Best of December

It's time for terrific exhibits, great shows, and holiday fun. Our top picks for December in Kansas City are here.

Note: We are looking forward to each event on this list. They are numbered to correspond with their position on the map, not in order of preference. We love them all.

• Crown Center: Kansas City's Holiday Tradition

  • Arrival of the Mayor's Christmas Tree: November 4 - Crown Center Square. The first sign of the holiday season arrives at Crown Center, the culmination of a journey from Oregon. The 100-foot-tall tree arrives at 9 a.m. on November 4 and is put into its stand at approximately 10 a.m. on Friday, November 5.
  • Santa's Arrival at Crown Center: November 26 - Crown Center Shops, Grand Boulevard entrance. Santa Claus arrives in a horse-drawn carriage to kick off the holiday season. Join Santa as he makes his way to Santa's Gingerbread Station, where he resides through December 24. No admission fee. 
  • Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: November 26 - Crown Center Square. The 100-foot-tall Mayor's Christmas Tree, one of the nation's tallest, is the centerpiece for an illuminating holiday celebration. Kansas City’s Mayor and a celebrity guest will flip the switch to light the tree. The tree is a symbol of the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund, which is dedicated to assisting the people of Kansas City during the holiday season. Program begins at 5:30 p.m. No admission fee.
  • Santa's Gingerbread Station: November 26 ­– December 24 - Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace. All aboard for a favorite holiday tradition at Crown Center! Kids and families can meet and have their photo taken with Santa Claus. A professional photographer is available to capture this magical holiday memory, with photo packages starting at $12, or you may take your own. Open during Crown Center Shops 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. 
  • 2021 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament: November 26, 10 a.m - The 2021 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament, crafted from the wood of the 2020 tree, is called “Festive Friends.” This year’s limited edition ornament was designed by Hallmark artist Crista Couch and made in 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 (Crown Center Shops, Level 2) or call 816-274-7251.
  • EBT Santa's Countdown to Christmas: November 26 ­– January 3, 2022 - Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Don’t miss one of Kansas City’s favorite pieces of Christmas nostalgia.  EBT Laughing Santa, who first appeared at KC's Emery, Bird, Thayer department store in the early 1900s, has been providing memories for new generations at Crown Center since 1979.  Children of all ages will marvel at this Jolly Ol’ Soul as he chuckles his way through the holiday season while counting down the days until Christmas.  Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours. Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Saturday; Sunday, noon – 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
  • 41 Years of Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornaments: November 26 ­– January 3, 2022 -  Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. – A display case features all 41 of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree ornaments that Hallmark has produced and Crown Center has sold since 1981 to raise money for the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund.  Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours. Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Saturday; Sunday, noon – 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
  • Holiday Choirs: November 29 – December 19 - Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Beautiful music fills the halls of Crown Center, as more than 60 area school, church and community choirs perform everyday through December 19. No admission fee. 816-274-8444 or CrownCenter.com/Choirs.

• Holiday Light and Magic near Legends Shopping Center

  Welcome to Holiday Light and Magic! Though these are the same elves that bring you 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 in downtown, it’s a WHOLE DIFFERENT type of drive-thru Christmas Lights experience.

• Holiday Reflections at Union Station

  Union Station is celebrating with more magical memories and brilliant new traditions filling Kansas City’s Historic Home for the Holidays this year.

  • “Holiday Reflections” Opening November 26^th – Return to Union Station’s 27,000 sqf Grand Plaza to the delight of tens of thousands of local and regional Holiday guests. Tickets as low as $5 are now on sale at unionstation.org. Experience the supersized magical holiday walk-thru village that attracted over 70,000 guests during its inaugural 2020 presentation. Visited by more than 70,000 people last year, “Holiday Reflections” will feature KC’s largest indoor decorated tree, sky-reaching lights, giant forest friends and eye-popping, floating mirrored ornaments along with the largest holiday model train layout in the Midwest. Plus, new this year, extravagant 3-D window scenes -- complete with animated elements -- will add to the magic and fascinate guests of all ages. And, of course, the family-favorite Jones Store ride-on train will take young guests on a delightful train ride through Rudy’s Wonderland. 
  • Mini Holiday Express Ride-On Train: For an additional $5 ticket (FREE for Union Station Members), little ones (under 48”) are invited to ride the Mini Holiday Express Ride-On Train thru Rudy’s Wonderland. All guests must have a ticket to “Holiday Reflections” in order to ride on the mini-train.

