Holiday Magic in Kansas City: Tinsel & ’Tinis and the Crown Center Lights

Greetings friends! I’m back with another holiday post – and this one is all about our last Saturday outing before Christmas. This past weekend, we headed downtown to Kansas City’s iconic Union Station for Holiday Reflections, and this year (once again) we scored the coveted Tinsel & ’Tinis tickets! These adults-only passes sell out quickly, and it's understandable – it was pure holiday magic.

The evening was filled with festive entertainment: Santa made an appearance, carolers strolled through the halls, live musicians played seasonal favorites, and a DJ kept the energy high. The pop-up cocktail bar was the star of the night, serving up themed, creative holiday craft cocktails. My favorite? The Peppermint Twistini – as delicious as it sounds! Russell Stover sweetened the night with complimentary hot cocoa kits and assorted chocolates, which added an extra cozy touch.

The atmosphere was enchanting. Union Station was decked out in dazzling lights, whimsical animatronics, model trains, and plenty of photo-worthy spots. We wandered through the holiday village, sipping cocktails and soaking in the sights while live music played in the background. It truly felt like stepping into a winter wonderland.

After our Tinsel and 'Tinis adventure, we walked through the skywalk to Crown Center, home to Hallmark’s headquarters, and enjoyed the Hallmark Christmas Experience. Late at night, the holiday market was mostly closed, but the ice skating rink was still open, and we got a spectacular view of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree. All of Crown Center was glowing with festive lights, adding even more magic to the evening.

Tonight, on Christmas Eve, we’ll keep our yearly tradition alive with a late-night reservation at The Cheesecake Factory in the Plaza. For over 100 years, Country Club Plaza has been a historic open-air shopping and dining destination in the heart of Kansas City. Each holiday season, the Plaza transforms into a breathtaking spectacle: 15 blocks of Spanish-inspired architecture illuminated by thousands of jewel-colored lights, highlighting every dome, tower, and window. It’s truly a sight to behold!

After enjoying appetizers and a festive cocktail, we’ll stroll through the Plaza lights and then drive down Ward Parkway and other neighborhoods known for their spectacular displays. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the holiday season in Kansas City.

As we soak in the glow and warmth of Kansas City’s holiday spirit, I’m reminded of how these traditions make the season so special. Whether you’re sipping cocoa by the tree, sharing laughter with loved ones, or simply enjoying the sparkle of twinkling lights, may your Christmas Eve be filled with joy, peace, and a little extra magic. Cheers to a beautiful holiday and a bright New Year ahead!

Tinsel & 'Tinis at Union Station

Greetings friends! I am back with another holiday post - featuring our last Saturday outing before Christmas. This past weekend, we made our way to downtown Kansas City to Union Station for Holiday Reflections...but this year, I was able to get the special adults only tickets (they sell out fast) for Tinsel & 'Tinis at Holiday Reflections, a pop-up after-hours holiday themed cocktail bar. The evening included holiday entertainment (Santa Claus, live carolers, several musicians, and a DJ). Special holiday craft cocktails were served (see menu below) - I tried the Jingle Juice and Partridge in a Pear Tree. Plus there were themed appetizers and Russell Stover was passing out packages of chocolates. It was a very festive atmosphere complete with the visual wonder of the holiday walk-thru village. The halls of Union Station were filled with wonderful displays and twinkling lights, plus animatronics, model trains, and lots of photo stations. We enjoyed sipping and wandering through the displays and watching the live music.

After a lovely night downtown, we took in some holiday lights on the drive home and then watched a couple Christmas movies. Since we are still on a night schedule, we had 10:00 PM tickets for Tinsel and 'Tinis, which worked out great for us.

This evening (Christmas Eve), we will continue in our yearly tradition since we moved to Kansas City. We have a late night reservation at the Cheesecake Factory in the Plaza (downtown KC). We will enjoy appetizers and a cocktail, then walk around and look at holiday lights in the Plaza. Afterwards, we will drive through the spectacular lights at Ward Parkway and several other special neighborhoods.

Without further ado, here are the photos from Tinsel & 'Tinis....

Christmas Day will be quiet here - our annual tradition is sleeping in, Chiefs football, and pizza and wine for a holiday dinner.

I hope you have been blessed this winter season and are enjoying your unique holiday traditions. Merry Christmas!