Holiday Reflections at Union Station

From 2024 Winter Edition of OnTrack

Union Station Kansas City is built on tradition, family, and celebrations, where rich history intertwines with a vibrant present. The powerful sense of community fosters enduring values that are cherished by its guests, making our city feel like a second home to many. As the holiday season unfolds, Union Station bursts with festive cheer, displaying a deep love for its past while embracing the spirit of the season. 

Union Station stands as the heart of holiday festivities, drawing visitors and locals alike to its historic charm. Each year, the Station transforms into a magical hub, featuring spectacular light displays and enchanting events that create a warm atmosphere of joy and nostalgia. Families return year after year, knowing that beloved traditions will be waiting for them.  

Holiday Reflections annual evolution ensures new magical memories, whether through themed displays or interactive experiences, the Station’s commitment to honoring tradition while embracing innovation creates a fresh sense of sparkle. At Union Station, the spirit of celebration is all about creating lasting memories with loved ones and reveling in the joy of community. 

For the fifth consecutive year, the wildly popular indoor holiday walk-thru village, “Holiday Reflections” – presented by BOK Financial and supported by CPKC, Russell Stover Chocolates, Ford Motor Company, PGAV and The City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund – will take place in Union Station’s Grand Plaza November 22nd through January 1st. Filling 27,000 sq. ft., the magical experience (with all tickets only $10^*) features spectacular sights and sounds of the season: sky-reaching lights, whimsical trees, thousands of sparkling crystals, historic Kansas City holiday streetscapes and more. Primed with anticipation, this Holiday season will be the Station’s biggest and brightest yet. 

“With spectacular new additions – including a walk along historic Downtown’s Petticoat Lane – guests of every age will be delighted,” said George Guastello, Union Station president and CEO. “We have even recreated the massive and iconic crowns that once hung above nine Downtown intersections and welcomed shoppers to the heart of Kansas City for the holidays. Everywhere you turn will be a festive feast for your senses. Plus, all proceeds from this magical season stay right here and help preserve and protect our historic and beloved Union Station. That is a passion and privilege we intend to honor for many generations to come.” 

Union Station is a privately owned 501(c)(3) non-profit that depends on ticket sales and donations, as we receive no Federal, State, or Local support for ongoing operations. This community backing is vital for maintaining traditions like Holiday Reflections and keeping our 15-acre campus vibrant. Your contributions help create a magical holiday atmosphere, allowing families to celebrate cherished traditions and make lasting memories together.

The complete lineup of all the holiday happenings at Union Station is more impressive than ever and offers something for everyone . . . 

What’s New in 2024 

NEW MAIN STREET KANSAS CITY – PETTICOAT LANE
Stroll Kansas City’s Petticoat Lane – 11th Street between Main and Grand – as you enter Holiday Reflections. Historic shop windows and storefronts will transport guests back to the hustle and bustle of Kansas City most fashionable storefronts inspired by the 1920s and 1930s holiday season. Illuminated, custom-made 10-foot-tall “Crown” chandeliers, each with more than 300 strands of stunning crystals, complete the all-new selfie-worthy scene.   

 NEW DAZZLING CRYSTAL TREE
Anchoring Main Street in Kansas City at the north end, this year’s holiday celebration features a stunning 30-foot-tall tree adorned with over 1,500 crystal ornaments. Surrounding the tree is the enchanting Mini Holiday Express Ride-on Train, sponsored by CPKC. Children  delight as they journey around the glowing tree, marveling at oversized ornaments and festive decorations. This magical display promises to create an unforgettable holiday experience for families and visitors alike. 

 NEW  HOLIDAY-THEMED VIRTUAL REALITY RIDE
Experience Kansas City’s most Magical Sleigh Ride inside Holiday Reflections. Explore Santa’s secret headquarters where all the elves live, and Christmas magic begins. Slip, slide, fly and glide. Hold on to your hats and antlers everyone, this could be a bumpy ride. Seating up to eight people, this virtual reality experience offers a perfect family experience during the Holidays. Once aboard, you will be seamlessly transported into the virtual bay using HD virtual reality headsets. Your journey will include an incredible range of motion, a cool breeze in your face, and surround sound for a fully immersive 4D experience. Tilting forward, backward, and side-to-side, the sleigh’s movements have been designed to mirror those of the full 360-degree experience, creating a truly festive experience for all. ONLY ACCESSIBLE WITH A PAID TICKET TO HOLIDAY REFLECTIONS WALK – THRU VILLAGE. 

