With a generous helping of nostalgia, a dash of whimsy and a sprinkle of music, folded in with a dose of elegance, The Queen City of the Trails - Independence, MO - has created a winning recipe for family fun this holiday season.

FREE FUN

Stop in for a visit at the rustic 1827 Log Courthouse or the station master's cozy living quarters upstairs in the Chicago and Alton Depot, decorated with greenery, trees and ornaments of the era. The whole family will want to sing along with children’s choirs and strolling carolers at the Holiday Tree Lighting on the Square November 7 and wander through the quaint shops surrounding the historic Courthouse to sample treats and see new Christmas merchandise during the Holiday Open House on November 6 and 7. Kids can jump on moonwalks, pick up a balloon or play games at the Mayor’s Christmas Carnival December 5 or watch miniature trains roll through a fantasy landscape at Santa’s Winter Wonderland.

The interactive Winter Wonderland area, open from November 8 through December 24 at Bass Pro Shops also features animated figures, arts and crafts, arcade fun and much more. In a nod to the reason for the season, the Community of Christ Temple is planning a Nativity display of crèche sets from around the world November 14 through December 23.

FRONTIER FESTIVITIES

The National Frontier Trails Museum is presenting a number of special programs tied to a Christmas Theme this year. If you’d like to make a one of a kind gift, sign up for the Corn Husk Doll Workshop on November 14. Travel back in time on December 5 with a Laura Ingalls Wilder re-enactor as she shares memories of Christmas celebrations of her childhood, discover where and how many of our Christmas symbols and traditions came to be in the 19th century as you listen “ In Search of Christmas Past”, on December 12  and discover how the early explorers marked the holidays in “Lewis and Clark Celebrate Christmas”, set for December 19.

Shop for frontier and pioneer themed presents in the museum store, offering discounts from Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas Eve. Cider and cookies are available every Saturday before Christmas and live music and visits with Father Christmas are planned for all Saturdays in December. On Saturday, December 5, as a bonus, covered wagon rides are included with paid admission. Crafters can learn how to make a Crazy Quilt Christmas Boot in a December 12 workshop.           

HOMES TOURS

Three unique homes of yesteryear, the Marshal's Home, Bingham-Waggoner Estate and Vaile Mansion, are featured in the Spirit of Christmas Past Heritage Homes Tours, from Thanksgiving weekend through December 30. Don't miss the chance to see these homes in the early hours of evening during the Twilight Tours on December 6 from 4 to 7 p.m., with a bell choir and complimentary refreshments at the Vaile Mansion and live music and complimentary refreshments at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate.

The decorated Chicago and Alton Depot is also open for tours on November 28 and 29 and December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20. For a contemporary holiday tour of five private homes and a church, take part in the 50th annual Holly and Mistletoe Tours sponsored by the Independence Young Matrons.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Every Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. during November and December, savor the peaceful beauty of a free organ recital at the Community of Christ Temple. Then sit back and revel in the majestic sounds of the classical favorite, “Handel’s Messiah”, performed by the 220 voice Messiah Choir and the Kansas City Symphony on November 28.

Christmas Music and puppets make magic in an original production called “Holly Follies” on December 5, 12, 19 and 26. Hundreds of children’s voices blend to perform songs of the season, accompanied by the Spirit of Independence Community Band at the Community Christmas concert on December 6. The Independence Events Center is hosting two blockbuster shows back to back. On December 17, experience the excitement of a Christmas with Mannheim Steamroller, and on the 18th, sit back and relax during a Christmas with the Charlie Daniels Band. 

SANTA SIGHTINGS

Kids can share their wish list with Santa at the Independence Center Mall from November 7 through Christmas Eve, on the Square during the Mayor’s Tree Lighting November 7, at the Mayor’s Christmas Carnival on December 5, on a sleigh ride with Pioneer Trails Adventures, (by reservation only) or at Bass Pro Shops in the Santa’s Winter Wonderland from November 7 through December 24.

An old-fashioned 19th century Father Christmas will meet and greet children on December 5, 12 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the National Frontier Trails Museum.  

SHOPPING

Holiday shopping begins at the Holiday Open House on the Square November 6 and 7, continues at the Best Little Arts and Crafts Show at the Sermon Center on November 20 and 21, and winds up at the gifts shops of the National Frontier Trails Museum, Vaile Mansion, Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 1859 Jail, Puppetry Arts Institute and Harry Truman Library.

TRUMAN HERITAGE

You also share in Truman Christmas memories by visiting with Harry at the Harry S. Truman Library on November 27 and 28 and December 26 and 27and by viewing a “Christmas with the Trumans” exhibit of Truman Visitor’s Center on display November 15 through January 8. The Truman Library will present a “Christmas in the White House” program on December 12.  

While there, stop in to see the “Capture the Moment: Pulitzer Prize Photographs” exhibit on the lower level from November 21 through January 24.