2022 Holiday & Christmas Events in Kansas City (December Things to Do)
UPDATED
It’s officially Christmas in Kansas City! Sometimes we are so busy it’s hard to find & plan holiday things to do together. But, we made it easy to find fun holiday activities & Christmas events in Kansas City – all in one place!
Relax, and enjoy this special time with your loved ones using our 2022 Ultimate Christmas in Kansas City Guide.
You’ll find holiday things to do, Christmas events & activities for kids. We’ve found all the things to do in Kansas City in December perfect for families…
Holiday Things to Do & Christmas Events in Kansas City
We gathered everything you need to know about the holidays to celebrate (stress-free) with your family.
Find fun holiday things to do all month long, including fun Christmas events, holiday activities, local Christmas tree farms, Where to Visit Santa, Christmas light displays & everything in between.
…whatever your family’s winter plans are, we’ve got you covered. Get started celebrating Christmas with your family!
Month-Long Events | Christmas Events (BY DATE) | New Year’s Eve Events | Family Activities | Winter Break Camps & Activities | Other Holiday Things to Do
Christmas in Kansas City with Kids
We know how magical the holidays are to children (& adults), so be sure to explore as many of these Christmas activities & events as possible!
Use these holiday things to do to start celebrating the season with your family…
Also check out Restaurants OPEN on Christmas Day in Kansas City!
Christmas Events & Activities: All Month Long
There are fun holiday events in Kansas City all month long! Explore these different holiday activities & things to do now…
Visit Santa All Around KC 🎅
There’s still TONS of places to visit Santa for pictures, breakfast, parades, tree lightings and more.
Outdoor Ice Skating
If you’re looking for fun Christmas activities in Kansas City, ice skating with your family is the perfect holiday activity! It’s a great way to burn some energy and make some forever memories. Be sure to bookmark our Ice Skating Guide for easy access all season long.
Write Letters to Santa
November 28th to December 10th you can drop off letters to Santa at The View (13500 Byars) or Santa’s Mailbox at Grandview City Hall (12500 Main Street). Clearly write the name and address of your child so Santa can send a letter back!
Polar Express Train
November 18th through December 30th, 2022
St. Louis, MO
The kiddos are going to remember this forever! Ride with the family to see Santa Claus! All aboard a real train, rolling to the magical North Pole. Santa and his elves are ready for the full steam ahead Polar Express an extra special experience.
They even have a pancake breakfast with Santa you can book as well! Yummo!
Grab tickets for the date and time you prefer before they sell out.
Create a Gingerbread House at Taste Bud’s (or At-Home)
November 26th through December 18th, 2022
Family & adult classes throughout December 2022
Taste Bud’s Kitchen: 5336 151st St. Leawood, KS 66224
If you’re looking for fun Christmas activities in Kansas City, get the whole family together and head to Taste Buds Kitchen in Leawood for Gingerbread House making. Below are the dates of classes:
- November 26th- 27th
- December 2nd-4th, 9th-11th, and 16th-18th
Explore All Gingerbread House classes now!
They’ll provide the supplies and the clean up, you provide the fun. They’ve got many December dates available for families, as well as at-home kits available to bring with you. Book yours now before they fill up.
See the Lights (and Alpacas!) at YaYa’s Alpaca Farm
YaYa’s Alpaca Farm: 30200 E 275th St. Garden City, MO 64747
Tickets are $4 per person and children ages 3 and under are free.
Christmas tours run from November 25th- December 30th.
They go all out decorating their farm in holiday spirit! While you’re there, you can visit with the Alpacas and enjoy an educational experience for the kids.
Also shop the farm store for unique Alpaca goods like gloves & socks…they are extra warm! The perfect holiday gift.
Holiday Reflections Light Tour at Union Station
November 21, 2022 to January 1, 2023
Union Station: 30 W Pershing Rd. Kansas City, MO 64108
Walk through the holiday scenes set up in Union Station, “Featuring sky-reaching lights, trees, forest friends and giant, floating mirrored ornaments”, accord to the website. There are eight different photo spots to grab the perfect holiday pic!
Ride the mini holiday train too! It’s only accessible with tickets to the Walk Thru Village.
Holiday Workshops, Story Times, & Classes at MCPL
Multiple Kansas City Locations
Mid-Continent Public Library offers multiple holiday themed workshops, special story times, activities, and craft times at their various Kansas City area branches all throughout the month of December.
Tons of family fun and festivities at multiple Mid-Continent Library locations. Bookmark their website for the latest details near you.
Check out Gingerbread events & many other fun holiday activities. Visit online for a full listing of available holiday activities for your families.
