Best of November in Kansas City: 2014
The 100th Birthday for one of Kansas City's most recognized landmarks, the 8th birthday for our beloved Polar Bear, and the celebration of fine arts, attractions, and family. This November, give thanks, give back, and create family memories this November with celebrations and events for the entire family. These are our top picks for November in Kansas City:
Union Station turns 100
- When, Where, What: Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, celebrate Union Station's Centennial
- Why We LOVE It: One of Kansas City’s most recognized landmarks is celebrating its centennial and we'll be there! With family-friendly events, live entertainment, exhibits, ceremonies, and events celebrating science, history, and Kansas City... on the first weekend of November Union Station is the place to be in KC!
Best Pet of All
- When, Where, What: Oct. 29 - Nov. 22, Paul Mesner Puppets presents The Best Pet of All
- Why We LOVE It: Paul Mesner puppets is known for their humor and one-of-a-kind style, dazzling KC audiences for generations. Now with two locations to enjoy the show (one in KCMO, one in Johnson County), even more local fans can discover the magic of Mesner. The current show, The Best Pet of All, is about a little boy's mother won't let him have a dog. So naturally he gets a dragon.
Wait No More
- When, Where, What: Wait No More Saturday November 1 http://icareaboutorphans.org/kansas/
- Why We LOVE It: November is National Adoption Month. Community organizations and churches are making it their mission to help children find hope, love and permanency. Orphan Sunday is a time to focus on the need for more Foster and Adoptive Families. Right now, almost 400 legal orphans in Kansas foster care and 1,400 in Missouri are waiting for adoptive families. Kansas has more than 4,000 churches and Missouri has almost 9,000, and God has given clear commands for Christians to take care of His orphan children.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical at The Coterie
- When, Where, What: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Nov. 4 - Jan. 4 at The Coterie.
- Why We LOVE It: For 50 years, families have enjoyed the holiday TV classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This year, everyone's favorite reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. The Coterie brings our favorite shows to stage with creativity and imagination. We can't wait for the holiday classic including our favorite characters from the special including, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in the all new Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. Read our Review of Rudolph (we gave it two thumbs up!).
Walking with Dinosaurs at Sprint Center
- When, Where, What: Walking with Dinosaurs Nov. 7-9 at Sprint Center. Save 30% on weekend shows with password: KCParent.
- Why We LOVE It: Kids love dinosaurs. Parents love dinosaurs. And there is no better way to experience dinosaurs than up close and personal. This November, enjoy Walking with Dinosaurs. Dinosaurs once again roam the earth when the spectacular production, Walking With Dinosaurs The Arena Spectacular returns to North America.
Thodos Dance Chicago presents A Light in the Dark
- When, Where, What: Thodos Dance Chicago presents A Light in the Dark (Helen Keller's Story) Nov. 8 at 8PM at JCCC's Yardley Hall.
- Why We LOVE It: With breathtaking athleticism, mesmerizing music and vibrant choreography, 12 versatile dancers bring the powerfully beautiful story of Helen Keller to life with captivating style and a variety of dance forms. Thodos Dance Chicago, founded by artistic director Melissa Thodos, has established itself as an innovative presence in American contemporary dance by intersecting dance, architecture and physics.
Octonauts at Sea Life Kansas City
- When, Where, What: Octonauts Nov. 11-23 at Sea Life Kansas City
- Why We LOVE It: The beloved cartoon characters are coming to Sea Life. Bring the camera for fun photo ops with Peso and the Octonauts at Sea Life Kansas City.
Big Fall Kids Book Sale
- When, Where, What: Johnson County Library Big Fall KIDS Book Sale Nov. 12-15, Carmack Community Room @ Central Resource Library (9875 W. 87th St. Overland Park, KS).
- Why We LOVE It: We love children's books - especially at a bargain and especially when the sale benefits one of our favorite local libraries! Thousands of children's books for sale at bargain prices. Board books, children's & juvenile fiction & nonfiction, YA, school reads and more. Most items 25¢ - $1.00! Some items specially priced. Cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover accepted with valid I.D.
Nikita's Birthday at the Kansas City Zoo
- When, Where, What: Nikita's Birthday Party is Nov. 15 from 10am-2pm at the Kansas City Zoo.
- Why We LOVE It: We love our polar bears and families love to celebrate with zookeepers in the Polar Bear Passage where fun activities are enjoyed all day long! After celebrating with Nikita, head over to the Helzberg Penguin Plaza, explore the Discovery Barn, and take a ride on the train.
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. Collections accepted Nov. 17 - 24.
- 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.
Shrek at The Culture House
- When, Where, What: Shrek: The Musical at The Culture House Nov. 20 - 22.
- Why We LOVE It: The Culture House presents family-friendly shows for all ages. This year's production of Shrek: The Musical based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, the show is a TONY Award-winning fairy tale adventure featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline or Change) and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage, and proves there's more to the story than meets the ears.
A Christmas Carol at The KC Repertory Theatre
- When, Where, What: Christmas Carol at The KC Rep Nov. 21 - Dec. 26.
- Why We LOVE It: Celebrating its 34th season, this is one family tradition you don't want to miss! For audiences, the theater truly becomes 1843 London and the cast are now the living embodiment of the characters they portray.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Luminary Celebration
- When, Where, What: Nov. 28, 5-9pm FREE at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
- Why We LOVE It: This magical holiday tradition is fun for the entire family. Paul Mesner puppets will be presenting a show, guides will share art with visitors in Sculpture Park, and guests will enjoy cocoa as the city's largest gallery is beautifully aglow for the evening.
Breakfast with Santa at Ceramic Cafe
- When, Where, What: Breakfast with Santa Nov. 29 at Ceramic Cafe (9425 Mission Road Leawood, KS).
- Why We LOVE It: Paint your own holiday ceramic piece and enjoy a breakfast with Santa... what a great way to kick off Christmas! Santa will enjoy breakfast with budding artists from 8-10:30 on Nov. 29. Reservations required 913.383.0222.
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.