  Included in this year’s complete Union Station Holiday Season:

  • $3 Holiday Classic Movie Series in Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre including Jack Frost, Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Polar Express (Pajamas encouraged) - Running19th thru Dec. 23rd (Advance/online ticket purchases highly recommended).Check unionstation.org for showtimes and tickets.
  • All-time seasonal and holiday favorites in the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium featuring all new projection technology and direct feed from NASA for eye-popping, immersive experiences into space.
  • A full month of Holiday Science in Science City, featuring “Merry Science Day” on December 11^th and Noon Year’s Eve on Dec. 31^st.
  • Live Theatre in City Stage. Theatre for Young America presents: The Elves and the Shoemaker: Nov. 26^th – Dec. 23^rd.
  • Memorable Holiday dining at Pierpont's and Harvey's - sweet treats from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory - something to warm you up from Parisi, gifts from Rally House and the Science City Store.
  • Plus, the family fun provided by all our Union Station attraction partners, including Museum of Illusions, Escape Room and Graffiti Attic.

  Note: Due to COVID, the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train will not be making its annual journey to Union Station. Station officials greatly appreciate the fantastic support and partnership with Kansas City Southern and hope to welcome Rudy and his magical walk-thru train back to Union Station in the future.

  New and Renewing Union Station Members receive free admission to “Holiday Reflections”.  Current Members are encouraged to renew early to take advantage of this added benefit.

• Winter Magic near the Kansas City Zoo

  Drive thru one mile of the most amazing, mesmerizing, WINTERrifically magical holiday light experiences you've ever laid your gazers on.

• Mesner Puppet Theater

  Live Shows at Midwest Trust Center

  Don't miss these outstanding performances at Midwest Trust Center at JCCC

  • Bridget Kibbey, harp, with the Dover Quartet 'Celebrating Bach' 8 p.m. Friday, December 3, 2021 | Yardley Hall
  • Mariachi Los Camperos 'Fiesta Navidad' 8 p.m. Saturday, December 4, 2021 | Yardley Hall
  • Mesner Puppet Theater 'The Snowy Day' - Weekend Shows 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, December 4, 2021 - December 5, 2021 | Polsky Theatre
  • Ana Gasteyer'Sugar & Booze Holiday Tour' 7 p.m. Sunday, December 5, 2021 | Yardley Hall
  • MTC Kids Jam series – Dan and Claudia Zanes'The Holiday Sing-Along' 11 a.m. Saturday, December 11, 2021 | Yardley Hall
  • Chaeyoung Park, piano 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 16, 2021 | Polsky Theatre
  • American Youth Ballet Presents The Nutcracker December 18, 2021 - December 19, 2021 | Yardley Hall

• Dave Claflin

  Legendary Tree and Holiday Shopping at Legends Outlets

  Celebrate the holidays at Legends Outlets:

  Legendary Tree 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.

  Shop for the Holidays at the region’s widest selection of brand-name outlet stores in one location – nearly 75 – including the first-area Vera Bradley Factory Outlet and Tory Burch Outlet, PUMA, Kate Spade Outlet, Michael Kors Outlet, J. Crew Factory, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Nike Factory Store, and more, making holiday shopping easy and convenient for everyone this season.

• Auschwitz Exhibition at Union Station

  Auschwitz Exhibition is a groundbreaking exhibition bringing together more than 700 original objects and 400 photographs from over 20 institutions and museums from around the world. 

  Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. is the most comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the history of Auschwitz and its role in the Holocaust ever presented in North America, and an unparalleled opportunity to confront the singular face of human evil—one that arose not long ago and not far away.

  The exhibition explores the dual identity of the camp as a physical location—the largest documented mass murder site in human history—and as a symbol of the borderless manifestation of hatred and human barbarity.

  Featuring more than 700 original objects and 400 photographs, the exhibition allows visitors to experience artifacts from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, including hundreds of personal items—such as suitcases, eyeglasses, and shoes—that belonged to survivors and victims of Auschwitz. Other artifacts include concrete posts that were part of the fence of the Auschwitz camp; fragments of an original barrack for prisoners from the Auschwitz III-Monowitz camp; a desk and other possessions of the first and the longest serving Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss; a gas mask used by the SS; Picasso’s Lithograph of Prisoner; and an original German-made Model 2 freight train car used for the deportation of Jews to the ghettos and extermination camps in occupied Poland.

• Amahl and the Night Visitors

  Amahl and the Night Visitors: Seamlessly pairing live singing and music with masterful puppetry, Amahl and the Night Visitors brings to life the story of three kings – the Magi – who have traveled from far away lands to bring gifts to a child born in Bethlehem. When they stop to rest for the night, they are taken in by an impoverished, disabled boy and his mother. Amahl is dazzled both by their stories and the exotic treasures they carry, but the humble host will soon show them what it truly means to give with a generous heart, triggering a miraculous ending to this inspiring story. Based on Italian folktales of the Nativity and the Epiphany, this imaginative, unique telling of the first Christmas is an original Lyric Opera of Kansas City production created in collaboration with master puppeteer Paul Mesner. It’s a heartwarming holiday tradition designed with families in mind, and you can only experience it right here in KC. All performances will be in The Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts Building.

