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It’s a delight any time of year, but there’s something extra special about Park Place during the holidays.
The Ice at Park Place (and all of Barkley Square) is full of laughter, the skies are strung with lights, and characters stroll the streets. Saturdays bring Santa—truly the best in the metro—and, depending on if he’s feeling cheery, the Grinch. Local boutiques and restaurants bring the deals and delectables.
From the Holiday Season Premiere to the Great Santa Run/Walk 5K, there’s no shortage of holiday traditions, both old and new, at Park Place in Leawood.
Holiday Season Premiere
It all starts on November 23 with the Holiday Season Premiere. Santa will be there, as will carolers and the Grinch. Visitors can skate, shop, eat, and enjoy the captivating holiday décor along the streets.
This year, Santa arrives at 11 a.m. and will stroll around for free photos until 4 p.m. Meanwhile, the Grinch will join skaters on the ice until 3 p.m., and Dickens carolers will regale you in the streets from 2 to 4 p.m.
Local businesses at Park Place will offer deals all the while. A sampling: Maison de Marnie will offer 20 percent off any item; Sandlot Goods will mark items down by 15 percent; and Aixois and Mother Clucker will offer deals on gift cards.
Saturdays are for Santa, Shopping, and Sipping
The Holiday Season Premiere marks the first of many Strolling Santa Saturdays, where the most picture-perfect Santa Claus in the metro will bring cheer throughout the Park Place grounds. The big guy will be there every Saturday until Christmas, starting on November 23.
Saturday, November 30, is a lovely day when everything aligns. It’ll be Shop Small Saturday, where you can snag more great one-day deals and enjoy the Holiday Shop & Sip event, which goes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It’s a self-guided tour of ten shops and restaurants offering complimentary wine (or other festive drinks) for those over 21. Kids of all ages can also visit with Santa, shop with the Grinch, and sing along with carolers,
Skate and Savor
Everybody likes a holiday date or family night. The Ice at Park Place opens in mid-November (weather permitting) and provides a movie-esque setting for kids, couples, and the whole gang.
What makes the setting even more unique are the nearby restaurants. For the casual crowd, Mother Clucker and Session Taco—a rebranded Mission Taco Joint with a fuller menu—are great casual options. For parents letting the ice be their date-night babysitters, French restaurant Aixois and Thai restaurant Bamboo Penny’s are phenomenal nearby options.
And new this year, anyone needing to warm up after a cold-weather skate can step into the ultimate heat retreat at Perspire Sauna Studio.
Great Santa Run/Walk 5K
On Sunday, December 15, the Great Santa Run/Walk 5K will begin at Park Place for the first time. The family-friendly race, whose proceeds support local charity Operation Breakthrough, begins on Ash Street at 8 a.m. Bonus: You can show your race bib and get half off admission at The Ice that day!
Participants are encouraged to dress festively. Registration is open now at just $12 per kid or $32 per adult.
Start Holiday Traditions at Park Place
Park Place is a local spot with local love poured into it. During the holidays, that love flows over. Families return every year to visit with Santa. Couples don puffy mittens and take their holiday card photos under the lights. Kids learn to skate here and teach others to skate the next year.
If you want to start a holiday tradition, there’s no better place than Park Place.