Here are fifteen things to do in KC this weekend, December 11—14 including Leslie Odom Jr., Grand Marquis and the Nelson-Atkins’ Night/Shift.
Milking Christmas
Local fringe theater company The Living Room is making a comeback. A collaboration between four KC playwrights, the company’s signature work Milking Christmas quickly made a name for itself as an unconventional local classic after its 2017 premiere. Produced and directed by the company’s artistic director Rusty Sneary, the musical comedy follows Macey Maid-a-Milking as she realizes things are amiss in Christmastown with mismanufactured gifts, an increasing output of coal and brigades of soldiers on standby.
December 3–28. Times vary. Music Theater Heritage.
Leslie Odom Jr.: The Christmas Tour
Broadway superstar Leslie Odom Jr. is best known for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Vice President Aaron Burr in the original cast of Hamilton, but his holiday albums are just as dazzling. Fresh off his highly anticipated Broadway reprisal of the role, the Kansas City Symphony brings Odom Jr.’s holiday tour to the Kauffman Center. Accompanied by the lush, sweeping orchestra, expect rich interpretations of wintertime classics, plus selections from the 11-time Tony Award-winning musical that brought him stardom.
December 12 & 13. 7 pm. Helzberg Hall.
A Very Irish Christmas
For proud Irish-Americans or lovers of the culture, the Harriman-Jewell Series presents the Trinity Irish Dance Company’s “A Very Irish Christmas.” The Chicago-based company has modernized traditional step dancing with a focus on female empowerment, grace and passion. With festive performances highlighting classic holiday tunes and traditional instrumentation, audience members can clap along to this energetic and modern take on Christmas and Irish dance.
December 12. 7 pm. Folly Theater.
Grand Marquis
KC roots and blues band Grand Marquis’ brassy and soulful style celebrates the region’s musical heritage while infusing their own 21st century sound. Grab a bite at The Ship’s Friday matinee show and listen to a band that is beloved for a reason.
December 12. 7 pm. The Ship.
The Nutcracker
A holiday tradition that never loses its magic, The Nutcracker returns to the Kauffman Center in a dazzling production by the Kansas City Ballet. Choreographed by artistic director Devon Carney, the enchanting ballet reimagines E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic with glittering costumes, spectacular sets and Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.
November 29–December 24. Times vary. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Linda Lighton: “Love & War, A Fifty-Year Survey, 1975-2025”
Born into an affluent Kansas City family, Linda Lighton was expected to marry well and become a housewife. Instead, she became an artist, helped publish a leftist newspaper and joined a commune in Washington state. Now, Lighton presents her ceramics at the Nerman Museum. Her sculpture captures her story and the universal story of love and politics and social strife over the past 50 years of her career. The exhibition—which focuses on gun violence, gender inequality and environmental activism—is accompanied by a 208-page book, chronicling her boundary-pushing ceramic work.
December 13–May 3. Times vary. Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.
A Christmas Carol
As always, KCRep welcomes the holiday season with one of Kansas City’s most cherished annual productions, A Christmas Carol. But this year’s show carries a special significance. After more than 1,100 performances since 2000, Gary Neal Johnson will take his final bow as Ebenezer Scrooge. Honoring both the tradition and the man who has been its beating heart for more than two decades, this Charles Dickens classic is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit.
November 22–December 27. Spencer Theatre.
Night/Shift
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art throws a great party—and for free. Every few months on a Thursday evening, Night/Shift combines the museum’s world-class collection with live music and hands-on activities. This installment revolves around Mesoamerican artwork, and the lineup of local musicians and artists includes Jon Sabillón, Jamogi and the Jammers, Andrea Cira and more.
December 11. 5 pm. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Book Talk: Jan Brett
Join Rainy Day Books at Unity Temple to celebrate the newest book by best-selling and nationally acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator Jan Brett, The Christmas Sweater. A few of Brett’s classic children’s books include The Mitten and Gingerbread Baby. The book talk will include a drawing demonstration and book signing.
December 12. 5 pm. rainydaybooks.com.
Country Club Plaza Holiday Market and Shopping Stroll
Kick off the holiday season at Country Club Plaza’s first annual indoor Holiday Market and Shopping Stroll Enjoy a festive day filled with local artisan vendors, special in-store deals, pop-ups, and fun activities for the whole family, such as, photos with Santa and live reindeer, seasonal bites and sips, live music, and fun for the whole family, all under the glow of the Plaza’s iconic holiday lights.
Saturday, December 13, from 11 am to 5 pm. Indoors at 111 Nichols Road. CountryClubPlaza.com.
Epoca de Ora: Golden Age of Mexican Cinema
KC’s premier chamber music group Ensemble Iberica specializes in performing folkloric music from around the globe. A collaboration with KC’s Consulate of Mexico, the ensemble’s upcoming show takes a deep dive into the golden age of Mexican cinema. Performing specially arranged film music, the concert features Fedra Cooper Barrera, the group’s resident vocalist who hails from Veracruz, Mexico.
December 13. 1 pm. Atkins Auditorium, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Rec Deck the Halls
Celebrate the season with Boulevard Brewing Company’s holiday pop-up bar Rec Deck the Halls. Returning for its fifth year, the concept features festive cocktails, Quirks, barrel aged beers and light snacks on the menu, with shuffleboard courts, keepsake glassware and reservable cabana-style candy cottages. A portion of the $5 cover charge will benefit Guadalupe Centers and Kansas City G.I.F.T.
November 28–December 27. Times vary. Boulevard Brewing Company.
Festival of Lights
The only thing more beautiful than Powell Gardens in the spring is the botanical garden in the winter, shining with holiday lights. The Festival of Lights is a great opportunity to appreciate the garden’s landscape and architecture while ushering in the holiday spirit. Attendees may enjoy other attractions such as winter plants like poinsettias, local artwork, opportunities to visit Santa and even workshops on how to make holiday decorations and special musical performances.
November 20—January 3. Powell Gardens.
Raven Halfmoon
Building on the Kemper Museum’s legacy of visionary commissions, the museum will present a solo exhibition by artist and Native American Raven Halfmoon. Known for her monumental ceramic sculptures, Halfmoon has emerged as a leading artistic voice. Born and raised in Norman, Oklahoma, Halfmoon’s influences range from ancient Indigenous pottery, Moai monoliths and elements of Western culture, such as cowboy hats. For this exhibition, she explores the various cultural histories that make up Kansas City.
November 14–April 19, 2026. Times vary. The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big KC MO Christmas Show
Directed by Ernie Nolan, Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big KC MO Christmas Show is back at the Unicorn Theatre, and it’s anything but your run-of-the-mill Christmas Carol. Set not in London but right here in KC, this playful retelling features just five actors taking on dozens of the classic roles, including Scrooge, Tiny Tim, the ghosts and more. It may not be traditional, but it’s sure to make you laugh and get you ready to celebrate the holiday season.
December 3–28. Times vary. Unicorn Theatre.
