Crown Center brims with Christmas spirit and activities during the season, which makes it the perfect place to create holiday memories with your family. From ice skating at Crown Center Ice Terrace to playing on oversized toys underneath the Mayor’s Christmas Tree to visiting Santa Claus at Santa’s Gingerbread Station, Crown Center features Kansas City holiday traditions not to be missed.

Get a glimpse of Crown Center’s holiday fun here:

See Thousands of Lights and a Towering Christmas Tree

For 50 years, Crown Center has hosted the Mayor’s Christmas Tree on Crown Center Square as a symbol of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which assists Kansas City residents in need during the holidays. The 100-foot-tall tree – always one of the tallest in the nation – is the centerpiece of holiday celebrations at Crown Center. More than 30,000 white lights decorate the trees across Crown Center Square, and the lights remain on through Jan. 2.

While taking in the festive atmosphere, you can teach your little ones a lesson about giving to those less fortunate during the holidays by making a donation to the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund or other local charities through the Giving Machines on Crown Center Square. These bright red vending machines allow you to swipe a credit card and purchase a toy for a child who might otherwise go without, a healthy lunch for someone in need, or warm boots for a veteran. You can help someone in Kansas City or across the globe. The Giving Machines bring the spirit of giving to life through instant service.

Watch this video to learn more:

Visit Santa Claus at Santa’s Gingerbread Station

Throughout the holiday season, you can take the kids to visit Santa Claus on Level 1 of the Crown Center Shops. He resides in Santa’s Gingerbread Station, a train-themed area that makes the adventure of going to talk to Santa Claus even more fun. Kids and families can share wish lists and have photos taken with Santa every day during shopping hours, up until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, when Santa goes to work delivering gifts. A photographer is available onsite to take photos for a fee, or you may take your own. Admission is free.

Lace Up for Outdoor Ice Skating

The Crown Center Ice Terrace, Kansas City’s original outdoor ice rink, celebrates its 50th season of ice skating fun. The Ice Terrace overlooks the Mayor’s Christmas Tree and the lights and holiday decorations on Crown Center Square for a festive and active way to spend time together. The Ice Terrace offers daily skating times with skate rental onsite. Reservations are required and can be made up to six days in advance, so plan ahead and visit the website before you go. Season passes are available, as well as skating lessons.

Hang Up a Special Ornament

Another meaningful lesson to teach your kids is that the Mayor’s Christmas Tree is recycled each year to make wooden Christmas ornaments that are sold to benefit the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund. The tree makes a full circle of giving.

The 2022 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament is called “Celebrating 50 Years” to commemorate Crown Center’s 50th year of hosting and decorating the Mayor’s Christmas Tree. The wooden ornament is designed and made in Kansas City by Hallmark Cards, Inc. It can be purchased at Crown Center Customer Service for $16.95 plus tax, with proceeds benefitting Kansas City people in need during the holidays.

Hanging this charitable ornament on your tree is the perfect way to remind your family of your Crown Center Christmas memories.

To check out all of the live theater, shopping, dining, and entertainment options at Crown Center during the holiday season, visit CrownCenterChristmas.com.