Christmas in Kansas City Bucket List: 26 Fun Holiday Activities for Families
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Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year and as a mom, I find it even more important. I want to create a holiday filled with love and magic for my children. Each year we have holiday activities we always do for Christmas in Kansas City, and we try new places as well.
I put together a list of our favorite Kansas City Christmas activities for families and made a FREE downloadable printable bingo board if you would like to track what you do and go for a bingo.
We’re lucky to live in Kansas City with so many magical, beautiful, and fun Christmas activities. I hope this list helps you and your family experience the wonder and beauty of Christmas in Kansas City.
Christmas in Kansas City:
Best Places to Stay in Kansas City at Christmas Time
Are you coming to Kansas City for a weekend or overnight trip? If so, I recommend staying near Crown Center and Union Station at the Westin in Crown Center. Not only will you be close to the best spots for Christmas in Kansas City, but you will also be able to take the Streetcar around downtown Kansas City, so you won’t have to drive as much.
Or if you could stay in the heart of downtown and a short walk from the Streetcar at my personal favorite Kansas City hotel, the Loews.
1. Santa, Holiday Village, and the Mayor’s Christmas Tree at Crown Center
Crown Center is the most popular Christmas in Kansas City destination- and for good reason. Each year our family looks forward to our annual visit to Crown Center. The kids meet Santa, explore the holiday décor, and take that all-important family photo in front of Crown Center’s stunning tree.
There is an outdoor village in front of Legoland and Sealife Aquarium that surrounds the tree. It has housing structures that kids can climb on and play in. The Mayor’s Christmas Tree is impressive during the day, but I highly recommend viewing it at night as well. It is stunning!
The Crown Center Santa is arguably the best in town. You walk through cute Christmas decor to see him. Photos on your phone are free, or you can purchase prints through their kiosk for a price. The Coterie Theater puts on cute plays for kids.
Crown Center is owned by Hallmark (rights reserved), and they know how to do Christmas better than anyone! The decorations are beautiful, everything is family-friendly, and the shopping is some of the best you’ll find in Kansas City, especially if you’re looking for cute and endearing gifts. This is my personal favorite shopping spot for Christmas in Kansas City.
This year Crown Center is also hosting the first Hallmark Christmas Experience. This event will feature a Hallmark movie town square complete with shops and food, panels with the actors and actresses from Hallmark Christmas movies, and possibly a chance to meet them!
2. Holiday Reflections at Union Station
My family loves Union Station’s Holiday Reflections. It is an indoor wonderland of festive lights and larger-than-life holiday displays. You will stroll through the massive tree-lined halls and check out the miniature holiday train display—it’s our family’s favorite every year! Little kids can take a ride on a small train in the auditorium of Union Station. Be sure to reserve your tickets in advance, it gets very busy in December.
This is definitely a fun place to dress everyone up and get some adorable Christmas photos in front of the large displays and decorations. They have singing animatronic reindeer and penguins my kids love. Each year is a little different, but last year they had a fountain as well. This might be my kids’ favorite Christmas in Kansas City activity.
3. Plaza Lights, Country Club Plaza
Arguably Kansas City’s most iconic holiday tradition, the Plaza Lights have been a dazzling sight since 1925. Our family looks forward to seeing these each year. Sometimes we bundle up and take an evening stroll through the Plaza to admire the sparkling lights, and sometimes we drive through.
The Plaza has a lot of great restaurants and stores for shopping, so it could be a fun night out on the town for you and your date or your whole family. The Plaza is also modeled after Spanish architecture, so it’s beautiful to see during the day as well.
4. Winter Magic, Swope Park
For a fun and festive drive-through light display, Winter Magic is a must! This is our family’s favorite drive through display. This year they are combining the two light displays into one combined display at the Platte Purchase Park in the northland. This dazzling mile-long experience features synchronized lights, holiday scenes, and music. Pack some hot chocolate, pile the family into the car, and enjoy the magic from inside your vehicle.
5. Sar-Ko Aglow Holiday Lights, Lenexa
Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park lights up for the holiday season with Sar-Ko Aglow. This quarter-mile paved trail in Lenexa is perfect for a peaceful evening stroll through shimmering lights reflected in the park’s pond. It’s a more low-key experience than some of the larger displays, but still a magical Christmas in Kansas City activity.
6. Parkville Christmas on the River
I was super excited to learn that Parkville is holding their first ever Christmas on the River in 2024. They will have beautiful walk-through lights at English Landing Park free for viewing. I haven’t been yet, but I am excited to check out this new Christmas in Kansas City activity.