Christmas Events Happening on Specific Dates in December 2022:
Laser Holiday Magic XL Shows at the Planetarium
November 18, 2022 to December 24, 2022
Planetarium: Union Station, W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108
The universe is bigger at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium inside Union Station downtown. Throughout the holiday season, they’ll be showing special holiday light shows on a “super-sized” screen!
Tickets for these holiday shows can be purchased online in advance or at Union Station during your visit.
Lecompton 16th annual Christmas Tree Display
November 1, 2022 through January 1st, 2023 come see hundreds of Christmas trees decorated to the nines with vintage and antique ornaments!
Seasonal hours are Wednesday through Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm. For information on group tours and more, call 785-887-6148.
Holiday Clay Hand and Foot Prints at Paint Glaze and Fire!
Friday November 11th and 18th and December 2nd and 9th. (Appointments available between 10:00am and 2:00pm)
12683 Metcalf Ave. Overland Park, KS
Come out to Paint Glaze & Fire & Coffee House to get a head start on your holiday crafts!
Make a reservation online to make a Santa hand print, Reindeer hand print, snowman footprint or a penguin footprint. You choose the time, then come in to get in the holiday spirit! If this time doesn’t work for you, the studio is happy to make other arrangements with the you.
$3.50 Holiday Classics at the Extreme Screen at Union Station
Showing Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Polar Express.
Details with exact dates and links to buy are here.
Extreme Screen: Union Station, W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108
These are cheap Christmas activities for kids!
Check online for a full listing of show times & holiday movies.
Sky Station Seasonal Star Tour
November 18th- December 24th
Planetarium: Union Station, W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108
If your family likes space, check out this star tour at the planetarium! This is the only 4K start tour in the area, so it’s definitely something to add to your holiday to-do list…
Knights of Lights: A Renaissance Christmas Extravaganza
Beginning November 25th through December 18th, 2022 and December 21-24 and December 30-31, 2022, you and the kiddos will enjoy a fantastic holiday light show, plus food, entertainment, activities for the kids & plenty of holiday fun for all! Ring in the New Year at our special extended December 31st show.
This year, KC Ren Fest is transforming their festival grounds into a beautiful holiday light show you can walk through! There will be a 25 foot tall Christmas tree, Disco Jungle, Giant Gum Drop Chandelier, Snowflake Chapel & so much more holiday fun. You can also drop off your letters to Santa at St. Nick’s mailbox!
The event will run from 5 to 10 pm each night with last cars entering at 9:45.
Christmas Events & December Things to Do
Find fun Christmas events throughout Kansas City! There are fun holiday things to do all around town…
Holiday Luminary Walk
November 25th -26th, December 2nd- 3rd, 8th-10th, and 15th-17th, 2022
Santa will be in the Pavilion. 5:00pm-10:00pm.
Adults only Candlelight Stroll is December 1st, 2022 (perfect for date night for mom & dad!).
Overland Park Arboretum: 8909 W 179th St. Bucyrus, KS 66013
The holidays at the Overland Park Arboretum are magical! Personally, we think this is one of the best Christmas events in Kansas City…
Take a walk, enjoy a wagon ride, listen to music, and enjoy the holiday lights during this fun family friendly event. Explore the trails of the Overland Park Arboretum as they are lit up for the holiday season. There will be miles of candles and lights that line the trails.
This year will look a little different with more animated lights and more distancing between groups! Each admission will be for a specific time to manage crowd flows, as well as additional time added so everyone can attend!
You can Purchase tickets online – $15 per person. Kids 5 & under are free.
Youthfront Christmas at Camp
Experience the wonder of the season in this event for the whole family. Fully decked out for Christmas, Youthfront’s Camp West features an illuminated lake walk with interactive experiences to retell the amazing story of the Nativity! The kiddos will sip hot chocolate by a bonfire, enjoy Christmas music & yummy s’mores, and of course, food from their Snack Shack. Gather the kids for Santa’s Barrel Train, play at their family game stations, get photos taken with Simon the Donkey, and so much more to make forever family memories!
December 1-3, 2022 Register Here
Mayor’s Tree Lighting /Christmas in the Park, Gardner KS
November 28th at 7:00pm.
This year will be in person with seasonal music, a message from the Mayor and a visit from Santa. Mr & Mrs. Claus will even have a workshop for you to visit.
Cornerstone Park: Gardner, KS
Christmas event in Gardner, KS starts with the Mayor’s tree lighting ceremony online. The mayor will give a speech too! You can watch on their Facebook page.