  • December 2, 2021  | 7:30 pm
  • December 3, 2021  | 7:30 pm
  • December 4, 2021  | 2:00 pm
  • December 5, 2021  | 2:00 pm
  • December 9, 2021  | 7:30 pm
  • December 10, 2021 | 7:30 pm
  • December 11, 2021  | 2:00 pm
  • December 12, 2021  | 2:00 pm

• Coterie Presents The SpongeBob Musical

  Tip: Read KC Parent's review of The SpongeBob Musical.

  THE COTERIE presents The SpongeBob Musical November 4, 2021  - January 2, 2022/

  A legendary roster of Grammy Award winners... One of the world’s most beloved and unforgettable characters... Turn them loose on stage and what do you get? The undersea town of Bikini Bottom! Inhabited by an ever-optimistic yellow sea sponge named SpongeBob and his equally quirky circle of friends and neighbors: Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and even Plankton! Their pleasant existence is interrupted when it is discovered that Mt. Humongous will erupt within the next 48 hours and obliterate Bikini Bottom.  SpongeBob powerfully proves to one and all that optimism really can save the world, and shows everybody that he is not “just a simple sponge.”

• Holiday Events at Kansas City Zoo

  An Evening With Santa & THE POLAR EXPRESS: December 3 from 4:45pm - 8:45pm, Join us for a magical evening with Santa and THE POLAR EXPRESS at the Kansas City Zoo! This exclusive holiday event on Friday, December 3, is offered to Premier members. The evening includes a showing of the hit holiday film THE POLAR EXPRESS, a Santa experience, and lots of festive photo opportunities. Visit with costumed characters, enjoy an optional hot chocolate, and shop at the Deja Zoo Gift Shop during the event. Premier Experience Members are also able to use their membership experience for this event. Please email membership@fotzkc.org if you are interested in this option. Cost: $15 for Premier Members

  Meet Santa Dec. 4 & 5 Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Zoo. This is your chance to tell them what’s on your wish list this year! Kids can write letters to Santa and then meet the jolly ol' guy in person. Be sure to bring your camera to capture those candid moments with Santa and Mrs. Claus. You can also catch our gentoo and king penguins will be taking a walk in the chilly outdoor air during our Penguin March.Friends of the Zoo (FOTZ) members will enjoy a breakfast snack and a special meet and greet with Santa on Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 am.

• Holiday Bricktacular at Legoland Discovery Center

  This holiday season create your favorite seasonal builds! Build a LEGO® ornament and help decorate our tree!  Write a letter to LEGO Santa! As the Holiday season draws closer LEGOLAND® Discovery Center is getting into the festive spirit! As the Plaza Lights are returning this Thanksgiving, we are turning our Plaza Lights on as well in MINILAND, our scaled down version of the Plaza! 

• Toys for Tots Drive at Family Tree Nursery

  Our Toys For Tots Train Display is up and running at our Overland Park store, which means we are now collecting new, unwrapped toys. This year’s display theme is enough to make you squeal! Our Liberty, Shawnee, and Overland Park store will be collecting donations now through December 16th. The primary goal of the Marine Toys For Tots is to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America’s less fortunate through the giving of new toys. Spread the word and help to bring some extra joy this Christmas season. https://www.familytreenursery.com/events.html

• SEA LIFE Aquarium

  Sea of Lights at Sea Life

  Sea of Lights thru Jan. 3: Rocking Around the Holiday Seas!

  ‘Tis the season to be allured at Sea of Lights with thousands of colorful holiday lights! Bring your friends and family to:

  • Take a "Marquee lights" holiday selfie in Stingray Bay 
  • Be captivated by the many colorfully decorated trees
  • Stroll through our ocean tunnel with stingrays and sharks swimming against an array of lights

• Christmas Open House at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm

  Christmas Open House: Dec. 4 from 10am-4pm. 1860's living history activities such as stringing popcorn and cranberries, watching cookstove and blacksmith demonstrations, and taking a stagecoach ride (weather/ground conditions permitting). Santa arrives at 1pm. Make a gingerbread house for $4.

• Crown Center Ice Terrace

  Enjoy ice skating at Kansas City's original outdoor rink, open annually November-March.

