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Holiday Shopping Experiences

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Sales, craft shows, special shopping events for children, and opportunities to support local businesses abound in Kansas City this holiday season.

Note: These events are not listed sequentially. Many events occur on multiple dates – if you click on the event, you will see the dates available. Each event initially displays its most recent upcoming occurrence. 

Note: This guide may not be reproduced in print or online without permission from KC Parent. Please submit events for consideration in this guide to kristina@kcparent.com.

Our Favorite KC Area Shopping Destinations:


Photo credit DiMartino Photography.

Crown Center


Shop a variety of shops and enjoy many great restaurants at Crown Center. Ice Skating at the Ice Terrace, a visit to Legoland or Sea Life, live shows, and a visit with Santa are all musts when visiting this local holiday landmark. The Mayor’s Christmas tree, a 100-foot tree will illuminate the city throughout the holidays and acts as a symbol for the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which benefits Kansas City’s less fortunate residents. After the holidays, the wood from the tree is repurposed to be commemorative ornaments, which are sold the following year to benefit the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund.

One of the highlights of a holiday visit to Crown Center is Santa’s Gingerbread Station. Explore this interactive exhibit, meet and have their photo taken with Santa Claus (through December 24), climb aboard the Crown Center Express Train Engine, and enjoy Santa’s Gingerbread Station. No admission fee. Photos with Santa are available for a fee, or you may take your own.

Family Tree Nursery


With three locations (Overland Park, Shawnee, and Liberty) Family Tree is convenient for shoppers across the metro. Their Christmas showrooms are sure to spark your festive creativity this holiday season as you explore the different products and themes. Shop amongst an abundant selection of garlands, wreaths, holiday picks, ornaments, permanent trees, home accents, holiday scents, and more. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

IKEA


IKEA Merriam is conveniently located off Shawnee Mission Parkway and I-35 in Merriam, Kansas, just 10 miles away from Kansas City, Missouri. Whether you’re looking for bedroom furniture, living room furniture, patio furniture, children’s furniture, home office furniture, dining room furniture or bathroom furnishings, IKEA Merriam is the place to be. You can also find everything needed for your affordable kitchen renovation, including cabinets and appliances, and your budget-friendly bathroom refresh, including vanities and towels! IKEA Merriam is committed to sustainability: this affordable Kansas City area furniture store has the most solar panels in the state of Kansas, operates on geothermal energy and LED lighting, and has electric vehicle recharging stations. So shop for your entire family and be ready for a day of game-changing home design inspiration, awesome affordable furniture savings, good eats and more! Pro Tip: Save 15% off your purchase with this coupon for IKEA Family Members!

Zona Rosa


Zona Rosa is the Northland’s premier retail, dining, and entertainment destination ‘ where shopping is fun, memories are made, and Kansas City traditions are celebrated. The layout is reminiscent of downtowns of the past, with individual storefronts evoking a sort of village-feel. Zona Rosa is more than just a mall, it’s an open-air Town Center where the local community can gather. Amid the retail space you’ll find grassy areas with fountains and park benches just right for relaxing, and wide sidewalks meant for strolling. It will take you back to a time when life moved a bit slower, and things seemed simpler. Zona Rosa is home to many well-known merchants, including Barnes and Noble, Old Navy, New York & Company, Dick’s Sporting Goods, White House Black Market, Children’s Place, Build A Bear, and Dillard’s, just to name a few. Appetites will be satisfied with the many dining options including Bravo! Italian Cucina, Buffalo Wild Wings, Noodles & Company, Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy, Hereford House, Bar Louie, Yogurtini, and Swagat Fine Indian Cuisine. Learn more about Zona Rosa.

Upcoming Shopping Events:

25 Days of Christmas Giveaway

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25 Days of Christmas Winners (more to come)

  1. Lauren  Clark (Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens)

  2. Meghan Coy (Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens)

  3. Angel Mallen (Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens)

  4. Laura Kinney (Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens)

  5. Elisabeth Johnsrud (Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens)

  6. Katie Burt (SEA LIFE Kansas City)

  7. Kendra Mitts (SEA LIFE Kansas City)

  8. Amber Kelley (SEA LIFE Kansas City)

  9. Megan Lee (SEA LIFE Kansas City)

  10. Donna Jacobson (SEA LIFE Kansas City)

  11. Janelle Gaskell (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

  12. Henry Cornejo (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

  13. Carla Wolters (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

  14. David Witham (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

  15. Jackie Joly (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

  16. Brandon Hoch (KC Zoo & Aquarium)

  17. Trena Shrader (KC Zoo & Aquarium)

  18. Michael Bates (KC Zoo & Aquarium)

  19. Joy Winger  (KC Zoo & Aquarium)

  20. Alicia White (KC Zoo & Aquarium)

  21. April Delbridge (Legoland Discovery Center)

  22. Kelsey Salmon (Legoland Discovery Center)

  23. Allison Herrman (Legoland Discovery Center)

  24. Katie Bushong (Legoland Discovery Center)

  25. Niko Dinh-Phan (Legoland Discovery Center)

  26. Kristin Robertson (Tick Tock Escape Rooms)

  27. Maddie Dawdy (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  28. Dove Cohen (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  29. Lauren Haggerty (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  30. Gracia Larson (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  31. Anita Davis (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  32. Bailey Calton (Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter $399 Birthday Party)

