Fun Things to Do for Thanksgiving & November Events
There’s still time until Thanksgiving Weekend, but start exploring the fun things to do on Thanksgiving Weekend in Kansas City! (& November events)
Find free family events, Thanksgiving activities for kids, fun things to do Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Week events & Kansas City November events below:
Family Friendly Events in November & Thanksgiving Week Things to Do:
Things to do Thanksgiving Week | Things to do Thanksgiving Day
You can also find restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day & take out Thanksgiving dinner options in Kansas City.
➡️ 🎄 🎅🏻 After your Thanksgiving dinner, head out to enjoy the Christmas lights near you!
Turkey Cupcakes & Other Cooking Classes at TasteBud’s Kitchen
Throughout November
Times vary by age group & class, so check online
5336 W. 151st St. Leawood, KS
Mark your calendar for a variety of fun, Fall themed cooking classes!
Taste Buds offers a variety of classes including classes for young children (with caregiver) that will allow them to make fun festive turkeys, holiday cookies and more.
Classes include turkey cupcakes, galaxy donut making, sushi & dumplings, mini apple pie class & more. Check out their full calendar online now!
Winter Magic KC Drive-Thru Light Show
Open November 2nd through January 2nd
Swope Park: 7332 Oakwood Dr. Kansas City, MO 64132
Drive through thousands of holiday lights and the Midwest’s longest light tunnel! There’s also a mailbox to drop off letters to Santa and special Santa sightings on Mondays!
** Tickets are PER CAR, so you only have to buy 1 for the whole family – it’s much more affordable!
Polar Express Train at Branson Scenic Railway
Opens November 6th
Branson Scenic Railway: 206 E Main St Branson, MO 65616
Enjoy the magic of Christmas on the Polar Express Train. There will be hot chocolate, cookies, & tons of holiday fun! Check their Facebook page for date specifics. Many days are sold out already.
Holiday Clay Hand and Foot Prints at Paint Glaze and Fire!
Every Friday through November 17th
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
12683 Metcalf Ave. Overland Park, KS
Come out to Paint Glaze & Fire & Coffee House to get a head start on your holiday crafts!
Make a reservation online to make a Santa hand print, Reindeer hand print, snowman footprint or a penguin footprint. You choose the time, then come in to get in the holiday spirit! If this time doesn’t work for you, the studio is happy to make other arrangements with the you.
Skating at Ice Terrace
Opening Day is November 5th, Free to skate between 6:00am- 9:00am
Normal skating hours: 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
Ice Terrace Crown Center: 2425 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Opening day for the Crown Center Ice Terrace is Nov. 1st! Their annual Free Skate day will be announced soon, so check their website for updates.
Kansas City’s only public outdoor ice skating rink opens for its 47th season of great skating fun. Grab your family and meet up with several hundred of your closest friends for great times on the ice. 816-274-8411.
The Great Pumpkin Smash
November 6th & 7th(Saturday & Sunday)
10:00 am – 3:30 pm
The Kansas City Zoo: 6800 Zoo Dr. Kansas City, MO 64132
Watch the animals at the KC Zoo play, squish, squash, & smash the Halloween pumpkins. There are tons of animals & 7 continents to explore!
This activity is included in The POGO Pass 16 kids activities for less than $40! Purchase a POGO Passfor ONLY $39.95 with code ifamilykc. This is a steal.
Musical Monday & Tuesday
November 8th and 9th 7:30 pm
Times vary by show.
MTH Theater @ Crown Center: 2405 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO
Musical Monday and Tuesday is back with Prohibition Era Cabaret!
Located on the third floor of the Crown Center Shops, this music tribute is one you won’t want to miss. You can grab tickets here.
Veterans Day Weekend at the Liberty Memorial
Thursday November 11th- Sunday November 14th
2 Memorial Drive Kansas City, MO
Honor our heroic veterans at Liberty Memorial during Veterans Day weekend! The memorial will have a variety of opportunities to meet, thank and learn about veterans and what this day means. Most activities are free to the public, however some special exhibits do charge admission. For a full list of daily activities, prices and times, visit them online!
Midwest Game Fest
November 12th to November 15th
Check online for times
ONLINE this year!
