Every November and December, Kansas Citians join the nation in a scramble to decorate for the holidays. When those same old decorations start feeling, well, old, locals know to hit the holiday homes tour circuit for fresh ideas.
Liberty Holiday Homes tours
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 10 and 11
Tour of four homes from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and can be purchased online or at the Liberty Women’s Clinic, 1532 NE 96th Street, Suite B in Liberty, Missouri, or on the website. The home-decor store Red Apron will be open from noon to 5 during the tours. All funds raised benefit the Liberty Women’s Clinic.
Topeka CASA 31th Anniversary tour
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17 and 18
Tour of six homes from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Parton Party Experience VIP tour on Friday, Nov. 16 for $75. All tickets available online. Benefits CASA, which trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the court and foster systems.
Westport Historical Society-Christmas Candlelight tour
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23 and 24
Tour of the Harris-Kearney House and Christmas Eve 1865 celebration from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Features festive decorations, post-Civil War Christmas Eve dancing, and refreshments. Tours every 15 minutes starting at 6:30. Adults: $10; active military: free; retired military: $8; students: $6; children 6 and under are free. Reservations are not required, but can be made by calling 816-561-1821 or 913-231-6749.
Vaile Mansion-Victorian Christmas Romance
Friday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Dec. 30
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $6 adults; $3 children. Champagne & Chandelier Tour from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 1. Tickets $15 single and $25 for couples. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres served after tour. 1500 N. Liberty St., Independence. For reservations call: 816-796-6322.
Bingham-Waggoner Estate — “Tis the Reason for the Season”
Friday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Dec. 30
Tour of the house’s 26 rooms decorated for the holidays. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 1-4 p.m. Sundays Nov. 23 through Dec. 30 (with the exception of Dec. 23-25). Twilight tour 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. Admission $6 adults, $3 for kids 16 and younger. Tea room and gift shop open during business hours. Funds raised help preserve the estate. Guests are invited to reserve a time to play the Steinway piano or an instrument of their own by calling 816-461-3491.
Pendleton Heights Home Tour and Artist Market
Saturday, Dec. 1.
Tour includes five historic homes, noon-5 p.m. Local artists will sell their work and a variety of food trucks will be parked at Community Orchard at the intersection of Lexington and Montgall. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Proceeds benefit Pendleton Heights Neighborhood Association projects.
Gardner Historical Museum 4th Annual Holiday Homes tour
Saturday, Dec. 1.
Tour of five properties from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., ending at the Turner barn project where there will be refreshments, an auction and a gift bazaar. Tickets $10 at any of the homes on the tour: 206 N. Pine; 249 W. Park; 214 W. Warren; 29085 W. 199th; and 19805 S. Moonlight. Call 913- 205-6154 with questions.
37th Annual Weston Candlelight tour
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1 and 2
This is a tour of three historic homes from 2-7 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance $20 at the door, $5 for children under 12. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the website or call 816-640-2909.
14th Annual Heartland Health Holiday Home tour of Lawrence
Sunday, Dec. 2
Seven homes are included in a tour from noon-5 p.m. Tickets are $20 at both Lawrence Hy-Vee grocery stores and can be picked up at Smith Center at Brandon Woods, 4730 Brandon Woods Terrace, Lawrence, Kansas 66047. Holiday bake sale and raffle also at the Smith Center. Contact holidayhomes@heartlandhealth.org.
67th Annual Kappa Kappa Gamma tour
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 5-6
Four homes are included on tours from 1-8 p.m. on Wednesday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday; tickets are $25 in advance at Hen House stores or on the tour’s website; $30 at the door. Benefits Sheffield Place and Healing House. Boutique is at Indian Hills Country Club, 6847 Tomahawk Road, Mission Hills, Kansas.
John Wornall House Candlelight tour
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8
Tours last one hour and leave every 15 minutes from 6-7:30 p.m. This year’s tour explores Christmas during the Victorian era with music, food, games and storytelling. Tickets $15 or $10 for museum members. 6115 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri.
27th Annual Leavenworth Candlelight Vintage Home tour:
Sunday, Dec. 9
Six vintage Leavenworth homes are included on the tour, which goes from 1-6 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance (see website for outlets) or $20 at the door. Benefits Leavenworth County Historical Society.
Follow KCUR contributor Anne Kniggendorf on Twitter, @annekniggendorf.