7. Jingle at Legends Field
Jingle (last year called Enchant), is perhaps the biggest Christmas event in Kansas City. The Legends Field is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with a walkthrough light up maze, drinks, and ice skating.
Our family went last year, while it was really cool and I was happy we went, it was also crowded and expensive. I recommend going earlier in the season, so it is not as crowded and eating beforehand or budgeting for food. Ice skating is an additional fee to the tickers and this year their website says they will also have a glacial ice slide which I imagine will also be an additional fee.
The event was stroller friendly, but there was a line to get down to the main field because there is only one ramp. I think this event would be best for kids 5+ who might enjoy it more and be able to stay up later. I’m glad we have this fun activity to add to our Christmas in Kansas City traditions.
8. Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens
Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens is one of our family’s favorite Christmas in Kansas City traditions. My kids love getting hot cocoa to drink while we stroll the mile-long lane of lights. They have multiple bars, so my husband and I usually get something warm and boozy to drink while we walk. At the end, there are fire pits to warm up, s’mores ingredients for purchase, and on certain nights Santa makes an appearance.
9. Luminary Walk at Overland Park Arboretum
The Luminary Walk at Overland Park Arboretum is another walk-through light up display, similar to Festival of Lights. Our family likes them both. We love the beautifully lit pathways, candle-lined trails, and woodland displays. They have elaborately decorated handcrafted fairy houses which my kids always like looking at as well. This is a great Christmas in Kansas City tradition.
10. Kansas City Ballet’s Nutcracker
One of the most popular Christmas in Kansas City activities is the Kansas City Ballet’s Nutcracker. I have been waiting for my kids to get a little bit older before I take them to see The Nutcracker, performed by the Kansas City Ballet at the Kauffman Center. I am hoping to take my twins this year. I went to see it before I had kids and love the costumes, music, and dancing. I love teaching my kids about the arts and this classic is a great way to celebrate the holidays and do that at the same time.
11. Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake
If you’re looking for a free drive-through light display, check out Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake. This drive-through display features over 500,000 lights and more than 175 animated displays. My kids always like the displays that dance in tune to music. Donations for local charities are welcome if you add this Christmas in Kansas City activity to your list.
12. Ice Skating at Crown Center Ice Terrace
Our family loves skating at the Crown Center Ice Terrace each year. The terrace is open through the winter, so sometimes we will do this when we go for Christmas and other years we wait until January or February. You can rent skates there or bring your own. This is a Christmas in Kansas City classic!
13. Lawrence Winter Wonder Pass
Our family takes a day trip to Lawrence, Kansas each year during the Christmas season. I love their annual Winter Wonder Pass, where you can check into places around Lawrence to earn points. Once you collect a certain number of points then you earn a prize. Last year it was an ornament, but this year it may be something different.
I highly recommend Squishington’s Candy Shop, Watkins Museum of History, and The Toy Store with your kids. I love Au Marche and Brits for shopping and Uplift Coffee for a hot drink.
Every year Lawrence holds a horse-drawn parade that is classic and unique. This year it’s on December 7th. It’s a fun day to head to Lawrence and enjoy this fun tradition. My kids loved seeing all the decorated carriages and beautiful horses.
14. Zona Rosa Skate Rink & Santa
One Christmas in Kansas City tradition our family loves is going to Zona Rosa to go ice skating. This is a beautiful place to skate at night because the lights are nearby. After skating, we like to go shopping and grab dinner nearby. We love getting Indian food at Swagat, but there are a lot of dining options.
Zona Rosa also has a Santa. We went last year, and he was great with the kids. I liked that you could reserve a time with him so that you didn’t have to wait in line like at other locations.
15. Photos with Santa at the Library
We always look forward to the Storytimes with Santa at the library. They are free and a fun way for little kids to see Santa. Check your local library events to see if there is one near you. Make sure to reserve a spot early because they fill up fast. This is a Christmas in Kansas City staple.
16. Christmas at Shoal Creek Living History Museum
Our family loves the Old-Fashioned Christmas at Shoal Creek Living History Museum. This experience is extra special because of Santa’s unique costume. They have crafts available in the schoolhouse and snacks available for purchase. This event is happening December 7th this year. There is usually an admission fee, but the amount hasn’t been posted yet.
17. Knights of Lights at the Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds
If you like the Renaissance Festival, then you need to add Knights of Lights to your calendar. My friends and I went here 2 years ago and had a lot of fun. The Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds in Bonner Springs are decorated with holiday cheer, featuring themed light displays, including knights, castles, and dragons. Drinks and food are available for purchase and festive characters walk around the fairgrounds to add to the fun.
18. Lane of Lights in Excelsior Springs
Excelsior Springs is one of my favorite fall day trips from Kansas City, but it is also a fun destination for the holidays. Lane of Lights in Excelsior Springs for a charming drive-through display open from November 18- December 23, 2024. The twinkling lights and festive scenes are well worth the half hour drive from KC! The proceeds go to different nonprofits each night. The event is free but there is a suggested donation of $5 and larger donations are always accepted.
19. George Owens Holiday Hike
Every Christmas in Kansas City our family loves to go to George Owens and do their holiday hike. They partner with Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity and the high school to make plywood holiday shapes (each year it is a different shape like snowmen, penguins, Christmas trees, etc.). People purchase and decorate them. They are dropped off at George Owens and set up on a one-mile paved path.
They kick off the event with a torch-lit walk to see all the decorations. This year it will be December 4th at 5pm. If you can’t make it then, don’t worry. The decorations are left up through January so you will have lots of time to see them.
20. Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
Another Christmas in Kansas City classic activity is Farmstead Lane at Deanna Rose Farmstead in Overland Park. It is home to a synchronized light show set to holiday music. We love to pack up some hot cocoa and candy canes to enjoy while we watch the light show from our car! If you’re looking for more free light experiences near Kansas City, check out Kids in KC’s blog Free Holiday Lights in the Kansas City Area.
21. Reindeer Farm
Last year was the first time we went to the Kansas City Reindeer in Odessa, Missouri and we had a lot of fun. This lowkey experience is a little pricey but very unique. You get to learn about reindeer, feed a reindeer, visit Santa, view farm animals, and last year there were marshmallows for roasting and coloring sheets for the kiddos. There were also a few family photo opportunity spots. If you’re looking for a new and unique Christmas activity near Kansas City, this is a great option.
22. Holiday Trains
This year the Ottawa Northern Railroad is presenting the Santa Rocket- a holiday train departing from Ottawa about 1 hour from Kansas City. This ride will include hot cocoa, a festive snack, cute decorations, a ride to the “North Pole,” and a visit from Santa. I am excited to visit for our first time this holiday season!
Another smaller and less expensive train option that our family loves is riding the Holiday Train at Kansas City Northern Railroad near Line Creek Community Center in the northland. This miniature train only costs $1 to ride. After your ride you can meet the big man himself! Santa is sitting in a mini train car for photo opportunities with the kids! This year the event is from 10am-6pm on December 14th.
23. Visit a Christmas Tree Farm
There are a number of adorable Christmas tree farms around Kansas City. Our family has an artificial tree, but some years we get a second real tree mostly so we can have the experience of picking it out. The tree farms usually offer a hot drink like cider or cocoa and a snack like popcorn or cookies. Many also offer hayrides.
This year our family plans to go to Bierman’s Christmas Tree farm in Kansas City, Kansas because they have sleigh rides ($2.75 per person) a Christmas egg hunt, and fresh wreaths and garland to purchase so we may get that instead of a tree.
24. Christmas Movies at Union Station
Did you know that Union Station has movies for just $3.75 per ticket? This year they are showing Elf, the Polar Express, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Our family likes to dress up in matching holiday pajamas to see a movie. Union Station members get popcorn for just $2. We look forward to this Christmas in Kansas City activity every year!
25. GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium
Our family loves the walk-through GloWild lights at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium and now they are decorated for Christmas! You can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and take photos of your own for free or purchase professional shots. There is a free cookie decorating station as well. Make sure you ride the train and look for the grinch along the route. This is such a fun family-friendly Christmas in Kansas City activity.
26. Complete this Christmas in Kansas City Bingo Board!
To make your holiday adventures even more fun, I’ve created a FREE downloadable Christmas in Kansas City Bingo Board. See how many activities you can check off this year and try to get 5 in a row! Take a picture when you get a bingo and tag @everydayoutdoorfamily on Instagram or Facebook. I hope to inspire families to get out and explore and enjoy the holidays. I would LOVE to see how you’re doing that!
Christmas in Kansas City is truly magical!
If you’re looking for more local adventures, Weston is a beautiful town at Christmas time about 30 minutes from Kansas City. Check out my blog post “Best Things to do in Weston, Missouri for a Fun Day or Weekend Trip” for ideas on what to do.
