The holidays are looking a lot different this year, but that does not mean you can’t still finagle some fun as we close out the dumpster fire that is 2020. Here are several ideas for socially distant Kansas City holiday activities. Be sure to check with your immediate city, your county, and your favorite businesses because we are seeing a lot of creative celebrations!
Kansas City Holiday Fun
Winter Magic KC
Grab some hot chocolate and load up the family for this drive-thru Christmas light event in Swope Park. It is open every night through January 2, and you can easily buy your tickets and book your time online. You’ll cruise through one mile of lights while experiencing the longest animated light tunnel in the Midwest! Mom tip: Avoid a long wait and go on a week night if you can.
Plaza Lights
While crowds weren’t gathered to witness the big flip of the switch this Thanksgiving, that doesn’t mean that you can’t drive through the Plaza any other night to get a beautiful view of this Kansas City tradition. You can view the Plaza Lights through Sunday, January 10th.
33rd Annual Christmas in the Park
With more than 500,000 lights, your family will love driving through the winter wonderland at Longview Lake. A heads up that the lines can get pretty long to this free event, so you might consider going on a weeknight! This event runs through January 2nd.
Rent a Movie Theatre
If you are worried about going back to the movies, this might be a good option for you. You can now rent out an entire movie theatre and catch your favorite holiday flick with your family. The seats are sanitized and you can invite whomever you feel comfortable with! If you’d rather stay in your own car, B&B Theatres also offers drive-in movies, like at Twin Drive-In in Independence!
Sar-Ko Aglow
Bundle up the kiddos and go for a sparking stroll through Sar-Ko Park in Lenexa. This magical display will be lit up through January 10. Want to make it extra special? Pack some hot chocolate in a thermos, maybe a few warm cookies and have a quick nighttime picnic in the middle of the lights.
See Santa Safely
Bass Pro Shop is taking extra steps to make sure your child can see Santa safely. Advance reservations are required, you’ll have a temperature check, masks are required, and there will even be a Santa Sanitization Squad! You’ll have a “Contactless Claus” visit as Santa stays safely behind a clear barrier.
Crown Center
You’ll find a ton of holiday fun at Crown Center including the Sea of Lights at SEA LIFE Aquarium and ice skating a the ice terrace. You can make a reservation online to see Santa at a safe distance at his Gingerbread Station.
Union Station
If you have ever been here during the holidays, you know it is a can’t miss stop in Kansas City. New this year, Union Station is hosting a Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village for just $5 per person. And yes, your kids can still catch a ride on the mini holiday train. If you’d rather stay in, check out the Holiday Clocktail Concerts that will be streamed live on Facebook.
Powell Gardens Festival of Lights
Put on some comfortable shoes and get ready to walk a one mile path through an immersive light display that is spread out over 25 acres. And you won’t want to miss the new Enchanted Tiki Bar and Santa’s Workshop! This celebration runs Thursday-Sunday through January 3rd.
And don’t forget driving around on a cold winter’s night to view neighborhood holiday light displays around the metro!
These are just a few highlights of ways your family can still make the season bright and stay safe during this strange holiday season. If you are looking for something different, don’t miss the Kansas City Mom Collective’s Ultimate Guide to the Holidays. It’s PACKED with ideas to brighten your Kansas City holidays. And we’d love to hear ways your family is creatively celebrating! Share them with us as we all gear up to make some unique memories with our families this year.
