Christmas in the Crown Center District

For generations of Kansas Citians, it wouldn't be Christmas without an annual visit to Crown Center and Union Station. From family photos with the 100-ft Mayor's Christmas tree, to outdoor ice skating at the Crown Center Ice Terrace, to a visit with Santa at the Gingerbread Station- Crown Center is the perfect destination to make memories with your family this holiday season. 

Tip: Enter our Sea Life Ticket & $100 Crown Center Gift Certificate Giveaway!

• Christmas at Crown Center

  Arrival of Mayor’s Christmas Tree - Thursday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m.: The 100-foot-tall Douglas fir will arrive at Crown Center Nov. 5 on its custom-made trailer, after making a 2,000-mile road trip from the forests of the Willamette Valley in Oregon through six states to Kansas City. The Crown Center team works to re-assemble and decorate the tree throughout November in preparation for the lights to be turned on November 27^th.

  Arrival of Santa Claus - Friday, Nov. 27, 10:30 a.m.: Santa Claus will arrive in front of the Crown Center Shops in a horse-drawn carriage and will greet those gathered outside. Santa will then take up residence in Santa’s Gingerbread Station (Crown Center Showplace, Level 1) at 11 a.m.

  Santa’s Gingerbread Station - Friday, Nov. 27 – Dec. 24, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily: Santa Claus will welcome the public throughout the holiday season for visits, wish lists and photos. A photographer will be on-site to take photos for a fee or guests may take their own.

  • NEW for 2020: Reservations are required to visit Santa and should be made in advance. Masks and social distancing are required. Santa will be wearing a mask, and children and families will talk to Santa from six feet away. Families can take photos with Santa from one side of a plexiglass divider.

  Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament - On sale Friday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m.: The 2020 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament, crafted from the wood of the 2019 tree, is called “Heart of Kansas City.” Proceeds benefit the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund to help the people of Kansas City during the holidays. The ornament can be purchased for $15.95, plus tax, from Crown Center Customer Service on Level 2 of the Crown Center Shops, or call 816-274-7251.

  Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Friday, Nov. 27: Lighting ceremony will be virtual.  Watch crowncenter.com for viewing details. The Mayor’s Christmas Tree and 37,500 festive holiday lights will brighten Crown Center Square through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021.

  • NEW for 2020: In the evening, the main event will be available to watch online…Masks and social distancing are required while visiting Crown Center.

  Crown Center Shops: Many of the Crown Center shops and restaurants have been operating under reduced hours, but will be open for holiday shopping. Find the latest details at CrownCenter.com.

  Core hours through Nov. 25, 2020, and resuming after Christmas: 

  • Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.

  HOLIDAY HOURS, Nov. 27 – Dec. 24, 2020

  • Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.
  • Dec. 24 and Dec. 31:  11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • CLOSED:  Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

  Holiday Displays

  • Giant Christmas Wreath – inside the Crown Center Shops Atrium – The wreath measuring 18 feet in diameter and weighing 800 pounds is decked in holiday finery and is the centerpiece of the festive indoor decorations at Crown Center.
  • 40 Years of Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornaments – Crown Center Shops, Level 2, North End – A display case features all 40 of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree ornaments that Crown Center has sold since 1981 to raise money for the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund.
  • EBT Santa’s Countdown to Christmas – Crown Center Shops, Leve 2, North End.

• Holiday Reflections at Historic Union Station

  Holiday Reflections at Union Station Nov. 21 - Jan. 1:  Enjoy Union Station’s magical new Holiday Reflections walk-thru holiday village. This spectacular themed experience fills Union Station’s massive Grand Plaza and features sky-reaching lights, dozens of decorated trees, forest friends and giant, floating mirrored ornaments PLUS a bigger-than-ever Rudy’s Wonderland where kids can ride the historic Jones Store Train (Mini Holiday Express Train). Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with brilliant sights and sounds as only Kansas City’s historic home can deliver. BTW: Also included are eight gorgeous photo stations for a cherished family photo or just-for-fun selfie. Your ticket to the Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village includes access to the Mini Holiday Express ride-on train ($5 Train Ticket required to ride) plus entry into our award-winning Model Train Gallery.

  Open Monday thru Sunday 10 AM to 8 PM (Plan to arrive no later than 7 PM.)

  Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For full details, including social distancing practices, please visit UnionStation.org/Holidays. Facemasks are required at all times while visiting Union Station and must cover both nose and mouth. Operating schedule subject to change.