Explore all kinds of games at the Midwest Game Fest. There will be all kinds of online games for you to play!
Briarcliff Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Saturday, November 13th
5:00 to 8:00 pm
The Village at Briarcliff: 4151 N Mulberry Dr. Kansas City, Missouri 64116
This year’s holiday lighting ceremony will look a little different, but you don’t want to miss this fun family event. There will be fireworks, holiday lights, Santa and a mailbox to drop off letters to Santa at The Village. Be sure to visit their event page for full details.
OP Mayor’s Holiday Festival
Friday, November 19th
5:30 to 8:00 pm
Downtown Overland Park
There will be TONS of free Festival Activities Including Santa Claus, live reindeer, snow princesses, photo booth & inflatable snow globe, balloon artist, children’s train ride, family hayride, carolers, and the Grinch!
Northern Lights Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Saturday, November 20th
5:00 to 7:00 pm
Zona Rosa: 8640 N Dixson Ave, Kansas City, Missouri 64153
This is a very kid-friendly event. There will be a special lighting ceremony that features a 50 foot-tall Christmas tree in the Square of Zona. You will get to see the classic huge crowns come to life too! This program is free admission & open to the public.
Be sure to get their early so you don’t miss the arrival of Holiday Fairy Princess and Santa Claus!
Nutcracker Ball with the Kansas City Ballet
Saturday November 20th at 6:00pm
Loews Hotel in downtown Kansas City
Come celebrate the 54th annual Nutcracker Ball in downtown KC!
Sky Camp for Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday, November 24th & Friday, November 26th
9:00 am to 6:30 pm
Sky Zone Lee’s Summit: 2801 NE McBaine Drive, Lees Summit, Missouri 64064
Sky Zone KC: 6495 Quivira Rd, Shawnee, KS
If you’re looking for things to do Thanksgiving week, this is perfect! There are half day & full day options available depending on what your family needs and when kiddos are out of school. Sign-up before all spots are taken as there is LIMITED capacity this year.
Trip the Light Fantastic
3901 SW Longview Rd, Lee’s Summit MO
November 21st at 6:00pm
This free event for bicyclists is a 4.5 mile bike ride through the one and only Christmas in the Park in Lee’s Summit!
Adult riders at 6:00 pm and families start at 6:20 pm. Since this is a night ride, lights and helmets are required and may not be suitable for kids under 10.
There will be prizes for best lit/ decorated individual will be awarded at 6:00 pm and best group/family will be awarded at 6:15pm.
Christmas in the Sky
Wednesday November 24th
5:30pm- 8:00pm
Longview Lake Beach: 11101 Raytown Rd. Kansas City, Missouri 64134
Enjoy the annual Christmas In The Sky event at Longview Lake Beach.
The holiday show will include singers & dancers as well as performances by different choirs. This show will be fun for the whole family! It could be a fun night before your drive through Christmas in the Park.
FREE Day at the Johnson County Museum
November 24th
8:00 am
8788 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS
Ever been to the Johnson County Museum? Why not go the day before Thanksgiving on their free day!
Tastebud’s Kitchen Thanksgiving Break Camp
November 24th
Ages 9-13 – 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Ages 4-8 – 9:00 am to noon
Tastebud’s Kitchen: 5336 151st St. Leawood, KS 66224
Kids can enjoy a fun cooking camp during Thanksgiving break – just like the Iron Chef Kitchen Stadium!
They will prepare mini Thanksgiving meals including, Turkey Cupcakes & Sweet Potater-Tots. Sign-up your child now for a fun filled day! Camp is $55 per child.
Fun Things to do Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving is about family time, so spend the entire day with the ones you love! Find what to do on Thanksgiving day 2018 below.
Plaza Lighting Ceremony: 90th Annual
November 25th
5:00pm- 8:00pm
Country Club Plaza
This is a can’t miss event for Kansas City! The entire Country Club Plaza will flip the holiday lights on in unison on Thanksgiving night. This will be the 89th annual event. The pre-show begins at 5 pm, so get there early!
Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Day 10k, 5k run/walk and Tiny Turkey Trot
Thursday November 25th
8:30 am; Tiny Turkey Trot approximately 8:20am start time
Ward Parkway Mall: 8600 Ward Pkwy. Kansas City, MO 64114
Start Thanksgiving morning off on the right foot with a run along Ward Parkway! The annual Turkey Trot is set to start the 10k at 8:35am and the 5k at 9:00am. Bring the whole family out to this Thanksgiving tradition!
Kansas City Turkey Trot 5k & 8k
November 25th
8:15 am kids dash; 8:30 adult runs
Arrowhead Stadiun
Come run around Arrowhead Stadium with your family to celebrate Thanksgiving!
Fun Things to do on Thanksgiving Weekend (& Week)
There are tons of things to do Thanksgiving Weekend in Kansas City. We found everything to do Thanksgiving week that is kid-friendly. Check out the fun Thanksgiving events in KC below:
Santa’s Arrival at Crown Center
Friday, November 26th; 10:30 am
Crown Center Atrium: 2405 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO
Get ready to see Santa! Santa will be making his way to Crown Center in a horse drawn carriage to ring in the holiday season this November then sit on Gingerbread Station.
This free event is perfect for the entire family and starts bright and early the day after Thanksgiving! You can register to visit Santa through Christmas Eve!
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 26th at 5:30pm
Crown Center Square: 2405 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO
Normally you can see Santa arrive and stick around for the tree lighting ceremony for the Mayor’s Christmas tree, but this year is a little different.
It will be a virtual event, but this means you can watch in your pajamas! Watch holiday songs, the mayor flip the switch and performances by Quixotic and the Crown Brass.
The 100 ft tree is one of the tallest in the nation and is a symbol of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund which assists the less fortunate. This is a free holiday event for the whole family. Watch the event on their Facebook Page then come visit the Mayor’s Christmas Tree through January 3rd.
The Snowy Day and other stories by Ezra Jack Keats
December 1st to March 30th
2405 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64108
This seasonal story time is coming to life at the Coterie Theater!
Showtime information is available by calling the box office and tickets can be purchased in advance online. This production is only for a limited time so grab tickets today. Call 816-47-6552 to purchase.
Holiday Luminary Walk
November 26 & 27, December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18th
From 5:00pm- 10:00pm
Overland Park Arboretum: 8909 W 179th St. Bucyrus, KS 66013
Explore the trails of the Overland Park Arboretum as they are lit up for the holiday season. There will be miles of candles and lights that line the trails. You can also visit Santa in the Depot, drink hot cider, and catch horse-drawn wagon rides. Don’t miss the beautiful holiday lights!
This year, tickets will be time specific and there are extended dates and hours to accommodate everyone!
Gingerbread House Making
November 26th- November 28th
Morning & afternoon sessions available
Tastebud’s Kitchen Leawood: 5336 151st St. Leawood, KS 66224
Decorate Gingerbread houses with your whole family on Saturday morning. There will be tons of toppings for you to decorate with like pretzels, candy, frostings, & more. There are also full family options, so everyone can participate!
There will also be hot chocolate to drink! The class is designed for parent & child to decorate their gingerbread house together, so pricing is for child/caregiver pair. This is a fun family event to get you in the holiday spirit…its never too early!
A Very Merry Market
November 26th-27th (Friday & Saturday)
Opens at 9:00 am
City Market Kansas City: 20 E 5th St, Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Shop the holiday market early to find gifts for everyone on your list. There will be holiday vendors and the local farmer market vendors who sell year-round at the City Market Farmer’s Market. There will be food, holiday drinks, and fun for the whole family.
The event & parking are both free, but they will be taking canned good donations for Harvesters or packaged toys for The Salvation Army.
The Nutcracker
Showing in December
KC Ballet: 500 W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, Missouri 64108
Watch the KC Ballet perform The Nutcracker & get the holiday spirit! The show will run through December 23rd, so check their event page for more show times & dates.
No Info for 2021:
Black Friday Lock-In at Sky Zone
Saturday, November 28th; 11 pm to 6 am
Sky Zone Lee’s Summit: 2801 NE McBaine Drive, Lees Summit, Missouri 64064
Sky Zone KC: 6495 Quivira Rd, Shawnee, KS
Saturday after Thanksgiving Sky Zone gives parents a night out. Bring your kids 13-17 to Sky Zone for a night of bouncing with friends while you enjoy a night out with your friends.
