Get into the Holiday Spirit in Kansas City

Kansas City is an ideal place for you and your family members to spend the holidays. You can enjoy beautiful scenery, Christmas decorations, fun events, and more. Here are some of the best ways in the area to get into the holiday spirit.  

Mayor’s Christmas Tree at Crown Center 

At Crown Center, you can see dazzling decorations and the Mayor’s Christmas Tree, a 100-foot Douglas fir. It’s one of the tallest Christmas trees in the United States each year and has more than 7,200 lights. Every year, Hallmark creates beautiful keepsake ornaments from the previous tree, and you can buy them at the Crown Center. The profits serve local charities. 

Reservations to visit Santa at Santa’s Gingerbread Station are available, and Santa will wear a mask and stay six feet away from others. Kids can also watch a model Christmas train travel through a miniature version of the North Pole. You can visit Santa from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

You and your kids can also get some exercise at Ice Terrace, a large outdoor rink. Skate rentals are available, and at night, the rink has a great view of all the lights and decorations. It’s open until early March, and reservations are required. Ice Terrance is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.   

Crown Center also has the Sea of Lights, Sea Life Kansas City’s Christmas display. As you walk through the underwater tunnel, you’ll see Christmas lights along with sea creatures. The aquarium holds 260,000 gallons of water and more than 5,000 animals. There’s also a turtle rescue center and an interactive touch pool with sea stars, sea urchins, snails, and more. 

Home for the Holidays at Union Station 

Union Station is more than 100 years old and offers changing exhibits all year. This historic building has stunning architecture, and it’s even more impressive during Home for the Holidays, a Christmas celebration with lights, decorations, and a miniature train that kids can ride. At 40 feet tall, Union Station’s main Christmas tree is the biggest indoor example in the city. There’s also a miniature Christmas village that you can tour, giant ornaments, and lots of holiday backdrops for fun and memorable photos. 

On some days, holiday films play on a five-story screen. Movie options include “Elf,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and “The Polar Express.” The model train gallery covers 8,000 square feet, and you can often see stunning outdoor holiday light shows. The open-air holiday market offers crafts from a variety of artisans and cuisine from delicious food trucks.   

Winter Magic at Swope Park 

 You can view nearly a mile of lights at Winter Magic at Swope Park, where you’ll drive through the spectacular display. Proceeds from the event help the KC Parks  Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. The event runs through Jan. 2. 

With these fun activities, you can get into the holiday spirit in Kansas City. Visit these places every year for a variety of fun Christmas experiences. Kids and adults will have a great time, especially if they love the holidays. 

Image courtesy of pexels.com

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