Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 29, Riverside. riversidemo.com
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 29, City Hall, Prairie Village. facebook.com/events/348358619071834
Holiday Lighting Festival
Nov. 30, Downtown Kansas City, Kan. wycokck.org
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Nov. 30, Olathe. olatheks.org
Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Nov. 30, Irene B. French Community Center, Merriam. merriam.org
Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Nov. 30, T.B. Hanna Station, Raymore. raymore.com
Sar-Ko Aglow
Nov. 30, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. lenexa.com
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 6, The View. grandview.org
Christmas Lights Tour
Dec. 12, The View. grandview.org
SHOPPING
A Very Merry Market
Nov. 23-24, City Market. thecitymarket.org
Children’s Small Mall
Dec. 1-2, C.W. Parker Carousel Museum. cwparkercarouselmuseum.org
Her Hands Holiday Market
Dec. 7-9, Aquarius Books. facebook.com/events/339382390145996
Holiday Market
Dec. 8, Farrand Farms. farrandfarms.com
OTHER HOLIDAY EVENTS
Thanksgiving Breakfast Dance
Nov. 22, Kansas National Guard Armory, Kansas City, Kan. ticketkc.com
Winterfest
Nov. 23-Dec. 31, Worlds of Fun. worldsoffun.com
“A Country School Christmas”
Nov. 24-Dec. 29, Lanesfield Historic Site. jcprd.com
Breakfast with the Fairy Princess
Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, City Market. breakfastwiththefairyprincess.bpt.me
Christmas Walk
Nov. 29, Downtown Kearney. downtownkearney.com/event/christmas-walk
Christmas on the River
Nov. 30, Parkville. parkvillemo.org
Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 1, Grinter Place Historic Site. grinterfriends.com
Christkindlmarkt
Dec. 1, Shawnee City Hall. cityofshawnee.org
Christmas on the Farm
Dec. 1, Watkins Woolen Mill Historic Site. watkinsmill.org
Coleman Dollhouse Opening
Dec. 1, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. toyandminiaturemuseum.org
Downtown KC Optimists Holiday Festival
Dec. 1-2, American Royal Complex. kcoptimist.weebly.com
Holiday Movie Party Series
Dec. 1-18, Alamo Drafthouse. drafthouse.com
Hometown Holidays
Dec. 1, Downtown Liberty, libertymissouri.gov/2255/hometown-holidays
Santa Train
Dec. 1 and 8, Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad. beltonrailroad.org
Visit from St. Nicholas
Dec. 1, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. shoalcreeklivinghistorymuseum.com
Brunch with Santa
Dec. 2, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
Miss Merry Christmas Pageant
Dec. 2, Overland Park Convention Center. eventbrite.com/event/52403741000
Mr. and Miss Mistletoe Pageant
Dec. 2, Hamburger Mary’s. brownpapertickets.com/event/3571815
Candy Cane Lane
Dec. 7, The View. grandview.org
The Fairy Princess
Dec. 7-16, Kansas City Garment District Museum. kansascitymuseum.org
Santa’s Wonderland
Dec. 7, Gillham Park. kcparks.org/event/santas-wonderland-gillham-park-18
A Christmas Celebration
Dec. 8, Missouri Town 1855. makeyourdayhere.com
Holiday Nights
Dec. 8, Atkins-Johnson Farm & Museum. atkinsjohnsonfarm.com
“A Kansas City Christmas”
Dec. 8-9, Lenexa Baptist Church. lenexabaptist.com
Night before Christmas at the Museum
Dec. 8, National Frontier Trails Museum. ci.independence.mo.us/nftm
Santa’s Express
Dec. 8-9, National Agricultural Center & Hall of Fame. aghalloffame.com
Santa’s Wonderland
Dec. 8, Penguin Park. kcparks.org/event/santas-wonderland-penguin-park
“Joyeux Noël” Screening
Dec. 9, National WWI Museum. theworldwar.org
Santa Paws for NAWS
Dec. 12, Zona Rosa. pcnaws.org
12 Bars of Charity
Dec. 14, Power & Light District. powerandlightdistrict.com
Santacon Pub Crawl
Dec. 15, Westport district. eventbrite.com/event/51298662681
Santa’s Wonderland
Dec. 15, The Bay. kcparks.org/event/santas-wonderland-bay
Father Christmas Comes to T/M
Dec. 16, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. toyandminiaturemuseum.org
Winter Solstice Celebration
Dec. 22, Ernie Miller Nature Center. erniemiller.com
Christmas in the Barn
Dec. 24, Johnson Farms. johnsonfarms.net
ICE RINKS
The Ice at Park Place
Through Feb. 18, Park Place. parkplaceleawood.com/special-offers/ice
Crown Center Ice Terrace
Through March 10, Crown Center. crowncenter.com/iceterrace
Summit Ice
Through March. Lea McKeighan Park. kcice.net/summit-ice
Linden Square Skating Rink
Linden Square, Gladstone. lindensquare.info
Skate with Santa
Dec. 15, Line Creek Community Center Ice Arena. kcparks.org/event/skate-with-santa-2
RACES
Kansas City Turkey Trot 5K & 8K
Nov. 22, Arrowhead Stadium. missouriruns.com/kansascityturkeytrot
Pilgrim Run 5K Run/Walk
Nov. 22, Pilgrim Chapel. pilgrimrun.org
Thanksgiving Day 5K Run and Family Stroll
Nov. 22, Sprint Campus. sportkc.org/thanksgiving-day-5k
Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Run
Nov. 22, Ward Parkway Center. wardparkwaythanksgivingdayrun.com
Westport Santa Dash
Dec. 1, Westport District. santadashrun.com
Great Santa Run 5K
Dec. 2, Johnson County Community College. kcsantarun.com
Candy Cane Course 5K
Dec. 8, North Kansas City. bodiesracecompany.com/kansascity
Kris Kringle 5K Run
Dec. 8, Southeast Community Center. kcparks.org/event/37349
Candy Cane Course 5K and 10K
Dec. 15, Lee’s Summit. bodiesracecompany.com/kansascity
Santa Shuffle
Dec. 24, 18th and Vine. runsignup.com/race/mo/kansascity/santashuffle5Krunwalk