It wouldn’t be Christmas in Kansas City without a visit downtown to Union Station and Crown Center, or an excursion to watch the Plaza Lighting Ceremony on Thanksgiving evening. And don’t forget the many spectacular light shows around the metro that bring the magic of Christmas to everyone. Kansas City has many great traditions for all to experience and enjoy during the holiday season.
Crown Center (2405 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO): A family tradition for several generations now, Crown Center is a great place to kick off the holidays. The mayor’s Christmas tree will arrive all the way from Oregon at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, and set in place the next day, Friday, Nov. 6, at 10:00 a.m. The arrival of this 100-foot Douglas fir also coincides with the opening of the Crown Center Ice Terrace. The mayor’s Christmas tree, one of the tallest Christmas trees in the United States, is decorated with 7,200 twinkling lights! Another Crown Center highlight is when Santa Claus comes to town! On Friday, Nov. 27, Santa will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage and then make his way to Gingerbread Station, where he will reside until Dec. 24. After visiting Santa, children can play in the festive Gingerbread Village (open until Dec. 31) and watch the model Christmas train travel through the miniature North Pole. Lastly, be sure to get a good viewing spot for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony that takes place at 5:30 on Friday, Nov. 27. Mayor Lucas will flip the switch to light the mayoral tree, along with a special guest. Did you know that every year, beautiful keepsake ornaments are made by Hallmark from the previous year’s mayor’s Christmas tree? They are available for purchase at the customer service desk inside Crown Center; proceeds benefit the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, serving area charities. Throughout the holiday season, choirs and musicians perform in Crown Center, and kids can frolic at a special play area set up for them under the mayor’s Christmas tree.
Because of COVID-19, please check Crown Center’s calendar of events and hours of operation, as some events may be changed, postponed or canceled.
Roy Inman
Union Station at Christmas
Thousands crowded into Grand Hall at Union Station for the annual holiday lighting ceremony 112214.
Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO): After visiting Crown Center, walk to Union Station using the indoor walkway, the Link (located in the Westin Hotel). The holidays truly come alive as you stroll into the Grand Hall and marvel at the beautiful decorations bedecking this iconic KC building. Your family will spy many picture-perfect spots for a family photo. Children can take a ride on the historic Jones Store miniature train, and the whole family will admire the model trains exhibits in the Grand Plaza that have been transformed into scenes of winter wonderlands. Outside in the rail yard, step aboard Rudy, the Christmas train, when he comes through town on select dates. Indoors, have dinner at Harvey’s Restaurant or check out all the hands-on learning Science City has to offer. You also can catch a holiday movie, like The Polar Express, at the Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre, always a hit with the kids! Toward the end of November, Union Station usually has an official opening to the holiday season with a lighting ceremony, local musicians and choirs, and a performance by Quixotic (a local contemporary aerial circus company).
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Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station
Combining interactive astronomy education with spectacular public shows and night sky viewing opportunities, the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium continues to be one of Kansas City's greatest connections to the night sky.
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Country Club Plaza
41st and Wyandotte, Kansas City, MissouriIt was designed in 1922 as the nation's first suburban shopping district. Since then, it's open-air public art gallery has continuously added to its collection, with fountains, sculptures and murals.
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Crown Center
2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MissouriCrown Center is the place for pure entertainment. With exciting events and unique attractions. A center full of locally owned shops and restaurants. And two luxury hotels so you can stay at the center of it all.
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Crown Center Ice Terrace
Enjoy ice skating at Kansas City's original outdoor rink, open annually November-March.
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Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
Visitors can see more than 250 animals and birds, learn about growing flowers and vegetables, or experience an Indian encampment, a one-room country schoolhouse and a turn-of-the-century main street.
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Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Savor beautiful gardens including a Monet garden, a children’s garden and water gardens.
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Powell Gardens
Powell Gardens is a not-for-profit botanical garden located just east of Kansas City, Missouri. Our mission: to be an experience that embraces the Midwest’s spirit of place and inspires an appreciation for the importance of plants in our lives.
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Science City at Union Station
Kansas City’s Science Center, Science City at Union Station Kansas City, is a dynamic, hands-on science center featuring nearly 200 individual interactive exhibits and daily programming. Kids of all ages experience the amazing world of science fir...
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dszc Getty Images/iStockphoto
Union Station
A place for great adventure. Where Kansas City Connects. All of these phrases – and more – are regularly used to describe Union Station. Visitors of all ages, from all places and for all reasons tie Union Station to special and magical moments.
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Because of COVID-19, please check Union Station’s calendar of events and hours of operation, as some events may be changed, postponed or canceled.
While downtown, catch a ride on the Downtown Dazzle holiday trolleys and explore stops along the downtown loop. Better yet, make a weekend of it and book a room at the Westin Crown Center or Sheraton Crown Center hotels!
Country Club Plaza (4706 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO): The holiday season in Kansas City officially begins the evening of Thanksgiving. That’s when the Plaza lights are turned on with great fanfare and ceremony. For 90 years, the Plaza lights have been a classic and beloved Kansas City tradition. Take a drive or stroll through the Plaza to take in the lights that festoon the Spanish Revival-style buildings, enjoy dinner at one of the popular restaurants and do some holiday shopping at one of the many retail stores.
Because of COVID-19, this event is subject to change. Check KC Parent.com for up-to-date holiday events.
Holiday Light Shows: Kansas City shines with spectacular holiday light displays throughout the metro area. Pack some hot cocoa and go for a drive to explore the illuminations or take a brisk walk to enjoy the lights up close. Here is a list of the most popular displays:
- NEW for 2020! Winter Magic (Swope Park 7332 Oakwood., KC, MO)
- Christmas in the Park (1499 SW County Park Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO)
- Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead (13800 Switzer, Overland Park, KS)
- Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens (1609 US-50 E., Kingsville, MO)
- Luminary Walk at Overland Park Arboretum (8909 W. 179th St., Overland Park, KS)
- Candy Cane Lane (7900 block of Outlook Lane, Prairie Village, KS)
- Christmas Place at Terrace Place Subdivision (131st Place & Antioch, Overland Park, KS)
- Holiday Lights Display at AltaSciences (103rd & Metcalf, Overland Park, KS)
Because of COVID-19, these events are subject to change. Check KCParent.com for up-to-date events.
Margaret Bristow is a lifelong Kansas City resident who especially loves her hometown during the holidays.