Powell Gardens is known for its terrific seasonal festivals and this holiday season they bring the return of theannaEvergy Festival of Lights (November 10 – December 30, 2022 (Wednesday – Sunday* | 4-10 p.m.)) with all the magic visitors have come to love and some new experiences as well.

We attended the Festival on opening weekend, experiencing the magic of the winter wonderland – a nice respite for the family. This festival runs all season long, so the crowd size is manageable and guests are able to enjoy the lights and displays at a leisurely and comfortable pace.

This year, the light installations by featured new media artist, Kevin Heckart are truly spectacular. We began in the conservatory… transformed into a tropical paradise:

The Conservatory is decorated as anannaEnchanted Tiki Barannawith tropical plants, an island bar, and a suspended installation creating a fun and festive Hawaiian Christmas. Mele Kalikimaka!

We then took a stroll through the magical lit outdoor path, while you stroll a lighted outdoor path enjoying the many displays along the way, including beautifully lit trees, a light tunnel,annaand sculptures (the butterfly is a favorite)

Our favorite display is theannaQuixotic Fountain of Lightannain theannaFountain Garden. This immersive installation presents a trulyannadazzling show of light and sound.anna

TheannaIlluminated Passageannain theannaHeartland Harvest Garden is whimsical and fun. Guests are encouraged to stand in the center and take group photos. The display looks like a colorful starry night sky overhead.

Another crowd favorite is theannaLight Labyrinth at theannaMissouri Barn & Silo. We wandered the quilt-like pattern of the garden beds all decorated with a maze of lights. The colors transition from cooler to warmer colors representingannafall, winter, spring, and summer.

A trip to Powell Gardens wouldn’t be complete without going to the top of the Silo for a birds’ eye view of the lights below.anna

Additional Favorites:

Magic Tree:annaTram Circle near Visitor Center. This is a new installation this year and a guest favorite!anna

Snowglobe Selfie Station:annaJump into a life-sized snow globe for a winter selfie!

NEW! Santa’s Workshop: Opens with Santa’s arrival on November 25. Education Building (in Children’s Garden). Children of all ages will enjoy visiting Santa’s Workshop inside the Children’s Garden. Visitors can purchase a Powell Garden craft ornament to decorate or shop for stocking stuffers. Santa’s Workshop is full of unique and traditional toys, games, candies, and gifts.

Food & Drink

There are many great food and drink options throughout the festival so you an enjoy warm drinks and snacks along the way (Powell Gardens does allow outside food, so we brought water bottles as well).

• Enchanted Tiki BarannaConservatory (Visitor Center). Powell Gardens’ signature glass-domed conservatory is transformed into a holiday-themed enchanted tiki bar complete with island cocktails, live tropical plants, music and the evolving glow of a suspended installation by featured new media artist, Kevin Heckart. Mele Kalikimaka!
• Grand Hall Bar + BitesannaGrand Hall (Visitor Center). Beer, wine, hot chocolate, and hot cider (with spiking options!) and snacks are available in the Visitor Center. Guests can upgrade their Country Club Bank Cocoa order to an Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens branded reusable cup, sponsored by Country Club Bank, FDIC.
• The Marketplace at Powell GardensannaVisitor Center. The Marketplace at Powell Gardens has garden-inspired and locally made gifts, including Powell Gardens grown poinsettias. Shop a selection of sweet and savory snacks alongside favorite beverages.
• Peppermint Warming Station:annaGarden Galleries. Warm up halfway through your walk! One side of the warming station in the Garden Galleries greenhouses will serve Country Club Bank Cocoa and hot cider (spiked or non-alcoholic) amidst a festive peppermint display. On the other side, a new interactive installation from featured artist Kevin Heckart adds cheer and whimsy. Warm up and enjoy the lights amidst a display of Powell Gardens grown poinsettias.
• Holly Jolly Rest StopannaMissouri Barn and Silo. Enjoy warm drinks (spiked and not!), hot food, sweet and savory snacks, and a full selection of beer, wine, and cocktails at this festive outpost. The Missouri Barn features fire pits where families can cozy up together in front of a spectacular view of the Lighted Labyrinth display in the Villandry Garden. Head up to the top of the Silo and gaze out over the Gardens and experience the twinkling wonderland from above. Guests can upgrade their Country Club Bank Cocoa order to an Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens branded reusable cup, sponsored by Country Club Bank, FDIC.
• Sip & Sugar Coffee Shop:annaMissouri Barn and Silo. Coffee lovers can enjoy a cup of local roasted coffee along with fresh bakery sweets and treats at Sip & Sugar Coffee Shop located at the Missouri Barn and Silo. Guests can upgrade their Country Club Bank Cocoa order to an Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens branded reusable cup, sponsored by Country Club Bank, FDIC.

