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:
You can also find restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day & take out Thanksgiving dinner options in Kansas City.
Looking for a cheap way to do a lot of things? Grab 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.
Things to do Thanksgiving Week
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 now 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!
Sky Zone Food Drive ($2 Off Admission)
November 1st to November 23rd
3:00 pm- 8:00 pm
Sky Zone KC: 6495 Quivira Rd, Shawnee, KS
Sky Zone Lee’s Summit: 2801 NE McBaine Drive, Lees Summit, Missouri 64064
Bring in a canned good for $2 off jump passes! The food drive benefits Harvester’s so you’re doing good while saving money…
Each person jumping must bring something to donate in order to receive the discount.
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.
Skating at Ice Terrace
November 6th skating opens.
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.
Veterans Day Weekend at the Liberty Memorial
Saturday, November 7th to Sunday, November 15th
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!
Just Between Friends OP Sale
** FREE Admission with our ad! Plus, SAVE $2 OFF Presale tix with code iFamilyKC
Wednesday, November 11th to Saturday, November 14th
Check the FB page for event specifics – varies by day & type of shopper
6000 College Boulevard, Leawood, Kansas 66211
Shop for all your kiddos Winter needs at the Overland Park Here We Grow Again Sale. There will be tons of items to shop & deals to be had! You may even find a few holiday gifts a little early.. Many of the items will be up to 90% off retail price!
Strollers and kids are welcome every day of the sale.
Visit the Alpacas!
Throughout November
Farm tours daily – 10:30 am, 1:30 pm & 3:30 pm
Yaya’s Alpaca Farm: 30200 E 275th St. Garden City, Missouri 64747
Visit the alpacas on a farm tour nearly every day of November! Tours are 90 minutes long, 7 days a week at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm by appointment. There is also a farm store with unique alpaca items! Tours are only $8/person. Kids, families, field trips, scout troops…everyone is welcome!
These alpacas are raised for show, sale, & their gorgeous fleece. Come learn about these interesting animals anytime!
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!
Holiday Clay Hand and Foot Prints at Paint Glaze and Fire!
Friday November 13th
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.
Kansas City Ballet at Festival of Lights
Friday, November 13th to Sunday, November 15th; 6 pm, 7 pm & 8pm
Powell Gardens: 1609 NW US Hwy 50, Kingsville, MO 64061
Come enjoy beautiful dancers from the KC Ballet while you walk through the holiday lights at Powell Gardens!
Briarcliff Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Saturday, November 14th
5:00 to 7:30 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 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 20th
5:30 to 7:30 pm
Downtown Overland Park
This will be a very special Third Fridays event. Enjoy a fun tree lighting ceremony with Santa & fun with your friends and family in downtown Overland Park. Don’t miss out on the free family fun!
Northern Lights Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Saturday, November 21st
6:00 to 8:00 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!
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:
Sky Camp for Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday, November 25th & Friday, November 27th
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.
Santa’s Arrival at Crown Center
Friday, November 27th; 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 27th; 5:30 pm
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.
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!
The Snowy Day and other stories by Ezra Jack Keats
November 27th to January 3rd
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
Friday, November 27 & Saturday, November 28; Friday, December 4 & Saturday, December 5; Friday, December 11 & Saturday, December 12th
From 4:30 to 10:00 pm
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
Friday, November 27th to Sunday, November 29th and multiple dates in December
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!
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 ** NO Info for 2020
Thursday, November 26th
5:00 to 8:00 pm
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 26th
8:30 am
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, the 5k at 9:00am and the Tiny Turkey Trot approx 10:15am (after the last 5k participant crosses). Bring the whole family out to this Thanksgiving tradition!
Kansas City Turkey Trot 5k & 8k Virtual Edition!
November 26th to November 29th
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Online this year.
This year you can run through your neighborhood or another place of your choosing! Then, submit your times to the website leaderboard!
Cancelled for 2020:
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!
Christmas in the Sky
Wednesday, November 27th
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
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.
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.
Hands on History at Liberty Memorial
Every Saturday at 11:00 am
WW1 Memorial: 2 Memorial Drive Kansas City, MO
Head out to the Liberty Memorial for a FREE, hands on history experience!
Watch Kansas City Mavericks Hockey: Family 4 Pack Special
November 1st & 2nd at 7:05pm
November 8th, 9th at 7:05pm and November 11th at 6:05pm
November 16th at 7:05pm
November 19th at 10:35am
Silverstein Eye Centers Arena: 19100 E Valley View Pkwy. Independence, MO 64055
Come see the Kansas City Mavericks take the ice leading up to Thanksgiving week.
Grab a Family 4 Pack and get 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 drinks for an affordable family night this November!
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.
Trip the Light Fantastic
3901 SW Longview Rd, Lee’s Summit MO
November 24th 6:00pm- 7:00pm
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.
FREE Day at the Johnson County Museum
November 27th
9:00 am- 4:30 pm
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 27th
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.
$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.
The Great Pumpkin Smash
November 2nd & 3rd (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 18th & 19th 7:30 pm
Times vary by show.
MTH Theater @ Crown Center: 2405 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO
Musical Monday and Tuesday is back with a two night tribute to the King!
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.
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.
A Very Merry Market
November 29th & 30th (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.
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!
Want to stay up-to-date on things to do in Kansas City? Sign-up for The Scoop & get things to do, places kids eat FREE, & exclusive event invites delivered right to your inbox. You don’t want to miss this…it’s too easy!
From our family to yours, iFamilyKC.
