Best of November

The Great Pumpkin Smash, the DaVinci Exhibition, live shows, holiday traditions, and more events featuring fine arts, attractions, and family. This November, give thanks, give back, and create family memories with celebrations and events for the entire family. These are our top picks for November in Kansas City:

JCCC Performing Arts Series

• When, Where, What: Johnson County Community College Performing Arts Series.
• Urban Bush Women: Nov. 7 Since Urban Bush Women burst onto the dance scene in 1984, the company has woven together contemporary dance, music and text with the history, culture and spiritual traditions of African-Americans and the African Diaspora, exploring the transformation of struggle and suffering into the bittersweet joy of survival.
• Pink Floyd: Classic Albums Live: Nov. 14 Note for note, cut for cut, a dozen or more of the world’s greatest musicians will light up Pink Floyd’s 1973 progressive rock album in its entirety live, on stage. No wigs, costumes or phony accents – just the album as you heard it before it was scratched and worn out on your turntable. Revisit the cerebral, psychedelic hits like Money and Time and then get another dose of rock legendry when the artists perform a set of Pink Floyd’s greatest hits.
• Kevin Locke Native Dance Ensemble: Nov. 20 Take a journey through the colorful Lakota Sioux Indian culture. Traditional arts forms handed down through generations are presented on the flute, on drums, in song and through visually compelling ritual dances.
• Why We LOVE It: The Johnson County Community College Performing Arts Series consistently brings top notch entertainment to the metro. Featuring a wide range of shows, there is something for everyone.

Holiday Shopping in Downtown Lee's Summit

• When, Where, What: Downtown Lee's Summit shopping district hosts special events all month as shoppers prepare for the holidays.
• Holiday Open House: Nov. 6-8 Check out all of the wonderful gift and decorating ideas Downtown Lee’s Summit merchants have to offer. Enjoy classes taught by participating Downtown merchants and experts while shopping for the holidays. Customers also can enter to win a Downtown Lee’s Summit shopping spree.
• Christmas Lighting Ceremony: Nov. 20 from 6:30-8:30pm. Join the Mayor of Lee’s Summit as he lights the Downtown. Free hot cider and cookies, choir performances, a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves, and much more will get you in the holiday spirit. Visit with Santa, then shop participating businesses open late and eat at Downtown restaurants.
• Why We LOVE It: Historic Downtown Lee’s Summit is a nationally award-wining Main Street. With more than 45 eclectic specialty stores, dozens of dining and entrainment options, and the most welcoming business owners around, Downtown Lee’s Summit is worth the trip. Plan a ladies day out, a weekend of fun, or visit during a special event.

The Crazy Hair Tour

• When, Where, What: Nov. 7 Dannah Gresh's Secret Keeper Girl Crazy Hair Tour at Colonial Presbyterian Church
• Why We LOVE It: A popular mother daughter stage show helps moms cultivate God crazy daughters who embrace inner beauty, biblical modesty, and vibrant purity. They also equip tweens (8-12 year olds) and their moms to understand Biblical values with contemporary relevance. 

Mid-Continent Public Library's 50th Birthday Celebration

• When, Where, What: Nov. 10 at Mid-Continent Public Library Branches.
• Why We LOVE It: We LOVE the library! Thanks to the library our families enjoy reading free books, attending free programs, and taking advantage of the many resources offered both online and at our local branch. KC Parent is honored to be a sponsor of the MCPL's 50th Birthday Celebration! Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL), serving 780,000 people in 56 cities in the three counties of Clay, Jackson, and Platte, invites the community to join with it in celebration of its 50th Anniversary. Everyone has a birthday and on November 10, each of the 31 Mid-Continent Public Library branches throughout the three-county area will be celebrating MCPL’s 50th birthday in its own way! Join us to celebrate 50 years of great stories. Select branches have family entertainment scheduled during the day including live children's concerts, puppet shows, magic shows and more.

DaVinci:The Exhibition at Union Station

• When, Where, What: DaVinci: The Exhibition at Union Station.
• Why We LOVE It: We can't wait for this educational, interactive, and inspiring exhibit at Union Station. "Experience one of history’s greatest thinkers. Da Vinci The Exhibition is a hands-on exploration of his life, creativity and complexity. Sixty five of his most important inventions are recreated in full scale. More than 20 fine art studies and dozens of stunning displays are presented in spectacular detail.  An audio tour will be your personal guide. Filling over ten thousand square feet, examine his sketches and his paintings. The machines he invented on paper are brought to life and invite your personal interaction. A tank, submarine, helicopter and dozens more.  Experience what Da Vinci himself first conceived over 500 years ago . . . a truly unique journey back in time. For the artist in you, explore the mastery behind such works as “Mona Lisa,” “The Last Supper,” “Portrait of a Young Man,” and more. See life through the eyes of Da Vinci. Be inspired by his lifetime of achievements. Explore his genius.  Experience his creations."

