By Kady Cramer
Brookside Holiday Season Opener: November 10-13
63rd and Brookside Blvd Kansas City, MO
Visit participating businesses and restaurants starting Thursday morning at 10 am to 7 pm. From 5:30 to 6:30 pm, enjoy live music from the Holiday Trombones quartet on the Bank Midwest Plaza next to 6246 Brookside Plaza. Join in for a carol or two and then enjoy the tree lighting at 6 pm! Check individual businesses for hours, specials and pop-ups on Friday from 10 am – 6pm and Sunday from noon – 5 pm.
Families and visitors can stroll through the historic Brookside district, enjoy the holiday lights, gaze at the magical holiday window displays, and find one-of-a-kind gifts and food. Visit BrooksideKC Facebook page for more details.
Holiday Craft Fair at The View: November 12, 9 am – 3 pm
13500 Byars Rd, Grandview, MO
Start your holiday shopping at the Grandview Chamber of Commerce Annual Holiday Craft Fair at The View, featuring unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list. Purchase raffle tickets to win a gift basket. Visit www.grandview.org/business/event-calendar.
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Ward Parkway: November 18, 6 – 8
8600 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO
Kick off the holiday season at Ward Parkway Center for their Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Restaurant Pavilion. Join in a night of fun with performances from the Center School District, giveaways, photo ops with Santa, and the lighting of Ward Parkway’s 30-foot holiday tree. Visit Ward Parkway Center Facebook page for more details.
A Christmas Carol at the UMKC MoRep Spencer Theater: November 18 – December 24
4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO
For over 40 years, this beloved tradition has created holiday memories for families all around our community, with all the heart and spectacle you’ve come to love. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey with Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and rediscover the true meaning of the holidays. You’ll meet the Cratchits, Tiny Tim, and the irresistible Fezziwigs, and hear the lush and joyous Candlelight Carol — all this and more, to kindle your Christmas spirit. Directed by Jason Chanos. Visit https://kcrep.org for times and tickets.
Photos with Santa at Town Center Plaza: November 19 – December 23
5004 W 119 St, Leawood, KS
Jordan Photography is excited to continue the tradition of Photos with Santa in a safe and responsible way – by appointment only so there’s no line! Sessions are approximately 3-5 minutes. Packages are printed on site and ready to take home at check out. Appointments are per family – not per child. To schedule an appointment or check prices and availability, visit https://www.jordanphotography.com/santa/.
Trip the Light Fantastic Bike Ride at Longview Lake Beach: November 20, 6 – 7 pm
Ride begins at the Frank White, Jr. Softball Complex – 3901 SW Longview Park Road
Cycling enthusiasts will enjoy a magical 4.5-mile ride up to and through the more than 200 lighted, animated displays that make up Jackson County’s Christmas in the Park. Lights and helmets are required for this night ride. At the finish line, cyclists will enjoy complimentary coffee and hot chocolate at Gusto Coffee Bistro and photos with Santa compliments of the Bicycle Shack. Visit www.makeyourdayhere.com.
25th Annual Christmas in the Sky at Longview Lake Beach: November 23, 5 pm
11101 Raytown Rd, Kansas City, MO
This free event includes a holiday stage show at 6 pm featuring the cast of the Quality Hill Playhouse holiday cabaret, “Christmas in Song,” Soul Harpist Calvin Arsenia and 100 talented singers and dancers from Monica’s School of Dance in Lee’s Summit. Look for Santa’s arrival to present the “First Gift of Christmas” to a Dream Factory child ahead of the colorful fireworks show at 7:45 pm, which will be synchronized to holiday music on 99.7 The Point. Visit www.makeyourdayhere.com.
35th Annual Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake Beach: November 23 – December 31
Sunday – Thursday, 5:30 – 10 pm & Friday – Saturday, 5:30 – 1 pm
Drive begins at the Frank White, Jr. Softball Complex – 3901 SW Longview Park Road
1 million lights and 200 animated displays will illuminate your magical drive through Jackson County’s 35th Annual Christmas in the Park.
This year, the event is adding a fun-filled 125-foot ‘Candy Land’ display. At its center will be a 28-foot lighted gumball machine surrounded by colorful ribbon candies, lollipops and peppermints. While there is no charge for this drive-thru event, voluntary exit donations are accepted, with a portion of the proceeds divided among 39 area charities. Visit www.makeyourdayhere.com.
Mayors Christmas Tree Lighting at Crown Center: November 25, 5:30 pm
Crown Center Square – 2405 Grand Blvd. Ste 200, Kansas City, MO
The 100-foot-tall Mayor’s Christmas Tree, one of the nation’s tallest, is the centerpiece for an illuminating holiday celebration. As part of this re-imagined event, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and a special guest will flip the switch to light the tree.
Don’t miss Santa that morning at 10 am by the Grand Boulevard Entrance. Crown Center welcomes Santa Claus as he arrives in a horse-drawn carriage to kick off the holiday season. Join Santa as he makes his way to Santa’s Gingerbread Station, where he will reside through December 24.
The tree is a symbol of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which is dedicated to assisting the people of Kansas City during the holiday season. The Mayor’s Christmas Tree will shine brightly on Crown Center Square through January 2, 2023. Visit https://crowncenterchristmas.com/.
Mayor’s Christmas Tree and Main Street Lighting on Belton Main: November 26 @ 4:30 pm
Join Mayor Norman Larkey and the City of Belton for their annual Christmas Lighting. Festivities kick off at 4:30 pm with raffles and free hot dogs at Main Street Fire Station, food trucks on Ella Street at 5 pm, and a Penguin Parade on Main Street at 5:30 pm. After the parade, the Mayor will light the Christmas Tree and kids can visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause as well as their live reindeer.
New this year will be an Inflatable Penguin Park down the 300 block. Each penguin sponsored by a local business, the display will include falling snow, festive music, and lights by KC Holiday Light Pros. The walk-thru Park will have free hot chocolate and cider as well as free kids train rides. Don’t miss the Dickens Carolers at 6:30 pm and a dance performance by the Main Street Performing Arts Center at 7:30 pm.
This event is a fundraiser for the Belton Welfare Association’s Operation Santa. Please bring canned goods to donate. Monetary donations accepted. Visit www.belton.org/Events-directory.
Waldo Small Business Crawl: November 26 – December 2
This year, Everything Waldo is taking their annual Small Business Saturday Event and turning it into a week-long celebration! Enjoy a brew on Small Business Saturday at the KC Bier Co. pop-up from 12 – 3 pm. Look for the special Waldo ornament at participating businesses and scan the QR code for a chance to win prizes, discounts, and gifts. Visit https://members.waldokc.org/events for participating businesses.