  33. Debbie Chasteen (Crown Center $335 Gift Basket)

  34. Sara Zarnstorff (Urban Air Trampoline Park)

  35. Aurelie Domegoure / Kpagnane Somda  (Coterie Theatre: The Lightning Thief)

  36. Sara Prewitt (Union Station /Science City / Bricktionary/ Gottlieb Planetarium Bundle)

  37. Amy Lang (Union Station /Science City / Bricktionary/ Gottlieb Planetarium Bundle)

  38. Merissa Galloway (Union Station /Science City / Bricktionary/ Gottlieb Planetarium Bundle)

  39. Mariana Williams  (Union Station /Science City / Bricktionary/ Gottlieb Planetarium Bundle)

  40. Michael Randall  (Union Station /Science City / Bricktionary/ Gottlieb Planetarium Bundle)

  41. Tiffany Liles (Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens)

  42. Korinne Armour (Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens)

  43. Diane Wagnon (Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens)

  44. Gail Wood (Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens)

  45. Tyler Thomson (Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens)

  46. Sheryl Becker (Coterie Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)

  47. Alyssa Toliver  (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  48. Erin Booth  (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  49. Amber Goucher (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  50. Ashley Huff (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  51. Heather Coleman (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  52. Jared Ripley (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

  53. Angela Guinand (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

  54. Sherel Scharschell (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

  55. Karmylle Ellington (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

  56. Timbrel Berg (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

  57. Rebecca Peghee (Legoland Discovery Center)

  58. Kathleen Donais (Legoland Discovery Center)

  59. Kate McNeil (Legoland Discovery Center)

  60. Sarah Meyer (Legoland Discovery Center)

  61. Emily Wilson (Legoland Discovery Center)

  62. Kylie Adams (Sea Life Aquarium Kansas City)

  63. Melissa Roach (Sea Life Aquarium Kansas City)

  64. Tina Caponetto (Sea Life Aquarium Kansas City)

  65. Laura Benvenuto (Sea Life Aquarium Kansas City)

  66. Gina Hill (Sea Life Aquarium Kansas City)

  67. Megan Buck  (Coterie Theatre: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed)

  68. Christy Baxter (Monster Jam)

  69. Dawna Madison (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  70. Tammy Corwin (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  71. Sarah Bramble (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  72. Deric Brown (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  73. Jennifer Delph (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  74. Stacie Edwards (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  75. Shelly Stephenson (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  76. Jared Bruner (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  77. Natisha Flores (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  78. Courtney Calhoun (Holiday Lights & Magic and Winter Magic)

  79. Melissa Rudd (Disney on Ice)

  80. Miri Crosson (Union Station /Science City / Bricktionary/ Gottlieb Planetarium Bundle)

  81. Stacey Belter (Union Station /Science City / Bricktionary/ Gottlieb Planetarium Bundle)

  82. Christine Wise (Union Station /Science City / Bricktionary/ Gottlieb Planetarium Bundle)

  83. Jane Watson (Union Station /Science City / Bricktionary/ Gottlieb Planetarium Bundle)

  84. Jodi Thompson (Union Station /Science City / Bricktionary/ Gottlieb Planetarium Bundle)

  85. Kellie Weatherly (IKEA)          

  86. Bethina Sampson (IKEA)

  87. Renee Rohe (IKEA)

  88. Charity Gerlt (IKEA)

  89. Ashley Pfeifer (IKEA)

KC’s New Year’s Eve Guide

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Bid farewell to 2023 and Ring in 2024! Celebrate the New Year with fun for the entire family… you’ll find family-friendly parties and events across the metro as our favorite venues roll out the red carpet for YOU!

Note: This guide was compiled by the staff of KC Parent Magazine and may not be reproduced in print or online without permission. If you have additions to this guide, please email kristina@kcparent.com.

KC Santa Sightings

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These are some of our favorite local Santa sightings. Santa and his elves are celebrating the holidays with special events all season long! You’ll also find events with other Christmas characters on our list: Elf, Fairy Princess, and more!

Note: These events are not listed sequentially. Many events occur on multiple dates – if you click on the event, you will see the dates available. Each event initially displays its most recent upcoming occurrence. 

TIP: Santa also appears at Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies. Read our KC Holiday Lighting Ceremonies Guide here.

If you have an addition to this list, please submit it to our KC Parent Calendar for consideration.

Kansas City’s Ultimate Christmas Fun Guide

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Christmas in Kansas City is a truly magical time of year. We’re excited about Holiday Reflections at Union Station, Christmas at Crown Center, the Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens, and more. And, it wouldn’t be Christmas without enjoying our favorite annual traditions like Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol, a visit with Santa at Crown Center and Rudolph: The Red-Nosed Reindeer at Coterie. Top it off with a visit to see the Fairy Princess, Santa, and other holiday friends, experience a living nativity, and celebrate with a holiday festival. This is your ultimate guide to a Kansas City Christmas!

On Dec. 8, 2023, Kristina Light with KC Parent participated in an interview on KCUR’s Up To Date highlighting our Top Picks this Christmas in KC. Listen here.

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