Holiday Cookie Decorating Class
December 23, 2022
Taste Bud’s Kitchen: 5336 151st St. Leawood, KS 66224
This Christmas cooking class is for ages 9-17. This cookie decorating class will show your kiddos how to create beautiful holiday sugar cookies.
Christmas in the Courtyard, Merriam KS
December 2nd from 6:30pm-8:00pm.
A donation of a canned food item, new toy or cash is requested.
Merriam Community Center: 6040 Slater Street Merriam, KS
Come see Santa arrive in his sleigh and take pictures with him in the sleigh with Mrs. Claus! This is the perfect, safe holiday event for the whole family!
There will be a Christmas Tree Lighting at Merriam Municipal Plaza as a new annual event. Don’t miss out on the holiday fun!
PJ Party at Zona Rosa
Friday, December 2nd, 2022; 5:30 to 7:30pm.
Free photos with Santa, milk and cookie too!
Celebrate Olathe and Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting
December 3rd, 2021
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Happening at Stagecoach Park. Join in the festivities with a tree lighting ceremony, live music, and Santa!
Holiday Living Windows at Independence Square
December 2nd, 2022
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Independence Square
This free Christmas event is fun for the whole family! This is the 4th annual holiday event that features 20+ decorated windows.
Local artists will create magical holiday scenes in stor windows for the theme of “From Our House to Yours”, so come check out the Christmas themed windows!’
Snowmen Cupcakes Class
December 15th, 9:00 – 10:00.
Taste Bud’s Kitchen: 5336 151st St. Leawood, KS 66224
This holiday cooking class is for children 2 to 8 years old AND a caregiver. Come create these favorite snowmen cupcakes with your little ones to get in the holiday spirit and enjoy a fun treat together!
Breakfast with Santa
Ironwoods Park, Leawood
Come spend a morning with Santa and enjoy a all you can eat pancake, sausage, juice & coffee breakfast provided by Leawood Lions Club. Bring your camera and get pics with the big Guy!
Saturday, December 3, 2022. Choose 8:30am or 10:30am.
Christmas Open House at Mahaffie Stagecoach
December 3th, 2021; 10:00 am- 4:00 pm
1200 E Kansas City Rd, Olathe, KS 66061
Get in the holiday spirit at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop Saturday December 5th. Make ornaments, visit Mahaffie House and ride the stagecoach or make a gingerbread house.
Enjoy the Heritage Center decorations, make an ornament or a gingerbread house, and visit the Mahaffie House!
Rides are $3 per person ages 3 and up and gingerbread houses are $4.
Smithville Candy Land Christmas Events
December 9th 12:00pm-5:30pm.
Parade to follow at 6:00pm on the 4th December.
Downtown Smithville, MO
Head to downtown Smithville and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. After, have some treats and wander around downtown to see all the festive excitement. This is a free Christmas event for the whole family, so come out & enjoy it together!
You can event drop off letters to Santa…
Christmas at Camp
December 1st-3rd from 6:00pm-9:00pm.
Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the gate. This will include a petting zoo, craft stations, classic holiday movies and more.
Youthfront Camp West: Edgerton, KS
Come experience the Christmas season with your whole family at camp! There will be an interactive Nativity scene, hot chocolate, bonfires, holiday music & tons of family fun together. You can also shop the holiday market from local makers in the area!
Kids 3 and younger are free and tickets can be purchase in advance or at the door.
KC Ballet’s the Nutcracker
December 7th thru 22nd, 2022.
This is of course one of our most favorite holiday events in Kansas City each year. Not just for kids!
Westport Santa Dash 5K
December 10th at 10:00am.
This year will be back in person or done virtually. All participants will receive a long-sleeve race shirt or a Santa suit, a finisher medal/ornament, and holiday treats. The Elf Dash for ages 12 & under. All Elf Dash participants will receive a race shirt and goodie bag.
Use the hashtag #santadashKC to share your images and
Join hundreds of Santas in KC as they trek along special Christmas light holiday courses or run your own 5K. After the run enjoy the holiday treats that are included in your race packet. You will also receive a Santa suit and long sleeve thermal shirt.
This is one of the most unique Christmas events in Kansas City, so don’t miss out!
Breakfast with Santa, Gardner, KS
Spend a morning, December 10, 2022, with your munchkins at the North Pole! Parents, grandparents and children will love the “All You Can Eat” pancakes, sausage links and juice too! All from Chris Cakes. Kiddos can make a cute craft and have professional photos taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus; these will be available for purchase of $5. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make forever memories with the family!
Tickets will be pre-sold online and at City Hall up until 5:00 p.m. on December 10 for $5 – or purchase them at the door the day of for $6. Children under 1 year will not be charged.
