The holidays are upon us, and Kansas City has an incredible lineup of festive happenings, community events, and seasonal festivals that make us feel very merry and bright.
Recently, we asked you what local holiday traditions you love taking part in each year and received many fun and festive responses. Here are some KC holiday traditions that you all told us about:
Family-friendly traditions
“We always take our kids to Crown Center and Union Station to walk around and see all the decorations, ice skating, and enjoy lots of yummy treats. The theater at Union Station also plays the Christmas classics movies on the big screen, and the planetarium has cool light shows set to holiday music.” — Hillary Lemon
“For my family, we’ve been going to ‘Christmas in Song’ at the Quality Hill Playhouse for the past 10 years. I can’t imagine Christmas without it.” — Quinn Cole
“Come see the lights in the Armour Fields Homes Association. Between Wornall and Ward Parkway, 65th to Gregory. Most blocks compete for Best Block honors. There are also individual home awards. We get lots of buses and limos checking out the scenery.” — Jan Flanagan
Will you be trying any of these locally recommended holiday traditions? Let us know. Also, check out these additional holiday traditions and happenings around town:
Holiday bites + sips
Holiday Open House Tasting | Thursday, Dec. 22 | 5-7 p.m. | Brookside Wine & Spirits, 600 E. 63rd St., KCMO | Free | Bring a non perishable food donation and sample different wines, beers, whiskey, and seasonal cocktails.
Feast of the Seven Fishes | Saturday, Dec. 24 | Times vary | Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, 4814 Roanoke Pkwy., KCMO | $85 per person | Feast on a five courses featuring featuring seven different fish at this Christmas Eve experience.
NYE Dinner at Lazia | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 5 p.m. | 2101 Central St., KCMO | $135 per person | Check out this traditional Italian feast experience to ring in the new year.
Must-do community events
Festive Fiesta | Friday, Dec. 23 | 11 p.m. | Corrigan Station, 1828 Walnut St., KCMO | $20 | Come out to this classy speakeasy with a full bar + live DJ spinning hip-hop, afrobeat, and Top 40 tunes.
41st Annual Kwanzaa Celebration | Monday, Dec. 26-Saturday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | Historic Gem Theatre, 1601 E. 18th St., KCMO | Donations accepted | Participate in seven straight days of remembering, honoring, and celebrating African origins + culture.
New Year’s Eve at Knights of Lights | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 10 p.m.-1 a.m. | 633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs, KS | $20-$30 | Welcome 2023 with food, entertainment, prizes, and Champagne.
Opportunities to give back
Flourish Furniture Bank Hospitality | Dates vary | Times vary | Locations vary | This non-profit needs help collecting, preparing, and distributing donated furnishings + home essentials to those seeking housing stability.
Wayside Waifs Volunteering | Dates vary | Times vary | 3901 Martha Rd., KCMO | Looking for a way to give back while staying warm? We recommend snuggling up with some adoptable animals + lending a helping hand at this rescue.
Christmas at the Crossroads | Friday, Dec. 23 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Truman | Join Shelter KC’s annual event to serve adults experiencing homelessness. Volunteer positions include booth set up, meal serving, and handing out care packages.