• Fairy Princess at Kansas City Museum

  This year, the Kansas City Museum is proud to announce that the Fairy Princess event will be held in the museum’s new Betty Milbank Waldrop Salon, the beautiful Louis XVI French Salon. Corinthian Hall, home of the Kansas City Museum, is now updated with state-of-the-art technology for its exhibits and is again a showplace of architectural magnificence.  

  Also, this year the Kansas City Museum is celebrating our 35^th year of hosting the Fairy Princess. It was in 1987 when the Kansas City Museum resumed the Fairy Princess tradition after Kline’s Department Store had closed in early 1970.

  It was in 1935 that Kline’s on Main Street, downtown Kansas City, had first initiated the Fairy Princess event to promote their new “Toyland” Department. After 35 years of yesterday’s youngsters telling their fondest holiday hopes to the magical Fairy Princess, her enchantment came to an end. Then, 18 years would go by when in 1987 the Kansas City Museum resumed the Fairy Princess tradition.

  Therefore, this year is a very special year for the Kansas City Museum. We are celebrating another 35 years of Fairy Princess magic to generations of youngsters.

  Now, the Fairy Princess will always be on her throne in a room befitting of the wonderous enchantment and hopeful wishes she gives to each child’s visit.

  The Fairy Princess

  • Thursday, December 9: 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Click here for tickets
  • Friday, December 10: 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Click here for tickets
  • Saturday, December 11: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Click here for tickets
  • Sunday, December 12: 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Click here for tickets

  Betty Milbank Waldrop Salon- First Floor

  • Timed tickets are required
  • $20 per ticket
  • Space is very limited to allow for safe distancing

  Details:

  • Parents/Caretakes are required to select a date and time slot
  • Please arrive at your designated time
  • Only two adults per child are allowed to enter the gallery for safe distancing
  • For the health and safety of all, children will not sit on the Fairy Princess’ lap, and are required to wear a face mask during the entire visit

  Each ticket includes:

  • Visit with the Fairy Princess
  • One special gift
  • One sweet treat
  • One printed photo onsite
  • Access to website to buy additional prints and digital downloads
  • 10% discount in the Wisteria boutique when you present your ticket
  • For more information, please contact Director of Visitor Experience & Public Programming Paul Gutiérrez at pgutierrez@kansascitymuseum.org or 816.702.7705.

• Clara's Dream

  Clara's Dream Dec. 18 & 19: Miller Marley Youth Ballet presents Clara’s Dream and A Holiday Musical Revue in the Olathe South Performing Arts Center at 6:00 pm. This production will showcase all of Miller Marley’s Performing Companies!

• Seasons of Wonder

  Seasons of Wonder thru Dec. 31. Get in the fishmas spirit with festive-themed events and delightful activities. It’s sure to be a jolly good time alongside SCUBA Claus and other merry friends. SEAsons of Wonder Adventure Activities: During SEAsons of Wonder, interact with members from WOW's Education team at various activities throughout the Wildlife Galleries and Aquarium. These activities will be from 11am-Noon each day during SEAsons of Wonder, with an additional time of 2-3pm on Saturday and Sunday.

  • I Spy
  • Shipwreck Theater: November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
  • Holiday Storytime
  • Shipwreck Theater: November 25, December 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
  • Exhibit Encounters
  • Penguin Cove: November 26, December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
  • Curiosity Crates
  • Polar Bear in Aquarium Lobby: November 27, December 4, 11, 18
  • Reindeer in Aquarium Lobby: November 28, December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27

• December at Ceramic Cafe

  Breakfast with Santa Dec 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Come visit with Santa, enjoy a continental breakfast and paint an ornament. We will get a clay impression of your little one's hand or foot and turn it into a very special keepsake.

• December at Johnson County Museum

  The Retro Housewife’s Guide to Vintage Christmas: Dec. 7 at 6pm  The Retro Housewife’s Guide series takes you inside the Johnson County Museum’s 1950’s All-Electric House like you’ve never seen it before. For this installment of the Retro Housewife’s Guide, Miss Yvonne will cover all things Vintage Christmas – from décor to traditions, and those holiday classics that still hold a place in our hearts and homes today. After the program check out the All-Electric House decked out in its holiday best. $6 per person, members get 20% off. Pre-registration is  encouraged. http://apm.activecommunities.com/jcprd/Activity_Search/10157

  PLUS Additional December Events:

  Sensory-Friendly Days Dec 6, 2021 9:00 a.m. to noon

  Retro Storytime Dec 8, 2021 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

  Behind the Scenes Tour at Johnson County Museum Dec 16, 2021 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

  Kids' Day Out at Johnson County Museum Dec 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 & 30