Kansas City’s Winter Wonderland: A Guide to Holiday Markets and Festive Events
As the holidays approach, Kansas City turns into a winter wonderland with holiday markets, festive events, pop-ups, and more! With festive events nearly every weekend, there is no shortage of wonderful spots to help you get into the holiday spirit. Not to mention, if you’re hosting out-of-towners during the holidays, these events offer some great ways to get everyone out of the house and showcase KC. Keep reading to explore Team Blake’s noteworthy holiday markets and festive events to add to your calendar this holiday season.
Festive Events and Activities in Kansas City
Whether it’s an annual event or a new pop-up, Kansas City has a wonderful array of events to attend with family and friends. From go-at-your-own-pace holiday light tours to the iconic Ice Terrace at Crown Center, here is a list of the festive events and activities to take advantage of in KC.
Holiday Reflections at Union Station
Located in historic Union Station, Holiday Reflections offers a walk-thru village featuring sky-reaching lights, dozens of decorated trees, forest friends, and giant, floating mirrored ornaments. There are also frequent scheduled Santa visits for those who still need to get their list in before Christmas! The display is a ticketed experience, with cheaper tickets available during weekdays.
Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens
Bundle up and go exploring as holiday lights turn Kansas City’s botanical garden into a winter wonderland for the Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens. On special nights throughout November and December, pop-up performances of Crystal Chambers by Quixotic will be held.
Christmas in the Park
Each year, Longview Lake Park turns into a holiday spectacular shining with more than 500,000 lights. For this display, drivers can pack their car with friends, family, and yummy hot chocolate and enjoy the lights from their vehicle. Christmas in the Park is free to enter but voluntary exit donations are accepted and benefit 40 local charities. To avoid long lines, we suggest going early in the night or on weekdays!
Crown Center Ice Terrace
For a more sporty endeavor this season, we recommend lacing up your ice skates and taking a trip to Crown Center’s Ice Terrace. Now in its 51st season, the Ice Terrace is open through mid-March and offers season passes to ice skating enthusiasts.
Holiday Markets in Kansas City
The holidays are a great time to show your appreciation for those in your daily life and community. Gift-giving is usually a common thread around this time of year and finding ways to shop locally shouldn’t be difficult. Check out the holiday markets in Kansas City this December.
Merry Market
Merry Market is an open-air holiday shopping experience featuring all-local artisans with handmade products including paintings, ceramics, leatherwork, custom clothing, décor, jewelry, and more, curated by Art Garden KC. Merry Market events are held every weekend through Christmas in the River Market and free to enter.
The Strawberry Swing Annual Holiday Swing
Established in 2011, The Strawberry Swing is The Midwest’s celebration of the handmade movement. Hosted at Crown Center Square, the annual Holiday Swing offers KC’s favorite makers, food trucks, and seasonal sips.
Westport Christmas Market
Local craftsmanship is on full display in Westport during the Westport Christmas Market each year. Explore a curated selection of handcrafted treasures from talented local makers and stop in at local shops along the way.
Overland Park Holiday Farmer’s Market
Overland Park hosts their own holiday shopping event at the Overland Park Farmers’ Market. Besides the fresh produce you can see week in and week out, booths will also offer holiday-specific goods and gifts.
Seasonal Sips and Holiday Pop-up Bars in Kansas City
Cranberry, chocolate, and peppermint, oh my! The holiday season in Kansas City offers people the chance to explore the city and spend memorable nights at the many pop-up bars that appear in late November. Some of these spots appear in new locations each year and some return to existing bars. Always check the website and double-check your reservations to make sure you’re headed to the right place!
Nine Zero One’s Igloo Bar at The Fontaine Hotel
For an intimate experience, check out the Nine Zero One’s Igloo Bar at The Fontaine Hotel. When you reserve your own private igloo, you’ll step into a world of themed ambiance, expertly crafted cocktails, delectable seasonal fare, and picture-perfect moments. Enjoy the Country Club Plaza like never before from the rooftop of the Fontaine.
Sippin’ Santa at J. Rieger Co.
Who doesn’t love a good tiki-spin on a classic? That’s what you get when you step into the transformed space of the Hey! Hey! Club at J. Rieger & Co. this holiday season. This swanky tropical holiday oasis has limited seating, so reservations are suggested. Sippin’ Santa even offers a few themed nights through the month of December.
Deck The District at Iron District
If you’re headed north of the river this season, make a stop at Deck the District at Iron District this season. The enclosed and heated upper deck allows you to immerse yourself in a winter wonderland while enjoying a fresh new cocktail lineup and holiday desserts and snacks.
Drastic Mensches at Drastic Measures
Known for their creative cocktails in a small space in Shawnee, Drastic Measures is turning their bar into a space inspired by and in support of our local Jewish community with Drastic Mensches, a month-long holiday pop-up. Boasting philanthropy as one of their favorite cocktail ingredients, this James Beard Award finalist will be donating profits to JFS of Greater Kansas City.
Holiday Hideaway at Chicken N Pickle
For both North Kansas City and Overland Park Chicken N Pickle locations, a holiday hideaway is waiting for you. Offering cozy winter lodge vibes, outdoor fire pits, and 10 unique holiday cocktails, this space is the perfect choice for a December date night or a get-together with friends.
Neighborhood Holiday Light Displays in the Kansas City Area
Not every holiday outing has to have a real destination in mind! For some, just taking a spin out in the neighborhoods to see some holiday lights is more than enough. No matter what part of Kansas City and the surrounding area you live in, chances are there’s a light display just around the corner.
Neighborhoods East and Southeast of Kansas City
- Lakeside at Chapman Farms, 117 S.W. Shores Drive, Blue Springs, MO 64064.
- Crysler Lights, 3510 S. Crysler Ave., Independence, MO 64055.
- Lights on Apache, 911 N. Apache Drive, East Independence, MO 64056.
- The Magic Tree, 1401 NW River Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081.
- Winterwood Circle, 2500 SW Winterwood Cir, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081.
- Eagle Creek Neighborhood, 2309 SW Stone Bridge Ct., Lee’s Summit, MO 64082.
Neighborhoods North of Kansas City
- Carriage Hill Estates, 4213 NE 60th Court, Kansas City, MO 64119
- Brentwood Subdivision, 9155 NE 101st St, Kansas City, MO 64157
- Riss Lake, Monticello, and Thousand Oaks subdivisions in Parkville
Neighborhoods South and Southwest of Kansas City
- Brookside Neighborhoods between Ward Parkway and Wornall near 69th and 70th streets
- Williams Christmas, 6321 Millbrook Ave, Shawnee, KS 66218.
- Quivira Woods Neighborhood, 4636 Woodstock Street, Shawnee, KS 66218
- Laurendeau Christmas Light Program, 24900 W. 86th St., Lenexa, KS 66227
- Sohosky Christmas Light Show, 5835 Darnell Street, Shawnee, KS 66216
- Nyman Lights on Bradshaw, 10401 Bradshaw Street, Lenexa, KS 66215
- Christmas on Bradshaw, 13812 Bradshaw, Overland Park, KS 66221
Team Blake is Here to Help During the Holiday Season and Beyond
While you’re out enjoying the holiday festivities you may just come across a new part of Kansas City that you love. With that idea, we’d like to remind you that Team Blake isn’t just your local Kansas City Ambassadors but your trusted group of real estate professionals too! If you ever need help selling the house you’re currently in or finding the home of your dreams, contact us! Each day we get to help our clients is our own special holiday!