The lock-in will be from 11 pm to 6 am with a police officer on-site during these times. There will be pizza, drinks & snacks, as well as games, giveaways and tons of fun!
Fall Activities for Kids at Nelson Atkins
Throughout November
Nelson Atkins Museum: 4525 Oak St. Kansas City, MO 64111
The Nelson Atkins Museum has a calendar packed full of pre- Thanksgiving activities!
Military Appreciation Week at KC Zoo
November 9th to 11th
9:00 am- 4:00 pm
Calling all retired, active duty & veterans!
Head out to the Kansas City Zoo in November for Military Appreciation Weekend. All military (retired,active,vet) will receive complimentary admission with valid ID. Come spend MAW with your friends at the Kansas City Zoo!
This activity is included in The POGO Pass 16 kids activities for less than $40! Purchase a POGO Pass for ONLY $39.95 with code ifamilykc. This is a steal.
Day of the Dead Festival
Sunday, November 3rd
Begins at 10:00 am
Nelson Atkins Museum: 4525 Oak St. Kansas City, MO 64111
Come celebrate Mexican culture at the Nelson Atkin’s annual Day of the Dead Festival. There will be events and activities throughout the day, so check the festival schedule. There will be a remembrance alter with traditional Mexican elements, local artists, readings, art activities,
There is also Free Weekend Fun every weekend at the Nelson Atkins! Check their online calendar for weekend specifics.
Polar Express at Midland Railway Opens
Opens Friday, November 16th
Check online for time & date specifics – runs through holidays
Midland Railway: 1515 High St, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006
Get in the holiday spririt early with The Polar Express. Kids dress in their PJs, drink hot cocoa, & eat cookies just like in the movie. This will be a magical train ride filled with singing waiters & holiday fun! Don’t miss out on this spectacular event – you can even buy tickets online.
Mandolin Orchestra of Kansas City
November 23rd
7:00 pm- 8:30 pm
6900 Ward Pkwy, Kansas City, MO(St. John’s UMC)
This FREE concert will be the weekend before Thanksgiving!
Bring the family out and enjoy the sounds of the Mandolin Orchestra of Kansas City as they play a variety of pieces including The Bach Bouree, a few polkas, Irish traditional tunes, jazz and surf music.
$3 Movie Series Begins
December 7th to 18th: Polar Express PJ Party
Check online for movie times & ticket sales.
Union Station: 30 W Pershing Rd. Kansas City, Missouri 64108
Catch a classic holiday movie for only $3! There will be more movies to come throughout December too, so check their Facebook page for updates.
Holiday Kickoff Ceremony
Saturday, November 23rd begins
Union Station: 30 W Pershing Rd. Kansas City, MO 64108
Don’t miss the annual holiday lighting at Union Station Kansas City! The Grand
Experience the magical Kansas City tradition at “Holidays Come Alive”.
Join us as we celebrate the kickoff ceremony with the largest indoor tree lighting ceremony, featuring a breathtaking performance by Quixotic, FREE Holiday mini-train rides, NEW! Astro Botanicals in Haverty Family Yards and so much MORE. Family-friendly, hands-on activities will fill the halls as early as 10 AM with the ceremony beginning at 6:30 PM. The full line-up of activities to come.
Santa Diving Begins!
November 29th to Dec. 1st
2:00 – 2:30 pm
The Kansas City Zoo: 6800 Zoo Dr. Kansas City, MO 64132
Watch Santa dive with penguins at 2 pm Friday through Sunday at the Kansas City Zoo. Get your kids in the holiday spirit and grab a photo with Santa! …Thanksgiving is over now right?!
This activity is included in The POGO Pass 16 kids activities for less than $40! Purchase a POGO Pass for ONLY $39.95 with code ifamilykc. This is a steal.
November is filled with fun things to do with kids. We hope you spent family time exploring the fun kids’ activities & events around town. The holidays are for family togetherness, so be sure to check back for December things to do too!
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From our family to yours, iFamilyKC.
