Kansas City Christmas Event Guide 2025

Kansas City comes alive during the holidays, and our 2025 Christmas Event Guide highlights the best ways to soak up the excitement of the season. From sparkling light displays and festive markets to classic holiday performances and family-friendly winter adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

1. Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens

Kansas City’s botanical gardens transform into a glowing winterscape every holiday season at the Evergy Festival of Lights. This unforgettable outdoor experience gives guests the opportunity to wander past the iconic chapel, across lighted bridges, and through sparkling trees. You can also make a Holly Jolly Rest Stop at the Missouri Barn and Silo to enjoy some warm drinks (spiked and not!), hot food, and sweet and savory snacks around cozy fire pits. This event is fun for the whole family and is sure to brighten your holiday season!

• Dates: November 20, 2025 – January 3, 2026
• Address: Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO 64061
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: No
• Website: powellgardens.org/festival-of-lights/

2. Crown Center Christmas

It’s a Kansas City tradition fit for a Hallmark Christmas movie! Each winter, Crown Center transforms into an enchanting holiday destination where the towering Mayor’s Christmas Tree, a sparkling ice terrace, and a festive holiday market create unforgettable fun for the whole family. Visit Santa, shop ‘til you drop, enjoy nightly Christmas tree light shows, and experience special ticketed events at this holiday extravaganza.

• Dates: November 7, 2025 - March 8, 2026
• Address: 2405 Grand Blvd. Ste 200, Kansas City, MO 64108
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: Both Ticketed and Free Events
• Website: crowncenterchristmas.com

3. The Nutcracker Ballet – Kansas City Ballet

The Nutcracker transports audiences to a Victorian-era world where Clara’s magical journey begins on a shimmering Winter’s Eve and sweeps her through a daring battle and into the enchanting Land of the Sweets. This mesmerizing production is a treasured holiday tradition for families across the region, featuring stunning choreography, lavish costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. Step into a world of wonder this season and discover why this is a favorite holiday event!

• Dates: November 29, 2025 - December 24, 2025
• Address: Kansas City Ballet, 500 W Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: No
• Website: kcballet.org/events/the-nutcracker/

4. A Christmas Carol – KC Repertory Theatre

For more than four decades, A Christmas Carol at KCRep has been a cherished Kansas City holiday tradition. Join the community in celebrating Gary Neal Johnson’s remarkable farewell season as Scrooge and relive the timeless story of redemption, joy, and the spirit of Christmas this holiday season.

• Dates: November 22, 2025 - December 27, 2025
• Address: Spencer Theatre (UMKC Campus), 4949 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64110
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: No
• Website: kcrep.org/event/a-christmas-carol-2025/

5. Kansas City Jazz Orchestra—In My Jazz Era: Holiday Pops

For one night only, the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra reimagines Tom’s Town into a sparkling Tinsel Town! Sip festive cocktails, soak in the cozy holiday vibe, and enjoy swinging jazz takes on your favorite Christmas classics for an unforgettable seasonal celebration!

• Dates: December 17, 2025
• Address: Tom's Town Distilling Co., 1701 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
• Kid-friendly: No
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: No
• Website: kcjo.org/tickets

6. City Market Merry Market

Shop local and celebrate the season at Merry Market! Enjoy festive bites, live entertainment, and 75+ local artisans offering handcrafted holiday gifts—all at City Market, Saturdays and Sundays from Thanksgiving to Christmas. This open-air holiday shopping experience is free and fun for the whole family!

• Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, November 29th, 2025 - December 21st, 2025
• Address: City Market, 20 E. 5th Street Suite 201, Kansas City, MO 64106
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: Yes
• Website: thecitymarketkc.org/events/

7. The Strawberry Swing’s 15th Annual Holiday Swing

Shop, sip, and celebrate the season at The Strawberry Swing’s 15th Annual Holiday Swing! Experience Kansas City’s beloved European-style Christmas market featuring the city’s best makers, cozy bites, festive drinks, and live entertainment—their hosting two weekends of holiday joy at The Alexander Majors Barn in November and then The Guild in December.

• Dates: November 29, 2025 - November 30, 2025 & December 20, 2025 - December 21, 2025
• Address: Alexander Majors Barn & Grounds, 8201 State Line Road, in Waldo, Kansas City, MO 64114 (November 29th & 30th); The Guild + Paradise Garden Club, 1621 Locust, in The Crossroads Kansas City, MO 64108 (December 20th & 21st)
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Free: Yes
• Website: thestrawberryswing.com

8. Westport Christmas Market

’Tis the season for another one of Kansas City’s favorite holiday traditions! Now in its third year, the Westport Christmas Market offers festive drinks, local shopping, live music, and fun for the whole family. This all-day event also features the Westport Santa Dash—welcoming both runners and enthusiastic spectators—and the 12 Bars of Charity tent, where every specialty drink helps to support charitable efforts.

• Dates: December 13, 2025
• Address: 4050 Pennsylvania Ave, Ste M100, Kansas City, MO 64111
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Free: Yes
• Website: westportkcmo.com/signature-events/westport-christmas-market/

9. KC Winter Wonderland

Don your warmest jacket and head to KC Winter Wonderland at KC Pumpkin Patch for an evening of holiday lights, laughter, and memories under the stars! With Christmas lighting, cuddle-ready Highland cows, and festive photo opportunities, this event delivers seasonal fun that’s ideal for families or a jolly-good date night.

• Dates: Fridays through Sundays, November 28, 2025 - December 21, 2025
• Address: 13875 S. Gardner Road, Olathe, KS 66061
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: No
• Website: kcpumpkinpatch.com

10. Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge

Snowland transforms Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City into a festive holiday retreat filled with twinkling décor, snowfall celebrations, crafts, games, and cheerful meet-and-greets with Santa. Families can enjoy all the seasonal fun alongside the always-warm indoor water park. It’s an ideal winter escape where holiday excitement meets year-round splashing.

• Dates: November 24, 2025 – January 6, 2026
• Address: 10401 Cabela Drive, Kansas City KS 66111
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: No
• Website: greatwolf.com/kansas-city/waterpark-attractions/snowland

Make Merry Memories This Christmas

From holiday events to Christmas inspiration, we have everything you need to make this season merry and bright! Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thechristmascom for more holiday events, gift ideas, and giveaways! 

Have an event to add or see an update we should make? Email us at info@thechristmas.com.