Elf: The Musical at Lied Center
This holiday season enjoy a live show featuring beloved classic characters like Rudolph, Snoopy, and Buddy, the elf. Or take in a new show with live music and entertainment.
Note: This list may not be reproduced in print or online without permission from KC Parent. Contact kristina@kcparent.com with additions for consideration.
= Top Pick
LIVE Christmas Shows for the Entire Family
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Musical at The Coterie
Nov. 6 - Dec. 30 at The Coterie, 2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City MO. Tickets: Adult $19.00 Children/Senior $15.00 Group Rates $5.00-$10.00. Rudolph and his friends, Clarice, Hermey the Elf, and Yukon Cornelius learn what makes you different makes you special. As one reviewer put it, “If adorable is at the top of your Christmas list, save an afternoon or evening for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical... as rich as eggnog!" Read our review of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at The Coterie.
Elf: The Musical at Lied Center
(Article feature photo) Nov. 7 at Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Dr, Lawrence, KS. ELF The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF. Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, ELF features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone).
CYT presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Nov. 8-11 at Peters Theatre, Brown Hall, William Jewell College, 252 William Jewell College Drive, Liberty, MO. Tickets $13/ea. The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world, so when they demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be biting or cigar-smoking in Bethlehem, and while these kids have never even heard the Christmas story, they definitely have rewrites! Soon everyone is calling to cancel the whole thing. Come see the Christmas story through new eyes in this buoyant musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic.
Nov. 10 at 7 P.M. at the Schwartz Family Theater 905 E Wea St., Paola, KS. Be reminded of the impact of one person's caring acts! Adapted for the stage by Philip Grecian and featuring an all-ages cast from Greenleaf Performing Arts, this holiday classic will be a blessing to you and your family.
A Christmas Carol with Gerald Dickens, A Special Engagement
FREE at Mid-Continent Public Libraries. The great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens is returning to MCPL for a special engagement. Registration required.
- Nov. 11, 2pm at Gamber Community Center in Lee's Summit
- Nov. 11, 7pm at Woodneath Branch
KCRep presents A Christmas Carol
Nov. 16 - Dec. 30 at Spencer Theatre, 4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly, cold-hearted creditor, continues his stingy ways on Christmas Eve. He rejects a dinner invitation and all the good tidings of the season from his nephew, Fred; he yells at charity workers; and he overworks his earnest employee, Bob Cratchit. Until, he is visited one-by-one, by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, who show him the errors of his ways until he ultimately discovers what’s really worth celebrating at Christmas-time and beyond.
FREE Nov. 16 in KCP& L District. The 3rd annual Rock The Red Kettle concert will be headlined by Lifehouse! Kick off Salvation Army's Christmas campaign. This event is a free family event with fantastic prizes and giveaways.
Nov. 17 & 18 at The Sheraton Overland Park Hotel, 6100 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS. Tickets: $55/$85. A festive tea . . a magical ballet . . and an amazing time! The Annual Nutcracker Tea Party is a family-friendly event perfect for the child in all of us! Enjoy a one-hour version of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker Ballet, performed by Crescendo Conservatory, along with a delightful tea party. Watch the joy on children’s faces as they delight in the ballet and our extensive collection of nutcrackers and gift items in the Nutcracker Boutique, as well as have photos taken with the dancers as they visit each table at the party.
Weekends Nov. 23 - Dec. 30 at Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue, Kansas City, MO. Holiday cheer rings out at Worlds of Fun during the annual WinterFest celebration. Thousands of sparkling lights transform the park with an inviting glow that warms the hearts and lifts the spirit. Witness festive live shows, meet iconic holiday characters, join holiday activities like ice skating and cookie decorating, ride select park attractions and create lasting memories with family and friends. This holiday celebration takes place on select nights in November and December
Comedy City at The Culture House Stage & Studio
Nov. 17 from 7-9pm at The Culture House Stage & Studio at Oak Park, 11149 W 95th St, Overland Park, KS. Tickets: $10 all ages (plus taxes and fees) Tickets are Non-Refundable. Comedy City is Kansas City’s longest running improvisational comedy theatre. Since 1987, we have brought the funny. Our shows are rated E for everyone, so that means you! Our shows are fun, fast-paced based totally on our audiences suggestions. Whether you are 5 or 95 (over 95 requires permission from a parent) you will always have a good time watching Comedy City. Comedy City is proud to partner with The Culture House to bring our humor to the stage at the Stage and; Studio Oak Park Mall. Come and see 5 of the funniest improvisers in Kansas City create hilarious improvisational sketches on the spot with your suggestions. Enjoy food and refreshments from our concession booth ... fill your tummy and your funny at the same time!
