The Ultimate Holiday Getaway in Overland Park, Kansas
If you’re searching for a magical, family-friendly destination to visit this holiday season, Overland Park, Kansas absolutely needs to be on your list.
This Kansas City suburb transforms into a festive, family-friendly wonderland during the winter; full of holiday lights, seasonal pop-ups, immersive experiences, plenty of cocoa, and memory-making moments that families will love.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway with kids, a multi-generational trip, or a cozy couples escape, Overland Park offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city holiday magic.
And with Kansas City just minutes away, you get the best of two destinations in one unforgettable holiday trip. Here is your complete guide on how to plan the perfect holiday weekend in Overland Park, Kansas.
Where We Stayed: Hyatt Place Kansas City/Overland Park/Metcalf
Whether visiting with babies, toddlers, teens or grandparents, Hyatt Place Kansas City/Overland Park/Metcalf is the ideal holiday home base.
The location is central, the rooms are spacious, and the layout works beautifully for families - especially bigger ones, as standard rooms here can sleep 6 with the comfy pull out sofas.
Plus, enjoy the hot breakfast each morning before you head out on a day filled with holiday adventures.
What To Do
Overland Park shines during the holiday season, with everything from hands-on activities for kids, festive markets, winter lights, and multiple ice rinks. Here’s everything you’ll want on your checklist:
Holiday Dining + Ice Skating at SERV
Kick off your weekend with dinner inside one of SERV’s holiday-themed dining containers or heated cabanas. They’re decorated so fun and festive, and are toasty warm.
The drink menu is full of fun, seasonal cocktails, mocktails, and desserts. Plus, everything on the menu is delicious. After dinner, make sure to head out to the ice rink for some skating.
Sar-Ko Aglow
Sar-Ko Aglow in Lenexa is one of the Kansas City Metro’s most stunning holiday light displays, and definitely shouldn’t be missed.
Take a stroll around this display and enjoy the glow of thousands of lights reflecting off the frozen pond. This installation is free to visit, and open nightly through mid-January.
Holiday Classes at Taste Buds Kitchen
From gingerbread house decorating, holiday donuts, and making your own cookies and milkshakes for Santa, Taste Buds Kitchen in Downtown Overland Park is such a fun holiday activity for families of all ages.
Kids get hands-on with frosting and sprinkles, and get the chance to let their creativity shine. We did the gingerbread decorating class, and my kids had so much fun!
There were more kinds of candies than I could even count, and they beautifully packaged them up for us once we were done. See their full holiday schedule of classes here.
Overland Park Holiday Market + Farmers Market
The holiday market brings dozens of local makers together, and is the perfect spot to pick up handmade gifts, baked goods, artisanal foods, crafts, candles, and more.
You could even find Santa at the Carriage House in Thompson Park!
Create Your Own Art at Hawaii Fluid Art
By far, this was one of the most memorable experiences of our visit. At Hawaii Fluid Art, we each created a custom acrylic pour painting; it was messy, colorful, and so much fun!
The staff is so kind and helpful, and guides you through the process so even young kids can participate (check out the art my 4-year-old made!).
You start by choosing your colors, prepping your canvas, and then its time to pour! Truly a one-of-a-kind experience!
Twinkle Holiday Pop-Up at Barley’s Kitchen
This over-the-top holiday pop-up, Twinkle, is bursting with holiday decor, seasonal drinks, and festive energy. The entire menu at Barley's Kitchen + Tap is revamped for the holidays, and everything we ate here was so good.
My kids had a blast reading through the menu and trying to figure out which holiday movie each item was named after!
Wonderscope Children’s Museum
Wonderscope is one of our favorite children’s museums, and it’s especially fun around the holidays when it’s decorated so festively. Kids will spend hours climbing, building, exploring, pretending, and learning.
From doing their own grocery shopping and running their own cafe, to climbing through a treehouse and into a school bus suspended in mid-air, this is a must-stop spot during your holiday visit to Overland Park.
Luminary Walk at Overland Park Arboretum
The Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum is a must-do holiday experience! This walk-through light display is one of the best in the Midwest.
The paved trails come alive with glowing candles, lantern-lit walkways, light displays, and tons of Christmas magic. Stop along the way to listen to live music, or grab a warm drink and snack for your stroll.
Make sure to spend some time in the Train Garden, and don’t miss a chance to meet Santa himself!
Ice Skating at Park Place
For one more round of skating, head to Park Place in Leawood - just a quick drive from Downtown Overland Park.
The rink is nestled among shops and restaurants decorated for the season, and the whole environment feels festive and lively.
Holiday Reflections at Union Station (Downtown Kansas City)
No trip to Overland Park during the holidays would be complete without heading into Kansas City to enjoy the holiday magic of Union Station.
Holiday Reflections fills the grand hall of Union Station, and transforms it into a massive holiday experience filled with towering trees, immersive displays, a huge model train village, giant ornaments, and photo ops everywhere.
It’s magical for both kids and adults, and truly a must-see.
Hallmark Christmas Experience at Crown Center
After you finish exploring Union Station, stroll along the The Link over to Crown Center to do some holiday shopping.
The Hallmark Christmas Experience is a free event, open to the public, that brings the charm of a Hallmark movie right to downtown KC.
Stroll through tons of local vendors and holiday shops, festive decorations perfect for kids to climb and explore, grab a festive drink, and of course enjoy the iconic Mayor’s Christmas Tree. Don’t miss the Crown Center ice rink while you’re here!
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane is one of the most unique light displays we’ve ever seen, and definitely deserves a spot on your Overland Park holiday itinerary.
Bring cocoa, cookies and a warm blanket, and enjoy this larger than life holiday show displayed on the front of the Deanna Rose Farmstead barn from the comfort of your car.
Tune your radio to the designated station and watch the lights come to life to the beat of the holiday music. We let my kids watch out of the sunroof, and they would have stayed there all night long!
Where To Eat
Even the meals feel festive during December. Here are our top picks:
Urban Egg
A bright, delicious breakfast spot with fresh ingredients and plenty of kid-friendly options.
Jinkies! Coffee & Hangout
They have a menu full of seasonal drinks and pastries, and even offer a coffee flight so you can sample multiple flavors. Perfect spot for breakfast, or an afternoon pick-me-up.
SERV
Enjoy lunch or dinner inside the restaurant, or reserve a heated cabana or holiday-themed container if you are looking to elevate your holiday dining experience.
Twinkle at Barley’s Kitchen + Tap
The décor alone makes this a must-see spot, but you will absolutely not be disappointed by the food! Everything was so good, and the menu is so festive and fun to order from.
Why you should plan your next Holiday Getaway to Overland Park
Overland Park has so much to offer during the holidays; stunning light displays, multiple ice rinks, hands-on activities, family-friendly attractions, and a warm community vibe that all come together to create an unforgettable seasonal escape.
Whether you’re traveling with young kids, teens, grandparents, or enjoying a couples trip, there is something for everyone here.
If your family is searching for a festive, cozy and easy destination this winter, don’t overlook Overland Park. It’s filled with holiday magic, and is the perfect place to make memories together this season.
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