10 Top Picks for December in Kansas City: 2011
This December, celebrate the best of winter in Kansas City with live theater, dazzling music productions, and family memories in Kansas City's Winter Wonderland!
10 Top Picks for December in Kansas City!
The KC Rep presents, A Christmas Carol
- When, Where, What: An annual holiday tradition returns as the Kansas City Rep presents A Christmas Carol showing thru Dec. 26 at the Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center at UMKC. Appropriate for All Ages. Call 816.235.2700 or visit www.kcrep.org for tickets
- Why We LOVE It: No one presents A Christmas Carol like the Rep! In honor of the show's 30th anniversary in Kansas City, the production received a “make over” with a rebuilt set including a revolving stage and other theatre magic. The enchanting production brings Dickens' tale to life with a message of strong family values, hope and redemption. This year, fall in love with the Christmas classic all over again as the Rep adds new magic and sparkle to the tale!
The Coterie presents, Seussical!
- When, Where, What: Seussical at The Coterie thru Dec. 31 Tickets prices Nov. 26- Dec. 31 are $12 for youth, students and seniors; $17 for adults. TARGET Saturdays: Free ticket and free book, Horton Hears a Who (one ticket and book per order; restrictions apply; not available online). Friday "Something Fun": After all Friday night performances, there will be a free Something Fun experience. Audiences may enjoy an autograph and photograph session with the Cat and the Hat, Horton and friends, a dance lesson with the cast, or even a comedy spoof of Dr. Seuss. The experience will change each week. 816.474.6552 www.coterietheatre.org. (Photo courtesy of J. Robert Schraeder).
- Why We LOVE It: Once again, The Coterie brings the beloved plots of Horton Hears a Who and Horton Hatches the Egg to stage in this live production for all ages! The music, dancing, and costumes celebrate the classic childhood favorites in a creation of Whoville and everything Seuss that is sure to captivate the imaginations of the entire audience. While you're at Crown Center, be sure to enjoy December at Crown Center with fun for everyone!Tip: Continue the fun with Dr. Seuss-themed fun at home! and FREE! Whoville Holidays Saturdays November 26-December 17 from 11am-2pm, The City Market. The Grinch is back at Whoville Holidays. The 429 Walnut space (located at the main entrance to the City Market) will be transformed into Cindy Lou Who’s home, where Who’s of all ages can get their picture taken with the Grinch and check out the Whoville fun in the children’s activity area. Whoville Holidays is a FREE event, but donations are encouraged in our “Help a Who” campaign. Bring either a canned good for Harvesters, or a new, unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army. City Market
Winter at Crown Center
- When, Where, What: Christmas at Crown Center (816.274.8444 www.crowncenter.com) is a Kansas City tradition and this November kicks off the holiday season with many festive events:
- Crown Center Ice Terrace: Regular admission: $6, or free for adults over age 60 and children age 4 and under. Skate rental is $3, or skaters may bring their own. Regular hours through January: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday & Saturday. February and March hours: Noon to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; Noon to 11 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday. Bonus: 2-for-1 Tuesdays, B1G1 after 5pm on Tuesdays.
- Santa's Crayola Christmas Land thru Dec. 31. Children can play on super-sized Crayola® products, while waiting to tell Santa all their holiday wishes. Santa is in residence November 25 through December 24. The Crayola Christmas Land play area is open through December 31. Photos with Santa are available for a fee, or guests can bring their own cameras.
- FREE Family Concerts: Enjoy holiday music for kids and families on three Saturdays in December with The Doo Dads (December 3), Jim Cosgrove, aka Mr. Stinky Feet & The Hiccups (December 10) and Dino O'Dell and the Veloci Rappers (December 17).
- $3 Family Movies at the Screenland: Screenland Crown Center offers a great family movie every Thursday through Sunday. The lineup: “The Smurfs” (November 25-27, December 1), “Zookeeper” (December 2-4 and 8), “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” (December 9-11 and 15), “Dolphin Tale” (December 16-18 and 22). The remaining shows will be announced soon. $3 per person. Add a small popcorn and juicebox or small soft drink for just $2 more. 816.545.8034
- Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant This casual restaurant is one your children will not forget! Model Trains travel around the perimeter of the restaurant delivering burgers and fries to your table. Fritz's Restaurants
- Toyland Outdoor Playground The Mayor's Christmas Tree is surrounded by a wonderful wooden playground made of giant toys. The giant wooden trains, wooden soldiers and animals are a holiday favorite for the whole family and offer terrific photo ops!
