Downtown Dazzle Kicks Off Holidays in KC

This post is sponsored by Downtown Dazzle.

If the weather keeps up the way it’s been, Kansas City might just get a white Christmas. Either way, the holidays are here and in full swing as Downtown Dazzle kicks off downtown on November 22.

Enjoy all that downtown Kansas City has to offer this season and you can connect to it all for free with the KC Streetcar. Special Dazzle pop-ups are planned through the end of the year, so look for the Dazzle team handing out holiday swag and the Downtown Dazzle Deals booklet – featuring more than 70 special offers from downtown-area merchants and attractions.

Some of our favorite Downtown Dazzle festivities for Thanksgiving weekend are highlighted below with our Mom Tips to ensure you and your family enjoy these KC Holiday traditions!

Santa’s Arrival and Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting – November 23, 5:30 p.m., Crown Center
The 100-foot-tall Mayor’s Christmas Tree, one of the nation’s tallest, is the centerpiece for an illuminating holiday celebration. Mayor Sly James and a celebrity guest will flip the switch to light the tree. The tree is a symbol of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which is dedicated to assisting the city’s less fortunate. The FREE program begins at 5:30 p.m. Afterward, skate at the Crown Center Ice Terrace or warm up inside with dinner and a treat at a local Crown Center restaurant.

Come back the next day to welcome Santa Claus as he arrives in his horse-drawn carriage where he’ll take up residence at Gingerbread Station through Dec. 24.

KCMB Tip: Commemorate your evening with a Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament made from the wood of the previous year’s tree. What a wonderful collection this could become for your family!

A Very Merry Market – November 23- 24, City Market
Shop holiday gifts at City Market’s inaugural artisan holiday market in the Pavilions alongside our Farmers Market vendors. Admission is FREE, but donations of can goods to Harvesters or a new toy in its original packaging is encouraged. Enjoy great local shopping, a variety of food and drink options and festivities for the whole family.

KCMB Mom Tip: Get there early as the first 100 people at the information booth at noon will receive up to $100 in JINGLE BUCKS to spend at City Market shops, restaurant and vendors during the Merry Market.

Sip, Shop & Support – November 24, noon – 4 p.m., Kansas City Power & Light District 
Celebrate Small Business Saturday at local shops and restaurants in the Kansas City Power & Light District. Enjoy great deals, special holiday offers, samples from local brands at Cosentino’s Downtown Market and live music. Find a full list of participating merchants and deals online.

KCMB Mom Tip: Park for just $3 at the KC Live! Garage with validation from any Power & Light District venue. Must present parking ticket for validation at time of visit.

KC Streetcar Holiday Jam – performance by Carolers of Note on November 24, noon – 2 p.m. 
Head downtown this holiday season and enjoy some free live music on board the free KC Streetcar as you explore from the City Market to Union Station. As part of the Downtown Dazzle events, the Kansas City Streetcar, in partnership with 90.9 The Bridge, is hosting live musical performances on board the streetcars. Carolers of Note will kick off the series of ten performances with traditional holiday music on Nov. 24th. Find a list of other performances throughout the season.

KCMB Mom Tip: Some of our favorite stops on the Streetcar line with kids: Union Station for their spectacular holiday train model exhibit in Grand Hall with mini holiday express train rides ($5 per kid to ride, free for Union Station members) and the cozy children’s area at the Central Library.

For more information on all of the events and happenings in downtown KC throughout the holidays, including more Dazzle pop-up locations, dates and times, visit DazzleKC.com. Downtown Dazzle is majorly funded by the city of Kansas City’s Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund.

Laura Mulcahy
Laura is wife to Marty, and mom to Michael (11), Joseph (9) and Anna (5). She spends most of her days juggling working from home, shuffling kids to activities and can usually be found cheering on the boys from the baseball stands. She is born and raised in Kansas City, graduated from KU (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) and has spent most of her career in advertising sales. She loves big Italian family dinners, trying out new restaurants in Kansas City on a rare date night and can never say no to an impromptu dance party with her kids.