Steve Uhlir of Cleveland, Ohio, worked on the Holiday Spirit train setup for the Holiday Reflections display at Union Station’s Grand Plaza.
Tammy Ljungblad
Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Union Station promoters are calling it an opportunity to stroll through a winter holiday village without a coat. Holiday Reflections is this year’s rendition of the station’s holiday-themed display and it has grown from previous years.
A 30-foot tall, brilliantly lit Christmas tree stands at the center of Union Station’s Grand Plaza where crews have been working feverishly to have things in place to open to the public on time. For those familiar with the setup there will be some new things to see this year.
Added for this year is an opportunity for visitors to stroll through a replica of Kansas City’s historic Petticoat Lane. Promoters say the display will have storefronts and shop windows as they were in the 1920s along a path filled with sights, sounds and even smells to complete the experience.
Another new addition are the replicas of the giant crowns that were once suspended over the streets of downtown Kansas City during the Christmas holiday season. The crowns are part of the chandeliers that hang from the Grand Plaza’s ceiling and are each constructed with 18,000 crystals.
New this year and a highlight of the Holiday Reflections display at Union Station includes the re-creations of Kansas City’s historic crowns, one of which is seen here. Each chandelier made with over 18,000 crystals. The original crowns once hung over Kansas City’s downtown. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Along with the new centerpiece tree and what is being billed as a fully immersive 4D virtual reality ride through Santa’s secret headquarters, the exhibit has also added several new immersive photo op displays for families to pull out their phones and take their social media photos. Among the photo ops are a life-sized horse drawn carriage and a giant ice throne.
Holiday Reflections opens to the public on Friday, Nov. 22. Tickets to the event can be purchased by visiting the Union Station website.
See the photos to learn more about the display.
Steve Uhlir of Cleveland, Ohio, works on the reindeer in the display around a 30-foot tall Christmas tree at the “Holiday Reflections” display in Union Station’s Grand Plaza, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. This years’ holiday spectacular, which takes five weeks to set up, features several new displays, lighted photo-op and immersive exhibits. Holiday Reflections opens on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
The Holiday Reflections display in Union Station’s Grand Plaza will open on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Crews work to set up the Holiday Reflections display in Union Station’s Grand Plaza. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
The singing penguins were set up and ready for visitors at Holiday Reflections in Union Station’s Grand Plaza. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Crews positioned props and decorated with garland, lights, and holiday-themed photo ops as they set up the “Holiday Reflections” display in Union Station’s Grand Plaza on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. This years’ holiday spectacular, which takes five weeks to set up, features several new displays, lighted photo-op and immersive exhibits. Holiday Reflections opens on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
An illuminated reindeer aglow at Holiday Reflections,”a walk through display in Union Station’s Grand Plaza. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Workers look over a lighted, full-size horse drawn carriage display during set up of Holiday Reflections in Union Station’s Grand Plaza. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Natalie Zaller of 26th Letter Productions of Atlanta, works installing packages on a display during the setup at Holiday Reflections in Union Station’s Grand Plaza.. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
This year’s Holiday Reflections display in Union Station’s Grand Plaza, will feature several holiday-themed photo-ops. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Steve Uhlir of Cleveland, Ohio, works on the reindeer in the display around a 30-foot tall Christmas tree Wednesday at the Holiday Reflections display in Union Station’s Grand Plaza. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
A reindeer is illuminated at the Holiday Reflections display in Union Station’s Grand Plaza. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Tammy Ljungblad, at The Kansas City Star, since 1989, is a photojournalist producing videos and storytelling photographs covering a wide range of topics including the Kansas City Chiefs, breaking news, in-depth stories and personality profiles. She is also a FAA licensed drone pilot.Support my work with a digital subscription
