From mid-November to mid-December, all across the Kansas City metro the "switches are flipped" and the City is decked out in holiday splendor! This is your Guide to Kansas City's Christmas Lighting Ceremonies... you'll find everything from sleigh rides to homemade hot cocoa, visits from Santa, Dickens Carolers, local celebrities, fireworks, and Christmas parades. From small town flavor with school choirs to the big city celebration of local celebrities and fireworks at the Country Club Plaza Lighting Ceremony, there is something for everyone.
Note: This list was compiled by the staff of KC Parent Magazine. It may not be reprinted online or in print without permission. This is your guide to Kansas City Lighting Ceremonies, for Kansas City Light Displays, click here. Do you have an addition for our list? Email kristina@kcparent.com.
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting: Overland Park, KS November 12, 5:00 PM, Downtown OP Clock Tower. Ring in your holiday season with music, Santa, hayrides and tree lighting. 913.642.2222 www.opkansas.org/Events/Mayors-Tree-Lighting
Holiday Open House, Toy Drive and Lighting: Weston, MO November 13.Shops, all dressed for the holidays will stay open until 8 p.m. for Second Saturday.At the city tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. you will enjoy caroling by choirs all down at the end of Main Street next to the caboose and historic depot. Weston’s own Father Christmas arrives this evening to begin the holiday season in Weston. Refreshments and souvenirs available. Please bring a new toy for the United Services Toy Store and place it under the tree or in the chamber office. http://westonmo.com/entertainment/calendar.html#anchor_11
Christmas Lighting: Liberty, MO November 18, 6:00 PM, The Liberty Community Christmas Tree and Holiday Lighting Ceremony will be at in front of the Liberty Courthouse. Most of the downtown merchants will be open late for shopping after the lighting!
Mayor's Tree Lighting: Lee's Summit, MO November 19, 6:30 PM, Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street. Join the Mayor as he lights Downtown Lee’s Summit with over 100,000 sparkling lights. Free hot chocolate, choir performances, and a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and his elves will get you in the holiday spirit! Visit with Santa, then shop participating businesses open late until 9pm. The Lighting is at 7 pm and Santa arrives via fire truck around 7:15 pm. Santa is available for pictures until about 9 pm. 816.246.6598
Independence Square Tree Lighting November 20, Independence Square. Childrens activities at 2 p.m., Santa on hand from 3 to 5 p.m, sleigh rides, live entertainment and music 2 to 6 p.m. At 5 p.m. tree lighting ceremony takes place. Free. Fee for sleigh rides. 816.461.0065
Holiday Lighting: Zona Rosa November 20, 5:00 PM. Zona Rosa kicks off the holiday season with a special lighting ceremony to spotlight the large crowns hung above the streets, as well as the featured 50 ft. Christmas tree in Town Square. The community is invited to the FREE program including the official arrival of the holiday Fairy Princess and Santa Claus and his live reindeer, as well as a special holiday musical performances and a variety of other children's activities. Free giveaways will be available (while supply lasts). Start your holiday season at Zona Rosa! 816.587.8180 www.zonarosa.com
Holiday Lighting: The Legends November 20, 6:00 PM. Join the countdown to illuminate Legends Outlets and enjoy thousands of lights choreographed to holiday classics. NBC Meteorologist Brett Anthony and Santa Claus emcee the lighting ceremony and countdown to a holiday tree decorated with a unique display of animated lights synchronized to music. 6-8pm - Live Holiday Music (break for ceremony). 7pm - Official Lighting Ceremony. The Legends
Holiday Lighting: Excelsior Springs November 20, 6:00PM. Progressive Taste of Excelsior Springs from 1-4pm, Christmas Parade at 6pm with Cyber Santa, Tree lighting and Lane of Lights at 7pm, live music and entertainment at stores on Broadway all day! Excelsior Springs
Nutcracker Sweet Lighting Ceremony: Summit Fair November 21, 4:00PM at Summit Fair Courtyard in Lee's Summit. 4-6pm: Nutcracker "Sweet" Holiday fun with Radio Disney, including games and prizes, hot chocolate bar, milk & cookies with Santa, Photos with a Living Nutcracker. 6-7pm: Holiday Lighting Ceremony with festive music.
Holiday Lighting: Briarcliff Village November 21, 5:00 PM. Enjoy the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony & Fireworks. FREE photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Music and more. www.briarcliffvillagekc.com
Holiday Lighting: Leawood, KS November 22, 6:00 PM, Leawood City Hall. Join Leawood Mayor Peggy Dunn and members of the community for holiday caroling, refreshments and much more as the City kicks off the 2010 holiday season by illuminating City Hall at the 13th Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony. www.leawood.org/parks/holidaylighting.aspx
Mayor's Tree Lighting: Raymore, MO November 22, 6:00 PM, Raymore City Hall. This free event will feature refreshments, entertainment and pictures with Santa.