Special Dates:

• Visit with SantaannaNovember 25 – December 17 | Friday & Saturday, 5-9 p.m. (Daily December 19-22) Santa’s Workshop in Children’s Garden. On Fridays and Saturdays between November 25 and December 17 (and daily Dec. 19-22), create and deliver your holiday wish lists to Santa in a festively transformed corncrib in the Children’s Garden, where he will be posing for photos.

Musical Performances

• Friday, November 18: Emily Dix (6-8 p.m.)
• Saturday, November 19: Huixqui Sister (6-9 p.m.)
• Sunday, November 20: Hammer Dulcimer & Guitar by Linda and Dan (6-8 p.m.)
• Friday, November 25: Bonbons Gitaus Gypsy Jazz (6-8 p.m.)
• Sunday, November 27: KC Horn Club (5:30-7:30 p.m., Missouri Barn & Silo)
• Sunday, November 27: Hammer Dulcimer & Guitar by Linda & Dan (6-8 p.m., Grand Hall)
• Friday, December 2: Hammer Dulcimer & Guitar by Linda & Dan (6-8 p.m., Grand Hall)
• Friday, December 2: St. Paul Ringers Bell Choir (6-8 p.m., Visitor Center Terrace)
• Saturday, December 3: St. Paul Ringers Bell Choir (6-8 p.m., Visitor Center Terrace)
• Saturday, December 3: Center Place Restoration School Choir (6-6:45 p.m., Grand Hall)
• Saturday, December 3: Carolers of Note (6-8 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 4: Tre Venti Woodwind & String Trio (6-8 p.m., Grand Hall)

Gifts and Souvenirs

The gift shop sells a variety of gifts and souvenirs for all ages!

Powell Gardens’ Evergy Festival of Lights is a wonderful holiday tradition to enjoy this season. Dates:annaNovember 10 – December 30, 2022 (Wednesday – Sunday* | 4-10 p.m.

Union Station, Kansas City’s Home, is celebrating theannaholiday season with its annual installation ofanna”Holiday Reflections.” The magical winter wonderland inannaUnion Station’s Grand Plaza features spectacular decorations includingannaKansas City’s largest indoor decorated tree, sky-reaching lights, floating mirrored ornaments, singing penguins and reindeer, whimsical windows, miles of garland, tens of thousands of lights, and of course, trains!

You begin your experience in the pine tree forest with an experience for the senses as the scent of fresh pine wafts through the air, snow falls on the hour, music is played, and two angels herald in the holidays with their trumpets.

The newest attraction this year is a special holiday-themed VR ride. Our family enjoyed the experience as weannarode through Lapland, the North Pole, Santa’s headquarters, and the Northern Lights.annaTickets to Magical Sleigh Ride VR (located insideannaHolidayannaReflections) are $6 and available to purchase once insideannaHolidayannaReflections.

The singing penguin trio is back this year, dazzling children with their holiday crooning.

The displays throughout Holiday Reflections are truly spectacular. You’ll find many fabulous photo ops including the I Heart Santa sign, Giant Golden Ornaments, the North Pole, and more.

In addition to singing penguins, you’ll find singing reindeer – a more comical musical group.anna

The whimsical holiday windows are all animated with delightful Christmas scenes reminiscent of the North Pole. Santa’s Holiday Village includes light poles with animated scenes, windows, and a special station where children may write letters to Santa.

The vintage reindeer and decorations throughout offer a hint of nostalgia for guests.

The Jones Store Train display is my personal favorite. The giant toys surrounding the track are delightful and charming.

