17 Holiday Events That Homeschoolers Enjoy Around KC

Several of Kansas City’s holiday events and activities have become annual favorites with area homeschoolers!

Ready to make this year’s Christmas season extra special for your family? We’ve listed some here as a springboard for more ideas:

1. The Mystery of Christmas.

As an alternative twist on “The Nutcracker,” check out this Dramatic Truth Ballet Theatre performance.

Instead of going to the Land of Snow, Clara gets to travel to Jerusalem on the night of Jesus’ birth. The play is set to Tchaikovsky’s music and features international ethnic dances to welcome the Savior.

For this year, Liberty Performing Arts is hosting the show. The event also offers a virtual ticketing opportunity as an alternative to attending in person.

2. The Nutcracker Suite.

Those wanting the traditional Nutcracker performance can check out showtimes at the Kauffman Center.

According to its website: “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.”

3. Crown Center.

Not all holiday events have to cost a lot to make a lasting impression! The Crown Center Ice Terrace 2023-24 season runs from Nov. 3 to March 10.

Reservations are required for groups of 20 or more, and the schedule may change based on weather conditions. The center’s website recommends checking back on the day for any last-minute skating updates.

4. Journey to Judea.

Journey to Judea is a free, interactive Christmas experience hosted by Countryside Church in Overland Park.

Church members portray scenes from scripture on six nights of hour-long outdoor tours, with groups of 50 people in each tour.

From personal experience, we know these tickets run out quickly. Tickets became available at noon Nov. 1 this year. Make sure you get yours as soon as you can!

5. Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre’s Christmas Spectacular Show.*

The 2023 Christmas Spectacular show is scheduled for Dec. 15-17, per Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre’s website. Many homeschool families have participated in the show over the years!

The centre is also performing “The Little Mermaid” on Nov. 16-19.

6. The Plaza.*

Ah, that magical moment on Thanksgiving Day when all the lights turn on and the Kansas City Plaza area is transformed!

Per its website: “Join us for the 94th Annual Plaza Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, November 23rd. The Plaza Lights will be on from Thursday, November 23rd through Sunday, January 14th, 2024.”

7. Christmas in the Park.

This dazzling, free winter wonderland is scheduled to open Nov. 27 with “Christmas in the Sky.”

The event features food trucks and fireworks “choreographed to your favorite holiday music and simulcast on 99.7 The Point.”

A holiday stage show is also set for 6 p.m., and people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

8. Lee’s Summit Magic Tree.*

Per its website, this “Celebratory Holiday Landmark at I-470 and View High Drive” has allowed visitors to “enjoy the simple elegance of the tree, take advantage of the beautiful and unique photography setting, as well as give to those who are in need in our community.”

This year visitors can donate new, unwrapped toys for Operation Toy Soldier when coming to the tree, or they can donate online. The organization provides toys to children of deployed and non-deployed soldiers.

9. Tuba Christmas (Kansas City Symphony).

The Tuba Christmas in Kansas City will be Dec. 6 & 16 at Helzberg Hall in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

“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.”

10. Pictures/Events with Santa.*

If selfies with Santa happen to be a holiday tradition, they can get pretty pricey. But fear not!

One enterprising homeschool mom recommends going to Bass Pro Shops, where Santa gives out great pictures for free. (This year, advance reservations are required – link coming soon.)

11. Overland Park Arboretum.

For a more sedate celebration, try the Overland Park Arboretum’s holiday luminary walk. Dates this year are Nov. 25-Dec. 30.

Gardens, woods and ponds all have a candlelit glow that your family can enjoy, along with musical performances along the way and a visit with Santa in the arboretum’s pavilion.

12. Handbell choir.

Did you know an advanced community handbell ensemble meets right here in the Kansas City area? Its holiday concerts are on Dec. 7, 13, 14 & 15.

Rezound! members play on handbells and handchimes that span 7 octaves and come from three different countries.  

Also, when their weekly rehearsals last about three hours, you know that’s dedication!

13. Olathe Youth Symphony.

For anyone in the Olathe area, another great holiday option is Olathe Youth Symphony Association‘s free December concert on Dec. 8 (donations accepted).

All performances take place at Olathe South High School, at 151st and Ridgeview in Olathe.

14. Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm’s Open Christmas House.

This historic site typically waives admission for its Open Christmas House (donations suggested). This year’s event is Dec. 7.

Celebrate Christmas like they did in the 1860s, with cookstove and blacksmith demonstrations, with Heritage Center ornaments. Who knows, you may even get to see Santa himself!

Some activities come with a fee, such as stagecoach rides and making a gingerbread house.

15. Wornall/Majors House Museums.*

The Alexander Majors House & Barn is planning a “A Very Merry Christmas” on Dec. 9, while the John Wornall House is offering a “Hearthside Christmas Storytime” on Dec. 16. Both events are designed for families, with all ages welcome.

16. YaYa’s Alpaca Farm.

This alpaca farm is offering another Christmas event from Nov. 29-Dec. 22!

We first heard about this event from a fellow homeschool family on Instagram.

From the farm’s website: “This event started as a way to celebrate the holidays and to give back to those who have spent time with us or those who have yet to experience our farm. Mrs. YaYa always wanted to find a way to recapture that feeling you had as a kid at Christmas, which is not easy, and YaYa wants all of you to experience the love and joy. So, from those memories we have created this event!

We light this farm up! Lights on all the tree’s, Barns, Christmas barn with a 180 year old sleigh, Nativity, and the alpaca pasture with beautiful blue and white lights, (all while feeding the alpacas) Ending in the barn all decked out with more Christmas cheer and more alpacas to feed. Each year we try to add something new.

It has become a family tradition for so many!”

17. Holiday lights near your area.

A number of homeschool families will bundle everyone into their car at nights, laden with hot chocolate or other such goodies, and just tour area neighborhoods to see the sights. Some ideas:

1. Monticello Lights Display – north of 64th Street across from Riss Lake, including a home at 6427 NW Monticello Drive that offers synchronized music with its light display on a short-wave radio broadcast.
2. Olathe Christmas Card Lane – in the Mission Ridge subdivision, near 151st Street and Ridgeview.
3. Other displays in Johnson County – another extensive listing of Christmas lights is available at this website.
4. Winterset Valley in Lee’s Summit – south of 3rd Street. All the trees along the roads are lit up with lights for a gorgeous view!

We have updated this post, originally published in November 2014, for timeliness and detail.

We want to hear from you!

Does your family have any favorite holiday events we missed? Let us know in the comments!