Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready, Kansas City. From light displays to holiday parties and seasonal festivals, winter is where KC thrives.
Gather the family and friends and celebrate what makes the holiday season special with this guide featuring 27 winter events happening between December and February.
Where to see lights
Winter Magic | Now until Sunday, Jan. 5 | Times vary | Platte Purchase Park | $20+ | Two of Kansas City’s biggest drive-through light shows have merged for double the lights at a discounted price.
Evergy Festival of Lights | Dates vary, now until Saturday, Jan. 4 | Times vary | Powell Gardens, Kingsville | $12+ | Check out new media artist Kevin Heckart’s interactive displays.
Luminary Walk | Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 29-Dec. 14 | 5 p.m.-9 p.m. | Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens | $12-$17 | Take a stroll along the lit pathways to experience the magical gnome and fairy villages + serene winter woods by candlelight.
KC Winter Wonderland | Fridays-Sundays, Nov. 29-Dec. 22 | 5:30-9 p.m. | KC Wine Co. | $13.45+ | Known for its amazing photo ops, take in the sights and sounds of the holidays before stopping in for sips + snacks at the Black Barn.
Sar-Ko Aglow | Friday, Dec. 6-Monday, Jan. 20 | 6-11 p.m. | Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa | Free entry | Take a nighttime stroll around Rose’s Pond to view the reflections on the water.
Lee’s Summit Magic Tree | Starting Wednesday, Nov. 27 | 1401 NW River Rd., Lee’s Summit | Free entry | Come see this celebratory holiday landmark + bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Operation Toy Soldier.
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane | Thursday, Nov. 28-Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 5-10 p.m. | Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Overland Park | Free admission | Tune in to 90.5 Rose FM to hear your favorite holiday songs while watching the light display.
Food and drink
Merry Market | Weekends, now until Christmas | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | City Market | Free admission | Taste mobile restaurant offerings + select farmers market vendors alongside artisans and performers.
Holiday Open House at Louisburg Cider Mill | Saturday, Nov. 30 + Dec. 7 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | 14730 K-68 Hwy., Louisburg | Free admission | Enjoy sample tastings of the apple cider, soups, butters, honeycrisp apple barbecue sauce, and hard cider.
Holiday Classes at The Culinary Center of Kansas City | Dates and hours vary | 7920 Santa Fe Dr., Overland Park | Prices vary | Get your chef on at one of these holiday themed cooking classes.
12ish Bars of Christmas | Saturday, Dec. 7 | 2-10 p.m. | Downtown Lee’s Summit | $15 | Get boozy on this annual bar crawl benefiting Hope House KC.
Local tree farms
Bierman’s Christmas Tree Farm | Dates vary | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | 2825 S. 63rd St., KCK | Drink hot chocolate and go on a sleigh ride before bringing home the perfect tree.
Strawberry Hill Christmas Tree Farm | Now through Tuesday, Dec. 23 | Hours vary | 794 Hwy. 40, Lawrence | It’s the farm’s 40th year selling Scotch pines + Fraser and balsam Firs.
Sunshine Flowers | Open daily starting Wednesday, Nov. 27 | 10 a.m. | 4509 Rainbow Blvd., KCK | Find your tree and the rest of your holiday greenery — including Christmas cactus.
Soil Service | Dates and hours vary | 7130 Troost Ave., KCMO | While you’re at the nursery, check out their other winter trees and shrubs.
Scout Troop 199 | Dates and hours vary | 6630 Nall Ave Mission, KS | A troop tradition for the past 60+ years.
Christmas Ranch Tree Farm | Open Friday through Monday, starting Friday, Nov. 29 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | 24818 NE 148th St., Excelsior Springs, MO | Fun fact: this Christmas tree farm was used as a filming location for the Lifetime movie “My Sweet Holiday.”
Fulk’s Tree Farm | Opening Friday, Nov. 29 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | 23400 Hwy. 92, Platte City | $55-$218 | With trees as tall as 13 ft, you can take your pick between Douglas, Fraser, balsam, grand fir or white pine.
Ice skating, snowboarding + everything in between
Snow Creek | Dates and hours vary | 1 Snow Creek Dr., Weston | Ticket and pass prices vary | Ski, snowboard, and tube until your fingers are frozen if the weather allows.
Crown Center Ice Terrace | Now until Sunday, March 9 | Hours vary | Crown Center Square | $9 admission, $6 skate rental | Lace up your skates to enjoy the 52th season of Kansas City’s oldes outdoor rink.
The Ice at Park Place | Now until Sunday, March 2 | Hours vary | 11565 Ash St., Leawood | $11 admission, $4 skate rental | Enjoy a skate session before eating at a local Park Place restaurant.
The Rink at Zona Rosa | Now until Monday, Feb. 17 | Hours vary | 8731 N. Stoddard Ave., KCMO | $12 admission, $5 skate rental | Skate under the holiday lights, or play a game of pond hockey.
KC Ice Center | Dates and hours vary | 19900 Johnson Dr., Shawnee | Prices vary | Class and admission prices vary | Enjoy the $10 public skate or take things to the next level and sign up for a class.
Independence Community Ice | Dates and hours vary | 19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Independence | Class and admission prices vary | Check the inclusive skate options with sleds and walkers available for all.
Summit Ice | Starting Wednesday, Nov. 27- | Hours vary | 120 NE Chipman Rd., Lee’s Summit | $9+ | This rink is fitted with an extensive patio and open fire pits to stay warm and cozy while off the ice.
Kansas City Curling Club | Dates vary | 2525 NW S. Outer Rd., Blue Springs | Prices vary | Join a league, learn the basics, or participate in an open curling session at KC’s only dedicated curling facility.
AdventHealth Sports Park at BluHawk | Dates and hours vary | 16201 Shawnee Dr., Overland Park | $12 admission, $5 skate rental | Whether you’re a pro or just doing it for fun, skate the ice rink’s inaugural season and sign up for a variety of classes.
Festivals and events
Hallmark Christmas Experience | Friday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Dec. 22 | Times vary | Crown Center | Free entry | Step into a Hallmark Christmas movie with this immersive town square experience showcasing nightly light shows, a Festive Food Hall, and activities like the Hallmark Card-Sending Station.
Winter Wreath Workshop + Mimosas | Saturday, Nov. 30 | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Paradise Garden Club | $115 | Get into the holiday spirit while Hannah Reynolds, owner of Limestone Floral, guides you step by step to make your own fresh winter green wreath.
Holiday Touchdown Premier Watch Party | Saturday, Nov. 30 | 6-10 p.m. | Pharaoh Cinema 4, Independence | $0+ | Celebrate the release of Hallmark’s KC-based holiday flick with a free screening and surprise giveaways on the same square it was filmed at.
Red Stocking Breakfast | Saturday, Dec. 7 | 7:30-10:30 a.m. | Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ, Overland Park | $15+ | Raise money for KCSL’s child abuse prevention programs with a festive breakfast served up by local celebs + fun activities and silent auction opportunities.
The Jewish Nutcracker | Sunday, Dec. 8 | 11 a.m. + 4 p.m. | The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre at The J, Overland Park | $6+ | Follows Rebecca and the Nutcracker on their magical journey from Bubbe’s house to the Land of Nosh, encountering everything from mice to dancing dreidels.
Architectural Finalists Showcase | Thursday, Dec. 12 | 6-8 p.m. | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | $12+ | From over 180 international submissions, six prestigious architectural firms will present their vision to the public for museum feedback.