FRED THE FLAKE, OR THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS! ©
Nov. 17 - Jan 1 at Martin City Melodrama, 702 Blue Ridge Extension, Grandview, MO. Tickets: $12.99 - $14.99. Martin City Melodrama & Vaudeville CO. celebrates its 34th season with a brand new world premiere operetta, FRED THE FLAKE, OR THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS!© Set to music from Bach to Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars, this original musical helps Fred realize that no two snowflakes are alike and he needs the help of the entire flake community to produce his Broadway Bound production of “Thawed” featuring two sisters fighting over the thermostat for the life expectancy of snowmen and snowwomen everywhere. The operetta is followed by the vaudeville featuring the “back by popular demand” water glass symphony. And get ready for appaws for a huge fur-nale featuring the Martin City rescue dogs singing the woof off for Santa Paws!
FREE at Mid-Continent Public Libraries. Join Charles Dickens in his study for a very special night. On this evening in 1843, he creates his holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol." Renowned Dickens scholar, author, playwright, and lecturer, Elliot Engel, has crafted a work that allows David zum Brunnen to portray the 17 "Christmas Carol" characters and Charles Dickens himself. Recommended highly by the Dickens family, MCPL is privileged to offer this performance to continue its Dickens tradition!
- Nov. 26, 2pm at Raytown Branch
- Nov. 26, 6:30pm at Red Bridge Branch
- Nov. 27, 2:30pm at Parkville Branch
- Nov. 27, 6:30pm at Woodneath Branch
November 26-December 21 at Crown Center. Beautiful holiday music fills the halls of Crown Center, as more than 130 area school, church and community choirs perform every day.
Nov. 29, Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland. The Hip Hop Nutcracker resets Tchaikovsky's classic score to explosive hip-hop choreography courtesy of Jennifer Weber. A dozen all-star dancers - plus a DJ, a violinist, and awesome digital scenery - bring the traditional Nutcracker story to new life, but with a distinctly urban twist. This evening-length show celebrates love, community and the magic of the holiday season.
Weekends Nov. 29 - Dec. 9 at Blue Springs City Theatre, 2000 NW Ashton Dr, Blue Springs, MO. Blue Springs City Theatre presents a holiday themed play for the entire family. The show is comprised of six short plays, all of which are inspired by Christmas carols such as: Deck the Halls, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and We Three Kings.
FREE Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9 at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Liberty, MO. Shows are 15 minutes long, and begin every 45 minutes at 6:00pm, 6:45pm, 7:30pm, 8:15pm, 9:00pm. This FREE drive-in Christmas light display will be synchronized with live musicians in the PV parking lot. It’s a family-friendly show that will capture the hearts of many. Audiences will tune their radios to hear live performances of Christmas favorites from the comfort of their own cars. Through a simple narrative the Gospel story will be weaved throughout the show - inviting guests to discover the true reason for the season. Guests can view the 15-minute show from the warmth of their vehicles on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Nativity by Mesner Puppet Theater
Nov. 30 - Dec. 2 at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral , 415 W. 13th St., (13th & Broadway), Kansas City, MO. A cast of more than 40 puppets, including beautiful seven-foot puppets, live music and a choral accompaniment grace the stage for this biblical enactment.
KC Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Nov. 30 - Dec. 23 at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO. Last year, Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker awed Kennedy Center audiences in Washington, D.C., and hailed as “positively oozing charm” by The Washington Post, and is “especially lovely with its bright, fresh decor.” The classic, Victorian-era story by E.T.A. Hoffman featuring Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Dr. Drosselmeier and the Sugar Plum Fairy is a magical theatrical experience wrapped with exquisite costumes, grand sets and captivating choreography. Let your wonder ignite and feel the glimmer once more as your childhood dreams return and inspire you to IMAGINE AGAIN. Also, Dec 1, 2018: Sugar Plum Fairy Children's Ball at Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, 200 W. 12th St, Kansas City, MO. Ball from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. Immediately followed by the 2:00 p.m. performance of Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Guests will park at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and be whisked off to the beautiful Muehlebach Tower and the magic of the holidays. Children will delight in having their complimentary picture taken with the Sugar Plum Fairy, watching traveling magicians, and interacting with costumed characters. Parents will enjoy shopping at our fantastic silent auction. You will dine on a delicious three course lunch, enjoy entertainment provided by Kansas City Youth Ballet and dance with your family and friends to holiday music. The excitement continues as you see the wonderful re-imagined holiday favorite, The Nutcracker. The Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball is a benefit for Kansas City Ballet School and its scholarship program.