  Mini Holiday Express Train Rides:  Nov. 21 - Jan. 1. ONLY ACCESSIBLE WITH A PAID TICKET TO HOLIDAY REFLECTIONS WALK – THRU VILLAGE. Take your little ones on a magical journey through giant nutcrackers, busy toy-making elves and a massive Rudy train steaming along a life-sized overhead track. Only accessible with a paid ticket to Holiday Reflections walk – thru village.

  • Price: General Admission Pass $5, Members Free (discount applies in cart)
  • Open Monday thru Sunday 10 AM to 7 PM with periodic breaks for battery recharging. Guests should plan to be in line no later than 6 pm
  • Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For full details, including social distancing practices, please visit UnionStation.org/Holidays. Facemasks are required at all times while visiting Union Station and must cover both nose and mouth. Operating schedule subject to change.

  Classic Holiday Movies are back at KC's BIGGEST SCREEN, starting  Friday, Nov 13. Showtimes every Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 11:30am, 2:30pm, 5:30pm, and 8:30pm. Get your tickets now for JUST $3, then get set to enjoy these beloved family favorites in spectacular style at our GIANT 5-story Extreme Screen: http://bit.ly/HolidayClassics2020

  • 11/13 - 11/19 - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
  • 11/20 - 11/25 - The Santa Clause
  • 11/27 – 12/3 - Frozen
  • 12/4 - 12/10 - Elf
  • 12/11 - 12/24 - Polar Express

• Crown Center Ice Terrace

  The Crown Center Ice Terrace, downtown Kansas City’s only outdoor skating rink, will open on Nov. 6, for its 48th season. The public is invited to the Ice Terrace on opening day for free skating from 6-9 a.m. Reservations are required. Complimentary coffee, hot chocolate and pre-packaged treats will be served. The Ice Terrace season will run through March 7, 2021. For more details on the Ice Terrace schedule and policies, visit CrownCenter.com

  • NEW for 2020: Reservations are required for ice skating and may be made two days in advance. This includes the free skating session on opening day. Use the online reservation form to reserve a spot on the ice. Masks and social distancing are required in the pro shop, on the ice, and for spectators inside the fenced rink area.
  • 2020 – 2021 Season Pricing:  Adults and children of all ages $7.  Skate rental is $4. Non skaters wishing to enter the fenced area must pay admission.

• Sea of Lights

  SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium will shimmer with winter holiday spirit this December with the Sea of Lights experience, Dec. 5 - Jan. 10!  Guests can explore the Sea of Lights event, the only underwater light spectacular in Kansas City. Visitors can, safely, prepare to be dazzled as they walk throughout thousands of twinkling holiday lights across SEA LIFE’s undersea wonderland for a one-of-a-kind holiday light extravaganza. Sea of Lights will feature Scuba Claus Dive shows on select days and times. The Sea of Lights Experience is included with General Admission tickets. VisitSeaLife.com

• The Snowy Day And other stories by Ezra Jack Keats

  The Snowy Day And other stories by Ezra Jack Keats

  Adapted by Jerome Hairston. Based on the Caldecott Award-winning book by Ezra Jack Keats

  STREAMING Nov. 27 - Jan. 3.

  The Coterie presents Mesner Puppets production of The Snowy Day and other stories by Ezra Jack Keats, which celebrates the magic and boundless possibilities of the first snowfall! Follow Peter and his friends as they romp and play, starting snow ball fights and making snow angels in this uplifting musical play about childhood joys and living life to the fullest each day.  Using inventive puppetry, Keats’ little boy in the red coat comes to life in this charming story collection of Whistle for Willie, Goggles!, A Letter to Amy, and The Snowy Day.

  Purchasing Tickets to Stream:  An access code will be sent to you at least 24 hours in advance and viewable only for the scheduled date and time you selected. 

• LEGOLAND Discovery Center

  Legoland Discovery Center Kansas City offers a fun, highly interactive and educational 2-to 3-hour indoor experience. Based on the ever-popular Lego® brick, Legoland Discovery Center provides a range of interactive play areas.

• A Spectacular Christmas

  Our annual Holiday show is more magical than ever. Live-captured at a local Christmas Tree lot and country farmstead, we feature holiday tunes from Musical Theater, innovative arrangements of Holiday classics and have special appearances by Kansas City’s iconic Dickens Carolers! It’s a Holiday treat sure to fill your entire family with the Christmas spirit! 

  Performance Times: purchasing a ticket to this event grants you immediate access for 48 hours from the time of purchase, beginning December 10 and available thru December 31.

  Streamed on VIMEO. If you have a smart TV, Roku, Fire TV Stick, or anything comparable, you will be able to watch the show on your TV! It is also viewable on any computer, tablet, or smart phone.