Sensory-Friendly Holiday Events for Special Needs Families

The holidays should be magical for everyone. SOAR creates inclusive, sensory-friendly holiday celebrations where individuals with special needs and their families can experience the joy of the season without the overwhelm of traditional events.

Upcoming Holiday Events:

Sensory Egg'Stravaganza - April
Trunk or Treat - October
Sensory Santa - December

❊ Fall Events

SOAR Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 30, 2026 | 6:00-8:30 PM

Location: Evangel Church, 1414 E 103rd St, Kansas City, MO 64131

Join us for SOAR's second annual Trunk or Treat - a sensory-friendly Halloween celebration designed for individuals with special needs and their families!

What Makes It Special: Experience Halloween in a safe, accommodating environment where loud noises, crowds, and sensory overload are minimized. Our trunk-or-treat format allows participants to collect candy and enjoy the festivities at their own pace.

Featured Attraction: Cool Cars!
We're especially looking for all types of hot rods, sports cars, exotics, and collectibles to participate. Have a heart for individuals with special needs? Bring your amazing vehicle and make their night unforgettable!

What to Expect:

Decorated vehicle trunks with candy stations
Sensory-friendly environment
Accommodations for all mobility levels
Costume-friendly (optional)
Free event for families
Volunteers trained in disability awareness

Perfect For: Individuals with autism, sensory processing challenges, physical disabilities, or anyone who finds traditional trick-or-treating overwhelming.

Volunteer at Trunk or Treat

Have a Cool Car?
Contact us to participate as a trunk host!

❊ Winter Events

Sensory Santa Experience

Saturday, December 5th, 2026 | Noon - 5:00 PM CST

Location: SOAR Office, 12201 W 88th St, Lenexa, KS, 66215

Experience the Magic of the Season at Our Sensory-Friendly Santa's Village!

Traditional Santa visits can be overwhelming for children and adults with sensory processing needs or disabilities. SOAR's Sensory Santa event creates a joyful, inclusive holiday experience where everyone can meet Santa in a way that's comfortable for them.

What Makes It Different:

Quiet Environment - No long lines, loud music, or bright flashing lights
Flexible Interaction - Sit beside Santa, keep distance, or wave from across the room
Take Your Time - No rushing, move at your own pace
Trained Santa & Helpers - Understanding of special needs and communication differences
Sensory Accommodations - Quiet spaces available, low lighting options, visual schedules

Who Should Attend: Children and adults with:

Autism Spectrum Disorder
Sensory Processing Disorder
Anxiety or social challenges
Physical disabilities requiring accommodations
Anyone who needs a calmer Santa experience

What's Included:

Photo opportunity with Santa
Holiday crafts and activities
Sensory-friendly music
Hot cocoa and treats
Take-home photo

Cost: Free for families (donations appreciated)

Volunteer at Sensory Santa

❊ Spring Events

Eggstravaganza

When: Saturday March 28, 2026, 11:30am-2:30pm

Where: Legacy Christian Church (1600 S Black Bob Rd. Olathe, KS 66062)

Celebrate Easter the SOAR way at our Sensory-Friendly Egg'sploration Easter Egg Hunt! Enjoy a fun and welcoming afternoon filled with egg collecting, engaging activities and crafts, and special visits from BubbaBear and the Easter Bunny. This event is thoughtfully designed to support a wide range of needs, with dedicated time slots for low-sensory experiences, individuals with vision impairments, wheelchair and walker accessibility, and more.

Event Date: March 28, 2026, 11:30am-2:30pm
Time: 11:30am-2:30pm - specific times by diagnoses
Location: Legacy Christian Church, 16000 S Black Bob Rd, Olathe, KS 66062
Cost: FREE (donations welcome)

Volunteer Information

Why Sensory-Friendly Holidays Matter

For families caring for individuals with special needs, traditional holiday events often mean:

Overwhelming crowds and noise
Long waits in chaotic environments
Judgment from others who don't understand
Meltdowns and sensory overload
Missing out on seasonal celebrations entirely

SOAR's holiday events change that narrative.

We create spaces where:

Differences are celebrated
Accommodations are built-in
Families can relax and enjoy
Everyone feels welcomed and valueds.

More Ways to Celebrate with SOAR

Looking for year-round inclusive events? Explore our other programs:
Monthly Respite (R&R) - Regular respite throughout the year
Social Clubs - Monthly community building
SOAR Prom - Annual spring celebration
Volunteer for Holiday Events

Holiday events need volunteers! Whether you can help with one event or all of them, your time creates magical experiences for families.
Volunteer opportunities:
Event setup and teardown
Activity stations
Greeter and guide roles
Photography
Trunk hosts (Trunk or Treat)
No experience necessary - just a heart to celebrate with special needs families!

Volunteer Information
Support Inclusive Holiday Celebrations

Your donation makes sensory-friendly holiday events possible for families at no cost.
$50 - Provides holiday craft supplies
$100 - Sponsors a family for Christmas Blessings
$250 - Covers Sensory Santa event costs
$500 - Funds an entire holiday event

Donate to Holiday Events