Enter our Sugar Plum Fairy Ball Giveway! Deadline: Nov. 19
Nov. 30 - Dec. 2 at The Culture House Stage & Studio (in Oak Park Mall, 2nd floor by Nordstrom), 11149 W 95th St, Overland Park, KS. The richness and inspiration of Christmas and the Nativity story brought to life as only Storling Dance Theater and The Culture House can do it. Join us to see the Gospel story of the birth of Jesus like you’ve never seen it. Stunning music, costumes and design set the stage to bring us all to the child that changed the world forever. Bring your friends and family to this unforgettable event.
Nov. 30 - Dec. 16, Main Street Theater Belton (510 Main Street, Belton, MO). Christmas means many things to many people, but often the true meaning of Christmas is forgotten as families prepare for the holiday. Six families on a cul-de-sac struggle with their personal trials with interference from a house decorating contest and a baking contest. Rowdy neighborhood kids, once shunned by the neighbors come across the true meaning of the season. It’s a new story to share with YOUR family! Greg Beastrom wrote this charming Christmas story for his theater company, The First Light Players.
FREE at Mid-Continent Public Libraries. Get into the Christmas spirit with a performance by these festive singers dressed in beautiful Victorian attire. Registration required.
- Dec. 1 at 2pm at Kearney Branch
- Dec. 5 at 2pm at Smithville
- Dec. 8 at 2pm at Edgerton
- Dec. 9 at 2pm at Boardwalk
- Dec. 10 at 6:30pm at Excelsior Springs
- Dec. 22 at 3:30pm at Parkville
Mr. Stinky Feet's Christmas Concert
FREE at Mid-Continent Public Libraries. Jim Cosgrove presents Mr. Stinky Feet's Christmas! Celebrate the holidays with singing, dancing, and stinky feet! Fun for the whole family! Registration required.
- Dec. 3 at 6:30pm at Riverside
- Dec. 8 at 2pm at Raytown
- Dec. 15 at 10:30am at Woodneath
- Dec. 16 at 2pm at Blue Springs North
- Dec. 17 at 6:30pm at Parkville
- Dec. 18 at 6:30pm at Blue Springs South
Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. December 4 at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Kansas City Chamber Orchestra (KCCO) and Musica Vocale kick off the holiday season with a rare performance of J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (Weihnachts-Oratorium) during Bach "Home for the Holidays." Joining the KCCO will be several vocal soloists including internationally-acclaimed Jay Carter, Kyle Stegall, Jason Steigerwalt, Lindsey Lang and Musica Vocale conducted by Arnold Epley. TICKETS: Individual tickets for Bach Home for the Holidays are $20 - $35. Senior, student and season ticket discounts are available. Students 5 - 18 FREE with Adult Season ticket holder. Tickets also include a free pre-show talk with the conductor at 6:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online at kcchamberorchestra.org or call (816) 665-8181.
The Joy of Christmas Martina McBride
Dec. 6, Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland. Country music icon Martina McBride is not letting the Nashville summer heat ruin her Christmas spirt, and begins her gift giving with the release of It’s The Holiday Season. The 9-song holiday set will be released on October 19, the first with her new record label partner, BMG. McBride also continues her “The Joy of Christmas Tour” tradition, this time adding songs from the new album and bringing to life the big band and orchestral sounds by using local symphonies on each stop.
All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
Dec 7-9 and 14-16, at B&B Live! (inside B&B Shawnee Movie Theatres) 16301 Midland Drive, Shawnee, KS. Music Theatre Kansas City presents the professional Kansas City premiere of "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914" WWI: The Western Front - Christmas, 1914. Out of the violence... a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Silent Night.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, and peace. A remarkable true story, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it. Music Theatre Kansas City's professional company, MTKC Pro, is doing the World War 1 premiere of "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914." It tells the true story of a group of soldiers who chose to step out of the trenches and come together to celebrate Christmas for a single, memorable night of peace. It is their story told entirely through their words and their songs. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for students.