November at the Kansas City Zoo

• When, Where, What: The zoo is open year-round and November is loaded with fun at the Kansas City Zoo. A few highlights:
• Nov. 5: Family Science Night: Awesome Astronomy. Planets, Suns, and Stars... OH MY! Experience and enjoy some out-of-this-world science. Join us for this fun-filled series of hands-on Zoo science nights for families.
• Nov. 7 & 8: Great Pumpkin Smash. Our animals are getting into the post Halloween enrichment at the Great Pumpkin Smash. Watch them crush, kick, bounce and play with big orange pumpkins. On Saturday, ... 
• Nov. 14: Nikita's Birthday Party. Our very own Rock Star, Nikita, is turning 9 and we are throwing a polar bear sized party just for him.
• Nov. 14: Zootastik Learning Fest. International Red Panda Day Join us for Zootastik Learning Fest on second Saturdays to learn about amazing animals. Activities, demonstrations and crafts will take place in the main lobby.
• Nov. 21: Chetta Run. Catch the Cheetah Run  Run cheetahs, run! Witness the fastest mammals on Earth race around a track at top speed. We are unleashing our fierce cats, Gigi and Sahara.
• Nov. 27 & 28: Santa Dives with Penguins. What's red and swimming with the penguins at Helzberg Penguin Plaza? Santa! Get a one-of-a-kind photo of Santa as penguins torpedo around him. 
• Why We LOVE It: The Kansas City Zoo is a blast year-round, but many of our favorite and most unique events happen in November - Nikita's party, The Great Pumpkin Smash, and Santa Dives with Penguins - all one-of-a-kind events you don't want to miss. 

Little Mermaid at The Culture House

• When, Where, What: Little Mermaid at The Culture House Nov. 19 - 21
• Why We LOVE It: The Culture House presents family-friendly shows for all ages. This year's production of Disney's Little Mermaid is sure to please the entire family. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl," and "Part of Your World."

A Christmas Carol at The KC Repertory Theatre

• When, Where, What: Christmas Carol at The KC Rep Nov. 20 - Dec. 26.
• Why We LOVE It: Bah, humbug! Kansas City’s favorite holiday tradition is back for its 35th season, and the magnificent new Spencer Theatre promises an experience that’s more magical than ever. Come share the joy, as our theatre transforms into a page right out of Dickens. Richly textured sets, ornate costumes and spectacular special effects will transport the entire family into the tale of the grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge, who requires the intervention of a few ghostly guides to find the true meaning of Christmas – and life itself.

Victorian Christmas at National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

• When, Where, What: Nov. 27 at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Cure your turkey coma with a day of family fun! Get into the holiday swing of things with Victorian-themed family-friendly activities. Included with museum admission.
• Why We LOVE It: The museum was one of my favorite Kansas City attractions when I was growing up. I loved exploring room upon room of dollhouses and toys—discovering new treasures on each visit. This was on the top of my list to share with my girls as soon as they were old enough to enjoy it. The museum closed last year for a major renovation and reopened recently. This November kick off the holidays with their Victorian Christmas. You'll love the opportunity to see the museum's makeover: a streamlined entry and revised floorplan simplify things for visitors but retains the magic and whimsy we’ve loved for years. The first impression is incredible: a giant rotating spiral of toys backlit and greeting visitors who delight in finding their own favorites and discovering new ones on the animated real-life collage. The dollhouse displays are beautifully lit and presented, and the Coleman dollhouse, in a new home, will still open every December, maintaining a special holiday tradition. New and improved exhibits throughout include a Grandma’s Attic display showcasing toys and presenting their individual stories as treasures to be discovered. Visitors will enjoy interactive exhibits, learning more about the process of creating and making both miniatures and toys. And the joy of discovering favorites from each family generation’s childhood remains intact—I was excited to see many of my favorite childhood toys and those of my family among the collection. The reopening of this Kansas City treasure was well worth the wait and it's the perfect place to celebrate the holidays with loved ones!

16th annual Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens' Holiday Luminary Walk

• When, Where, What: 16th annual Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens' Holiday Luminary Walk from 5 to 9 p.m., two weekends, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27th-28th and Dec. 4th-5th.

• Admission is $8 per person; children 5 and younger are free. Advance tickets can be purchased at any Hen House Market, Westlake ACE Hardware stores, and online at www.opabg.org. Tickets can also be purchased the night of the event. 
• Why We LOVE It: One of our favorite ways to kick off the holidays - the Holiday Luminary Walk at the OP Arboretum is a beloved tradition. Stroll down candlelit trails through the gardens and woods. This major fundraiser features a mile of candles, holiday lights, live entertainment, Santa Claus, horse-drawn wagon rides, hot cider around a campfire and mystical Gnome and Fairy Villages. Volunteers and staff members transform the Arboretum into a wonderland of candles and lights, music and holiday fun. Thousands of candles line the walkways and trails. Holiday lights will be on display from trees, buildings and bridges. Children will be thrilled to see Santa's Woodland Depot in the Train Garden and chat with him nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Santa Train Rides

• When, Where, What: Nov. 28 & Dec. 5 aboard the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad.

