15 Fun Christmas Activities for Families in Kansas City

You're probably wondering how to make this year's Christmas season with your family in Kansas City truly unforgettable. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide on the perfect activities that will create lasting memories. From ice skating and magical train rides to enchanting light displays and holiday performances, there are plenty of ways to get into the festive spirit. But which activities will your family enjoy the most? To find out, you'll want to take a closer look at the many fun and festive options Kansas City has to offer this holiday season.

Key Takeaways

Explore festive holiday light displays like Evergy Plaza Lights and GloWild for a magical atmosphere.
Enjoy family-friendly ice skating activities at Crown Center Ice Terrace with themed events.
Experience enchanting holiday performances, including Kansas City Ballet's "The Nutcracker" and Trans-Siberian Orchestra's concert.
Take magical holiday train rides, such as the KC Southern Holiday Express Train and Polar Express Train at Union Station.
Participate in community events like the Jingle Bell Run and Lighted Christmas Parade for a fun and festive atmosphere.

Festive Holiday Light Displays

As you start planning your family's holiday activities in Kansas City, consider kicking off the season with a visit to one of the many festive holiday light displays the city has to offer.

Enjoy thousands of twinkling lights at Evergy Plaza Lights, GloWild, Festival of Lights, or Holiday Reflections Light Tour.

Experience Christmas in Kansas with these magical displays.

Iconic Christmas Tree Lighting

Experience the magic of Christmas in Kansas City with a visit to one of the many iconic Christmas tree lighting events.

You'll find festive celebrations throughout the city, from the Country Club Plaza's 95th annual Evergy Plaza Lights to the Mayor's Tree Lighting in Gardner, and the Christmas tree lighting at Union Station, all kicking off a joyous holiday celebration.

Family Ice Skating Activities

You can kick off the holiday season in Kansas City with a fun and festive family activity – ice skating.

With various ice skating rinks throughout the city, you'll find plenty of opportunities for holiday fun.

Here are a few highlights:

Picture-perfect setting: Enjoy a beautiful winter atmosphere at the Crown Center Ice Terrace.
Private party bookings: Celebrate special occasions at the rink with family and friends.
Themed events: Many rinks offer special events during the holiday season.

Magical Holiday Train Rides

Kansas City's magical holiday train rides offer a fun and festive way to celebrate the season with your family.

You can enjoy the KC Southern Holiday Express Train or the Polar Express Train at Union Station, featuring visits with Santa and scenic rides.

These interactive train experiences create cherished memories for kids and families.

Community Christmas Celebrations

After enjoying the magic of Kansas City's holiday train rides, head out to explore more festive fun at the many community Christmas celebrations happening around the city.

Experience the community spirit at these events:

The Lighted Christmas Parade in Excelsior Springs on November 23
A Christmas Celebration 19th Century Style on December 7
The Mayor's Tree Lighting/Christmas in the Park in Gardner, KS, on December 2

Unique Holiday Gift Markets

Many local artisans in the Kansas City area offer their unique, handcrafted goods at various holiday markets, providing shoppers with a revitalizing alternative to traditional retail stores.

You'll find one-of-a-kind gifts at markets like the Westport Christmas Market and Strawberry Swings Holiday Swing at J. Rieger & Co.

Enjoy holiday treats while shopping for unique gifts at these markets, showcasing the city's best local artisans.

Kid-Friendly Christmas Events

You're looking for fun and memorable Christmas events for your kids in Kansas City, and there's no shortage of exciting options.

From meeting Santa and taking part in holiday workshops to enjoying special breakfast events, your little ones are sure to be thrilled.

This holiday season, explore the many kid-friendly Christmas events in KC, including Santa visits and photos, holiday workshops and classes, and breakfast with Santa events that create lasting memories.

Santa Visits and Photos

With the holiday season in full swing, families in Kansas City have plenty of opportunities to create lasting memories with their little ones, starting with Santa visits and photos.

You can capture special moments with Santa at these events:

Breakfast with Santa at Ceramic Cafe on December 1
Cookies with Santa at Urban Air on December 19 and 20
Paint Me a Story cookie decorating on November 30

Holiday Workshops and Classes

After making some special holiday memories with Santa, it's time to get creative with your little ones. Explore various holiday workshops and classes in Kansas City to keep the holiday spirit alive. Some popular options include:

Workshop	Date
Paint Me a Story	November 30
Holiday Workshops	Throughout Dec
Cookies with Santa	December 19-20
Ceramic Cafe	December 1
Community Centers	Varying Dates

Breakfast With Santa Events

Several Breakfast with Santa events are taking place in Kansas City this holiday season, offering a unique chance for your little ones to meet the big man himself while enjoying a meal together.

Consider these fun options for holiday activities:

Ceramic Cafe's Breakfast with Santa on December 1
Urban Air's Cookies with Santa on December 19 and 20
Paint Me a Story's cookie decorating on November 30

Special Holiday Workshops Classes

Many holiday workshops and classes in Kansas City offer family-friendly activities that you can enjoy with your loved ones.

These workshops, such as cookie decorating and craft sessions, provide hands-on experiences for kids and parents.

You'll find events like Paint Me a Story and Cookies with Santa at Urban Air, and holiday-themed workshops at local libraries.

Enchanting Holiday Performances

You're in for a treat with Kansas City's enchanting holiday performances – from magical ballets to rocking concerts and entertaining live theater shows.

Get ready to enjoy special holiday concerts like Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" or take in the stunning choreography of the Kansas City Ballet's "The Nutcracker" production.