Simple Strings Dulcimer Concert
FREE at Mid-Continent Public Libraries. Enjoy Christmas classics played by members of the Simple Strings Dulcimers, and learn the history of the songs and instruments they play. Registration required.
- Dec. 8 at 2pm at Liberty
- Dec. 22 at 2pm at Oak Grove
FREE at Mid-Continent Public Libraries. Terry Bell and his band, the Cool Cats, squeeze the most out of all those holiday favorites in this fun-loving holiday accordion concert. Registration required.
- Dec. 8 at 2pm at Buckner
- Dec. 15 at 2pm at South Independence
- Dec. 18 at 6:30pm at Excelsior Springs
Ms. Dennise's Christmas Puppet Theater
FREE at Mid-Continent Public Libraries. Santa visiting the Library! Join the nationally-renowned LS Puppeteers for two charming and lively tales that star the "jolly old elf" himself! Registration required.
- Dec. 8 at 2pm at Lee's Summit
FREE at Mid-Continent Public Libraries. Storyteller Jo Ho celebrates the season of light with festive Christmas stories from around the world - guaranteed to brighten your holidays! Registration required.
- Dec. 8 at 11am at Colbern
- Dec. 15 at 10:30am at Grandview
Dec. 2 at 3:30pm at MidAmerica Nazarene University Bell Center, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS. Ticket available for $6 | MNU Student Tickets are Free. MNU Choirs joined by alumni and community members, with chamber orchestra, perform Part One of G.F. Handel’s Messiah, with other holiday works
Winterlude Angela Hagenbach Quintet
Dec. 2 at Carlsen Center 12345 College Blvd. Overland Park, KS. Words can paint pictures. Especially when they’re spoken or song by Angela Hagenbach, one of those rare singer/songwriters who finds more in a song than the composer penned. Johnny Mandel said it best, "She sings with perfect taste and sounds like no one else!" Her lush contralto voice covers nearly three octaves with clarity and effortless agility. Performing with Angela are Roger Wilder, piano, Tyrone Clark, bass, Michael Warren, drums, and other local jazz musicians.
The Little Prince by Mesner Puppet Theater
Dec. 4 - 29 at The Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station , 30 W. Pershing, Kansas City, MO. Stranded in the Sahara Desert by his downed biplane, a world-weary pilot encounters the mysterious Little Prince who asks the pilot to draw him a sheep. The beloved story of The Little Prince, brought to life in a stunning new co-production from Mesner Puppet Theater and the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station.Tickets for this show are sold at Union Station, (816) 460-2020 or online at boxoffice.unionstation.org.
Dec. 6 - 23 at MTH at Crown Center, 2500 Grand, Kansas City, MO. Fun for the entire family, MTH’s annual Christmas Show features holiday music taken from Musical Theater as well as innovative arrangements of Holiday classics. An upbeat and dynamic show full of singing, dancing, show tunes and Christmas classics! There’s nothing better than Crown Center during the holidays!
Dec. 7- 23 at JOCO Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS. A new musical comedy by the Grammy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated composer and lyricist, Harry Connick, Jr.’s The Happy Elf tells the tale of Eubie the Elf, a lovable fellow who wants to spread Christmas joy throughout the town of Bluesville. Hoping to introduce a new generation of children to the joys of jazz, Connick has crafted a musical landscape against which Eubie’s story unfolds. The Happy Elf follows Eubie, the happiest elf at the North Pole. More than anything else, Eubie longs to be a part of Santa’s sleigh team. Instead, he’s stuck checking the naughty-or-nice lists. Then, one Christmas Eve, he sees something strange: in the whole town of Bluesville, not a single person has been nice. With a pinch of elfish magic and a magical whoosh, Eubie’s off to Bluesville. But can he turn a whole town of naughty children nice in just one day?
FREE Dec. 7 at Noon at Municipal Auditorium, 301 W 13th St, Kansas City, MO. The Kansas City Symphony is excited to present the region’s largest Tuba Christmas event EVER. All area tuba and euphonium players are invited to join in the festivities. Early and accurate registration is encouraged. Friends, family and the general public are invited to attend the lunch hour concert to listen to the sounds of the season, tuba-style! Tickets are free, however advanced registration is required for concert goers.