- Santa's Gingerbread Village thru December 24. Three model train locomotives travel through a Santa’s North Pole Village made entirely of gingerbread and sweet treats created by the chefs at The Westin Crown Center and Hyatt Regency Crown Center hotels.
- Kaleidoscope's Holiday projects: Hallmark's Kaleidoscope is a FREE hands-on art center for children and they roll out the red carpet with fun holiday projects all season long. Visit www.hallmarkkaleidoscope.com for a complete schedule.
- Hallmark Visitor's Center: Learn the history of Hallmark, visit J.C. Hall's famous Christmas tree collection, and make a souvenir bow for FREE! Visit www.hallmarkvisitorscenter.com for details.
- Why We LOVE It: For free and affordable family fun to kick off the holidays, there's no place like Crown Center!
Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland
Enjoy the magic of winter with a night-hike at one of Kansas City's local nature parks or gardens! Make family memories with cocoa & roasted marshmallows at one of these family-friendly events! TIP: These events are outside, dress for the weather!:
- Winter Solstice Torch Lit Hike (Photo to left) December 13 at 5:00 - 6:30 PM, George Owens Nature Park (1601 S. Speck Rd. Independence, MO). FREE Admission! 816.325.7115 http://www.georgeowensnaturepark.org/ Walk along a beautiful torch lit path and learn about the day we receive the shortest amount of daylight. Bring your camera and have your picture taken in an ice sleigh, watch artists create ice sculptures, learn how animals prepare for winter, view the night sky with telescopes and warm up by the roaring campfire, with a cup of hot chocolate. The first 150 participants will receive a free travel mug.
- Powell Gardens Luminary Walk December 10 & 11 from 5-7:30pm, Powell Gardens (1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50 Kingsville, MO.) www.powellgardens.org Enjoy a brisk walk along candlelit garden paths. Saturday evening features String Theory playing traditional music in the Visitor Education Center and Lee's Summit High School's "Sounds of Summit" choir singing in the chapel. On Sunday evening String Theory returns for a performance in the chapel and the Kansas City Flute Choir plays in the visitor center. Trolley service runs between the two venues. Also enjoy home-baked cookies and hot chocolate in the Grand Hall. All activities are free with admission. You may purchase soup, bread and a drink for $6 per person--please RSVP to 816.697.2600 x209.
- Overland Park Arboretum Luminary Walk December 2-3 from 6-8pm, Overland Park Arboretum. Admission is $7 per person; children 5 and younger are free. Free parking; no pets. 913.685.3604 www.opkansas.org Stroll down candlelit trails through the gardens and woods and around the ponds as you enjoy festive music and lighted displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens' Holiday Luminary Walk. (Photo to right by Curtis Olinger)
- Secret Winter Trail December 17 at 10:00 AM, Burr Oak Woods. FREE (for families with children 10 and up) and no registration required. 816.228.3766 http://mdc.mo.gov/regions/kansas-city/burr-oak-woods-nature-center. Immerse yourself in the quiet hush of an early winter morning with Naturalist Kathleen as she reveals a secret entrance into the award winning Bethany Falls Trail. Exploring this trail in winter is a magical experience that your family will not soon forget.
- Winter Solstice Celebration December 17 at 6:30 PM, Ernie Miller Nature Center. This wonderful 90-minute event begins at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required. $6 per person including adults. 913.764.7759 www.erniemiller.com Hike through the woods along little Cedar Creek to witness the natural display of winter’s quiet time. Then warm up by the fireside in the nature center and listen to ancient stories about the longest night of the year. Visit live owls and discover animal mysteries of survival during the long winter. Gather round for campfire treats of toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate.
The Kansas City Ballet presents, The Nutcracker!
