Check out the lineup of holiday performances in Kansas City this season including dance, theater, movies and song!
NOVEMBER
Classic Holiday Movies
November 21-January 1
See classic movies on the big screen at Union Station this season. Tickets are $3.75/person.
- Nov. 21 – 26: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
- Nov. 28 – Dec. 11: Elf
- Dec. 12 – Jan.1: Polar Express
A Christmas Carol
November 22 – December 27
For over 40 years, Kansas City’s beloved tradition has created holiday memories for families all around our community, with all the heart and spectacle you’ve come to love… start your family tradition this year and create memories that will last for many Christmases to come! Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey with Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and rediscover the true meaning of the holidays. You’ll meet the Cratchits, Tiny Tim, and the irresistible Fezziwigs, and hear the lush and joyous Candlelight Carol — all this and more, to kindle your Christmas spirit. Share the season with the people you love at A Christmas Carol.
Laser Holiday Magic
November 18 – January 4
Celebrate the season with Laser Holiday Magic at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium. We’ve gathered a selection of our favorite holiday tunes and brought them to life with gorgeous laser choreography. Vibrant animations and gorgeous abstracts dance above your heads, as the music takes you away from the hustle and bustle. It might be cold outside, but it’s nice and toasty under the dome! Gather up your loved ones and share the one of a kind experience that is Laser Holiday Magic.
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas at Bluhawk
November 28, 7:30 p.m.
Get cozy on the turf and watch the holiday classic under the stars! Free family fun, just bring your blankets and chairs.
Winterland transports audiences into an ethereal wonderland, where the majesty of the northern lights meets the delicate beauty of snow and ice. Infused with the warmth and joy of the holiday season, the show blends festive live music, powerful vocal melodies, captivating dance, and stunning cirque performances.
Each act captures the magic of winter while celebrating the wonder of the holidays, creating an uplifting and inspiring experience for audiences of all ages that feels both mysterious and delightfully enchanting. Get tickets.
DECEMBER
The Nutcracker
November 29 – December 24
Each year, the Kansas City Ballet presents its cherished holiday tradition: The Nutcracker. This timeless production consistently leaves audiences in awe, earning praise such as “positively oozing charm” from The Washington Post. The enduring story, written by E.T.A. Hoffman during the Victorian era, unfolds before your eyes, featuring beloved characters like Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Dr. Drosselmeier, and the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy.
Immerse yourself in a magical theatrical experience, complete with opulent costumes, magnificent sets, and mesmerizing choreography. Let your sense of wonder reignite, and allow the glimmer of your childhood dreams to return, inspiring you to EMBRACE IMAGINATION once more.
Not sure which Nutcracker show is right for your family?
Check out our guide.
TubaChristmas
December 5, 15
TubaChristmas returns to Helzberg Hall this December! Experience the sounds of the season – Tuba Style! Join hundreds of tuba and baritones in Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, December 6 and Monday, December 16 for your favorite holiday tunes and carols. The performance is at noon and is free and open to the public. Performers are invited to join for $10/each. Advance registration is requited. Exclusive TubaChristmas hats, scarves and headbands will be available for purchase before and after the performance.
A Ruby Room Christmas
December 11-23
An all new, original holiday concert designed to elicit all the holiday feels for you and your family. Embracing the sleek yet cozy aesthetic of the Ruby Room, this show is sure to leave a smile on your face and warmth in your heart as we feature glorious holiday arrangements of Christmas classics, as well as contemporary holiday tunes, as well. There may or may not be a hot chocolate bar, too! Get tickets.