Dec. 7-9 at Helzberg Hall | Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO. The Messiah performance of the year! Nearly 200 amazing musicians and powerful voices bring this choral masterpiece to life with the return of Aram Demirjian as guest conductor. From the “Passion of the Christ” to the “Hallelujah Chorus,” Handel’s glorious Messiah is bigger and better than ever in the acoustically marvelous Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center - an unforgettable start to your holiday season.
Dec. 7 at 7pm at Bell Cultural Events Center 2030 E College Way, Olathe, KS. Emmanuel is a dance concert that tells the Christmas story through the lens of fulfilled prophecy and anticipation of the future return of our king, Jesus! Act I showcases a collection of choral and dance pieces performed to your favorite classic and contemporary Christmas songs. Act II transitions into a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story through dance and spoken word. Don't miss this moving experience! Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Taxes and fees apply.
Santa Land Christmas Puppet Show
Dec. 8 & 15 at Puppetry Arts Institute, 11025 E. Winner Rd., Independence, MO. Tickets: $6/ea. Performed by Kraig Kensinger, puppeteer. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus as they host a festive showcase of music, stories, and holiday merriment.
Dec. 8 at 7:30pm at Liberty Performing Arts Theatre, 1600 South Withers Road, Liberty, MO. Enjoy the popular holiday concert, featuring dancers from Luzicka Ballet. Seats are general admission, with the exception of season tickets, which are clearly marked in the theatre. Tickets are $5/students, WJC and LPS faculty/staff, $8/adults ($10/adults at the door)
FREE Dec. 8 & 9 at Lenexa Baptist Church, 15320 W 87th St Pkwy, Lenexa, KS. Kansas City Christmas is our yearly Christmas program featuring the LBC Worship Choir and Orchestra. This is event is free to everyone but there is no reserved seating, so get here early! The concert will be followed by a Dessert Buffet. Childcare provided for ages 3 and under.
Dec. 8 & 9 at Olathe South Performing Arts Center, 1640 E 151st St, Olathe, KS. Since 2005 Miller Marley’s Youth Ballet has come together with guest performers to present a condensed version of “Nutcracker” ~ just perfect for audiences of all ages. This adaptation of “Nutcracker” follows Clara on a magical journey that leads her into a dream-like world filled with some of your favorite scenes from this holiday classic ballet in a shortened show. Prior to “Clara’s Dream” other performing groups from Miller Marley entertain with a variety of dance styles. Each year something new comes to this show. Come to see what surprises are in store this year!
Under the Streetlamp 'Hip to the Holidays!'
Dec. 8 at Carlsen Center , 12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS. Let’s get Hip to the Holidays, as Under the Streetlamp celebrates with a joyous performance of your favorite holiday tunes plus songs from the American Radio Songbook. Oh, what fun it is to dance in the aisles while merrily singing along to songs from their live PBS specials and studio album Every Day’s a Holiday. Featuring I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Santa Bring My Baby Back, Run, Run Rudolph, Ave Maria and many more. It’ll be a night to remember!
Ms. Dennise's Christmas Puppet Theater
FREE Dec. 8 at 2pm at Mid-Continent Public Library, Lee's Summit Branch. Santa visiting the Library! Join the nationally-renowned LS Puppeteers for two charming and lively tales that star the "jolly old elf" himself! Registration required.
An Extraordinary Ordinary Night
FREE Dec. 9 at Colonial Presbyterian Church - Overland Park Campus, 12501 W. 137th Street, Overland Park, KS. A creative production with a contemporary story woven into the timeless nativity story through music and song. The program culminates with children and adults alike walking to the manger; bringing gifts (toys, socks, hats, gloves, monetary donations). These gifts will be distributed to families in the Kansas City area and beyond who are less fortunate than ourselves. Join us at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 AM, or 6:00 PM. Child care for infants and toddlers will be provided at all services.
FREE Dec. 9 at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO. n original nativity musical, Unto Us. This presentation reminds us that Mary and Joseph were two very human, very faithful people who believed in a miracle against all earthly odds in order to bring a Savior to this world. Unto Us celebrates this miracle of redeeming grace, and a Savior who is called Jesus. You are invited to come and witness this miracle on Sunday, December 9 at 9:00 and 11:00 AM. Bring your family and friends and rejoice together in the gift of salvation that God has given Unto Us.
Jim Brickman: A Joyful Christmas
Dec. 10 at 7:30pm at Folly Theatre, 300 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO. Be part of the holiday concert tradition of the season with Grammy-nominated songwriter and piano sensation Jim Brickman as he celebrates A Joyful Christmas at the Folly Theater.
