# Christmas break with kids in Kansas City, 2026

> What to do with kids in Kansas City over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by three museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day. Plus ten dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.

- Last checked: 2026-10-21
- 3 places’ holiday hours; 0 winter break camps; 16 dated outings
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/christmas-break/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/llms.txt

## Open or closed: Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1

- **The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art**: Christmas Eve closed; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Christmas Eve: Museum Closed Dec 24, 2026: Christmas Day: Museum Closed New Year’s Day: Museum Closed” Source: https://nelson-atkins.org/visit (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Arabia Steamboat Museum**: Christmas Eve closed; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “*Closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.” Source: https://www.1856.com (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Wonderscope Children’s Museum**: Christmas Eve 9 a.m.–noon; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Christmas Eve (Dec. 24): Open 9 AM – 12 PM Winter Break (Dec. 25 & 26): Closed New Year’s Day:: Closed” Source: https://wonderscope.org/hours (checked 2026-10-21)

## Christmas Eve

- **Santa Visits at Destination North Pole** at Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108. When: Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2026. Time: Mon–Thu 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Fri–Sat 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun noon–6 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Price: Free visit; own photos free; professional photo packages from $12. New walk-through candy-cane forest exhibit leads to Santa's village. Indoors. Official page: https://www.crowncenter.com/events/santa-visits-destination-north-pole (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Santa at Holiday Reflections** at Union Station Kansas City, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108. When: Select days through Dec 24, 2026 (no Santa Nov 22); full list on the official page. Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Price: Holiday Reflections ticket: $10 Mon–Thu, $12 Fri–Sun and Dec 21–Jan 4, members $9 (plus 10% preservation fee); 12 months and under free. Santa roams the walk-thru village for informal photos; he is not seated for traditional visits. Card only, no cash. Official page: https://unionstation.org/event/holiday-reflections/ (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Mini Holiday Express ride-on train** at Union Station Kansas City (inside Holiday Reflections), 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027. Time: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (closed Nov 26 and Dec 25; shorter hours Dec 4, 11, 24). Price: $5 per rider (members free) plus a Holiday Reflections ticket. Ages: Riders under 48 inches. Small ride-on train for little kids and preschoolers, plus an 800-foot model rail exhibit included with admission. Official page: https://unionstation.org/event/holiday-reflections/ (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Santa Photos at Independence Center** at Independence Center, 2035 Independence Center Dr, Independence, MO 64057. When: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026. Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0425 (checked 2026-11-03)

## Between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec 26–30)

- **Winter Magic** at Platte Purchase Park, 10400 N Platte Purchase Dr, Kansas City, MO 64154. When: Nightly Nov 4, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: From 6 p.m.; closing time varies by date. Price: $20, $25, $30, or $40 by date ($40 peak December Saturdays, $30 high-demand, $25 early December, $20 value and late-season). About a mile of synchronized lights, tune to FM radio; pets welcome; no cash at the gate. Official page: https://wintermagickc.com/ (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Christmas in the Park** at Longview Lake (starts at Frank White Jr. Softball Complex), 3901 SW Longview Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64081. When: Nov 25 – Dec 31, 2026. Time: 5:30–10 p.m. Sun–Thu; 5:30–11 p.m. Fri–Sat. Price: Free; donations at the exit. 39th year; more than 1 million lights and 200+ animated displays built by Jackson County Parks + Rec. Weeknights early in the season have shorter lines. Official page: https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Event-Calendar/39th-Annual-Christmas-in-the-Park (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Evergy Festival of Lights** at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO 64061. When: Nov 19–22, 27–29; Dec 2–5, 10–12, 18–23, 26–29, 2026; Jan 2–3, 2027. Time: 5–10 p.m. Price: Adults $19 Wed/Thu/Sun, $22 Fri/Sat; youth 5–12 $10/$12; 4 and under free; nonmember parking $10. Outdoor lighted path plus the Winter Holiday Train display in the Conservatory and a warming station. Official page: https://powellgardens.org/hours-admission/ (checked 2026-11-10)
- **GloWild: Hidden Treasure** at Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO 64132. When: Wed–Sun evenings through Dec 27, 2026 (open Thanksgiving week Mon–Tue; see operating calendar). Time: 6–10 p.m. Price: See the zoo's ticket page. Mile-long one-way lantern path, about an hour; free carousel rides. Animals not the focus at night. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/glowild (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village** at Union Station Kansas City, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027 (closed Nov 26, Dec 25). Time: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; last entry 1 hour before close. Price: $10 Mon–Thu, $12 Fri–Sun and Dec 21–Jan 4; members $9; plus 10% fee; 12 months and under free. Indoor and daytime, so it works for early bedtimes. Includes model trains. Official page: https://unionstation.org/event/holiday-reflections/ (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Crown Center Ice Terrace** at Crown Center Square, Blue Level, 2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108. When: Nov 6 – Mar 14. Price: $10 adults and kids 4 and up; under 4 free with a paid adult; no time limit. Ages: All ages; children 12 and under with an adult. Free skating, coffee and hot chocolate 6–9 a.m. on opening day, Nov 6. Outdoor rink; weather can close it. Official page: https://www.crowncenter.com/iceterrace (checked 2026-11-06)

