Want to get away but stay in KC for Christmas? Check out these lights, skating, movies

Dan Kelly
·2 min read

If you’re looking for a way to get out of the house on Christmas, don’t fret. There are options.

Movie theaters not only will be open, but they will offer several of the most anticipated new films of the year — including “The Color Purple,” which will open Dec. 25. Other recent releases: “The Boys in the Boat,” “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” “Ferrari” and “Wonka.”

Fantasia Barrino, left, and Taraji P. Henson star in “The Color Purple,” which will open Christmas Day in theaters.
Fantasia Barrino, left, and Taraji P. Henson star in “The Color Purple,” which will open Christmas Day in theaters.

Most businesses and attractions will be closed, including Union Station, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art , Crown Center and the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium.

However, the zoo’s GloWild lantern festival will operate beginning at 5 p.m. Dec. 25. Most of the area’s other outdoor holiday displays also will be open.

Here’s a Christmas day breakdown:

▪ The Ice at Park Place, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. ($9-$11; skate rental $4). parkplaceleawood.com.

▪ The Rink at Zona Rosa, 3-8:50 p.m. ($10-$12, skate rental $4-$5). zonarosa.com.

▪ “Enchant: The Mischievous Elf,” Legends Field, 4:30-10:30 p.m. ($25.50-$34). enchantchristmas.com.

▪ GloWild Lantern Festival, Kansas City Zoo, 5-10 p.m. ($16-$38). kansascityzoo.org.

▪ Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, 5-10 p.m. (free). opkansas.org.

▪ “Christmas in the Park,” Frank White Jr. Softball Complex, 5:30-10 p.m. (free). makeyourdayhere.com.

▪ Lane of Lights, Excelsior Springs, 5:30-10 p.m. ($5 suggested donation; $25 for groups). visitexcelsior.com.

▪ “Holiday Light and Magic,” Wyandotte County Park, 6-10 p.m. ($25-$55 per vehicle). holidaylightandmagic.com.

▪ Sar-Ko Aglow, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 6-11 p.m. (free). lenexa.com.

▪ “Winter Magic,” Kessler Park, 6-11 p.m. ($25 for standard car or truck; $40 for limo or commercial van up to 15 passengers; $55 for commercial bus more than 15 passengers). wintermagickc.com.

Sar-Ko Aglow will light up Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa on Christmas.
Sar-Ko Aglow will light up Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa on Christmas.

Other holiday events

▪ “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in Concert, 7 p.m. Dec. 21-23, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 24, Kauffman Center ($57-$107). kcsymphony.org.

▪ “Buddy’s Holly Jolly Christmas,” 7 p.m. Dec. 22, 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 23, Ruby Room, MTH Theater at Crown Center ($51). musictheaterheritage.com.

▪ David George Orchestra Rock ’N’ Roll Christmas Show, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22, Madrid ($20-$25). madridtheatre.com.

▪ Burning Pianos Christmas Show, 8 p.m. Dec. 23, Aztec ($20-$25). aztecshawnee.com.

Priscilla Presley will appear Dec. 22 at Knuckleheads.
Priscilla Presley will appear Dec. 22 at Knuckleheads.

Also

▪ The ex-wife of music legend Elvis Presley will bring “An Evening With Priscilla Presley” to Knuckleheads, 8 p.m. Dec. 22 ($119.50-$199.50, plus $150 for a meet and greet). knuckleheadskc.com.