Here are ten great things to do in Kansas City this holiday weekend, December 21-24, including: Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens, Seussical the Musical, and The Nightmare Before Christmas in concert.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, but now audiences get to experience the most famous reindeer of all—Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This live musical will be performed at the Coterie Theatre this holiday season, inspiring everyone to be true to themselves and find strength in their perceived flaws.
Various dates from November 7–December 31. Times vary. Coterie Theatre.
Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens
This unique festive outdoor experience follows a 1-mile walk through Powell Gardens’ immersive, botanically inspired light installations. On Fridays and Saturdays, patrons can create and deliver their holiday wish lists to Santa who will also be posing for photos. There will also be live Christmas music performed by local favorites.
November 16–-December 30. Times vary. Powell Gardens.
Sippin’ Santa
The holiday tiki pop-up Sippin’ Santa is at the Hey! Hey! Club, the intimate space at J. Rieger & Co., which is transformed for the holidays into a swanky tropical holiday oasis. This holiday pop-up features festive original cocktails in holiday inspired glassware/mugs, themed decorations and at the end of this year’s season, Miracle and Sippin’ Santa will donate 10% of all proceeds from the sale of select glassware to the Seva Foundation, a global nonprofit eye care organization that works with local communities around the world.
November 20–December 30. J. Rieger & Co.
Seussical the Musical
This musical extravaganza is an amalgamation of the best-loved stories by Dr. Seuss. In a continuing effort to make theater accessible to all, they are offering bean bag seats to youngsters and a sign-language interpretation performance.
Weekends in December, 8–23. Times Vary. Black Box Theatre.
Joe Nunnink
Kansas City native comedian and writer Joe Nunnink first performed in the midwest comedy scene for years before moving to New York city, winning audiences over with his accessible yet absurd brand of stand-up.
December 21. 7 pm. The Comedy Club Of Kansas City.
A Christmas Carol
One of the holiday season’s most beloved plays, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has been performed by The Kansas City Repertory Theatre for more than 40 years. Experience this holiday tradition focused on redemption and goodwill through Ebenezer Scrooge’s ghostly encounters with Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
Various dates from November 21–December 24. Times vary. Spencer Theatre.
Guy Torry
St. Louis native actor and comedian Guy Torry began as a stand-up comedian before transitioning to acting roles, like Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam, Stuck on You and American History X. Torry will be coming back to his native Missouri in support of the “Phat Tuesdays” tour which highlights and remembers his ’90s showcase supporting Black comedians in LA.
December 22 & 23. 7 & 9:45 pm. Improv Comedy Club.
Enchant
Enchant boasts as the largest Christmas light display in the country and it is coming to Kansas City this holiday season. Featuring an all-new light maze, a village of tiny storefronts featuring artisan vendors, an ice skating trail, photo opps with Santa, a play place for children, along with special themed nights, Enchant is sure to have something for people of all ages.
November 24—December 31. Times Vary. Legends Field.
The Nutcracker
Clara and the Nutcracker prince are once again taking center stage at the Kauffman Center in The Nutcracker. In this classic wintertime favorite, watch snowflakes, sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers come to life this holiday season in this heartwarming ballet choreographed by Devon Carney, with Tchaikovsky’s legendary score played by the Kansas City Symphony.
December 1–24. Times vary. Kauffman Center.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
With Jason Seber as the guest conductor, witness Tim Burton’s celebrated classic The Nightmare Before Christmas like never before. The KC Symphony plays the darkly charming score by Danny Elfman while the movie is projected, creating an unforgettable cinematic symphony.
December 21–23. 7 pm. December 24. 1:30 pm. Kauffman Center.
