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Photo of Union Station's "Holiday Reflections"

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Union Station’s Massive Indoor, Walk-Thru “Holiday Reflections” Experience Expands for 2021 Season with Spectacular New Sights, Sounds and Magical Animated Selfie Scenes

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Opening November 26th, “Holiday Reflections” – Presented by BOK Financial – will return to Union Station’s 27,000 sqf Grand Plaza to the delight of tens of thousands of local and regional Holiday guests. Tickets as low as $5 now on sale at unionstation.org.

Kansas City, MO – Union Station officials announced today that more magical memories and brilliant new traditions will fill Kansas City’s Historic Home for the Holidays this year. Presented by BOK Financial, Union Station will kick off the Holiday season November 26th with the opening of “Holiday Reflections,” a supersized magical holiday walk-thru village that attracted over 70,000 guests during its inaugural 2020 presentation.

With a continued priority on a comfortable, confident guest experience, this one-of-a-kind family-friendly adventure delivers all the heart-warming nostalgia for which Union Station is famous, plus spectacular newly imagined surprises.

“For the past 107 years, Union Station has been Kansas City’s home for the holidays and this year will be no different,” George Guastello, president and CEO, Union Station said. “Our team began planning and reimaging the holiday experience back in April. We knew we wanted to continue delivering on the magic and tradition families have come to expect. More brilliant sights and sounds, more photo ops and miles of garland and twinkling lights from floor to ceiling that create a truly enchanting holiday experience. With the tremendous support of BOK Financial, we’ll welcome all of Kansas City and beyond to make magical memories at Kansas City’s historic home . . . recently recognized as a ‘Must Experience in the Midwest’.”

Visited by more than 70,000 people last year, “Holiday Reflections” will feature KC’s largest indoor decorated tree, sky-reaching lights, giant forest friends and eye-popping, floating mirrored ornaments along with the largest holiday model train layout in the Midwest. Plus, new this year, extravagant 3-D window scenes — complete with animated elements — will add to the magic and fascinate guests of all ages. And, of course, the family-favorite Jones Store ride-on train will take young guests on a delightful train ride through Rudy’s Wonderland. In total, this will be the biggest holiday production Union Station has mounted and is certain to delight guests of every age.

“It’s a thrill for all of us at BOK Financial to present one of Kansas City’s favorite holiday traditions,” said Kevin Kramer, Kansas City Market CEO for BOK Financial  “Union Station is iconic year-round and, during the holiday season, it takes on another level of anticipation and joy and we are honored to be a part of the magic. BOK Financial puts a priority on being in and giving back to our communities and one of our core values is to actively advance the communities we serve.’ Supporting Union Station’s holiday offerings is a great way for us to make a meaningful and memorable difference.”

“Holiday Reflections” walk-thru village is a ticketed experience including access to the 8,000 sq. ft. award-winning Model Train Gallery, expanded and decked out in holiday decor. For an additional $5 ticket (FREE for Union Station Members), little ones (under 48”) are invited to ride the Mini Holiday Express Ride-On Train thru Rudy’s Wonderland. All guests must have a ticket to “Holiday Reflections” in order to ride on the mini-train.

Included in this year’s complete Union Station Holiday Season:

  • Kansas City’s largest and most photographed indoor holiday tree – measuring a full 40 feet tall and decorated in spectacular fashion.
  • Expanded “Holiday Reflections” walk-thru village – filling Grand Plaza. ($5 Admission per person Monday thru Friday. $8 Admission Saturday & Sunday. $5 for Members every day of the week.) Plus, special Santa appearances. Visit unionstation.org for dates, times and full details.
  • Included in “Holiday Reflections” is the hugely-popular Holiday Model Train display . . . a full 10,000 sqf of decorated landscape featuring dozens of moving trains in every scale.
  • $3 Holiday Classic Movie Series in Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre including Jack Frost, Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Polar Express (Pajamas encouraged) – Running 19th thru Dec. 23rd (Advance/online ticket purchases highly recommended). Check unionstation.org for showtimes and tickets.
  • All-time seasonal and holiday favorites in the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium featuring all-new projection technology and direct feed from NASA for eye-popping, immersive experiences into space.
  • A full month of Holiday Science in Science City, featuring “Merry Science Day” on December 11th and Noon Year’s Eve on Dec. 31st.
  • Live Theatre in City Stage. Theatre for Young America presents: The Elves and the Shoemaker: Nov. 26th – Dec. 23rd.
  • Memorable Holiday dining at Pierpont’s and Harvey’s – sweet treats from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory – something to warm you up from Parisi, gifts from Rally House and the Science City Store.
  • Plus, the family fun provided by all our Union Station attraction partners, including Museum of Illusions, Escape Room and Graffiti Attic.

Note: Due to COVID, the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train will not be making its annual journey to Union Station. Station officials greatly appreciate the fantastic support and partnership with Kansas City Southern and hope to welcome Rudy and his magical walk-thru train back to Union Station in the future.

New and Renewing Union Station Members receive free admission to “Holiday Reflections”. Current Members are encouraged to renew early to take advantage of this added benefit.

For a complete list of Holiday events and schedules, please visit unionstation.org. Union Station follows KCMO mask mandate policies. To see current policies in place please visit unionstation.org.

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ABOUT Union Station Kansas City – a 501(c)3 non-profit organization –is a 107-year-old historical landmark and celebrated civic asset renovated and reopened to the public in 1999. Recently awarded “Favorite Attraction”, “Favorite Family-Friendly Attraction” and “Favorite Historic Attraction”, the organization – dedicated to science education, celebration of community and preservation of history – is home to Kansas City’s internationally-awarded Science City; the new Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium; the Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre; the popular Model Train Gallery; City Stage featuring live theater, and a selection of unique shops and restaurants. Union Station is also home to prominent area civic organizations and businesses, and regularly hosts world-class traveling exhibitions. Awarded “Top Banquet Facilities in KC” by KC Business Journal, the facility annually hosts hundreds of community events and private celebrations of all sizes. Also, follow us on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and YOUTUBE.

Union Station Contact:
Michael Tritt | C: 913.219.6890 [email protected]