KANSAS CITY, Mo. (November 10, 2026) — The Kansas City Symphony will bring exciting holiday traditions to its 2026/27 lineup, with five unique concerts running Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. Whether it’s a beloved holiday film like “The Muppet Christmas Carol” or “The Polar Express in Concert,” powerful classics such as Handel’s Messiah, or reinterpreted Christmas favorites by artist Cody Fry, the Symphony’s holiday programming offers a unique experience for however audiences choose to celebrate their holiday traditions.  

View the entire holiday lineup here. 

Holiday Film with Live Orchestra 

The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert — Nov. 27 – Nov. 29 | TICKETS
Back by popular demand, the Kansas City Symphony will perform Disney’s “The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert” featuring the complete film with the score performed live-to-picture. The Muppets perform Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine), and many more beloved Muppet characters. 

The Polar Express in Concert — Dec. 23 – 24 | TICKETS
Guests are invited to climb aboard “The Polar Express in Concert,” featuring Alan Silvestri’s unforgettable score. This immersive experience captures the musical magic of Christmas Eve and carries audiences along the classic journey to the North Pole. 

Classic Holiday Traditions 

Handel’s Messiah— Dec. 4 – 6 | TICKETS
The Symphony will resume its long tradition of performing Handel’s powerful Messiah alongside the Kansas City Symphony Chorus. Baroque and Classical specialist Jane Glover joins the orchestra to conduct Handel’s choral masterpiece in the splendid acoustics of Helzberg Hall.  

Christmas Festival — Dec. 17 – 20 | TICKETS
One of Kansas City’s most festive holiday concerts, the Symphony’s Christmas Festival is a cherished tradition that celebrates the season with Christmas classics and fresh arrangements of favorite carols. Guests can join Nigel Bellenwhissle, Santa’s executive personal assistant, as he works to make sure Santa arrives at Helzberg Hall in time. 

New Holiday Traditions 

Cody Fry Christmas — Dec. 11 | TICKETS
The 3-time GRAMMY® Award–nominated artist Cody Fry will bring his hallmark cinematic orchestral flair to nostalgic holiday classics, as well as his biggest hits — all wrapped up in a festive package including live projection, audience participation, special creative elements and jolly surprises.  

Learn more or sign up for the Symphony’s newsletter to receive updates at kcsymphony.org.  

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About The Kansas City Symphony
In only its 45th season, the Kansas City Symphony has already become one of America’s most vibrant major orchestras and has gained national and international recognition. At its orchestral home of Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Symphony serves the Kansas City metropolitan region of more than 2.2 million people.   

The Symphony’s 80 full-time musicians present a diverse and dynamic range of orchestral and chamber music performances each season under the artistic leadership of music director Matthias Pintscher, an internationally acclaimed conductor and composer who regularly conducts many of the world’s leading orchestras and opera companies. 

In addition to concerts in Helzberg Hall, Symphony musicians perform throughout the region on an innovative portable stage, the Mobile Music Box. The Symphony also serves as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, adding to the rich cultural experiences that these organizations offer to the community. 

For more information, visit www.kcsymphony.org.