By Kady Cramer
Brookside Holiday Season Opener: November 9-12
63rd and Brookside Blvd, Kansas City, MO
The historic Brookside shops are celebrating the season with a free, family-friendly event including holiday sales, pop-up events, food and drink specials, music and giveaways. Kick off the weekend by visiting participating businesses and restaurants starting Thursday at 10 a.m. Enjoy live music on the Bank Midwest Plaza (6246 Brookside Plaza) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and a tree lighting at 6 p.m. Shop local specials Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Visit BrooksideKC Facebook page for more details.
Miracle on Main Street – A Holiday Fest: November 17, 4 – 8 p.m.
Main St., Grandview, MO
The Grandview Chamber has partnered with the City of Grandview and the Grandview Arts Council to bring you Miracle on Main Street: A Holiday Fest. Enjoy the beautifully lit and decorated trees along Main Street as you sip and shop local vendors set up inside Main Street businesses. There will be Christmas Karaoke, a photographer with a free selfie station, Santa and other holiday characters. Participate in the Cocoa Crawl and vote for your favorite hot beverage at participating businesses. https://www.grandviewmochamber.com/miracleonmain
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Ward Parkway: November 17, 6 p.m.
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. https://www.wardparkwaycenter.com/events/
Breakfast with Santa at Hickman Mills Community Christian Church: November 18, 8 – 10 a.m.
5809 E. Red Bridge Rd, Kansas City, MO 64134
Join in the free festivities as you enjoy a pancake breakfast and meet Santa himself. Don’t miss the professional photographer available for photo opportunities. Check in on their Facebook page for updates @Hickman Mills Community Christian Church (HMCCC).
8th Annual Trip the Light Fantastic Bike Ride at Longview Lake Beach: November 19, 6 – 7 p.m.
Ride begins at the Frank White, Jr. Softball Complex – 3901 SW Longview Park Rd.
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. Participants must ride a 2 or 3 wheeled bicycle to participate. Throttled bikes, hover boards, and motorized scooters are not permitted. www.makeyourdayhere.com
A Christmas Carol at the UMKC Spencer Theater: November 21 – 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.
26th Annual Christmas in the Sky at Longview Lake Beach: November 22, 5 p.m.
11101 Raytown Rd., Kansas City, MO
This free event includes a holiday stage show at 6 p.m. featuring the cast of the Quality Hill Playhouse holiday cabaret, 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 8 p.m., which will be synchronized to holiday music on 99.7 The Point. Food trucks will be on site. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Event-Calendar
36th Annual Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake Beach: November 22 – December 31
Drive begins at the Frank White, Jr. Softball Complex – 3901 SW Longview Park Road
Now in its 36th year, this magical winter wonderland features more than one million lights and 200 animated displays, all designed and built entirely in-house by our talented crews! Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 5:30 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30 – 11 p.m. While there is no charge for this drive-thru event, voluntary exit donations are accepted, with a portion of the proceeds divided among 40 area charities. Since its inception, Christmas in the Park has donated more than 1 million dollars to charities in the community. https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Event-Calendar
Christmas on Main, Belton: November 25, 4:30 – 9 p.m.
223 Main St., Belton, MO
Join Mayor Norman Larkey and the City of Belton for their annual Christmas Lighting. Festivities kick off at 4:30 p.m. with hot dogs prepared by the Lions Club and a raffle at Fire Station 1. The raffle will be open from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Bring 3 canned goods for a raffle ticket or purchase tickets for $1/each. All proceeds go toward the Belton Welfare Association and Operation Santa. The Light Parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. and bring Santa and Mrs. Claus to Main Street. Mayor Larkey will light the tree outside Fire Station 1 at approximately 6:15 p.m. After the parade stick around for carolers, hayrides, popcorn and hot chocolate, Disney character sightings, crafts and more! www.belton.org/Events-directory
Waldo Small Business Crawl: November 25 – December 1
Waldo, MO
Feel good about supporting local businesses while checking off your holiday shopping list and have the chance to win prizes, discounts and gifts while you visit participating businesses. Look for the Waldo map at participating businesses to see which places to explore, shop and dine! Plus, enjoy holiday cheer on Small Business Saturday with Waldo “reindeers” heading around the neighborhood with prizes for a chance to win! Waldo will also be toasting to the shopping season with complimentary coffee for the first customers while supplies last at area coffee locations. Waldo has over 300+ businesses, many of which are locally owned and operated. Learn more on social media at @waldokcmo or at https://www.waldokcevents.org/.
Holiday Lighting Celebration in Martin City: November 30, 5:30 p.m.
505 E 135th St, Kansas City, MO
A family-fun Martin City tradition. Enjoy performances by the St. Thomas More choir as well as the Martin City K8 chorus as Martin City lights the evergreen outside of Geore’s Imports. https://martincity.org/holiday-lighting/
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting at The View: November 30, 6:30 p.m.
13500 Byars Rd, Grandview, MO
Join in at 6:30 p.m. as Mayor Leonard Jones flips the switch and lights up the Mayor’s Christmas Tree! Participate in crafts and enjoy a special visit from Santa, while listening to carols from Grandview C-4 Elementary schools. https://www.grandview.org/
A Christmas Carol at Main Street Theater: December 1 – 17
510 Main St., Belton, MO
It is hard to put into words the effect Charles Dickens’ beloved Christmas classic has had on generations. Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he learns the true meaning of Christmas during a wild Christmas Eve of dreams. All your favorites will be here; Marley’s Ghost, Bob Cratchit, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Future and Present, as well as Tiny Tim himself. Shows are Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. Call 816-406-9422 to reserve your seats. https://mainstreettheaterbelton.com
Morning at the North Pole at The Martin Event Space: December 2, 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.
13440 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO
Your little one will write letters to Santa with KC Full Circle Midwifery & Family Wellness, learn to play holiday music on instruments with Bach 2 Rock, make ornaments with Goldfish Swim School, create a holiday craft with KC PCIT, get their faces painted with KO Martial Arts, decorate cookies with New Horizon Academy, and enjoy delicious treats from Cookie Co. and snacks from Zaxby’s. Hosted by the Kansas City Mom Collective. This event includes two sessions, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Visit https://kansascitymomcollective.com/ for ticket information.
A Very Merry Christmas at the Alexander Majors House and Barn: December 9, 9 a.m. to noon
8201 State Line Rd., Kansas City, MO
Celebrate the holiday in a historic house! A Very Merry Christmas will be packed with holiday activities perfect for all ages. Come learn about how nineteenth-century Kansas Citians would have celebrated the holiday. A continental breakfast, crafts, and photos with Santa will fill the barn. The Major House will host museum tours and holiday readings with a costumed interpreter. Visit http://MerryChristmas.eventbrite.com for tickets.
Breakfast with Santa at The View – December 16, 8 – 10 a.m.
13500 Byars Rd, Grandview, MO
The most wonderful time of year is made even better with Breakfast with Santa, brought to you by Chris Cakes. The family-friendly breakfast with Santa gives kids a chance to sit on Santa’s lap as well as create crafts. $8.00 per person in advance; $10 per person at the door. https://www.grandview.org/
Hearthside Christmas Story Time at Wornall/Majors House Museums: December 16, 10 a.m.
6115 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO
Make holiday memories with your young ones as we read stories in the Wornall House parlor and create a holiday craft. In addition to other holiday stories, there will be a reading of the 1987 Little Golden Book version of The Night Before Christmas – which was illustrated using the Wornall House as inspiration! Three story times to choose from: 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or 12 a.m. https://www.wornallmajors.org/event/hearthside-christmas-story-time/