holidays

There's plenty of song and celebration this season with holiday concerts and shows around Kansas City.

Gwen Ottenberg, owner of Imagine That Toys in Wichita, shares some fun new games — or new versions of old favorites — to play with friends and family this year.

Frank Byrne, the former executive director of the Kansas City Symphony, is the host of "From the Archives" on KCUR's sister station Classical KC. He joined Up To Date to discuss classical holiday music and his career in the industry.

The scene at the Hallmark Christmas Experience in Crown Center notably features daily tree-lighting displays, gift-wrapping stations, festive food and drinks, and local vendors. It debuts Friday and runs through Dec. 23.

Kansas City's neighboring city of Excelsior Springs has a range of holiday activities to explore spanning from now until the end of the year — including markets full of locally-made goods and an enormous hall of Christmas trees.

During Ramadan, halal markets in Kansas City are critical to the Islamic community’s month-long celebration and traditions. Learn how some help make Ramadan in the metro feel like home. Also, for nearly a decade, Blip Coffee Roasters has offered Kansas City bikers a place to hang out and admire motorcycles. Meet the cast of regulars at a West Bottoms coffee shop.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day off for many people in Kansas City. But for leaders in Black communities, it's a chance to connect to something bigger and encourage better support for African Americans.

It's been a year since we published our first story featuring community music ensembles in Kansas City. To kick off 2024, we're highlighting even more groups you can join to share in the love of music and music-making.

Instead of sending trees and broken lights to the local landfill, here’s how and where you can recycle those unwanted holiday wares.

The holiday break can be difficult for families who rely on schools to provide meals, shelter and other resources to their kids. Schools around the Kansas City area started planning early so kids would be taken care of.

The holiday season is expected to be filled with joy and social gatherings, but it can also be an incredibly isolating time for many. A University Health psychologist offers some suggestions for getting out of the house and making connections.

As Russell Stover turns 100, the Kansas City tradition is still sparking joy. Plus: Musicians have been spreading holiday cheer on Kansas City's streetcar.