Christmas Towns in Missouri & Kansas
The holidays are always spectacular around Kansas City. From lights and decor to Santa’s workshops, kids’ shopping events with elves and festive music, KC’s surrounding areas have some of the best Christmas towns around.
So load up the family and head out to visit one or all of these incredible Christmas Towns around us. Some of these towns will even have events that start in November, full of magic and wonder, leading up to Christmas day. Celebrate the magic and remember the reason for the season.
** Know of other holiday towns to add to our list? Email details to us!
Christmas Towns in Kansas:
1. Baldwin City, KS
Baldwin City, KS, only 30 minutes outside of the KC metro, has been the home of The Midland Railway for as long as we can remember. In years past they’ve hosted Thomas the Tank Engine, Polar Express Trains, and the Christmas village. But there’s a NEW reason to celebrate Christmas in Baldwin City! The Snowglobe Express, which calls itself “The Merriest Train on the Planet” is here beginning in 2022! More scoop on the holiday train below.
Holiday Market
Fridays, 5-8pm
The third Friday Baldwin City Main Street Farmers and Makers Market continues into the winter with a few changes to accommodate the weather.
Visit The Nook and Safrin Acres for local food and hand-crafted items.
Om Grown Yoga will be open with a free community class for partner yoga starting at 6:30 p.m.
Some of the Downtown Storefronts open include Twill Trade (until 6 p.m.); El Patron.
The Lumberyard Arts Center is featuring its final 2022 concert – a night of jazz with the Eric Mardis Quartet. Shop downtown, grab dinner, and enjoy jazz to cap off your evening!
Festival of Lights Parade
Saturday, December 3, 2022:
Breakfast with Santa
Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes and a visit with Santa. Ticket: $7 per person.
Your ticket includes delicious all-you-can-eat pancakes prepared by Chris Cakes, Crafts, and a visit with Santa.
For more information Click Here or call 785-594-3670.
Experience the magic of the season and a day filled with lights, music, food, crafts, and festivities! Bring your family, friend, or neighbor and feel a little bit young again; for as Charles Dickens penned, “…there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”
At 6 p.m. floats draped in thousands of lights parade down 8th and High Streets. As the last float goes by, Santa Claus will light the tree outside City Hall. He will be available to hear the children’s wish lists afterward.
Visit their website to see what is going on all day in Baldwin City. A link for the parade entry form is located on that same page. Forms can also be retrieved at The Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce at 719 High Street. FLOAT ENTRY DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 28, 2022
This custom train experience includes a 12-mile Christmas Train Ride that takes families from the traditional Baldwin City Train Depot to the Christmas magic world of Snowglobe. Once there the kids will visit Santa’s herd of Reindeer.
The SNOWGLOBE EXPRESS train provides kids and families with a unique opportunity not found in any other Christmas town. Grab your tickets early to experience a truly one-of-a-kind magical train ride, and participate in “Santa’s Mail Car” experience where children will hand deliver their letter to Santa’s elves in a U.S. Postal Mail Car DURING the train ride. Once the Santa letters are dropped off during the train excursion, passengers will exit the train ride at Santa’s Reindeer Ranch in “Snowglobe, KS” AND you’ll get to help Santa feed his herd of Reindeer before returning to Baldwin City
There’s also, a life-size Christmas village, “Smoresville”, a 40′ Santa, AND an Ugly Sweater Run planned for December 10, 2022!
Baldwin Christmas Festival
2. Overland Park, KS
The Overland Park Arboretum hosts a yearly luminary walk that brings the holidays to life. Walk along lit paths and find your way to see Santa’s workshop, grab some hot cider, listen to music, and more.
Christmas Towns in Missouri:
1. Belton, MO
Belton typically hosts a weeks-long Christmas extravaganza – Christmas on Main in Belton. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for announcements and updates. We haven’t seen a lot of info from them for this year, but in the past, there were weekly events including gingerbread house competitions, outdoor movies on Candy Cane Lane, visits with Santa, and more. Main St. in Belton is a magical place that takes you back in time. You can find TONS of holiday things to do in Belton…Follow them online for the latest scoop.
November 26, 2022, has a full agenda of FUN:
Parade of Lights
With a 5:30 pm start time, join the Grand Marshall for their annual Parade of Lights.
Operation Santa
Also on November 26th, this is a wonderful and easy way to give back. Bring 2 new canned goods, or a new unwrapped toy to donate, and get a raffle ticket for some of the fun raffle prizes. Additional raffle tickets are available for purchase too.
The Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Belton’s Annual Mayor’s Christmas Tree and Main Street Lighting Ceremony! Free events such as the Light Up the Night Penguin Parade, Carolers, Dancers, Santa with Mrs. Claus, Penguin Park, and more.
December 3, 2022:
Christmas on Main Day of Fun
Christmas memories start on Main St. for a day of Christmas fun! Carolers, Face Painting, Shopping, Dining, Teddy Bear Mobile, Kids and Adults Penguin Derby, Snow Globe Photos, Food Trucks, and Ice Skating!
December 17, 2022:
Pancakes with the Grinch
The kiddos can have pancakes for breakfast and have their pics taken with the Grinch. Make some forever holiday memories.
We welcome you to join us; and also to visit the NEW Christmas on Main holiday light display.
2. Branson, MO
Every year Silver Dollar City turns into a Christmas Town that is worth the drive. From holiday shows, festive music, thousands of stunning lights, Santa and more this is a must-see for the whole family.
We recommend heading to Branson for the weekend to enjoy all they have to offer, including Silver Dollar City and other fun shows. Here’s our complete guide to Branson to make it easier for families.
Holiday activities & events a Silver Dollar City:
- Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade
- Santa’s Cottage with Pictures with Santa
- Cookie Decorating & Kids Area
- Thousands of Light Displays
- Holiday Train Rides
- A Giant Christmas tree – with light shows
There are also many Broadway-quality shows:
- A Dicken’s Christmas Carol
- The Living Nativity
- Allen Asbury
- Frontier Fa-La-La Follies
- Home for Christmas
Christmas with Six
This is one of our absolute favorite shows in Branson, not just at Christmas. You just have to check out these six real-life brothers, singing acapella. Together they create music that rivals a full orchestra or band and they put on one the best shows in Branson at the American Bandstand Theater. The brothers don’t use any musical instruments but you’ll swear you can hear drums, guitars, strings, and a piano
America’s Christmas Tree City
In 2016, Branson’s residents and businesses came together to make Branson “America’s Christmas Tree City”. Complete with a map, the tour takes you on a journey to see trees with one-of-a-kind decorations and themes.
3. Kansas City, MO
The Country Club Plaza lights up nightly with beautiful lights and window displays that will quickly put you in the holiday spirit. They even have a map of the best places to take a holiday photo with the lights!
The Plaza itself is already a town of its own. Visit the Country Club Plaza for beautiful holiday sites, festive treats and more. Plus there may be a Santa sighting!
4. Springfield, MO
The city of Springfield has events and Santa sightings this holiday season. There will be photo ops, a kid’s store so they can shop for family and friends, parades, and more. Check out their event calendar for details of events and sightings.
5. Kingsville, MO
Powell Gardens host the Festival of Lights every year and this botanical garden transforms into a winter wonderland. With immersive light displays, this will make for a unique experience the whole family will enjoy.
We hope your family is able to enjoy the many holiday activities nearby in Kansas City… there are TONS!
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From our family to yours, iFamilyKC