The Holly and the Ivy: Celebrating the Season in Song
Dec. 13 - 16 at The Culture House Stage and Studio (at Oak Park Mall), 11149 W 95th St, Overland Park, KS. “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year.” - Charles Dickens Come and honor Christmas with us as we present The Holy and The Ivy, an evening of intimate Christmas music performed by some of Kansas City’s best musicians. The song selection will be a mix of Christmas classics, instrumentals and original pieces. The musicians have prepared each song to blend the great American traditions of Americana, Folk and Jazz. The Holly and The Ivy will bring the hope of the season to the hearts of the audience and send them home with memories to help keep it all year long.
Overland Park Civic Band Christmas Concert
Dec. 13 at Mid-America Nazarene University, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS. Holiday cheer will be heard when The Overland Park Civic Band, under the direction of Cletson Cox, presents their 2018 Christmas concert. Mr. Cox will be conducting several holiday classics and fun arrangements of songs and carols the audience will surely enjoy. He is joined on the concert by Assistant Conductor Andrew Yates.
Dec. 14-16, Bell Road Barn Players, 8700 NW Park Dr, Parkville, MO. Local Kansas City playwrights have written an original set of one-act plays for the Bell Road Barn Players which were inspired by real, humorous, dramatic -- and yet always awkward -- family Christmas portraits. You’ll never look the same way at your own annual Christmas photos or those from your friends and relatives!
Dec. 14-18, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO. Kansas City’s favorite Christmas concert tradition returns for seven joyous performances with the Symphony and Symphony Chorus. Cherished Christmas carols and Yuletide songs, talented special guests and one jolly visitor from the North Pole are sure to fill you with holiday spirit.
Dec. 14-16, MTH at Crown Center. After three sold out performances in 2016, Zachary Stevenson returns to MTH with his brand new Buddy Holly Holiday tribute show! Zach is one of the most charismatic performers you’re likely to see and he’s got some holiday favorites as well as a few Buddy Holly classics in store for you as he and his band serve up a unique Holiday treat!
Dec. 14 from 6:30-pm at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena 19100 E Valley View Pkwy, Independence, MO. The Heartland Figure Skating Club presents Frozen Skating Adventures! Adults $5. Children $3 (ages 2-12 years old). Children under 2 years of age are free
Dec. 15 & 16 at Lee's Summit West HS Performing Arts Center, 2600 SW Ward Road, Lees Summit, MO. Tickets: $6 In Advance Online/$7 At the Door. Everyone’s favorite holiday classic comes to life on stage. Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang as they produce their own Christmas play and ultimately learn the true meaning of the season. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS is a present the whole family can enjoy! Adapted from Charles M. Schulz’s timeless story of the spirit of Christmas, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS features the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi, as well as a concert of beloved holiday carols performed by the Peanuts characters. There’s no better way to discover the magic of the season!
The Nutcracker at Carlsen Center
Dec. 15 & 16 at Carlsen Center, 12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS. Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, The Nutcracker, performed by the American Youth Ballet. Don’t miss the magic and tradition. A 40 foot growing tree, snow falling on stage, and a live orchestra highlight an Overland Park tradition.
Dec. 15 at The Pavilion at John Knox Village, 520 NW Murray Rd, Lee's Summit, MO. Enjoy Lee’s Summit Symphony’s Holiday Concert
FREE Dec. 15 at 11am at Union Station 30 W. Pershing, Kansas City, MO. 2018 marks the second annual year of KC Trombone Christmas held in the Grand Plaza at historic Union Station! The Trombone Christmas Kansas City Concert was founded by Dr. Frank Perez and Mr. William Biggs in 2017 and is presented to promote and encourage the fellowship and musicianship of trombone players through the performance of Christmas Music.
A New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration… Holiday Edition with Harry Connick Jr
Dec. 19 at 7pm at Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland 1228 Main St, Kansas City, MO. Join Harry and his amazing band as they celebrate New Orleans’ three hundredth birthday and the influences that shaped his career. Enjoy the evening as Harry toasts this beloved city and also performs a selection of holiday favorites.
KING & COUNTRY's Little Drummer Boy
Dec. 21 at 7pm at Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO. Two-time GRAMMY award-winning duo for KING and; COUNTRY’s Little Drummer Boy, The Christmas Tour featuring Cory Asbury will visit Sprint Center on Friday, Dec. 21. The Tour will include fan favorite Christmas Carols and music from their new album, ‘burn the ships’.