Winter Break Camp at Learning2Fly!
December 21st – 23rd and December 27th-30th, 8:30am-3:30pm.
Learning2Fly: 4711 Lamar Ave, Mission, KS 66202
Come experience the incredible world of aerial fitness. We will move through a circuit with a silk, low trapeze, hammock, rope, cloud swing, and lyra (hoop).
We have two camps going on simultaneously. One camp for ages 6-10, and the other for 11-15. Both groups share meals and aerial class together, but the rest of the time they have different activities.
Learning2Fly educates, empowers, and inspires your kiddos toward a lifelong love of health. Kid’s will learn about ways to improve their health, and also expand on community and global health issues. L2F works to advocate for healthy living and to motivate young people towards a lifestyle of healthy choices for mind, body and spirit.
Space is limited. Fun never is!
Reindeer Donuts Cooking Class
December 4, 2022, 9am-10am
Taste Bud’s Kitchen: 5336 151st St. Leawood, KS 66224
This holiday cooking class is for children 2 to 8 years old AND a caregiver. Come create and decorate holiday donuts that look like reindeers! It’s the perfect Santa activity with your little ones to get in the holiday spirit and enjoy a fun treat together!
Snow Day Camp
December 20, 2022, 9am- Noon
Taste Bud’s Kitchen: 5536 151st St., Leawood, KS 66224
The munchkins will build their very own Snowman out of freshly made bread, plus yummy classic Snickerdoodle Cookies, Grilled Cheese roll-ups accompanied by warm Apple Cider. PJs are of course welcome.
Cookies & Milk for Santa Class
December 23rd, 2022 9:00am- 10:00am and 11:30am-12:30pm
Taste Bud’s Kitchen: 5336 151st St. Leawood, KS 66224
Another holiday cooking class is for children 2 to 8 years old AND a caregiver! Come get in the Santa spirit with your little ones to get in the holiday spirit and make treats for Santa!
New Year’s Eve Events
Find a full list of kid-friendly New Year’s Eve events too!
Other Things to Do in December
If you’re looking for other holiday things to do with your family, check out these activities:
Fly High with Aerial Fitness
Shawnee, KS
Let the kids burn off pent up energy with a class at Learning 2 Fly in Shawnee. Bonus: They also offer winter break camps for families so the kids can have fun while they’re out of school.
Go Horseback Riding with the Family
Lee’s Summit, MO
Create lasting memories with your family while horseback riding with Sunset Trails Stables in Lee’s Summit. They offer trail riding for all skill levels or you can bring your own horse to ride on their trails.
Create Magical Works of Art
Closed until further notice.
Kansas City, MO
Using leftover pieces from the Hallmark manufacturing process, families who visit Kaleidoscope at Crown Center can create unique works of art and have a great time doing it, too. Family art sessions are free. Visit them online for a full schedule of available dates.
Get Your Hands on History
Kansas City, MO
The National World War I Museum & Liberty Memorial no longer offering hands on History.. Your family will learn about and discover real life artifacts from the war during this interactive session. You only need to RSVP to get in.
Get The Kids Ready for Family Pictures
Northland, Lee’s Summit, and Olathe
Get the kids photo ready with a fun haircut from Shear Madness. They have three metro area locations to choose from. Stay tuned to the current issue of iFamilyKC for special offerings year round.
Jump Around & Get Down
Lenexa, KS
Get in a family workout with low impact trampoline time at Urban Air in Lenexa. Your family will love creating lasting memories together at their location. Be sure to check out their special events online and don’t forget about their indoor playground specially designed for your little jumpers.
Paint Me a Story at Paint, Glaze, and Fire
Every other Friday and select Tuesdays
Story varies each session.
Overland Park, KS
Head on over to Paint, Glaze, and Fire for a Paint Me A Story workshop with your kiddos. Don’t miss out on a holiday themed family night. Tickets to these events sell out fast – Head online for a full schedule.
Holiday Express Train at Union Station
Check online for specific times
Union Station: 30 W Pershing Rd. Kansas City, MO 64108
A long-standing Kansas City Christmas tradition, the Holiday Express Train at Union Station is back for its 18th year. Your family can enjoy this free experience that includes a tour of the train (with Santa’s sleigh, reindeer, elves’ workshop) and a visit with Santa inside Union Station.
