1. Take a Class at The Culinary Center of Kansas City

Website: https://kcculinary.rezclick.com/?_ga=2.117966729.1408522173.1667325918-1210761507.1667325918 

The Culinary Center of Kansas City offers over 600 cooking classes per year and have been around for 20 years. During the month of November, they offer classes on how to make a variety of food such as bread, holiday appetizers, Thai cuisine, and even a class on repurposing your Thanksgiving leftovers. These classes can help you prepare for your Thanksgiving meal and it is a great way to improve your cooking skills. 

2. Visit the Arboretum and Their Luminary Walk

Website: https://www.arboretum.org/calendar/ 

The Arboretum is a great place to visit during Thanksgiving break. There are a variety of events you can attend such as yoga, painting, and their luminary walk which begins Nov. 25. The luminary walk is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and see musicians, take pictures, and ride on a horse-drawn wagon. Aside from their events, you can also just visit during the day and go on a walk with your family and friends. 

3. Run in the Turkey Trot

Website: https://missouriruns.com/kansascityturkeytrot 

The 6th annual Kansas City Turkey Trot is Nov. 24 and is a great way to be active for a cause. The trot is a 5K at the Berkley Riverfront Park, and you can choose to run or walk the course. The Trot is also accepting donations for Best Buddies and it creates opportunities, friendships, and leadership opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Trot is $39.99 to participate in and is a great way to get involved in the community.

4. View the Plaza Lights

Website: https://countryclubplaza.com/events 

The Plaza lighting ceremony is a Kansas City tradition on the day of Thanksgiving and goes from 5-8 p.m. There are performances and giveaways from 5-6 p.m. After the performances, the lights are turned on at 6:52, then after the lights are on, there is a post-ceremony concert. If you can’t make it to the lighting ceremony, you can still see the lights 5  p.m. to 3 a.m. every day from Thanksgiving until mid-January. 

5. Painting at Pinot’s Palette

Website: https://www.pinotspalette.com/briarcliff/events?type=instudio 

Pinot’s Palette is a painting class where you can learn how to paint while enjoying music, company, being creative and a feel-good atmosphere. They have specific fall classes where you can paint pumpkins, foxes, and everything fall-related. They have public classes that you have to sign up for on their website and private events that you can schedule and pick your own painting. The average painting class is two hours and costs $37. This fee covers all painting items, canvases, and aprons.   

6. Watch a Show at the Kauffman Center

Website: https://tickets.kauffmancenter.org/events?queueittoken=e_waitingroom3~q_cf11498d-c6ea-41a7-844f-416870cd8c60~ts_1667328578~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_88439df655b7e6d8a53df8d6e3b7b776d6ffb87a09e5194780997b13b53f496c

The Kauffman Center is a performing arts hall that would be a great place to watch a variety of shows this Thanksgiving break. They have performances from the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, Rufus Wainwright, and more. The Kauffman is a great place to go with friends and family to watch spectacular performances this break. 

7. Merry Market

Website: https://thecitymarketkc.org/events/ 

The Merry Market is at the Kansas City River Market, and is a farmer’s market with the theme of Christmas, but is open on Thanksgiving weekend. It’s never too early to start celebrating Christmas, and the Merry Market is open every weekend from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Entry is free and at the market, you can enjoy shopping, performances, and a variety of food. This would be a great place to visit with family and friends over the Thanksgiving break and can help you get into the Christmas spirit.