A winter celebration featuring visual and performing arts, musicians, storytellers, dancers, magicians, actors, puppeteers artists. The theme is Wonderland. Festivities kick-off with a grand procession leading the way to the main stage, located at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Lindell Avenue. Fireworks at 9 p.m. and at midnight.

This is the 80th annual presentation of the world famous Plaza Lighting Ceremony. The event is held at the corner of Wyandotte and Nichols Road, just south of 47th Street. More than 80 miles of lights outline every building within Kansas City's famous Country Club Plaza shopping, dining and entertainment district.

A local celebrity flips the switch Thanksgiving evening at 7:30 p.m.; fireworks immediately follow. Enjoy live musical performances from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. All parking garages throughout the Plaza are free. The lights remain lit nightly, through 17 January.

An Old Time Christmas is nationally recognized by media from USA Today to Good Morning America and Southern Living as one of the best holiday light shows in America. You will be dazzled by the acclaimed five-story, special effects Christmas tree and an all-encompassing sound and light show on the square. Features include a musical production of A Dickens’ Christmas Carol; the colorful Holiday Light Parade; a dramatic production of the Living Nativity; the interactive musical show Frosty; and more than four million lights throughout the park.

An Old Time Christmas is included with admission to Silver Dollar City: $50; ages 4-11, $40; younger than 4, free.

A kick-off celebration for the holiday season. Enjoy an evening filled with local celebrities, holiday stage productions and an amazing fireworks display synchronized to holiday music. This event sets the stage for opening night of Christmas In The Park.

Activities begin Thursday, with a pet show at 6:30 p.m. and a band concert at 8 p.m. On Friday, enjoy the car show, sanctioned barbecue cook-off, and a concert. Saturday’s events include a 5k run, 2k walk, a kid’s fun run, Rotary breakfast, kids contests, parade, pedal tractor pull, veterans recognition, and fireworks. Most events are free. Held at McCorkle Park.

Attend this holiday open house at the Watkins family home, where you can enjoy holiday caroling, reading of family letters, free samples of traditional holiday treats, flaming of the plum pudding demonstrations, and an opportunity for children to visit with Father Christmas. Activities at the visitor center include kid’s crafts, live traditional holiday music and a performance by the Lathrop Singing Mules grade school choir. Admission is free.

The St. Louis County Community Chorus, under the artistic direction of Merry E. Keller, will perform their annual holiday concert in the Keating Center at Kirkwood High School.

Visit a mid-19th century community as the residents prepare for Christmas. The aroma of hearth cooked meals and the sound of period music will put you in a festive mood. Recent immigrants will demonstrate their ethnic traditions as they keep their heritage alive with their special customs.

The Ozarks Christmas Village is a Christkindl Market featuring music, traditional Christmas food, vendors and entertainment. The White Christmas Nativity Collection, a private collection of hundreds of nativity sets from the late Mrs. Peggy White, will be on display. In this indoor event, booths are set up to simulate a village on a Christmas evening. Stroll through a city park light display; visit Santa's house; enjoy Santa's playground (bounce house); and listen to the musical entertainment. Shop for Christmas gifts, drink some hot chocolate or wassail. Admission: one can of food per person. Held at the Ozarks Empire Fairgrounds.

An evening of music celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ; featured Christian artists, Downhere, Jason Gray and Lanae'Hale. The doors will open at 5 p.m.; the concert begins at 6 p.m. Held at the Join Willott Road Community Church.

Get into the spirit of the season by enjoying Christmas music, a choir and hot chocolate while waiting for the lucky winner to pull the switch illuminating McCorkle Park. Santa arrives shortly thereafter via fire truck. The parade, at 2 p.m. Saturday, starts at Chestnut and Seminary, heading north on Chestnut to Second, east to Walnut, north to Third, ending at Third and Pine. Admission is free.

This celebration highlights the music, food, customs and decorations of an early French Christmas celebration known as Le Reveillon. Costumed guides explain the early 1800s customs. The dining room is filled with traditional foods of the period. Musical entertainment is provided, along with the buche de Noel, yule log cake. Admission is free. Presented at the Felix Valle House State Historic Site.

A two-mile drive-thru light display with more than 86 arrays. Located at the Osage Beach City Park. Bring the kids on Saturday night, December 5, 12 and 19 to meet Santa.