The Spirit of the Season: Holiday Events in Kansas City

The holidays are a time of thankfulness, reflection, and celebration with those you love most. Whether you prefer to stay bundled up inside or embark on chilly holiday adventures, Kansas City has it all and more.

At Union Station, we are proud to be a holiday destination for people all across the city. It brings us so much joy to be a part of our community’s seasonal celebrations. Join us at the Station for our special holiday exhibitions and activities, and be sure to take part in some of the other amazing Christmas traditions and holiday events in Kansas City.

Indoor holiday events in Kansas City

Stay out of the cold and tuck into the winter glow with these indoor holiday events in Kansas City:

Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker

A favorite tradition for many years, the Kansas City Ballet performs The Nutcracker at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts each December. 

The show follows Clara, a young girl, through a world of dancing mice, sugarplum fairies, and Christmas presents come to life. Enjoy this memorable performance of an old tale with family or with friends.

Kansas City Symphony & Orchestra performances

To experience the season’s most treasured music like never before, visit the Kauffman Center to see the Kansas City Symphony and Kansas City Jazz Orchestra bring holiday tunes to life.

During select weekends in December, the symphony offers a lively show featuring Handel’s Messiah and the Christmas Festival. These choral masterpieces remind us of hope and joy as some of the most iconic soloists from across the country perform favorites we all know and love. Plus, special visits from Santa Clause and more at the festival.

Kansas City is well-known for its jazz and soul influences and deep rooted history. The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra celebrates these influences during the holiday season in partnership with KC native artist Eboni Fondren with their rendition of Hallelujah Holidays. Come jive and groove to the mastery of artists like Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles supported by the brilliant orchestra.

The holidays aren’t the only time to celebrate jazz in Kansas City. The 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District is home to the American Jazz Museum. This area of Kansas City is rich in culture and represents the intersection of music, art, sports, and cuisine. 

Live theater performances

If you prefer live theater, there are a host of holiday performances happening around the city for children and adults alike. 

Right here at Union Station, you can catch the annual performance from Kansas City’s Theatre for Young America. Their repertoire includes everything from comedy like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever to traditional classics.

The Kansas City Repertory Theatre returns to the stage each December at Spencer Theatre for a traditional performance of A Christmas Carol. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his merry misadventures to discover the true meaning of Christmas all over again.

The Music Heritage Theater, known for its innovative and engaging musicals, cabarets, and original revues, puts on A Spectacular Christmas show each winter. This annual song and dance extravaganza earned its rank as a holiday tradition over the years, featuring original works from a stunning creative team, as well as holiday classics that never get old.

Outdoor holiday events in Kansas City

If you’re up for braving the cold, outdoor holiday events across Kansas City bring the spirit of the season alive with lights, displays, activities, and quality time with the people you love.

Powell Gardens

For over five years and counting, the paths of Powell Gardens are lit aglow during the winter Festival of Lights. More than 20 miles of Kansas City’s beloved botanical gardens are lined with string lights and transformed into a winter wonderland. New each season are exceptional installations featuring the landscapes and architecture of the gardens, every year more magical than the last.

Crown Center Ice Terrace

One of the most popular family friendly things to do in the winter is ice skating at Crown Center! The Ice Terrace is open every year from November to February for all ages and skill levels. While you’re there, you can also enjoy some of nearby KC favorites for dining, activities and attractions, and shopping.

To navigate the area, you can use “The Link,” a beautiful glass-covered skyway that connects Union Station to Crown Center.

The Plaza Lights

The Plaza Lighting Ceremony is one of the most treasured holiday events in Kansas City. On the night of Thanksgiving, hundreds of Kansas Citians gather to signal the start of the holiday season. The ceremony features a musical guest, as well as performances from the Kansas City Orchestra and other local talent.

A chosen honoree is tasked with flipping the ceremonial switch that illuminates the Plaza area each year. Since 1932, local honorees include NFL Chiefs players, KC Royals players, and local business owners.

Winter Magic near Swope Park

Hosted near Swope Park, the Winter Magic lights display takes the holiday party right to your car! Drive through this ornate, 1-mile pathway of synchronized lights and music with friends or family and celebrate the night away. Located in the historic Cliff Drive in downtown KC, come jam to the most modern versions of holiday classics.

Christmas in the Park

Another exquisite outdoor lights display, Christmas In the Park at the Longview Lake campgrounds features over 1 million lights and 175 different animated displays. The entire event is built and hosted by a dedicated in-house team and admission is free for you and yours. Any donations also benefit over 35 local KC charities; the event has donated over $1 million to the community since its beginnings. 

Visit a Christmas tree farm

If you’re really looking for holiday events in Kansas City to get you out of the house and into the Christmas spirit, visit one of many Christmas tree farms across Kansas City. Take part in one of the most famous holiday traditions as you choose, chop, and take home your very own tree to decorate. 

Interactive Christmas tree farms for the whole family:

• Pumpkins and pines
• Fulk’s Tree Farm
• Fort Osage Farm
• Bierman’s Christmas Tree Farm
• Wilderson Christmas Tree Farm

Holiday events at the Station

Holidays at the Station are a magical time of love and light to celebrate both the holiday season and our beloved Kansas City community. And, there is so much to do! Experience something new every visit this winter season and many more to come. Connect with holiday history and create new, lasting memories with your loved ones with holiday events at Union Station.

Holiday Reflections

Union Station’s Holiday Reflections is a walk-through village of sights and sounds that belongs on your must-see list every winter. For more than 100 years, Union Station has brought the best of the holidays and that includes Kansas City’s largest indoor decorated tree standing at 40 feet tall, it’s filled with ornaments, tinsel, and over 25,000 lights, making it one of the most ornate displays in the city. 

The ticketed Holiday Reflections experience also includes:

• Access to Union Station’s award-winning model train gallery outfitted in a winter wonderland
• A ride on the mini holiday express train beloved by generations
• A magical virtual reality sleigh ride with technology exclusive to Union Station (with an additional ticket)
• Special  appearances from Santa Claus at select times

Immerse yourself in everything merry and bright about the holiday season with this spectacular themed tradition like you’ve never seen it before.

Holiday classics movie series

Both members and non-members at the Regnier Extreme Screen can enjoy our annual holiday movie screenings every Christmas season! Enjoy classic films like Elf, Christmas Vacation, and more that get funnier every year, especially on the big screen. Tickets are only $3.50.

For the kids—or the kids at heart—you won’t want to miss our annual Polar Express Pajama Party. Come in your comfies to experience the story of the Polar Express in a new way. Every show is a PJ party!

Holiday laser shows

All year round, the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium offers laser light shows featuring music from the greatest of the greats—Queen, Prince, Pink Floyd, Lizzo, and more. 

During the winter season, come experience an intergalactic holiday music laser and light spectacular at the Laser Holiday Magic show! It may be cold outside, but it’s nice and toasty under the dome lit up by brilliant laser choreography and animations.

Celebrations at Science City

School may be out for the holidays, but learning doesn’t have to take a break. Come visit Science City to celebrate Merry Science Day with specialty exhibits, activities, and interactive experiments for kids of all ages.

Powered by supporting sponsor, MRIGlobal, Noon Year’s Eve is a daytime New Year’s Eve celebration fit for the whole family. Get the party started early at Science City!

Kansas City’s most instagrammable spots

Whether you still enjoy the traditions of sending out holiday cards or you prefer to share online these days, some of Kansas City’s most instagrammable spots are perfect for holidays photoshoots with the family.

Holiday Express Train

Santa Claus is coming to town! The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express is a festive six-car holiday train featuring intricate Christmas displays both inside and out.

This beloved, family-favorite attraction is free and open to the public for one day only each Christmas season. Visitors board the train and tour the inside of three cars with additional access to the full exterior of the train for more photo-ops.

Selfie stations at holiday reflections

With ornate holiday displays as a backdrop, you can’t go wrong! Grab that perfect group selfie at one of the selfie stations throughout Union Station’s Holiday Reflections. 

Family photos in the park

Build the most beautiful Christmas card with winter family portraits at one of Kansas City’s lovely parks. Coordinate your matching coats and scarves, or hold out for the first winter snowfall and capture the holiday magic you can remember forever. 

Loose Park is a popular spot for photos all throughout the year. The Overland Park Arboretum hosts waterfalls, interesting hardscapes, and picturesque bridges that make it a stunning photo backdrop, even in the winter season. 

Holiday giving opportunities

During the holidays, Union Station teams up with the Salvation Army to aid our neighbors in the greater Kansas City area. On site in the winter, keep your eyes peeled for the red kettles, or just listen for the bells for opportunities to donate and make a difference. 

If Union Station has made an impact in your life, there are many opportunities to donate during the holiday season. Your support of Union Station preserves Kansas City’s iconic architectural masterpiece, inspires lifelong learning through exhibits and attractions, and tells the story of our community to future generations. You can offer your support through corporate giving as a business or group, or individual gifts from you and your family.

Looking for shopping ideas? Give the gift of entertainment, enrichment, and education this holiday season with a Union Station Membership. Save greatly on events and attractions year-round with customizable memberships for the whole family. Just choose your gift amount and let your loved one choose which membership suits them best.

Volunteering opportunities

Union Station is an architectural treasure, but it has always been the people who have given this historic landmark a heart. Volunteer with us to make a lasting impact this holiday season and beyond. Our volunteers are what make attractions like the model train gallery, touring exhibitions, and more possible all year round.

Spend your holiday season at the Station

Union Station is Kansas City’s home for the holidays! Join us for cozy, fun, family-friendly things to do to stay in the holiday spirit all winter long. View our full event calendar to plan your visits and sign up for our newsletter to get updates on upcoming activities.