Last updated: November 11, 2024
The holidays are here, Overland Park! Our guide will ensure you don’t miss any of the festive fun. From Overland Park old-timers to new arrivals, our guide is your key to a magical holiday season.
One highlight of the season is the enchanting Holiday Reflections at Union Station, where stunning light displays create a whimsical atmosphere. You'll also find the lively Evergy Plaza Lights, featuring a dazzling array of illuminated trees and holiday decorations. And don't forget Crown Center Ice Terrace, which offers the joy of outdoor ice skating amidst the festive backdrop. For more details on these and other fun events and activities, see below!
Have suggestions or corrections? Contact us!
Overland Park Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Reflections at Union Station
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday experience with VR sleigh ride and model trains.
- Description
- Holiday Reflections at Union Station features sky-reaching lights, decorated trees, forest friends, and a Magical Sleigh Ride VR experience. The event includes access to the award-winning Model Train Gallery and offers special appearances by Santa.
- Where
- Kansas City | More Info : Holiday Reflections at Union Station
Evergy Plaza Lights
- What to Expect
- Synchronized lighting of historic marketplace buildings.
- Description
- Thousands of glimmering lights illuminate the 15 blocks of the Country Club Plaza, creating a spectacular holiday display.
- Where
- Kansas City | More Info : Evergy Plaza Lights
Christmas in the Park
- What to Expect
- Free admission with optional charitable donations.
- Description
- Christmas in the Park features over half a million lights and 200 animated displays, all designed and built in-house by talented crews. The event is free to attend, with voluntary exit donations benefiting 40 local charities.
- Where
- Lee's Summit | More Info : Christmas in the Park
Festival of Lights
- What to Expect
- Immersive light display with local art installations.
- Description
- Powell Gardens transforms into a vibrant display of color and radiance with over 20 miles of holiday lights, featuring local artwork, photo opportunities, and cozy rest stops.
- Where
- Kingsville | More Info : Festival of Lights
Enchant Christmas
- What to Expect
- Story-propelled holiday light maze with larger-than-life sculptures.
- Description
- Enchant Christmas features a world's largest Christmas light maze, unique ice skating experiences, and various festive attractions, including seasonal food, drink, and live entertainment.
- Where
- Kansas City | More Info : Enchant Christmas
Lighted Christmas Parade
- What to Expect
- Spectacularly lit floats and vehicles.
- Description
- The Lighted Christmas Parade in Excelsior Springs features beautifully decorated floats and vehicles illuminated with festive lights, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere.
- Where
- Excelsior Springs | More Info : Lighted Christmas Parade
Trip the Light Fantastic
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday bike ride through extensive lighted displays.
- Description
- Embark on a 4.5-mile bike ride through over 200 lighted, animated displays at Jackson County's Christmas in the Park.
- Where
- Blue Springs | More Info : Trip the Light Fantastic
Overland Park Holiday Markets and Shopping
Mistletowne Market 2024
- What to Expect
- Artisan holiday market with local fine art and maker goods.
- Description
- Mistletowne Market is a thoughtfully curated artisan holiday market featuring local fine art and maker goods. It offers a variety of activities, including children's activities, baked goods, and live musical performances.
- Where
- North Kansas City | More Info : Mistletowne Market 2024
Holiday Kid Makers Market
- What to Expect
- Young makers selling local goods.
- Description
- The Holiday Kid Makers Market is an event where young makers under 18 showcase their handcrafted products, promoting entrepreneurship and creativity.
- Where
- Lenexa | More Info : Holiday Kid Makers Market
Overland Park Holiday Shows and Entertainment
A Christmas Carol by the KC Rep
- What to Expect
- Classic adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol with a rich cast and festive atmosphere.
- Description
- Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey with Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Meet the Cratchits, Tiny Tim, and the Fezziwigs, and hear the haunting and joyous Candlelight Carol. This classic adaptation by Stuart Carden and Jason Chanos brings the true meaning of the holidays to life.
- Where
- Kansas City | More Info : A Christmas Carol by the KC Rep
Sugar Plum Fairy Children's Ball
- What to Expect
- Interactive ballet-themed activities for children.
- Description
- The Sugar Plum Fairy Children's Ball is a holiday celebration featuring a three-course luncheon, face painting, and a photo opportunity with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Children enjoy complimentary photos and face painting, while parents shop at the Nutcracker Marketplace and participate in a silent auction. The event includes a performance by students of the Kansas City Ballet School and a reading of Clara's magical journey to the Land of Sweets.
- Where
- Kansas City | More Info : Sugar Plum Fairy Children's Ball
Tivoli Presents: White Christmas
- What to Expect
- Classic holiday comedy with a grand musical showcase.
- Description
- Tivoli Presents: White Christmas is a classic holiday comedy where World War II vets-turned-entertainers scheme to help a retired general with his strapped New England inn by enlisting their army buddies and a singing sister act to put on a grand musical showcase.
- Where
- Kansas City | More Info : Tivoli Presents: White Christmas
Overland Park Other Holiday Activities
Crown Center Ice Terrace
- What to Expect
- Unique outdoor ice skating experience in downtown Kansas City.
- Description
- The Crown Center Ice Terrace is Kansas City's original public outdoor ice skating rink, offering a 1- to 2-hour skating experience with admission prices for adults and children 4 and older. Reservations are required for groups of 20 or more.
- Where
- Kansas City | More Info : Crown Center Ice Terrace
Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade
- What to Expect
- Authentic horse-drawn carriage parade with garland and bells.
- Description
- The Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade features authentic horse-drawn carriages parading down Massachusetts Street, adorned with garland and bells, creating a cozy atmosphere perfect for the holiday season.
- Where
- Lawrence | More Info : Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade