Kansas City Symphony: Justin Freer - The Polar Express In Concert

Kansas City Symphony: Justin Freer - The Polar Express In Concert at Helzberg Hall - Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

On December 23, 2026, a magical train heads for the North Pole at Helzberg Hall in Kansas City, Missouri. The Polar Express pairs the original animated film with the Kansas City Symphony playing its score live to picture. That pairing makes the boy's journey both a holiday story and a concert outing.

The boy's journey to the North Pole, his questions about belief, the magical train ride: you already know the story. The orchestra follows the action on screen, giving the score a role you can watch as well as hear. When the music changes alongside the picture, you're taking in the boy's adventure through two forms at once: animated storytelling and a live symphonic performance.

December 23 also means a night out during the holiday week, a chance to gather family in one place before the season scatters everyone. The story works for children meeting it for the first time and adults who watched it years ago. It gives the family a Christmas-week plan centered on one story everyone can follow.

If you're looking for a holiday outing that combines the familiar comfort of a favorite film with the surprise of live music, this evening delivers both. Make The Polar Express a musical Christmas outing in Kansas City; get tickets to hear the Symphony accompany the film.