Free or Cheap Holiday Fun in Olathe

Holiday fun is happening in Olathe with a whole schedule of festive events.

Kansas City Holiday Treats - cup of cocoa and cake pops

Photo: DepositPhotos

Enjoy cookies with Santa, Christmas music, hunting candy canes, lights displays and more during the holiday season. Some events are free, but may charge for extra activities. Follow links because some require advance sign ups to participate.

Cookies with Santa at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm is hosting cookies with Santa from 3 to 6 p.m. on the following dates:

November 30
December 14

During your visit get into the holiday spirit with beautiful decorations, cookies and hot cocoa. Make reservations (required) so your group can spend 10 minutes with Santa to share your Christmas wishes and take photos.

Cost is $20 per group ($18 if you’re a member) and includes a 4×6 printed photo with Santa. More prints are available for purchase.

Olathe Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting

The tree gets lit Friday, December 3 at 6 p.m. in Stagecoach Park. Santa will be on site along with the Olathe Civic Jazz Band to add to the festive atmosphere.

RELATED: Stagecoach Park in Olathe is just one of the many Best Holiday and Christmas Light Displays in Kansas City.

Christmas at Mahaffie

On December 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. head to Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm for a Christmas Open House. Activities include:

Santa visits in the Heritage Center
Ornament making
Festive 1860s activities including popcorn and cranberry stringing
Gingerbread making – $4/house
Stagecoach rides -$3/person

Admission to the farm is FREE.

Olathe Live! Christmas

Olathe Live! heads indoors at Eagles Landing with the Christmas spirit on December 10 at 7 p.m.

A FREE performance by Lester Estelle & Friends includes favorite Christmas songs. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Candy Cane Hunt

Santa has lost some of his candy canes and help is needed to find them at Stagecoach Park on December 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

In addition to hunting special candy canes that can be redeemed for prizes, hot chocolate, crafts and other activities are offered.

Bring a flashlight and be sure to pre-register (required).

Winter Wonderland Swimming

A dip in the pool might not seem like the most common Christmastime activity in Kansas City, but the Olathe Community Center offers an after hours swimming session December 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. All ages are welcome and you’ll get to enjoy beautiful views of decorated Stagecoach Park.

Admission is:

$12 for members
$15 for non-members
FREE for parents and kids 2 and under

Ashley Davis Winter Solstice

Enjoy a FREE Christmas Sessions performance by Ashley Davis at the Indian Creek Library. She will be accompanied by guitarist John Doyle and harpist Coramc De Barra.

Family New Year’s Eve Bash

There is dinner, dancing, swimming, games and more at the Olathe Community Center where you can ring in the new year in a family-friendly way from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on December 31.

Registration required. Admission is:

$12 for members
$15 for non-members
FREE kids 2 and under