Here are twelve things to do in KC this Thanksgiving weekend, November 27–December 1, including Katy Guillen and The Drive, Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting at Crown Center and A Christmas Carol.
The Freedom Affair
The Freedom Affair is set to bring down the house at The Ship for their annual Thanksgiving Eve tradition. Fronted by powerhouse vocalists Seyko Groves, Paula Saunders and Shon Ruffin, the soul band spreads a message of peace, love and harmony through their infectious grooves and timeless sound.
November 27. 8 pm. The Ship.
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting
The Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting is a tradition over 50 years in the making. Joined by actors Hunter King and Tyler Hynes—stars of the forthcoming Hallmark Movie, Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story—Mayor Quinton Lucas will light up Crown Center with a dazzling 100-foot evergreen. The free event also promises fireworks, an outdoor holiday market and festive food and beverage available for purchase.
November 29. 6:30 pm. Crown Center.
Home Alone In Concert
Enjoy the comedic holiday classic Home Alone with a magical blend of film and live music. The Kansas City Symphony’s family-friendly performance will bring John Williams’ score to life alongside guest conductor Caleb Young and the Kansas City Symphony Chorus.
November 29–December 1. Times vary. Helzberg Hall at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Rec Deck the Halls
Celebrate the season with Boulevard Brewing Company’s holiday pop-up bar Rec Deck the Halls. In addition to a menu of beloved staple brews and festive cocktails, the pop-up will feature limited-edition Aronia Berry Kriek Ale. The ale highlights the region’s natural heritage, brewed with aronia berries sourced from KC’s botanical treasure, Powell Gardens. A portion of the $5 cover charge will benefit Guadalupe Centers and Kansas City G.I.F.T.
November 29–December 28. Times vary. Boulevard Brewing Company.
Christmas in the Crossroads
Ring in the yuletide season at Christmas in the Crossroads, where cocktail bar Society is transforming their space into a full-fledged holiday experience. Indulge in shareable bites and seasonal cocktails—including sugar cookie martinis and white cranberry margaritas among many other beverages—with no cover charge. To kick off the first weekend of festivities, the arts district bar is offering a BOGO 50% off drink special.
November 29–January 4. Times vary. Society.
Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big KC MO Christmas Show
Once you’ve enjoyed the classic Dickens story, you might consider checking out a less conventional retelling. Directed by Ernie Nolan, Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big KC MO Christmas Show at the Unicorn Theatre on the Levin Stage promises a performance full of music, laughter and fun. Watch five actors take on multiple characters, including Scrooge, Tiny Tim, the ghosts and more, in this family-friendly show personalized just for Kansas City.
November 26–December 22. Times vary. Unicorn Theatre.
Jingle at KC Wine Co.
No tickets or reservations are necessary at this Christmas pop-up in Olathe. Festive cocktail pop-up Jingle will be serving festive cocktails including a Mistletoe Marg and Jack Frosty. Hard cider flights, wine, beer, wine slushies, charcuterie, and flatbread pizzas are also on the menu.
November 8–December 22. Times vary. KC Wine Co.
Winterland: A Holiday Cirque Experience
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 performances—to transport participants to a shimmering winter wonderland.
November 29–December 22. Times vary. Grand Theater at Crown Center.
A Christmas Carol
A Kansas City tradition for more than 40 years, this Charles Dickens classic is a cemented part of Spencer Theatre’s Christmas past, present and future. Enjoying this performance of A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and a good reminder of what the festivities are really about.
November 23–December 28. Spencer Theatre.
Cirque Du Soleil’s ’Twas The Night Before
The world’s largest and most popular circus performance group, Cirque du Soleil, fuses high-performance dance with acrobatics to bring their first-ever holiday-themed show, ’Twas The Night Before, to KC. Inspired by the classic Christmas poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore, this story is about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays, but this time with gravity-defying acrobatics and a soundtrack of reinvented holiday classics.
November 27, 29–December 1. Times vary. Kansas City Music Hall.
Katy Guillen and The Drive
Kansas City-based roots rock band Katy Guillen and The Drive is making a hometown stop on their winter tour. Led by singer and guitarist Katy Guillen and drummer Stephanie Williams, the band is straight-forward and rocking. The band will be joined by another area rock band, Frogpond, and Lawrence-based alt-rock group Mellowphobia.
November 29. 8 pm. recordBar.
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. In addition to the mile-long walking path, which includes over 20 miles of lights, 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 drinks.
November 14–January 4. Powell Gardens.