• Why We LOVE It: This magical holiday tradition is popular for children and the young at heart! Come, take a step back in time to the first half of the last century and ride a train like your grandparents may have ridden with Santa Claus! Christmas carols play, cocoa is served, and photos are taken with Santa himself. Board our 1920's era passenger coach, or our open-air excursion car and take a ride behind our 1950's diesel locomotive through Old Towne Belton, Missouri and the surrounding area. You could even ride in the cab of the locomotive with the engineer. 

Holidays at Legends Outlets

• When, Where, What: Legends Outlets Kansas City (1843 Village W Pkwy, Kansas City, KS. 913.788.3700), Kansas City’s only designer outlet shopping center, announces its holiday calendar filled with multiple events and prize giveaways throughout the season.
• 11th Annual Legendary Tree Lighting Ceremony: Saturday, Nov. 21, 6 – 8 p.m. Legends Outlets will celebrate the 11th year of hosting its Legendary Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 21. Centered around its 45-foot holiday tree, the lighting ceremony will welcome Santa Claus to officially flip the switch and ignite a center-wide synchronized light display. The evening will also feature prize giveaways and local musicians playing holiday music. The musicians will perform from 6 – 7:30 p.m., and the countdown to the tree lighting will take place at 7:45 p.m.
• #LegendsHoliday Instagram Contest Nov. 21 – Dec. 16. Starting at the Legendary Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 21, and for the 25 days following, shoppers can show their holiday spirit by taking pictures in front of Legends Outlets’ 45-foot tree and posting to Instagram using the hashtag #LegendsHoliday. Legends Outlets will track the hashtag #LegendsHoliday and award Instagram followers with various prizes throughout the contest, including a $500 Legends Outlets gift card as the grand prize for one Instagram follower to be announced on Dec. 16. To find out more about the #LegendsHoliday contest, follow Legends Outlets on Instagram at @LegendsOutlets.
• Black Friday Shopping Thursday, Nov. 26: Early arrivals and giveaways: 11 p.m. – midnight. Live DJ entertainment: 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. Black Friday shopping, Nov. 27: 12 a.m. – 9 p.m. Immediately following Thanksgiving night, Legends Outlets will ring of holiday cheer and giveaways as it prepares to open for 21 consecutive hours of Black Friday shopping and savings at its more than 70 designer outlet and retail destinations. Starting at 11 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, shoppers can arrive to Legends Outlets’ center courtyard one hour before the center officially opens for pre-shopping fun including a DJ who will increase the energy with holiday music. The first 200 shoppers in line will receive a special Black Friday Surprise Swag Bag containing various gift cards, special offers and products. Black Friday will officially kick off at midnight when the center opens for all-night-long shopping with spree-worthy holiday deals to explore with family and friends.
• Holiday Hours: To provide shoppers with added convenience, Legends Outlets will extend its operating hours during the busy holiday season. Nov. 26: Closed until 11 p.m. for early entertainment and swag bag giveaways before the center opens at midnight for Black Friday. Nov. 27: Center officially opens at 12 a.m. for Black Friday shopping with 21 hours of holiday deals (center will close at 9 p.m. Nov. 28: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.. Nov. 29 – Dec. 23: Extended holiday hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Dec. 24: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (early close). Dec. 25: CLOSED. Dec. 26: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Dec. 27: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Dec. 28 – Dec. 30: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Dec. 31: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (early close) Jan. 1, 2016: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (early close). Jan. 2, 2016: Resume standard operating hours: Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. 
• Why We LOVE It: This magical holiday tradition is popular for children and the young at heart! Come, take a step back in time to the first half of the last century and ride a train like your grandparents may have ridden with Santa Claus! Christmas carols play, cocoa is served, and photos are taken with Santa himself. Board our 1920's era passenger coach, or our open-air excursion car and take a ride behind our 1950's diesel locomotive through Old Towne Belton, Missouri and the surrounding area. You could even ride in the cab of the locomotive with the engineer. 

Operation Christmas Child

• When, Where, What: Operation Christmas Child delivers shoeboxes of goodies to children around the world. For locations and hours of collection in Kansas City, visit www.SamaritansPurse.org. There you can find the nearest place to take your shoe box by entering your ZIP code, or you can call 1.800.353.5949.
• Why We LOVE It: Samaritan's Purse staff and partners will collect and hand-deliver some 8.5 million shoe box gifts to hurting children in more than 100 countries on six continents. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has hand-delivered more than 86 million shoe box gifts to needy children around the world.

KC's Holiday Lighting Ceremonies

• When, Where, What: Read our Guide to KC's Holiday Lighting Ceremonies.
• Why We LOVE It: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! From mid-November to mid-December all across the Kansas City Metro, the switches are flipped, and the city is decked out in holiday splendor! Read our Guide to KC's Holiday Lighting Ceremonies for complete details.

Still looking for more great family fun ideas in Kansas City? Check out our Kansas City Calendar of Events and Going Places in Kansas City on KCParent.com.