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.
- Page 1 (Results 1-10)
-
1
Christmas at Crown Center
2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MissouriNovember 4: Arrival of the Mayor's Christmas Tree: 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.
November 26: Santa's Arrival at Crown Center: 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. 10 a.m.
November 26: Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: 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.
November 26 – December 24: Santa's Gingerbread Station: 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.
November 26, 10 a.m.: 2021 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament: 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.
November 26 – January 3, 2022: EBT Santa's Countdown to Christmas: 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.
November 26 – January 3, 2022: 41 Years of Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornaments: 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.
November 29 – December 19: Holiday Choirs: Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Beautiful music fills the halls of Crown Center, as more than 60 area schools, churches, and community choirs perform every day through December 19. No admission fee.
Dec. 3 at Noon: Tuba Christmas: The Kansas City Symphony’s TubaChristmas is back, live, and in-person! Tuba and Euphonium players come together in this fun and festive holiday concert on Crown Center Square. Enjoy this free noon-hour performance, weather permitting. Bring your own lawn chairs.
-
2
Holiday Reflections at Historic Union Station
Presented by BOK Financial for 2021, Union Station expands and adds to its magical “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). And new this year, extravagant walk-thru window scenes complete with animated elements and perfect for even more holiday selfies. Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with brilliant sights and sounds as only Kansas City’s historic home can deliver. Over 70,000 guests enjoyed “Holiday Reflections” in 2020 and we’re expecting a similar enthusiastic response this year. DO NOT WAIT to reserve your tickets!
Your ticket to the Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village, presented by BOK Financial, includes access to our award-winning Model Train Gallery. With an additional $5 ticket (FREE for Union Station Members), your littles ones (under 48”) can catch a ride thru Rudy’s Wonderland on the Mini Holiday Express Ride-On Train. Please note: To ride the Mini Ride On Train, all guests must have a ticket to Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village.
You will need to select a date as well as a time for your visit. Hourly capacities are strictly limited, walk-up tickets may or may not be available. Advanced ticket purchases are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.
You may arrive up to thirty minutes prior to your hourly timed ticket. Expect to spend 45-60 minutes in total enjoying the decorations, taking pictures, and marveling at the model trains. No food or drink is allowed in “Holiday Reflections”, but restrooms are located within the ticketed space.
Open Monday thru Sunday 10 AM to 8PM (Last ticket sold 1 hour before closing.)
NOTE: “Holiday Reflections” will be closed infrequently for private events, so please check Union Station’s Facebook Page before visiting, unless you have reserved tickets. For full details, including COVID protocols, 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.
-
3
Crown Center Ice Terrace
Crown Center Ice Terrace, downtown Kansas City’s only outdoor skating rink, opens Friday, Nov. 5, for its 49th season of ice skating fun. The Ice Terrace season will run through Mar. 13, 2022. Enjoy public skating daily. (Closed on Christmas.) Two “Learn to Skate” sessions will be held on Sunday mornings; advance registration required. Group rates and private parties are available. Admission is $8 per person, plus $4 skate rental, or purchase a Season Pass for $90.
-
4
Sea of Lights
SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium will shimmer with winter holiday spirit this December with the Sea of Lights experience, beginning Nov. 26! 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.
-
5
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.
-
6
A Spectacular Christmas
December 9 – 23: A Spectacular Christmas: MTH Theater, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Our annual holiday show is more magical than ever and a bona-fide Kansas City tradition. Filled with holiday tunes from musical theater, as well as innovative arrangements of holiday classics, it’s a holiday treat sure to fill your entire family with the Christmas spirit! Tickets (816) 221-6987 or www.MTHKC.com.
Additional shows at MTH this season:
December 2 – 4: Buddy’s Holly Jolly Christmas: MTH Theater, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Zacharay Stevenson returns to MTH with his Buddy Holly Holiday tribute show. Zach is one of the most charismatic performers you’re likely to see and he’s got holiday favorite as well as some Buddy Holly classics in store for you as he and his band serve up a unique holiday treat.
December 27 – 28: Musical Monday & Tuesday: New Year’s Cabaret: MTH Theater, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. The final Musical Monday/Tuesday of the year. A night of upbeat and electric tunes as well as celebratory songs to ring in the New Year!
- Page 1 (Results 1-10)