Here are thirteen things to do in KC this weekend, December 18—21 including Hallmark Christmas Experience, Brass and Boujee and the Kansas City Symphony’s Christmas Festival.
Winterland
Take in the sights and sounds of the season at Winterland: A Holiday Cirque Experience. The Quixotic production prides itself on being an immersive experience—made complete with live music, art installations, dancers, and cirque performance––to transport participants to a shimmering winter wonderland. This weekend marks the finale of this season’s performance run.
November 21—December 21. Times vary. The Grand Theater.
Hallmark Christmas Experience
A new Kansas City tradition in the making, the Hallmark Christmas Experience returns for its second year. Inspired by the festive charm of a Hallmark holiday movie, the family friendly event has transformed Crown Center into a vibrant holiday market. General admission is free, but visitors can purchase admission to additional activities and special events featuring Hallmark stars and artists.
November 28–December 21. Times vary. Crown Center.
Brass and Boujee
Brass and Boujee is pushing the mold—and not just in Kansas City. The 20-piece ensemble, led by trombonist and arranger Marcus Lewis, is the first group to record big band jazz and hip-hop. Dance the night away as the band brings a high-energy set to the West Bottoms.
December 19. 10 pm. The Ship.
Christmas Festival
The Kansas City Symphony’s annual Christmas Festival returns to Helzberg Hall. Guest vocalist and American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle joins the orchestra for a program of classic carols, along with a special visit from Santa.
December 18—21. Times vary. Helzberg Hall.
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.
Cold Weather Holiday Night Market
Brookside boutique Good Weather hosts a cozy indoor holiday market. Browse ceramics, vintage clothing and more while enjoying festive drinks and music.
December 20. 4 pm. Good Weather.
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.
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.
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.
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.