With a variety of live theater shows, including puppet shows and holiday movie screenings, there's something for every family to enjoy this season.

Special Holiday Concerts

Immerse yourself in the sounds of the season with Kansas City's special holiday concerts, where enchanting performances fill the air.

Catch these can't-miss shows:

The Kansas City Symphony's "A Kansas City Christmas" concert series.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" on December 7, 2024.
Holiday-themed laser shows at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, featuring lights set to seasonal music.

Ballet Performances Schedule

Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Kansas City Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker," running from December 6 to December 24, 2024.

This enchanting ballet performance takes place at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

With family-friendly matinees and shows suitable for all ages, it's a perfect holiday outing for you and your family.

Live Theater Shows

Kansas City's stages transform into winter wonderlands with live theater shows that bring the magic of the season to life.

You can catch these enchanting holiday performances:

Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" on December 7, featuring live music and classical rock.
Jingle Jamboree at What If Puppets Theater for a delightful puppet show.
Classic holiday films at Union Station for just $3.75.

Community Luminary Walks

While strolling through Kansas City's neighborhoods during the holiday season, you'll likely notice a warm, festive glow emanating from various community spaces – a sign that the Community Luminary Walks are in full swing.

The Overland Park Arboretum's Luminary Walk is a community favorite, featuring stunning pathways illuminated with thousands of luminaries, creating a magical winter wonderland experience for Holiday Reflections.

Seasonal Holiday Parades

In Kansas City, you'll find a variety of seasonal holiday parades that bring joy and festive cheer to families.

To plan your parade-hopping schedule, check out the holiday parade schedule, which includes the Lighted Christmas Parade in Excelsior Springs on November 23 and the Mayor's Tree Lighting event in Gardner, KS, on December 2.

As you enjoy the parades, keep an eye out for the elaborate lighted float displays, which are a highlight of each parade route.

Holiday Parade Schedule

Get ready to kick off the holiday season in style with these fantastic parades and festive events across the Kansas City area.

Check out the holiday parade schedule for these must-see events:

Lighted Christmas Parade in Excelsior Springs on November 23
Mayor's Tree Lighting in Gardner, KS, on December 2
Holiday Reflections at Union Station from November 22 to January 1

Parade Route Highlights

As you make your way through Kansas City's holiday parade scene, you'll find that each event has its own unique charm and attractions along the parade route.

Look for festive Christmas Lights in Excelsior Springs, historic decorations in Gardner, and magical displays in Overland Park.

These parade route highlights create a fun experience for families.

Lighted Float Displays

Lighted float displays bring a magical touch to Kansas City's seasonal holiday parades, weaving through the streets with festive cheer and community spirit.

You'll love the enchanting displays and performances.

Here's what to expect from these lighted float displays:

Stunning holiday decorations and lights
Variety of festive floats to celebrate the season
Compelling themes that highlight community spirit

Family Holiday Story Time

This holiday season, families in Kansas City can snuggle up together at their local library for festive storytime events.

You'll enjoy classic holiday tales, themed activities like crafts and snacks, and maybe even a visit with Santa.

These free events are open to the public, so be sure to check your local library's schedule to catch one.

Local Holiday Festivals Markets

In Kansas City, you'll find a variety of holiday festivals and markets that showcase local vendors, unique gifts, and community spirit.

These festive events offer a fun way to get into the holiday mood while supporting local artists and makers.

From handmade crafts to live music performances, you'll discover one-of-a-kind shopping experiences that make the holiday season extra special.

Holiday Markets Overview

Kansas City's holiday markets are a treasure trove of unique shopping experiences, offering something for every family member.

You'll find local vendors at many events, including:

The Westport Christmas Market, featuring live music and handcrafted gifts.
The Strawberry Swings Holiday Swing, showcasing local artists and makers.
The Christmas market at Legends Outlets, with over 75 stores offering locally made products.

Unique Gift Shopping

Holiday magic fills the air as you step into Kansas City's local holiday festivals and markets, each offering a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that lets you find unique gifts for your loved ones.

Event	Location	Unique Features
Westport Christmas Market	Kansas City's oldest district	Local vendors, live music performances
Strawberry Swings Holiday Swing	J. Rieger & Co.	Handmade holiday shopping experience, local artists and makers
Legends Outlets Christmas	Kansas City, Kansas	Over 75 stores, annual Christmas tree lighting event

Jingle Bell Run Events

Get ready to lace up and jingle all the way at the Jingle Bell Run, an annual 5K event that's a staple of Kansas City's festive season.

This family-friendly event takes place in early December and features a fun atmosphere.

Here are the highlights:

Wear festive attire, including jingle bells, to spread holiday cheer.
Participate in a kid's run or walk the 5K course.
Enjoy holiday-themed refreshments and post-race celebrations.

Polar Express Experiences

After you've finished jingling your bells at the Jingle Bell Run, it's time to step aboard a magical adventure at the Polar Express Train in Kansas City.

This 90-minute ride from Union Station offers hot chocolate, treats, and a visit from Santa, bringing the beloved holiday story to life during the holiday season.

Final Thoughts

You've got your festive fun mapped out in Kansas City this holiday season. From twinkling lights to ice skating and Polar Express rides, there's something for every family member. Make it a year to remember by catching a performance of "The Nutcracker" or decorating cookies together. With these 15 fun activities, you'll create memories to last a lifetime in KC. Get out and enjoy the magic of the season with your loved ones.