The holidays are upon us and with them are the opportunity to bond with our families and friends. In Kansas City, holiday fun has never been more pronounced as this year. Here are some perfect spots for a celebration to remember.

Head to Country Club Plaza to witness the famous Plaza Lights

This is considered a local tradition in Kansas City. Every year on Thanksgiving evening, locals would head to Country Club Plaza to officially kick off the holiday season at the Plaza Lighting Ceremony. Over 280,000 multicolored lightbulbs would be lit to illuminate the towers and buildings of the plaza to provide the perfect visage for the holidays. The best part? The lights remain lit throughout the season – visible from sundown to dawn – until they are decommissioned in mid-January.

Have your own original Kansas City holiday fun at The Park

Christmas in the Park is another famous tradition among local residents as 175 animated figures are complemented by 300,000 glowing bulbs. Visitors can drive through the park and see these designs as you see childhood favorites sparkle at the night.

Sip hot cocoa and put on your skates at the numerous ice rinks

Kansas City is very beautiful during the holidays – and the packed rinks are a favorite among the locals. There are numerous ice skating rinks around the city, but a good choice is the massive Ice Terrace at the Crown Center. Of course, you might want to bring a dose of patience if you do decide to frequent the trendy spots, as it might be crowded with the number of people wanting to get in touch with the holiday spirit.

Go downtown for more Kansas City holiday fun

A personal favorite, going through one Downtown district to the next in a KC Streetcar is always something to look forward to. There are a lot of sights to be seen, including the Spencer Theatre which hosts shows such as A Christmas Carol.