THIS MONTH IN KC

WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AND WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE

BY Emily Park

December 9 Madrid Theatre davidgeorgeband.com

Last holiday season, KC musician Last holiday season, KC musician David George lit up holidays in David George lit up holidays in Kansas City with his newly formed Kansas City with his newly formed David George Orchestra—a big band —a big band with upright bass, drums, keys, guitar, with upright bass, drums, keys, guitar, three vocalists, and a four-piece horn three vocalists, and a four-piece horn section—as they performed songs from section—as they performed songs from George’s hit musical Christmas Ain’t A Drag at the Record Christmas Ain’t A Drag at the Record Bar. is year, the orchestra is taking the show on the road for a two-hour, live show performing songs from Christmas Ain’t A Drag and other big-band Christmas hits. e orchestra’s Kansas City stop at e Madrid will be emceed by local comedian Ben Husmann, and tickets are $20-$40.

Saturdays and Sundays through

Shopping locally this holiday season is simple at Merry Market, a collaborative shopping extravaganza between the Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair and City Market. Every weekend leading up to Christmas, you’ll shop from 100 local artists, makers, and vintage vendors who specialize in ceramics, printing, painting, photography, woodworking, and more—so you’ll likely find something for everyone on your shopping list. While you shop, enjoy libations from Minsky’s and Boulevard Brewing Co., “walkable” treats from City Market eateries, special performances, and a visit from The Kansas City Museum’s Fairy Princess.

Most Kansas Citians can agree there’s almost nothing more magical than driving around the Kansas City metro—cup of hot chocolate in hand—and taking in the colorful glow of Christmas lights twinkling in the distance. No matter where you live, you’re not far from a dazzling array of themed lighting displays you can drive or walk through. Here are some you won’t want to miss.

Is it really Christmas in Kansas City without a drive through the Country Club Plaza Lights? e 90-year tradition is in full swing, and the Plaza lights will be on through mid-January. Your next stop should be the Mayor’s Christmas Tree at Crown Center, where you’ll see the 100-foot tree and a chicly decorated Crown Center Square until January 2. For a big drive-through to-do in Kansas City, head to Swope Park for Winter Magic from now until January 1, for a mile-long drive-through Christmas party featuring 12 themed areas and the longest animated tunnel in Missouri.

Looking for fun outside Kansas City limits on the Missouri side? e 35th Annual Christmas in the Park drive-through experience at Longview Lake in Lee’s Summit features over half a million lights and 175 animated displays every night through December 31. If you’re hoping to stretch your legs, visit the Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens for 20 miles of lights transforming the botanical garden into a winter wonderland on Wednesdays through Sundays through December 30. Up north, visit Northern Lights at Zona Rosa, featuring historic holiday crowns and lights throughout the shopping district and Holiday Lights at Briarcliff Village for a colorful display through the end of the year.

In Kansas, there’s even more enchanting fun to be had. Visit Olathe’s KC Wine Co.’s KC Winter Wonderland Fridays through Sundays until December 18 for “walkin’ in a winter wonderland” of lights, photo ops, a visit from Santa, and treats. Stop by the Civic Courtyard Fountain at the Legends Outlets for an LED light show synchronized to music with a 45-foot tree as a backdrop through early January. In Lenexa, take a stroll through SarKo-Aglow at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park through a magical display of colorfully lit trees until January 16. For an extra dash of holiday magic, head to The Annual Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum where lit pathways will guide you through gnome and fairy villages, candlelit woods, and a colorful children’s garden on Fridays and Saturdays through December 17.