## New Year’s Eve and Day

- **Noon Year's Eve in Science City** at Science City at Union Station, Union Station. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: Noon–6 p.m. Price: General admission $17 plus a 10% preservation fee; Union Station members free. Pick Dec. 31 when you buy tickets. Full schedule coming soon. Official page: https://sciencecity.unionstation.org/event/noon-years-eve/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Noon Year’s Eve Pajama Party Countdown** at Lenexa Public Market, 8750 Penrose Lane, Lenexa, KS 66219. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free. Come in pajamas for board games, coloring, a time capsule activity, kids’ giveaways, a balloon drop and a noon sing-along of Auld Lang Syne. Official page: https://www.lenexapublicmarket.com/Events/Special-Events/Noon-Years-Eve-Pajama-Party-Countdown (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Noon Year's Eve Celebration at Blue Valley Rec** at Blue Valley Rec Activity Center, 6545 W. 151st St., Overland Park, KS 66223. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 10am–noon. Price: $30 per child; preregistration required. For ages 5–12. Kids start with swimming and gymnastics free play, then a craft. At noon there's a balloon drop and confetti, plus a photo booth. Official page: https://www.bluevalleyrec.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Fall_2026.pdf (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Winter Magic** at Platte Purchase Park, 10400 N Platte Purchase Dr, Kansas City, MO 64154. When: Nightly Nov 4, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: From 6 p.m.; closing time varies by date. Price: $20, $25, $30, or $40 by date ($40 peak December Saturdays, $30 high-demand, $25 early December, $20 value and late-season). About a mile of synchronized lights, tune to FM radio; pets welcome; no cash at the gate. Official page: https://wintermagickc.com/ (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Evergy Festival of Lights** at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO 64061. When: Nov 19–22, 27–29; Dec 2–5, 10–12, 18–23, 26–29, 2026; Jan 2–3, 2027. Time: 5–10 p.m. Price: Adults $19 Wed/Thu/Sun, $22 Fri/Sat; youth 5–12 $10/$12; 4 and under free; nonmember parking $10. Outdoor lighted path plus the Winter Holiday Train display in the Conservatory and a warming station. Official page: https://powellgardens.org/hours-admission/ (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village** at Union Station Kansas City, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027 (closed Nov 26, Dec 25). Time: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; last entry 1 hour before close. Price: $10 Mon–Thu, $12 Fri–Sun and Dec 21–Jan 4; members $9; plus 10% fee; 12 months and under free. Indoor and daytime, so it works for early bedtimes. Includes model trains. Official page: https://unionstation.org/event/holiday-reflections/ (checked 2026-11-10)

## More holiday outings in Kansas City

- [The Nutcracker with kids in Kansas City](https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/nutcracker/index.md): 4 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.
- [Christmas markets in Kansas City](https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/christmas-markets/index.md): 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6. Lists refresh Monday and Thursday. The email goes out Thursday evening.
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## FAQ

### What’s open on Christmas Day in Kansas City with kids?
Of the three places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Arabia Steamboat Museum and Wonderscope Children’s Museum are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan.

### What can we do with kids on Christmas Eve in Kansas City?
Open with posted hours: Wonderscope Children’s Museum (9 a.m.–noon). On the calendar: Santa Visits at Destination North Pole, Santa at Holiday Reflections, Mini Holiday Express ride-on train and Santa Photos at Independence Center.

### What’s open on New Year’s Day in Kansas City?
None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open.

### What can we do with kids on New Year’s Day in Kansas City?
On the calendar for Jan 1: Winter Magic, Evergy Festival of Lights and Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.

### What is there to do with kids between Christmas and New Year’s in Kansas City?
Winter Magic, Christmas in the Park, Evergy Festival of Lights, GloWild: Hidden Treasure and Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.

### Where are the rest of the December plans in Kansas City?
The month’s dated listings are on the [December page](https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/december/), and rink dates and skate aids are on the [ice skating page](https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/ice-skating/).

### Where can we cut a Christmas tree near Kansas City?
Choose-and-cut farms within about 40 miles, with wagon rides, Santa, cocoa and kid notes, are on the [Christmas tree farms page](https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/christmas-tree-farms/).

### When is the tree lighting in Kansas City?
Dates, times and what each organizer posts for kids are on the [tree lighting page](https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/christmas-tree-lighting/).

### How do you check these holiday hours?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).