Here are fifteen things to do in KC this weekend, December 4—7 including Winter WonderBand, Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve and PJ Party Crawl.
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.
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.
Winter WonderBand
Mrs. Claus is taking the mic for a three-night stint at Nighthawk, and she’s got soul. Led by singer and actress Shon Ruffin (of The Freedom Affair), the KCRep production is nestled in the basement bar of the historic Hotel Kansas City. Cozy up with a cocktail in hand for an evening powerhouse vocals and seasonal sass.
December 4–6. 7:30 pm. Nighthawk.
Our Favorite Things
Whether it’s raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens, Heartland Men’s Chorus pays homage to its favorite things at this holiday show—and that includes KC drag queens and singers Daisy Buckët and Tajma Stetson. The festive holiday performance also marks 40 years of harmony for the local choir.
December 5–7. Times vary. Folly Theater.
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.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s rock opera returns to the stage for the first time since 2013, reimagining classic holiday melodies with a progressive metal twist. Originally a made-for-TV film released in 1999, The Ghosts of Christmas Eve follows a runaway girl taking shelter in an idle theater as she is transported by apparitions from the venue’s storied past. In typical TSO fashion, expect pyrotechnics, lasers, wailing electric guitars and synchronized video and light displays.
December 6. 3 pm. T-Mobile Center.
PJ Party Crawl
Enjoy holiday festivities from the comfort of your pajamas. This family-friendly Zona Rosa event includes immersive activities from 11 participating businesses, including Christmas cookie decorating, ornament making and writing letters to Santa. After collecting stamps from each stop, head to The Rink for a free children’s book, a sweet treat and special discounts.
December 6. 3 pm. Zona Rosa.
Border Showdown: KU vs. MU Men’s Basketball
Long gone are the days of the Kansas Jayhawks’ and Missouri Tigers’ Big 12 face-offs. Despite the universities’ now-differing athletic conferences, the century-long border war endures with the same intensity. With bragging rights on the line, the Jayhawks and Tigers rivalry heats up once again on the court.
December 7. 12 pm. T-Mobile Center.
Titanic: An Immersive Voyage
At Titanic: An Immersive Voyage, step aboard this famed and fateful 1912 expedition. The exhibit pairs over 200 artifacts with 3D visuals, life-sized replicas and immersive video.
November 8—April 19. Times vary. Union Station.
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.
An Intimate Christmas with the ICM
Head to Parkville to see the Park ICM Orchestra’s annual Christmas concert with Steven McDonald. Most of their performances are free, including this one. A variety of Christmas songs ranging from the classics to contemporary pieces will be performed. Some specific movements to look forward to are “Handel’s Overture to Messiah” and “Waldteufel’s The Skaters’ Waltz.”
December 5. Park University, Hawley Hall.
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.
Magic Valley Community Theatre’s Little Women
If you’re looking for something new, Magic Valley Community Theatre’s Little Women makes its world premiere this fall at the Unicorn Theatre. After a workshop last year with Clubbed Thumb and Concord Theatricals in NYC, the final version of this play is ready for the stage. A play within a play, the story follows the actors playing the March sisters on closing night of Little Women, but the real drama is happening offstage, where personal chaos unfolds as they scramble to make their dreams come true and perform the play at “nationals” in Rochester. It might just have you wondering what’s going on behind the scenes of the show you’re watching.
November 12–December 7. Times vary. Unicorn Theatre.
