Kansas City Streetcar’s Holiday Jam isn’t just a musical surprise — it’s an annual agent of joy

Since 2017, the Kansas City Streetcar Holiday Jam brings live music and local musicians to crowds of tourists and shoppers traveling between Union Station and River Market.
As Streetcar 801 pulled out of Union Station this month, wrapped like a giant, mobile Christmas present, Trey Debose stepped up to the microphone.

“Welcome to Kansas City’s Holiday Streetcar Jam, y’all,” he said, over the din of streetcar announcements and passengers shuffling on and off. “Just sit back, relax and enjoy yourselves!”

Since 2017, musicians have performed on the Streetcar between about Thanksgiving and Christmas — with a two-year break during the pandemic. 2023 performances wrapped up this week.

“I know the holidays can be very stressful, but we try and bring a little bit of levity to it, and joy,” said Streetcar Authority Communications Director Donna Mandelbaum. She said the shows often amount to an unexpected treat for holiday shoppers.

“The vibe on the Streetcar, especially on Saturdays, is very high-energy; lots of families, lots of smiling faces,” she said. “Maybe they just came from Union Station, or they're going to Crown Center or City Market.”