2021 Plaza Lighting Ceremony | Thursday, November 25
The Country Club Plaza will celebrate its Lighting Ceremony on Thanksgiving. It has been a local tradition for almost 100 years and started with a single strand hung at the Mill Creek Building. This year, members of the Kansas City Current—KC’s professional women’s soccer team—will flip the switch at 6:52 pm. There will be performances and a fireworks display as well. And you can watch this event live and at home with your family this Thanksgiving by tuning into KMBC.
5-8 pm. Country Club Plaza, 4706 Broadway Blvd., KCMO.
Winter Magic | Now–Sunday, January 2
Speaking of lights, you can cruise down Swope Park’s Oakwood Drive and enter a world of glimmering holiday wonder. The Winter Magic experience takes you through one completely LED-covered mile of the park and twelve themed holiday light displays. Load your merry little herd and enjoy a drive complete with a lighted canopy, toy workshop, stained glass nativity and more.
Various Times. Swope Park, 8400 Blue River Road, KCMO. $20-$40.
Festival of Lights | Now-Thursday, December 30
Need more lit options? You can usher in the holidays by wandering through the glow and twinkle of lights at Powell Gardens. The captivating and colorful display stretches nearly twenty miles of string lights across the garden’s bountiful trees and architecture. While you’re there, you can also visit Santa and stay warm with a cup of their hot chocolate or Louisburg cider.
4-10 pm. Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO. Prices vary.
A Christmas Carol | Now–Sunday, December 26
It’s the second weekend for KC Rep’s A Christmas Carol. This theatrical rendition of Charles Dickens’ classic tale has delighted audiences for over forty years. The entire family can enjoy the tale of Scrooge’s journey through Christmas Past, Present and Future and get lost in the music and magic of this holiday classic.
Times vary. Spencer Theatre, 4949 Cherry St., KCMO. Prices vary.
The Rink at Zona Rosa | Now–February 2022
Ice skating at Crown Center is a classic choice, but are you looking for ice skating in the Northland this holiday season? Zona Rosa has opened its ice rink—there’s public ice skating, pond hockey and special events. Stop by Topsy’s at Zona for the ultimate Kansas City holiday tradish.
Hours vary. Zona Rosa, 8731 N. Stoddard Ave., KCMO. Admission: $11. Skate rental: $4.
Van Gogh Alive | Now–Friday, January 14
The much-hyped Van Gogh show—the one that exists, not the one that sold millions of dollars worth of tickets to a “mystery venue” and then postponed—makes use of moving images, sounds, lights and fragrances to create a multi-sensory experience designed to transport you into the world of one of the most influential artists in history. And best of all, it has an actual location.
Various times. Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, KCMO. $30–$60.