- When, Where, What: The Nutcracker at Muriel Kauffman Theatre thru December 24. 816.931.2232 www.kcballet.org
- Why We LOVE It: Magnificent sets and costumes, marvelous choreography by Todd Bolender, dozens of beautiful dancers, and the acclaimed Kansas City Symphony playing Tchaikovsky’s wondrous music, make The Nutcracker the most delightful event of the holiday season.
- Bonus Event: Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon December 3. Guests will revel in an elegant and magical holiday celebration. The Master of Ceremonies and the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends will delight guests with a swirl of dancing and so much more! Each child will also receive a complimentary photo with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tickets on sale now. 816.931.2232
Winter is Wild at the Zoo
- When, Where, What: Kansas City Zoo, Admission is only $6/person November through February due to weather. (Regular admission prices are $11.50 for adults, $10.50 for seniors and $8.50 for children ages 3-11). As always, Kansas City FOTZ Members are free. 816.513.5800 Kansas City Zoo
- Why We LOVE It: The Zoo, often thought of us summer fun, is in fact open year-round (closed Christmas and New Year's Day). In the winter, the animals are often more playful (in particular the resident Polar Bear, Nikita), the zoo is less crowded AND admission is discounted! With the Zoo's terrific indoor exhibits at the Tropics, the Discovery Barn, the Snake House, and Polar Bear Passage, there is something to enjoy no matter the weather! On the first two weekends in December, the Zoo's Holiday Wild (December 3 & 4 and 10 & 11 from 10am-2pm) features visits from Santa and his friends from the North Pole! Pack a picnic, bring your camera, and enjoy some winter fun at the Kansas City Zoo.
The KC Museum's Fairy Princess
- When, Where, What: Weekends Dec. 3 - 18: The Fairy Princess will officially assume her throne and greet children at the Kansas City Museum Saturdays Dec. 3, 10 & 17 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Sundays Dec. 4, 11 & 18 from noon-4 p.m. in the Carriage House. For $5 per child, boys and girls can share their holiday wishes with the Fairy Princess, plus they’ll receive a complimentary photo. The children will also enjoy holiday arts and crafts activities and a treat. Families can also purchase Princess essentials in the Fairy Princess Boutique. Fairy Princess visitors are welcomed in the Museum’s Visitor Center to learn more about the Kansas City Museum and Kansas City history and watch a holiday film. 816.483.8300 KC Museum Fairy Princess
- Why We LOVE It: The Fairy Princess is truly one of Kansas City's original holiday traditions! In 1935, Kline’s Department Store of downtown Kansas City was celebrating the Grand Opening of their Toyland. Santa came to other stores; Kline’s wanted to do something original to attract visitors. So they introduced the Fairy Princess. For 25 cents, children visited the Princess, telling her their Christmas wishes. Then, she waved her magic wand and a surprise gift would appear! Over the years, gifts were presented sliding from chutes, appearing on revolving turn tables, hiding in fairyland trees or magically opening trunks. The tradition continued, at just 25 cents, until Kline’s closed in 1970. The Fairy Princess returned in 1987 when the Kansas City Museum brought her back for Christmas.
Skate the Day Away
- When, Where, What: The Ice at Park Place. Open November 18th, 2011, through February 20th, 2012 (Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11AM to 10PM; Sunday: Noon to 8PM). Admission is $7 for people 11 years of age and up, and $6 for kids 10 years of age and younger. Skate rental is $3, but you are welcome to bring your own skates! The Ice at Park Place
- Why We LOVE It: The Ice is the only outdoor ice rink in Johnson County making it a perfect wintertime destination for families!
An Old Fashioned Christmas
Kansas City is rich with wonderful historic sites and museums. This holiday season they are offering the best in festive fun for the whole family! These are a few of our favorites:
- Christmas at Lanesfield Nov. 26 - Dec. 31, Lanesfield School Historic Site. Drop in and see the school decorated for an old-fashioned Christmas! Practice your penmanship, and learn how Christmas was celebrated in 1904. Make an ornament to take home. Free. 913.715.2552 Lanesfield School Bonus Event: Dec. 3 from 1-4pm: A Country School Christmas. Enjoy stories from storyteller Jo Ho, see a Christmas program given by local schoolchildren, enjoy free refreshments, practice penmanship and make your own ornament to take home. A visit from Santa completes the afternoon-- bring your cameras! Fee: FREE.