Visitors are invited to take a ride on the miniature train! Often referred to as the Jones Store Train and beloved by generations during the holidays, it was once a popular attraction at the Jones Store downtown. Riders must be under 48″ tall (approximately 5-6 years of age and under). Accessible with paid admission to Holiday Reflections. Pricing: Union Station Members FREE | Non-members $5. Schedule: Nov. 21 – Jan. 1: 10 AM – 1:30 PM, 2 PM – 4:30 PM & 5 PM – 7 PM. Please Note Train is Closed on the following dates: Nov. 24 – Thanksgiving, Dec. 1, and Dec. 25. Closes early on Dec. 14 (at 5:00 PM), Dec. 24 Christmas Eve (2:00 PM). The schedule is subject to change.

The favorite display for children and adults alike is the Holiday Model Train display, featuringanna11,000 square feet of beautiful holiday displays filling the back of the Grand Plaza with moving trains in every scale. Disney, Lego, Coca-Cola, the KCS Holiday Express, classic steam trains, and others run throughout the miniature village. Volunteers donate hundreds of hours every year on this true labor of love for the children of Kansas City, creating the very best model train exhibit we have ever seen (and our familyannahasannaseen many train exhibits across the country!)

Our family spent an hour enjoying the experience, one of the best holiday attractions in Kansas City this year.

About “Holiday Reflections” walk-thru village: $7 Admission per person Monday thru Friday. $9 Admission Saturday & Sunday. $7 for Members every day of the week.* * Excludes preservation fee. Tickets to Magical Sleigh Ride VR (located inside Holiday Reflections) are $6 and available to purchase once inside Holiday Reflections. Plus, special Santa appearances. For a full holiday schedule visit unionstation.org/holidays

Union Station is ensuring the safety of visitors with limited capacity for this holiday attraction. Tickets may be purchased online at UnionStation.org/events/holiday-reflections-walk-thru-village. Advance tickets are recommended to ensure you’ll be able to visit on the day you have planned. Tickets frequently sell out, so buying tickets in advance is highly recommended.

MORE Events to Enjoy as part of Union Station’s Home for the Holidays Season:

Plan to attend additional events including Planetarium Laser Showsannaand more.anna

Classic Holiday Movies

Come enjoy some of your favorite holiday movies on the biggest screen in the region! Union Station’s Holiday Reflections returns this holiday season. $3.50 Holiday Classic Movie Series in Regnier Theatre!

• 11/18 – 11/23annaNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• 11/25 – 12/8annaElfannaExtreme Screen Theatre
• 12/9 – 12/17annaThe Polar Expressanna(pajamas encouraged)

Check unionstation.org for showtimes and tickets.

Santa at Holiday Reflections

Santa will be roaming the exhibit and visiting with families.

• NOV 25-27
• DEC 3-4
• DEC 10-11
• DEC 16
• DEC 18-24

Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express

Please Note: Walkthrough reservations are full, but walk-around visits will be available Dec. 14 – 18. The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express returns for 2022! This six-car holiday train features intricate displays both inside and out and will bring Santa Clause and his elves to visit Kansas City.

Union Station’s Holiday Schedule

• 11/18 – 1/1/23: Sky Station LIVE: Stars of FaithArvin Gottlieb PlanetariumannaMore Info
• 11/18 – 1/1/23: Laser Holiday MagicArvin Gottlieb PlanetariumannaMore Info
• 11/18 – 11/23: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on theannaExtreme Screen TheatreannaMore Info
• 11/21/22 – 1/1/23: Holiday Reflections at Grand PlazaannaMore Info
• 11/25 – 12/8: Elf on the Extreme Screen TheatreannaMore Info
• 11/26 – 12/23: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at City Stage TheatreannaMore Info
• 12/4: Canadian Pacific Holiday Train at Haverty Family Yards
• 12/9 – 12/11: The Nutcracker,annaAllannaJazz’dannaUp! at City Stage TheatreannaMore Info
• 12/9 – 12/20: The Polar Express on the Extreme Screen TheatreannaMore Info
• 12/17: Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train at Haverty Family YardsannaMore Info
• 12/17: Merry Science Day at Science CityannaMore Info
• 12/31: Noon Years Eve at Science City

Read our Guide to Christmas in Crown Center for tips to enjoy their attractions as well during your visit!