NOON Year’s Eve at Science City
2022 DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED
December 31st from 10:00am-5:00pm
Tickets are $14 and must be purchased in advance. This family friendly noon year’s eve is great for the whole family. Union Station Members are FREE
Science City: Kansas City, MO
Join in on an event the whole family will LOVE at Science City inside Union Station for Noon Year’s Eve where you can participate in fun, hands-on science demos and workshops, a spectacular science stage show, interactive maker activities, a giant 2,500+ balloon drop, and more. Visit online for full details.
Breakfast with Santa & Ceramics
December 4th, 2022, three time slots to choose from.
Ceramic Cafe: 9510 Nall Ave. Overland Park, KS 66207
Decorate ornaments & create a clay impression of your kids’ hand prints & footprints for Christmas ornaments at this fun Christmas events.
Santa will be there for pictures and continental breakfast is included! Call 913-383-0222 to reserve your spot today.
St. Nicholas Visits The Shoal Creek Living History
Shoal Creek Living History Museum in Olathe, KS
7000 NE Barry Rd., Kansas City, MO
Visit St. Nicholas during their holiday celebration, complete with decorated homes, villagers in costume & a letter writing station! St. Nicholas Event arrives on Saturday, December 10, 2022
10:00am-3:00pm at Shoal Creek Living History Museum
The fee is $5 per child, but totally worth being immersed in the fun.
A Magical Cirque Christmas
December 21st at 7:30pm
Springfield, MO
Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Perfoming Arts
This unique Christmas experience is for one night only! See stunning cirque artists perform various acrobatic stunts accompanied by all your favorite holiday music. Tickets are on sale now.
Christkindlmarkt
December 17th, 2022 from 3:00pm-7:00pm
Shawnee, KS
Join the city of Shawnee for family friendly entertainment, Santa and reindeer sightings, and the mayor’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony all at the annual Christkindlmarkt, free for families.
Trans Siberian Orchestra
December 26th from 3:00pm and 8:00pm
T-Mobile Center
Come see the world renowned Trans- Siberian Orchestra as they perform their “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” during their winter tour.
Get your tickets now, so you don’t miss out on this holiday classic!
Breakfast with Santa at the Merriam Community Center
December 3rd from 9:00am-10:30am.
Merriam, KS
Merriam Parks & Rec has an exciting Christmas event for families this year that includes breakfast, story time, a fun craft, and special time with Santa all for just $5 per adult (One child gets in free with each paying adult). Grab your tickets before November 25th.
Jingle Jamboree at What If Puppets Theater
Shows are touring and need to be booked.
What If Puppets Theater: 1006 E Linwood Blvd. Kansas City, MO
Join Randall P. Nutbutter and his friends as they get ready for the ultimate Christmas party… the Jingle Jamboree. Come sing along with all your puppet pals during these fun Christmas shows!
Holiday Lights & Festive Sights
December 2nd from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Mission Market site.
Visit with Santa, enjoy holiday music and s’mores.
This is a free thing to do too!
Hometown Holidays in Liberty
December 3rd, 2022, 2:00pm- 5:00pm
Lighting ceremony to begin at 5:15pm. There will be crafts, pictures with Santa, games, face painting and more.
C.W. Parker Carousel Museum Small Mall
Leavenworth, KS
December 3, 2022 9am – 5pm
December 4, 2022 10am-4pm
Kids can do their own Christmas shopping for holiday gifts. (with the help of elves, of course in a safe environment at the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum) After shopping at the small mall, kids will participate in a fun craft, visit with Santa, take a free ride on the carousel, and even take home a bag of reindeer food.
The Nutcracker by the Kansas City Ballet
December 7th-24th, 2022
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Come enjoy this classic holiday show as it graces the stage at the Kauffman Center by the Kansas City Ballet, accompanied by music from the Kansas City Symphony. This is sure to make your holidays come to life.
Breakfast with Santa in Grandview
December 17th, 2022, 8:00-10:00
The View: 13500 Byars Road Grandview, Missouri 64030
Enjoy this fun Christmas event while having breakfast with the big guy himself! Pancakes, holiday crafts and photos with Santa is a great way to kick off your holiday season.
Cost is $6 in advance or $10 day of. Register online today
Grandview Christmas Event: Tree Lighting Ceremony
Decembe1st, 2022 6:00pm-8:00pm
Grandview, MO
Stop by the annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at The View. Listen to The Night Before Christmas, drink hot chocolate, cookies and Christmas carols.
Donations of canned food, toiletries or cash requested.
We hope your family finds fun things to do in Kansas City throughout December! There are so many Kansas City Christmas things to do…
No matter how you choose to celebrate the holiday season, spending time with your family is what matters. If you know of other fun things to do for Christmas (or another holiday) in Kansas City, drop ’em in the comments!
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From our family to yours, iFamilyKC.