- Candlelight Tours December 9 & 10 from 6:30- 8:30 PM tours start every 15 minutes, John Wornall House Museum. Step back in time and learn about the Wornall family on different Christmas Eves over the past 150 years. $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and kids under 12, under 5 is free. 816.444.1858 John Wornall House Museum
- A Visit with St. Nicholas at Shoal Creek December 3 from 10am-4pm, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Visit log cabins of 1825 and 1835, a school, church, mercantile and then St. Nicholas, resplendent in green velvet robes. Ride the horse drawn sleigh (from noon-4pm) and take the walking tour through 17 historic buildings. $5 per person, 5 and under free. 816.792.2655. Shoal Creek
- Mahaffie Christmas Open House December 3 from 10am-4pm, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way. All ages free admission. Special activities like stagecoach rides and gingerbread house decorating will require a fee, no registration required. 913. 971.5111 Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farmstead
- Spirit of Christmas Past Homes Tours Nov. 25 - Dec. 30: Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 1859 Marshal's Home and Vaile Mansion ("Whimsical Victorian Christmas") all delightfully decorated for the Christmas season. Open 10 am-4 pm Mon-Sat and 1-4 Sun. (closed Dec 23-25). 816.325.7370 visitindependence.com/CalendarOfEvents.aspx
- Christmas 1855 December 10 from 9am-7pm, Missouri Town 1855. Visit with the residents of a mid 19th century community as they prepare for Christmas. The aroma of hearth cooked meals and the sound of authentic music will put you in a festive mood. Recent immigrants will depict their ethnic traditions as they keep their heritage alive with their own special customs. As the afternoon turns to evening, visitors will tour the village by luminary lit paths. Adults, $5.00; Youth 5-13 and Seniors, $3.00; Under 5, free. 816.503.4860 Missouri Town 1855
Kansas City's BEST Christmas Lights
The Best of December in Kansas City would be incomplete without mentioning Christmas Lights... there are many wonderful displays to see, from community displays to home tours, but these are our TOP PICKS:
- The Country Club Plaza... Directions to the Country Club Plaza. Hot Tip: Drive to the top of the Hall's Parking Lot and see the view from above... it's worth it! (Lights are lit Thanksgiving - January 16, 2011)
- Christmas in the Park.... Christmas in the Park is Kansas City's FREE drive-through animated light display! The first edition of "Christmas In The Park" included approximately 30 displays and 100,000 lights. Today, "Christmas In The Park" showcases 175 displays and 300,000 lights.This year, back by popular demand, the TEDDY BEAR RETURNS! And he’s better than ever before, standing 20 feet tall and animated by approximately 2,000 points of light. Maybe you can catch the bubbles he’s blowing into the crisp night sky! Directions to Christmas in the Park. Hot Tip: This is one of the BEST Christmas Light Displays in the Midwest, making it extremely popular! If you visit midweek, you won't have to wait in long lines and may even get to drive through the display twice! Weekends are very popular, so expect a long wait. (Display begins the day before Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas)
- The Ultimate Holiday Tree... The Ultimate Holiday Tree™ is a tree-shaped flat panel holiday lighting display illuminated with 1,000s of solid-state LED bulbs all synchronized to music to celebrate the holiday season. Directions to the Ultimate Tree. Hot Tip: This display is an amazing LED Light display with a thirty minute program. Kids LOVE it! Bring Hot Cocoa and cookies and bundle up for the show! (Display runs Thanksgiving - Christmas).
- Vince and Associates Animated Lights 101st and Metcalf, OPKS. The Lighting Ceremony features hot cocoa and cookies! This Christmas Light display is beautifully choreographed to music for an animated light display your children will love! Turn your radio to the station listed on their sign, and watch the show! Hot Tip: Park at Emanuel Baptist Church (directly across the street) for the best view!
- This is just the tip of the iceberg... check out our full list of the Best Christmas Lights in KC and KC Lighting Ceremonies for the full scoop!
Discover more fun all season long with our guide to Christmas in Kansas City!