Crown Center's outdoor ice skating rink, Ice Terrace, is open for its 50th season.
Crown Center's outdoor ice skating rink, Ice Terrace, is open for its 50th season. Credit: Crown Center

The holidays are a hectic and busy time, and at The Beacon, we recognize that it looks a little different for everyone. To help you unwind, relax and take a step back, we’ve put together a list of activities that you enjoy with your family, friends or even by yourself. 

Support local dining this holiday season 

  1. Baba’s Pantry: Baba’s Pantry offers a hearty bite at an affordable price. You can enjoy falafel sandwiches, “Baba’s Ganoush Platter,” fattoush and more at this locally owned, Palestinian American deli and cafe. Hours are Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
  1. Tannin Wine Bar Hanukkah Menu: Treat yourself to a specially prepared three-course Hanukkah dinner at Tannin Wine Bar and taste traditional dishes like “Bubbe’s Matzo Ball Soup,” “8 Hour Braised Brisket” and “Babka Bread Pudding.” This dinner menu is offered from Wednesday, Dec. 25 to Sunday, Dec. 29 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
  1. Mattie’s Foods: Mattie’s Foods is a local, vegan joint featuring southern and Tex-Mex styles dishes and snacks. The menu offers a variety of delicacies perfect for take-out during the holiday rush. 
  1. Mesob Restaurant: Mesob Restaurant, located in Midtown, serves up a mix of Caribbean and Ethiopian food across an extensive menu. You can book private event space to host holiday parties or order catering. 

Holiday markets to check out

  1. Holidays at the Belger Crane Yard Gallery: Artists from across the country were invited to create artwork for the holiday season that will be available for purchase. Shoppers can choose artwork ranging from ceramic, glass, metal, textiles, wood and more. Artwork will be available for purchase through Dec. 31. 
  1. Cherry Pit Collective Winter Solstice Market: Meet local artists and shop for handmade crafts at Cherry Pit and Lost and Found Winter Solstice Market on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Warm drinks and small snacks will be provided. 
  1. Hallmark Christmas Experience: Immerse yourself in the Hallmark Christmas Experience this winter and head to Crown Center to shop from a Holiday Hallmarket with vendors like Rainy Day Books, Press Money Studio and Messner Bee Farm. Other activities include a card-sending station, various light shows, a community mural and ice skating. This event takes place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m on Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are available on the website.  
  1. Merry Market 2024: Shop for affordable and handcrafted gifts at this open-air, European-style market at Historic City Market Square. This event will have over 100 vendors, with a variety of holiday beverages and treats for purchase. There’s live entertainment, giveaways, sponsor booths and photo ops scattered throughout the market. This event takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 30 to Dec. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. 
  1. 14th Annual Holiday Swing: Browse for curated and handmade arts and crafts at The Strawberry Swing’s Holiday Swing in the historic East Bottoms. Holiday treats and sips will be available as you browse for gifts. This event takes place on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at J. Rieger and Co. 
  1. Westport Christmas Market: This funky flea market boasts market stalls, festive beverages and holiday music performed by groups from Kansas City Public Schools. This market is open on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Holiday activities for families in Kansas City

  1. 37th Annual Christmas in the Park: Head to Longview Lake Campground to drive through this Winter Wonderland which features more than half million lights and 200 animated displays. This event takes place thru Dec. 31 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free. 
  1. Holiday Reflections Walk Thru Village: Take a trip down memory lane at Union Station, where you can stroll through downtown Kansas City’s original 1920’s Petticoat Lane, marvel at a 30-foot-tall tree circled by a historic ride-on train, and a 4D holiday-themed virtual reality ride to Santa’s headquarters. This event takes place thru Jan. 1 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the website. 
  1. PJ Library Hanukkah Glow Party: Party the afternoon away at this family friendly silent disco at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City. This event is on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and games, crafts and food will be provided. Tickets are now $20 per family. 
  1. Crown Center Ice Terrace: Kansas City’s public, outdoor ice skating rink is back at Crown Center thru March. Hours vary by month, but this rink is open to the public on Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. in December and January. Tickets are available at the website. 
  1. Winter Solstice Celebration: Take a break from the hectic holiday season to go on a luminary walk along Little Cedar Creek. The trail will be lit by luminaries and the walk leads to a fire where you can listen to stories about the longest night of the year. Toasted marshmallows will be provided. This event takes place on Dec. 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the website. 

Kansas City holiday pop-Up bars

  1. Nine Zero One Igloo Bar: Step into a gingerbread wonderland themed bar at Nine Zero One’s rooftop igloo bar. This popup features festive decor, handcrafted holiday cocktails, and a seasonal menu. Reservations are open thruMarch 16. Tickets are available at the website. 
  1. Kingdom’s Greetings: Arrowhead Stadium is back with a Chiefs fan-favorite this year with this holiday pop-up bar with themed food, drink and festive photo opportunities. You can take pictures on a Chiefs sleigh and immerse yourself in the Chief’s holiday magic. This pop-up is open Dec. 29 on Thursdays thru Sundays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. 
  1. Christmas in the Crossroads: Stop by this holiday-themed restaurant with festive Christmas cocktails at Christmas in the Crossroads. This winter wonderland is filled with lights, a hand-crafted dinner menu, holiday music, and drinks. This pop-up is open seven days a week thru Jan. 4. 
  1. Conductor Club: The Conductor Club is a rotating pop-up bar and tasting club featuring specialty holiday-themed drinks such as seeing is believing, milk & cookies for santa and polar express punch. This pop-up’s hours are from 5 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and 4 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays. Reservations are available at the website. 

Holiday Touchdown and other things to watch 

  1. Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story: Hallmark has picked your favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs, to be the center of this Christmas romance. Chiefs superfan Alana, who’s trying to win the Fan of the Year award, falls in love with someone in the Chief’s front office. You can watch this film on fuboTV, Sling TV, or Philo. 
  1. Screenland Armour: The theater is showing an array of Christmas films leading up to the holidays. You can watch The Muppets Christmas Carol, Die Hard, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Nightmare Before Christmas and more at the theater. Tickets are available at the website. 
  1. A Christmas Carol: You can watch a live production of A Christmas Carol at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre this holiday season. This play is directed by Jason Chanos and you’ll meet a variety of characters on Scrooge’s redemptive journey. Tickets are available at the website. 

What did we miss from this Kansas City list of winter activities? Drop us a line at hello@thebeacon.media with your favorite local spots to frequent over the holidays.