Holiday dates on a budget
Free and cheap Christmas dates in Kansas City
The lights are free to look at and most markets are free to walk. These dates keep the whole night cheap, cheapest first.
Free to get in
The main stop costs nothing. Food, drinks and parking are up to you.
Christmas in the Sky, Then Christmas in the Park
The night before Thanksgiving at Longview Lake: a holiday show and fireworks on the beach, then the county's free drive-through lights on its first night.
Planned with no alcohol
The Plaza Lighting Ceremony
Thanksgiving night on the Plaza: music on the stage, the switch flipped, then fireworks, then one photo together under the new lights.
Planned with no alcohol
Under $60 for two
A paid stop, but the whole date stays small.
Topsy's Popcorn, Then the Plaza Lights
Pick up a tin of Topsy's popcorn to share, then walk the Plaza under the holiday lights.
Planned with no alcohol
Fritz's, Then the Crown Center Tree Lighting
Burgers delivered by toy train at Fritz's, then the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting with a choir and fireworks, then the free Hallmark Christmas market and light show on the same square.
Planned with no alcohol
Fritz's, Then the Hallmark Christmas Market and Light Show
Burgers delivered by toy train at Fritz's, then the free Hallmark Christmas market and the 6 PM light show on Crown Center Square.
Planned with no alcohol
The Hallmark Christmas Experience, Then Skating
Crown Center Square's free Hallmark Christmas market, light shows and performances, then an hour on the Crown Center ice.
Planned with no alcohol
The Holiday Swing Market, Then Holiday Reflections
Browse the Strawberry Swing's holiday market of local makers at Union Station, then walk through the holiday village and the model trains in the same building.
Planned with no alcohol
Holiday Reflections, Then Town Topic
Union Station's holiday village and the model trains, then burgers and a shake at the 24-hour counter a few minutes away.
Planned with no alcohol
Holiday nights on the calendar
Mostly free. Each card says what its organizer posted.
One day
Holiday Swing Market at Union Station
Holiday Swing Market at Union Station · Downtown
- Sat, Nov 21, 10:00 AM
FreeWhat the official page says
The organizer's page lists the 16th annual market from Saturday Nov 21 at 10 AM through Sunday Nov 22 at 6 PM at Union Station, free to attend and family friendly, with local makers, food and drinks. It does not give a Saturday closing time or Sunday opening time, so the end of this day is an estimate. Confirm hours.
One day
Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Zona Rosa
Zona Rosa · Northland
- Sat, Nov 21, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Check the source for ticketsWhat the official page says
Zona Rosa's page lists Saturday Nov 21, 2026, 3 to 6 PM in North Park: school choirs from 3 PM, local bands, train rides, a snowball fight, food trucks, a mobile bar with spiked cider, and Santa arriving at 6 PM to turn on the lights. The page's time block printed a wrong time zone label, so confirm the local start. It did not state a price or whether it is free, whether rides or photos cost extra, or an age rule.
One day
Santa Paws in the Park
Loose Park Rose Garden · Plaza
- Sat, Dec 5, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
FreeWhat the official page says
From the Kansas City Parks and Recreation calendar, read on 2026-10-07 (https://kcparks.org/event/santa-paws-in-the-park/). A free pet parade around the Loose Park Rose Garden with a holiday costume contest, photos with Santa and pup cups. Bring a dog. The calendar's own site refuses the server that normally reads it, so this was copied by hand; confirm details with the parks department before you go.
- Make a date of it: Art, Roses & a Sweet Finish
- Make a date of it: Plaza Coffee & a Garden Stroll
The Christmas Board
The Christmas Board opens Nov 20: a winter of KC dates on one board, free this season. Open the Boards
Every day, time and price here comes from the place's or event's own page, linked on its card. Holiday hours change and nights sell out, so check before you go.