If you are looking for holiday events, look no further. Here is your guide to the best holiday events in the Kansas City area.
Plaza Lights: The plaza lights have been illuminating the Country Club Plaza for decades with over 80 miles of lights and 280,000 multi-colored bulbs, outlining the shopping and dining district.
Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake: 300,000 lights and 175 animated figures transform Longview Lake Park into a charming winter wonderland. This is a free attraction from November 22nd through December 31st.
Holiday Luminary Walk: Drive to the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at 8909 W. 179th, Overland Park and walk the trails through the garden in woods lined by candlelight.
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane: Head to Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead for a festive holiday lights display to watch sparkling lights synchronized to music with animation, lighting effects, patterns and messages. This year’s display is 38 minutes long and is free to the public!
Christmas Card Lane: Over 200 homes participate with Christmas lights and holiday cheer in Olathe, KS. Take 151st Street to Ridgeview Road. Turn left on Ridgeview and enter Christmas Card Lane on Butterfield Place. Travel through this Olathe neighborhood with nearly 100 homes decorated with extravagant Christmas decorations and lights, tied together by giant Christmas cards with greetings from each family.
Musical Christmas Light House: These homes have thousands of lights set to a joyful mix of Christmas tunes:
- 132nd & Roe, Overland Park, KS
- 11308 Mackey St., Overland Park, KS
- 9708 and 9717 Lee Blvd., Leawood, KS
- 2801 West 127th St., Leawood, KS
- 11308 Mackey St., Overland Park, KS
Paulie’s Penguin Playground: On 16617 Indian Creek Parkway, Olathe, KS, you will find the largest private display in Johnson County.
Santa’s Gingerbread Station: Head to Crown Center and climb aboard the Crown Center Express Train Engine and ride through Gingerbread Village from November 25th to December 31st. Don’t forget to get your picture taken with Santa.
The Kansas City Symphony: The Kansas City Symphony will be covering all the holiday bases with five concerts in the Kauffman Center’s Helzberg Hall, starting December 5, 2016.
Vaile Mansion: If you’re in Independence, Missouri, stop by the Vaile Mansion. The mansion’s 31 rooms will feature elves, snowmen, and fairies (along with its normal nine marble fireplaces and multiple crystal chandeliers). Tours will be available daily Nov. 28 – Dec. 30 and are $6 for adults; $2 for children.
A Christmas Carol: One of Kansas City’s favorite holiday traditions is back for its 35th season playing at the Spencer Theatre from November 20th through December 24th.
Santaland Diaries: Adults may enjoy The Santaland Diaries at the Copaken Stage, 1 H&R Block Way, Kansas City, MO, playing from December 3rd to December 24th. This hysterical tale of elfin’ woe is a hilarious send-up of David Sedaris’ brief, misguided career as a Macy’s elf. This show will be sure to have you laughing all night.
The Nutcracker: Don’t forget to see the Nutcracker at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. This classic holiday play will be performing from December 3rd to December 24th. Last year the Kansas City Ballet Company’s artistic director choreographed his own version of “The Nutcracker” in 2015, this “rebuilt and reimagined ‘Nutcracker’ from the Kansas City Ballet is, among other things, a visually mesmerizing
spectacle that will fill the viewer’s head with indelible images.” – KC Star
Christmas Movie Showings: At the Alamo Drafthouse Mainstreet, Kansas City, MO, watch Christmas Classics on the big screen and enjoy the one-of-a-kind cinema atmosphere of the Alamo. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation shows Dec. 6, 8, 13 and 15. Polar Express Family Party at noon on Dec. 12. Elf shows Dec. 9, 14 and 16, and It’s a Wonderful Life shows Dec. 13. Some shows are adult only, others are for the entire family.
We know we didn’t come close to covering them all, but these should keep you busy.
