Here are ten great things to do in KC this Thanksgiving weekend, November 23-26, including: A Christmas Carol, the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting and Pentatonix.
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.
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.
Through the Lens
Through the Lens is a showcase of KC’s symphony musicians. They’ll play various works throughout the night, including Chilean composer Miguel Farias’ captivating music, an interpretation of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 played by Chinese pianist Zhu Wang and Antonín Dvorak’s brooding Symphony No. 7. This evening of music will be led by the Chilean-Italian conductor Paolo Bortolameolli in his return to KC.
November 24–26. Times vary. Helzberg Hall.
KC Winter Wonderland
This family-friendly event, brought to you by KC Pumpkin Patch and KC Wine Co in Olathe, KC Winter Wonderland features a holiday light display that guests can stroll through while enjoying the sights and sounds of the season. There are plenty of fun photo opportunities on the walk, along with pictures with Santa available. Drinks and festival foods will also be available for purchase, and a portion of ticket sales will benefit the Veterans Community Project which helps veterans with housing and walk-in support services.
Weekends November 24–December 17. 5:30–9 pm. KC Pumpkin Patch.
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.
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Crown Center celebrates 51 years as home to the100-foot-tall Mayor’s Christmas Tree with a festive community lighting event, celebrating the illumination of one of the tallest Christmas trees in the nation. This year there will be an outdoor area with fire pits and hot beverages, local musicians performing “KC’s favorite holiday playlist,” tree lighting by Mayor Quinton Lucas, with the night ending in a fireworks display.
November 24. 5:30 pm. Crown Center Square.
Holiday Group Show
The opening of the second annual Holiday Group Show features local artists, like Phybr and Rif Raf Giraffe among many others, selling their wares in time for the holiday shopping season. In addition to paintings, there will also be sculptures, prints, clothing, stickers and more available for purchase.
Opening, November 25. 1–8 pm. (Exhibition, November 25—December 23). Upper Level Gallery.
Kansas City Mavericks
First-place ECHL hockey team the Kansas City Mavericks face off for two divisional games against Wichita Thunder on their home turf this weekend in KC. This has been an especially exciting season for the Mavericks, who have been led by outstanding individual performances, including rookie forward Max Andreev leading the league in points scored and assists.
November 25. 6:05 pm. Cable Dahmer Arena.
Juan Diego Flórez
Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez has been hailed around the world for his signature virtuosity, lyrical elegance and charming stage presence. He returns to KC for the first time in nearly a decade in this much-anticipated solo recital, which will include opera arias and other audience favorites. Along with starring in operas presented by the world’s most prestigious theaters, Flórez has established Sinfonía por el Perú, a non-profit group that seeks to transform the lives of thousands of underprivileged Peruvian children through musical education.
November 26. 3–5 pm. Folly Theater.
Pentatonix
A cappella group Pentatonix will bring The Most Wonderful Tour Of The Year arena run to KC in support of the band’s recently released eighth holiday album “The Greatest Christmas Hits,” featuring the band’s top holiday songs as well as a few never-before-heard tracks.
November 26. 7 pm. T-Mobile Center.
