Log in

Plenty of area holiday events planned

Posted

The Christmas and holiday season is well underway, and there is no shortage of events in Johnson County. And we even heard that Santa Claus will be making a few stops in Warrensburg throughout December.

To have your upcoming holiday event added to this list, email news@warrensburgstarjournal.com.

Warrensburg Holiday Parade

The fifth annual Holiday Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. It will begin in the parking lot of the UCM Multipurpose Building, 500 S. Washington St, then parade north on Holden Street, through the downtown area, and halt at Holden and Gay streets. Stop by the Johnson County Courthouse lawn for Santa's arrival to Downtown Warrensburg and the lighting of the Mayor's tree.

Kingsville

The tree lighting event will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 in City Park. The tree lighting will be at 6:30 p.m. There will also be cookies and hot chocolate served by Santa’s helpers. Donations of non-perishable food, hygiene products and monetary donations will be accepted for the Kingsville Food Pantry. Donations can also be dropped off at the Kingsville Baptist Church.

Chilhowee

The fifth annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4.

Leeton

The Leeton Park Board will host the fourth annual Christmas in the Park at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Grinstead Park in Leeton. 

Citizens will gather to light the Mayor's Christmas tree, plus there will be a variety of vendors, cookie decorating, wagon rides, a fire pit for keeping warm, caroling, hot cocoa, cookies, and a visit from Santa.

Holden

The Holden Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Holiday Homes Tour at 10 a.m. Dec. 10.

Warrensburg Parks & Rec

Warrensburg Parks and Recreation is hosting a Light Up Warrensburg holiday lighting and decorating contest. 

Light up, spruce up and adorn your home as an entry in the Holiday Decorating Contest.

The deadline to register is Dec. 11; there is no cost to enter. Judging will take place Dec. 15.

For more information or to register, contact morgan.hebensperger@warrensburg-mo.com or 660-747-7178.

Dickens Christmas

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, Downtown Warrensburg will transform into the 1840s for the annual Dickens’ Christmas.

Father Christmas will arrive on the 9:57 a.m. Amtrak train. At 9 a.m., Center Stage Academy of the Performing Arts will perform scenes from “The Nutcracker.”

There will be horse-drawn carriages, hot cocoa and chestnuts for the community to enjoy, and carolers strolling through the streets. Local artists will demonstrate their crafts in downtown businesses. 

The day also includes the Tiny Tim Soup Stroll. Businesses will host soups cooked by local businesses and individuals in hopes they will win the traveling trophy. Tickets are $10. 

There will be a Winter Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by the courthouse. 

For more information, visit ​​www.warrensburgmainstreet.org. 

‘The Nutcracker’

Continuing a popular Warrensburg holiday tradition, Center Stage Academy of the Performing Arts will present “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 at Hendricks Hall on the University of Central Missouri campus.

Tickets online are $17 for lower center section and $12 for all other seats. Tickets at the door are $14 and $20 for any remaining premium seats. All tickets are reserved seating. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.centerstageacademy.org/nutcrackertickets2022.

University of Central Missouri

UCM’s inaugural Jingle on the Quad will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 on the steps of the Administration Building. One lucky winner will flip the switch to light up all five buildings on the quadrangle. The event features a hot chocolate bar, cookies and appearances by UCM’s live mule mascots.

UCM’s Holiday Market will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the Sandra Temple Elliott Ballrooms and the atrium of the Elliott Student Union. Vendors will sell custom artwork, baked goods, clothing, jewelry and more. A visit by Santa also is planned, with opportunities for photographs, decorating cookies and making crafts.

The First Lady’s Holiday Concert will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, in Hendricks Hall featuring performances by the UCM Wind Ensemble and Warrensburg Community Band, and at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 in Hart Recital Hall featuring the UCM Concert Choir and Collegiate Choir.

The UCM Jazz Ensemble will perform holiday tunes from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 in the Elliott Student Union atrium.

Grover Park Baptist Church

Grover Park Baptist Church in Warrensburg will perform "The King is Here" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 in the Worship Center, 409 N. Mitchell St. 

The program is an hour of songs and dramas depicting historical and celebratory aspects of the birth of Jesus Christ. The mission-minded outreach program is free and open to the public. 

For more information, contact David Robinson at 660-747-7196.

Powell Gardens

During the Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens, more than 20 miles of lights turn Kansas City’s botanical garden into a winter wonderland from Nov. 10 to Dec. 30. The event is available from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; it is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Stroll a lighted outdoor path, pausing for plenty of photo-worthy moments along the way, including immersive botanic installations. This year, featured new media artist, Kevin Heckart, transforms two sites with interactive light displays and a new festival feature, the Light Labyrinth, promises an adventure for all ages.

Purchase tickets at bit.ly/pglights2022

Old Drum Coffeehouse

Old Drum will be hosting several holiday events in December, including Coffee and Candy Canes from 5 to 8 p.m. every Thursday through Dec. 22. Vendors will be set up for shoppers and peppermint drinks will be 10% off.

Polar Express Night will be at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Customers are encouraged to wear pajamas as they watch the popular Christmas movie while enjoying specialty hot chocolate and pastries.

Visit with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 10. For those who can’t make it, Old Drum will have a letters to Santa station in the shop during the week prior to his visit.

Buckeye Acres Produce

Buckeye Acres, 91 NE 600th Road in Warrensburg, will host the second annual Christmas at the Farm from 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 11. Admission is $3 for ages 2 and older.

The event includes a book walk, stories read by local author Stephanie White, a visit from Santa, a hayride around the farm, and craft vendors. Donuts and hot chocolate will be available at the food stand. A tree lighting will take place at sundown.

Twin Oaks Event Center

Christmas on the Farm will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 17 at Twin Oaks Event Center, 126 SW 400th Road in Warrensburg.

The free event includes a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a craft for kids, vendors, a barnyard petting zoo, Sally the Unicorn from 10 a.m. to noon, and a visit from the Grinch in the afternoon. 

WoodChux

At 7 p.m. Dec. 12, WoodChux, 108 W. Pine St. in Warrensburg, will host a cornhole tournament benefiting Toys for Tots. 

Entry into the tournament is a new and unwrapped toy worth $10 or more. Non-cash prizes will be awarded.




X
X