Things to Do during Winter Break 2024 in Kansas City

Holiday Fun

Explore the new Hallmark Christmas Experience
The highly anticipated Hallmark Christmas Experience comes to Kansas City this holiday season. Guests can enjoy Crown Center classics like nightly tree lightings, photo ops and holiday shopping. Adding to the fun, Hallmark movie stars will be in attendance every weekend for meet-and-greets and the premiere of “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.”

Catch a family favorite at the Kauffman Center
Holiday classics and today’s hits come to life at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts each winter. See performances like The Nutcracker from the Kansas City Ballet and A Charlie Brown Christmas from the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. Guests can even watch Disney favorite Frozen on the big screen as the Kansas City Symphony performs the score live.

Experience the magic at Holiday Reflections
This dazzling walk-thru holiday village fills Union Station’s Grand Plaza and features sky-reaching lights, dozens of decorated trees, forest friends and more. New in 2024, guests can fly through the night sky on Santa’s sleigh with a virtual reality journey. Admission at Holiday Reflections also includes access to the Holiday Model Rail Exhibit.

Enjoy a drive-thru holiday adventure
Stay warm in your car as you take in the splendor of a holiday light display. Winter Magic in Kansas City’s Northland is a mile-long with twice the lights this year—or check out the free Christmas in the Park in south Kansas City for 200 animated displays with a half-million lights.  

Ring in the New Year a little early
You don’t have to wait until midnight to shout “Happy New Year” in Kansas City. Each year, Science City at Union Station hosts its Noon Year’s Eve, a fun and educational party, balloon drop included, to ring in the New Year with the whole family.  

Learn Something New

Go stargazing at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium
Get connected to the night sky and beyond at Union Station’s Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium. There are daily public shows, including live guided star tours and family-friendly astronomy programs. Plus don’t miss the laser light shows set to artists like Michael Jackson, Queen and Taylor Swift.

Dig for fossils at the Museum at Prairiefire
This natural history museum in Overland Park is a dream for kids interested in dinosaurs, fossils, science and history. Check out Museum at Prairiefire's massive Tyrannosaurus rex, a skeletal cast of the first one ever discovered—and only one of three in the entire world. In the Discovery Room, families can explore the dig pit, learn more about live animals, and tackle scientific challenges.

Go to a new dimension with free 3D printers
Create something new with the Johnson County Library’s MakerSpace. It features tech equipment like 3D printers, laser cutters and specialty software, all free to use. Reservations are required.

Discover a new book at the Rabbit hOle
This new, immersive museum in North Kansas City is bringing children’s literature to life. After going down the rabbit hole, quite literally, families will find immersive exhibits on beloved stories and cozy reading spots. And the Rabbit hOle isn’t done. Leaders are already working on filling two more floors of the building in the future.

Wander around the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
No matter your age, the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is one of Kansas City’s most fascinating museums. It features one of the country’s largest antique toy collections on public display, as well as the largest fine-scale miniature collection in the world. You’ll find century-old dolls, iconic board games and modern action figures. 

Get Active

Skate at the Crown Center Ice Terrace
For over 50 years, friends and families have joined together for one of Kansas City’s ultimate holiday traditions at the Crown Center Ice Terrace. Don’t worry if you don’t have your own skates to lace up; they’re available to rent. The Ice Terrace also offers skating lessons and private parties.

Play indoor mini golf at Sinkers or Puttery
No matter the weather, you can put your putt putt skills to the test with indoor mini golf. Businesses like Puttery and Sinkers Lounge have multiple courses, full-service dining and a bar for a night of family fun.  

Shoot hoops at the College Basketball Experience
Kansas City is a hoops city, and that’s evident at the College Basketball Experience in Downtown KC. Bring your basketball fan to explore interactive exhibits where they can try to slam dunk, challenge friends in a full-court press and broadcast live from the ESPN desk.  

Hit the slopes at Snow Creek
The go-to spot for all downhill snow activities in the Kansas City area is Snow Creek, an expansive operation that offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing and riding services. The best part? The Weston-based Snow Creek uses artificial snow when necessary, which means you don’t have to worry about checking the forecast before your big day on the slopes.

Game on at BRKTHROUGH or Activate
Challenge your family’s brains and bodies at BRKTHROUGH or Activate in Overland Park, which feature dozens of challenge rooms with a tech twist. There are games with lasers, climbing walls and more—think “The Floor Is Lava” or “Red Light, Green Light.” 

Fun for Everyone

Visit the Disney100 exhibit
There’s still time to step into the world of Walt Disney! Union Station’s impressive Disney100 exhibit has extended its time in Kansas City and will now be open through Jan. 5. The exhibit features over 250 artifacts, props and costumes from Disney’s most popular films, shows and attractions.  

Cheer on the Kansas City Mavericks at a hockey game
KC pride hits the ice as the Kansas City Mavericks, an ECHL hockey team affiliated with the Seattle Kraken and Coachella Valley Firebirds, electrify fans in their state-of-the-art Independence arena. Grab a family pack of tickets for a great deal on seats to catch all the action, plus food and drinks.

Explore the KCK Taco Trail
Grab a free KCK Taco Trail passport and immerse yourself in a flavor-filled experience. The trail includes nearly 60 Kansas City, Kansas, taquerias featuring street tacos, Tex-Mex style tacos and more. Or you can jump on the KCK Taco Trail Bus Tour to get a shuttle ride as you sample tacos.

Build your own creation at LEGOLAND Discovery Center
With over 2 million LEGO bricks under one roof, there’s no telling what you can build at LEGOLAND Discovery Center. There are over 10 build stations, two rides, a 4D cinema and a virtual reality experience. Plus, don’t miss MINILAND, a miniature replica of KC’s most iconic landmarks.  

Enter a new reality
Put your reflexes to the test with KC-area virtual reality experiences like FlipSwitch VR in the Crossroads, Double Tap KC in the River Market or Sandbox VR in Leawood. Your family can suit up with a headset to fight against zombies and other enemies.

Watch a movie inside a former bank vault at the KC Public Library
Kansas City Public Library’s Central Library is housed in the former First National Bank, leaving plenty of history behind in this century-old building. One iconic feature is the bank’s former vault, now converted to a 28-seat mini theater. Catch a daily screening at 2 p.m., no registration required, or rent out the space for a private movie party.

Take a selfie in style
Take your young shutterbug or social media-obsessed teen to Selfie WRLD in Lee’s Summit. KC’s first selfie museum is filled with interactive, Instagram-worthy art installations where your whole family can strike a pose.