AMAZING HOLIDAY SELFIES AND A MILLION NEW MEMORIES
Holiday Reflections includes a line-up of NEW and Impressive Selfie Scenes destined to backdrop your favorite holiday pics: 

New! Horse Drawn Carriage (Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!)
New! Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall (Who’s the fairest of them all?)
New! Winter Wonderland (It is un-brr-lieveable!)
New! Ice Throne (The cold never bothered me anyway)
New! Whimsical Land 
Union Station Vintage Sleigh (Perfect for a family photo)
“Santa’s Favorite” Alpha-Lit illuminated marquee sign
and more!

Fan Favorites Return

Every year, the walk-thru village line-up is refreshed with new experiences and items that enhance the festive atmosphere. However, there’s an undeniable charm and significance in witnessing the return of cherished displays that hold special memories. These familiar sights remind us of joyful moments from past holiday seasons, evoking a sense of nostalgia that connects us to traditions both old and new. The anticipation of seeing beloved decorations come back to life brings warmth and excitement, reinforcing the spirit of the holidays and creating a sense of continuity that we all look forward to each year. 

SANTA VISITS
Guests of all ages squeal with excitement when Santa comes to town! Roaming the festive grounds in his signature red suit, he spreads joy and holiday spirit. Children tug at their parents’ sleeves, eagerly anticipating their turn to whisper wishes or take pictures with him. Each interaction becomes a cherished memory, capturing the true spirit of the season—joy and togetherness that families will treasure for years to come.  

MINI RIDE ON TRAIN
Our Mini Holiday Express Ride-On Train sponsored by CPKC offers your little ones (under 48″) a ride thru a winter wonderland on the historic Jones Store Train. Your little ones will enjoy a magical journey through giant iridescent ornaments, dazzling crystals, and a twinkling 30-foot-tall tree.

MODEL TRAIN
The model train holiday display is back and more spectacular than ever, displaying a fresh new look! Spanning over 11,000 feet of track, trains wind through a beautiful winter wonderland, highlighted by a thrilling large red train cart in flight! Our committed model train volunteers dedicate countless hours throughout the year—especially during the holiday season—to craft this 10,000 square foot festive display. If you have had the chance to see it before, you know just how extraordinary it is and the immense effort that goes into its creation. 

Can’t get enough? Be sure to explore our Model Rail Train Gallery dedicated to highlight vintage images of Union Station and an overview of railroading in America. Guests within the gallery are able to view hundreds of trains, miles of tracks and incredible decor all setup by Union Station Volunteers.

Guest Testimonials 

“Union Station always knows how to do it up for the holidays. This is a must-see if you are a local or have relatives and friends from out of town. The photo opportunities here are endless and you will probably recognize someone you know who has a holiday photo from here.”

– Jessica S. 

“Definitely an enjoyable time with the right company and plenty of photo ops. It was filled with cheerful guests, especially at peak hours. I love the decor, model trains, and all the beautiful lights and holiday theme.” 

– Chi H.

Sure To Sell Out 

The Holiday Reflections event welcomed over 190,000 guests last year, and there is every indication that this year’s attendance will be equally impressive! With an enchanting display of thousands of dazzling crystals and miles of beautiful garland, the atmosphere is transformed into a winter wonderland. Guests can look forward to cherished returning favorites, along with a range of exciting new experiences that promise to create delightful moments for everyone. The event has gained popularity and sold out in previous years, and with an incredibly family-friendly ticket price of just $10^*, it is no surprise that demand is high.  

Do not miss out on the chance to enjoy this magical experience with your loved ones! To guarantee your spot and ensure you make lasting family memories, be sure to visit UnionStation.org to reserve your tickets as soon as possible. Join us for an unforgettable celebration of the season!