Holiday Shopping Experiences in KC
2021 Edition
Sales, craft shows, special shopping events for children, and opportunities to support local businesses abound in Kansas City this holiday season.
Note: This guide may not be reproduced in print or online without permission from KC Parent. Please submit events for consideration in this guide to kristina@kcparent.com.
Our Favorite KC Area Shopping Districts:
Photo credit DiMartino Photography.
Crown Center
Shop a variety of shops and enjoy many great restaurants at Crown Center. Ice Skating at the Ice Terrace, a visit to Legoland or Sea Life, live shows, and a visit with Santa are all musts when visiting this local holiday landmark. The Mayor's Christmas tree, a 100-foot tree will illuminate the city throughout the holidays and acts as a symbol for the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which benefits Kansas City’s less fortunate residents. After the holidays, the wood from the tree is repurposed to be commemorative ornaments, which are sold the following year to benefit the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund.
One of the highlights of a holiday visit to Crown Center is Santa's Gingerbread Station. Explore this interactive exhibit, meet and have their photo taken with Santa Claus (through December 24), climb aboard the Crown Center Express Train Engine, and enjoy Santa's Gingerbread Station. No admission fee. Photos with Santa are available for a fee, or you may take your own.
Open during Crown Center Shops 2021 Holiday Hours:
- Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
- Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Zona Rosa
Zona Rosa is the Northland’s premier retail, dining and entertainment destination – where shopping is fun, memories are made, and Kansas City traditions are celebrated. The layout is reminiscent of downtowns of the past, with individual storefronts evoking a sort of village feel. Zona Rosa is more than just a mall, it's an open-air Town Center where the local community can gather. Amid the retail space, you’ll find grassy areas with fountains and park benches just right for relaxing, and wide sidewalks meant for strolling. It will take you back to a time when life moved a bit slower, and things seemed simpler.
Zona Rosa is home to many well-known merchants, including Barnes and Noble, Old Navy, New York & Company, Dick’s Sporting Goods, White House Black Market, Children’s Place, Build A Bear, and Dillard's, just to name a few. Appetites will be satisfied with the many dining options including Bravo! Italian Cucina, Buffalo Wild Wings, Noodles & Company, Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy, Hereford House, Bar Louie, Yogurtini, and Swagat Fine Indian Cuisine.
Legends Outlets
Located in the heart of Village West, the state of Kansas’ top tourist destination, Legends Outlets Kansas City is the only outlet shopping destination serving the greater metropolitan region. Conveniently situated at the intersection of Interstate 435 and Parallel Parkway, just north of Interstate 70 in Kansas City, Kansas, Legends Outlets is the home to more than 75 leading designer and favorite brand-name stores including Coach, Banana Republic Factory Store, Gap Factory, J.Crew | crewcuts, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Tommy Hilfiger Outlet, Victoria’s Secret and Under Armour® Factory House, among many more, which offer savings of up to 65 percent off regular retail prices. Also featuring a wide array of restaurant and entertainment venues, the property welcomes more than 10 million guests annually.
Holidays at Legends Outlets:
- When: Nov. 13 – early Jan., 2022 (during center hours)
- Where: The Civic Courtyard Fountain
- Legends Outlets’ 45-foot holiday tree is also getting an upgrade this year with new lights and more than 2,000 ornaments. Still synchronized to music, the holiday tree and center-wide light display will continue to brighten spirits until early January 2022.
DLSMS hosts over 100 days of community events, drawing hundreds of thousands of people each year to a thriving and vibrant downtown that is home to over 100 locally-owned businesses. Volunteers donate thousands of service hours each year to help ensure that Downtown Lee’s Summit continues to serve as the economic and cultural hub of the community as well as a premier destination for entertainment and shopping in the Kansas City metro.
Mark your calendar for great events at Downtown Lee's Summit including:
- MAYOR’S TREE LIGHTING PRESENTED BY SECURITY BANK OF KANSAS CITY: November 19, 2021 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Howard Station Park 220 SE Main, Lee's Summit, MO. Join us at 6:30 p.m. in Howard Station Park as we light Downtown in thousands of sparkling lights. We are "Rockin' Around Downtown" with an evening filled with choir performances, a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus, and plenty of surprises.
- SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY 2021: November 27, 2021. Small Business Saturday is a nationwide movement to shop small and support locally-owned businesses in your community. Join us on November 27 for a day of shopping, giveaways, and giving back. The early bird gets the worm.... and a free tote bag!
- FARMERS MARKET HOLIDAY MART: November 27, 2021 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Enjoy Small Business Saturday with our Farmers Market Vendors! We'll be setup in the Alley off Third Street between Elle & Em Boutique and Blue Heron from 10am-2pm. The first 200 shoppers will receive our insulated market tote bag with their purchase!
