The year, and particularly the holiday season, is nearing its finale. You might be feeling the need to get it all in. If that’s your speed, get to it! But if not, don’t worry—just spend quality time doing whatever you choose. There’s a lot of fun to be had in Kansas City this weekend.
Before we get into it, a reminder: It’s the last weekend of the Hallmark Christmas Experience in Crown Center, and there are over two dozen holiday pop up bars in Kansas City.
Ugly Sweater Party at Howl at the Moon
Dec. 20
Throw fashion to the wayside and don your ugliest sweater—Christmas or otherwise—at Howl at the Moon Friday night. In addition to its flowing taps and live music, the Power & Light piano bar is holding a contest to determine the ugliest sweater. Do your worst.
Christmas Festival by Kansas City Symphony
Dec. 19-22
If you haven’t heard the Kansas City Symphony live, it’s time. They’re really good, and they have a lot of fun in store for their Christmas Festival concert.
Dee Daniels is in as vocalist, Charles Bruffy will direct the chorus, and Jason Seber (and based on previous years, maybe Santa) will serve as guest conductor. There’s one showing Thursday, one showing Friday, and two on both Saturday and Sunday. Grab tickets here, and peep the symphony’s full holiday lineup here.
GloWild
Dec. 20-22
GloWild’s wild. It’s just as glitzy as any walkthrough Christmas lights display—maybe even glitzier—but it’s composed not of bulbs, but massive silk-and-steel lanterns. Its subjects this year range from dinosaurs to Atlantis.
Head to the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium this weekend (or Dec. 25-29) to walk the mile-long path. The Christmas-centric elements—like Santa in his workshop (i.e., the Sheep Station), Grinch sightings on the train, and Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen—will be there through Sunday.
John Smart: Virtuoso in Miniature opening
Dec. 21
John Smart was an Englishman who lived from 1741 to 1811. He painted teeny-tiny portraits—some hardly more than a square inch—with remarkable detail. Starting Saturday, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will display pieces from nearly every year of Smart’s career with the exhibition John Smart: Virtuoso in Miniature. You’ll be able to view the exhibition until Jan. 4, 2026.
Correction: A previous version of this article stated the exhibition ended in January 2025. Thankfully, the exhibition will be around until 2026.
It’s a Wonderful Life at Screenland Armour
Dec. 22
Looking for a cozy Sunday afternoon? Catch It’s a Wonderful Life at Screenland Armour, a lovely little theater in North Kansas City, at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $13 (plus a $1.50 booking fee).