Dec. 26 at Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO. Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) highly-anticipated Winter Tour 2018 will return to Sprint Center on Dec. 26 for two spectacular shows. This year’s 20th-anniversary tour, a presentation of TSO’s unforgettable “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” will feature founder/composer/lyricist Paul O’Neill’s timeless story of a runaway who finds her way into a mysterious abandoned theater.
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker
Dec. 28, Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland. Presenting world class Russian artists, hand-painted sets, Russian Snow Maidens, and jubilant Nesting Dolls – Great Russian Nutcracker brings the Christmas spirit to life for all ages.
Classic Christmas Movies
$3 Classic Holiday Movie Series at Union Station
Union Station, 30 W. Pershing, Kansas City. $3/ea. Polar Express in your PJs! Elf! Christmas Vacation! Home Alone! Your favorite holiday classic movies are back at Union Station’s GIANT 5-story Extreme Screen starting November 16. Relive the magic of these beloved family favorites at KC’s BIGGEST SCREEN for JUST $3 per ticket. All movies featured daily at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm. Polar Express also featured at 10am Saturdays and Sundays. PLEASE NOTE: Polar Express shows typically sell out and advance ticket purchase is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.
2018 Schedule:
- Nov 16 to Nov 21- Christmas Vacation
- Nov 23 to Nov 29 - Elf
- Nov 30 to Dec 6 - Home Alone
- Dec 7 to Dec 18 - Polar Express in Your PJs
FREE at Mid-Continent Public Libraries.
- Dec. 2 at 1:30pm at North Oak Branch Disney's A Christmas Carol
- Dec. 4 at 6:30pm at Colbern National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
- Dec. 9 at 1:30pm at North Oak Branch A Christmas Carol
- Dec. 16 at 1:30pm at North Oak Branch The Muppet Christmas Carol
Nov. 30 from 7:30-10pm at Fieldhouse, 425 NE Mock Ave, Blue Springs MO. $5 per person. Children 2 and under free. All aboard the Polar Express Pajama Party! Get in the Christmas spirit with the family, while watching the adventurous film on the turf. Hot chocolate, cookies, and popcorn will be available. Pajamas are encouraged!
FREE Dec. 7 from 6-9pm at Summit Fair space next to Cato, 840-M NW Blue Pkwy, Lee's Summi, MO. Enjoy a FREE Christmas celebration featuring cookies and cocoa, crafts for the kiddos, free visits and photos with Buddy the Elf, balloon art, holiday face painting, giveaways and more! *All giveaways are provided on a first come, first served basis and are only available while supply lasts. Elf will be showing in the courtyard for ambiance.
Christmas Classics: Holiday Movies
FREE Olathe Downtown Library, 201 E. Park St., Olathe, KS. Enjoy classic Christmas specials at the library! All seating is on the floor, so we suggest bringing a blanket or pillow. Tickets will be handed out beginning 15 minutes before the movie. For all ages. Kindergartners and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
2018 Schedule:
- Dec. 10 at 4pm Frosty the Snowman (1969, 25 mins. G)
- Dec. 12 at 4pm How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966, 26 mins. NR)
- Dec. 14 at 4pm Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964, 47 mins. G)
Throughout the holiday season at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 1400 Main St., Kansas City, MO. Watch beloved holiday films on the big screen, enjoy in theater dining, and themed holiday parties like only the Alamo can party. With snowball fights, sing-alongs, trivia games, and fun - the Alamo adds a special touch to your holiday film viewings. Watch their calendar for times.
It's a Wonderful Life in Concert
Dec. 21 & 22 at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO. CineConcerts brings you one of the most heartwarming classic films: It’s a Wonderful Life in Concert. The film comes to life with Dimitri Timokin’s timeless score performed by a live symphony orchestra while the full film is shown on the big screen. Jimmy Stewart portrays the down-and-out George, a lovable “failure” with so many problems that he is thinking about ending it all - and it’s Christmas! Clarence, his guardian angel, shows George what his town would be like if it hadn’t been for all of his good deeds. Experience the most beloved holiday movie of all time transformed into an unforgettable live film concert event!
This is just the beginning of the holiday fun awaiting your family this season. Discover more on our Kansas City Christmas Guide.
Note: We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always verify dates, times, location and other information, especially with the possibility of weather impacts. Please submit corrections and additions to this guide to kristina@kcparent.com.