Upcoming Shopping Events:
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Black Friday Specials at Backyard Specialists
Black Friday Deals at Backyard Specialists! Save on on Swingsets, Trampolines and Basketball Goals, and BIG Backyard Fun!
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Black Friday Shopping at Legends Outlets
Black Friday shoppers can enjoy steep savings at the region’s widest selection of brand-name outlet stores in one location.
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2021 Lake Quivira Holiday Bazaar
This annual Holiday tradition at Lake Quivira features over 40 local vendors featuring boutique home decor, jewelry, gifts, pet items, clothing/accessories, big raffle and more!
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Holiday Container Workshops
Join us for our Holiday Container Workshops. At this event, we will supply all of the product and guidance that you need to creat a beautiful holiday container. Holiday containers are perfect for adding some festive joy to your front porch, patio...
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Winter Container Workshop: Colonial Gardens
Join Colonial Gardens for our annual Winter Container Workshops. Build your own winter container full of Christmas greens and accessories to decorate for the holiday season & parties.
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Santa's Bakeshop
Introducing a new Kansas City holiday experience brought to you by Martin City Brewing Company. Music, lights, snow, cookies, hot chocolate, ice cream and more! It’s a brand new Kansas City holiday experience that you won’t want to miss!
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SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY 2021: Downtown Lee's Summit
Small Business Saturday is a nationwide movement to shop small and support locally-owned businesses in your community. Join us on November 27 for a day of shopping, giveaways, and giving back. The early bird gets the worm…. and a free tote bag!
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Holiday Craft Fair
Start your holiday shopping at our Holiday Craft Fair, featuring unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list! Purchase raffle tickets to win one of our Gift Baskets (you do not need to be present to win). Interested in being a vendor? ...
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S'Mores Fest featuring Kansas City Reindeer
Join us for a day full of fun for the whole family! Perfect way to support local vendors and get your Christmas shopping out of the way early this year!
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Sip & Shop
Grab your friends and head to Colonial Gardens for our annual exclusive Sip & Shop event! Enjoy an evening of after-hours private shopping, live music from the Lee’s Summit Symphony, photo booth, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres. Colonial halls will...
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Holiday Craft Fair: Raymore
Get ready for the holidays and shop for unique homemade and handcrafted items and services at the Holiday Craft Show!
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Mistletowne Market
A unique shopping event in North Kansas City combining local holiday shopping and children’s activities, located inside the picturesque North Kansas City Parks and Recreation Facility. A small thoughtfully curated artisan holiday market filled wi...
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Holiday Hoopla
Oakhill Day School is excited to announce Holiday Hoopla, a one-day boutique shopping experience benefiting the students of Oakhill Day School. This event will make it's return to the Oakhill Gymnasium at 7019 North Cherry Street in Gladstone for...
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2021 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament
The 2021 ornament, "Festive Friends," was designed by Hallmark Artist Crista Couch. The laser-cut, bell-shaped design features three penguins, a snowman, and a cardinal decorating a Christmas tree with lights.
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Open House at Louisburg Cider Mill
The Louisburg Cider Mill Country Store is all decked out for the holidays! Shop our Country Store for unique gift items, gift baskets, and all of our delicious specialty food & drink products. Enjoy tasty samples, festive music, and the wonderful...
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Open House at Louisburg Cider Mill
The Louisburg Cider Mill Country Store is all decked out for the holidays! Shop our Country Store for unique gift items, gift baskets, and all of our delicious specialty food & drink products. Enjoy tasty samples, festive music, and the wonderful...
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C.W. Parker Carousel Museum's Annual Children's Small Mall
The Children's Small Mall is an opportunity for children 3-13 years old to do their own holiday shopping for family and friends in a controlled and secure environment. This fun-filled event will be held Sat. Dec. 4th, 9-5 and Sun. Dec. 5th, 10-4...
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Christkindlmarkt & Mayor's Tree Lighting: Shawnee
The festivities start at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall (11110 Johnson Drive) with live entertainment, kids' crafts and activities, a carnival ride and Santa to hear your child's holiday wishes.
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Taste of Christmas: Excelsior Springs
Join us in Downtown Excelsior Springs on Saturday, December 11 for the Taste of Christmas and gather inspiration for your own holiday spread or even wrap up your last minute Christmas shopping.
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Lanesfield School Country Christmas
Experience a traditional 1904 old-fashioned Christmas! Write to Santa with pen and ink and visit the gift shop for stocking stuffers. The Edgerton Rainbow Connection Children’s Choir will perform at 1:30 pm. Santa visits from 1:45-3:30! Crafts, f...