Thanksgiving in KC: a guide to Thanksgiving Day in Kansas City

Whether you find yourself in the heart of America this Thanksgiving or you’re a local and you simply need a refresher as the year comes to a close, Kansas City offers some iconic events and sights that you won’t want to miss out on this Thanksgiving. 

From the Chiefs tailgates spent on chilly Sunday mornings at Arrowhead Stadium to Black Friday sales that line Town Center and the Plaza, Kansas City’s signature traditions for this annual turkey day shouldn’t go unrecognized.

To start off Nov. 23, the seventh annual Turkey Trot is held at Swope Park at 8:30 a.m. — a 5k that will help you earn your Thanksgiving meal. 

The run is in support of Best Buddies, an organization in Missouri that offers Friendship and Leadership Development programs to build friendships with persons with and without intellectual disabilities. 

The race day procedure will begin at 7 a.m. On-site parking is open until 8:15 a.m., and the race itself will commence at 8:30 a.m., following a track through Swope Park. At the finish line, runners will be greeted with Donut King donuts.

Following the Turkey Trot, a visit to Union Station’s Holiday exhibit, “Holidays Reflections,” — a walk-through holiday village — is a must see. The Holiday Reflections exhibit is the largest indoor holiday experience in Kansas City.

This experience immerses the viewer in the winter wonderland of the Grand Plaza at Union Station, decorated to the brim with trees, lights, animatronics and even Ruby’s Wonderland, where kids can ride the historical Jones Store Mini Holiday Express train. The exhibit kicks off on Nov. 20, and is held until Jan. 1.

To close out the day, the 94th annual Plaza Lighting Ceremony is arguably the best way to spend Thanksgiving. This highly anticipated flip of a switch illuminates all of the Spanish architecture that makes up the Plaza. This year, Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne will flip the switch, along with performing at the ceremony.

The show will start at 5 p.m, with performances from Quixotic, The Elders and Kansas City Stage Rights Vocalocity group, all local Kansas City musical groups. Detailed holiday window displays can be seen throughout the stores that line Nichols Road. 

The ceremony continues with the flipping of the switch at 7:05 p.m. and a firework show to ring in the holidays. To finish up, the Elders will host a post ceremony show from 7:15-8 p.m. The lights can be seen from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. from Thanksgiving to mid-January.