816.322.2791 www.raymore.com/index.aspx?NID=99
Mayor's Tree Lighting: Gladstone, MO November 23, 6:00 PM, First Bank of Missouri (5959 N. Antioch Road). The annual holiday lighting event serves as a visual symbol of Gladstone’s effort to assist those in need during the holiday season. All proceeds to benefit the Northland Christmas Store and the Get Kids Connected Scholarship program. The sounds of the Antioch Middle School Choir and the Chapel Hill Elementary 5th Grade Choir will put you in the Christmas spirit and Santa will be on hand to hear children’s requests. Kris Ketz, morning anchor from KMBC TV 9 news, will be the master of ceremonies. Immediately following the ceremony, the Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce will provide hot drinks and cookies. Monetary Donations are being accepted at Gladstone City Hall. For more information, please contact the Gladstone Parks and Recreation Department at 816.423.4085
Christmas in the Sky November 24, 6:00 PM, Longview Lake Christmas in the Park. KUDL’s Christmas in the Sky is a kick-off celebration for your holiday season. Enjoy this evening filled with local celebrities, holiday stage productions and an amazing fireworks display, synchronized to your favorite holiday music. This event sets the stage for opening night of Christmas In The Park. 816.503.4800 www.jacksongov.org
Country Club Plaza Christmas Lighting Ceremony Thanksgiving, November 25, 5:00 PM, Country Club Plaza. The most magical time of the year, Holidays on the Plaza, is upon Kansas City once again. The Plaza Lights have been carefully strung, and are ready to illuminate the Country Club Plaza. The Lighting Ceremony features live music and FIREWORKS! www.countryclubplaza.com
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting: Crown Center November 26, 5:30 PM, Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium . The 100-foot-tall Mayor’s Christmas Tree, one of the nation’s tallest, is the centerpiece for an illuminating holiday celebration. The tree is a symbol of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which is dedicated to assisting the city’s less fortunate. After the holidays, the wood from the Mayor’s Christmas Tree is made into commemorative ornaments, which are sold the following year to benefit the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund. 816.274.8444 www.crowncenter.com
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting: Belton, MO November 29, 5:30 PM, Downtown Belton. Mayor's Tree Lighting with Santa, Food and Entertainment! www.belton.org/Calendars/calendar_November.htm
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting: Grandview, MO December 2, 6:45 PM, Grandview Missouri City Hall. Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting: Donations will be collected to benefit the Grandview Assistance Program at the door. Gather with friends at Grandview City Hall for the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas tree and enjoy live entertainment from area school music programs. Santa is there to pass out candy canes and everyone is in good cheer. 816.316.4888 www.grandview.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=934
Mayor’s Tree Lighting: Mission, KS December 3, 5:00 PM, Mission, KS. Mark your calendar now for a free, fun, heartwarming evening with hot chocolate and s'mores around the fire pits, caroling, watching the Mayor light up the City, enjoying your favorite Christmas movie while eating hot, free popcorn - All of this and more that you won't want to miss!
www.mission-ks.org/CurrentEvents.aspx?EID=1175
Christmas on the River December 3, 5:30 PM, Main Street Parkville. Live Music and Dance Performances, 1,000 Voice Choir, Santa Arrives, Live Reindeer, Hot Air Balloon Display, Fireworks, Visit Santa at his house on Main Street (Free Photos!), Mayors Christmas Party following the fireworks at the Olde Mill, Food and Fun! Downtown Shops and Restaurants Open Late! Free Shuttles Available from Park Hill South High School and from the South Platte County Community Center (YMCA). www.parkvillemo.com/CurrentEvents.aspx?EID=471
Holiday Lighting Ceremony: Raytown, MO December 3, 6:00 PM, Raytown Pocket Park/Downtown. The Raytown Holiday Lighting Ceremony includes entertainment and music. The event is FREE and great for all ages. 816.737.6059 www.raytown.mo.us
Old Town Lenexa Lighting Ceremony December 3, 6:30 PM, Lenexa Community Center. After the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be chauffeured in by the Lenexa Fire Department, the event will move to the warm indoors of the community center where visitors of all ages can enjoy a variety of festive entertainment, including school choir performances, visits with Santa, holiday refreshments and dance performances. 913.541.0209 www.ci.lenexa.ks.us/parks/lightingceremony.html
Christmas Around Town and Mayor's Tree Lighting: Shawnee, KS December 4, 4:30 PM, City Hall. An evening full of holiday activities awaits you, Dickens Carolers, Hand Painting, holiday arts and craft activities, and of course Santa Claus! The evening will begin at 4:30 p.m. with local music and dance groups performing in the City Hall parking lot, followed by the Mayor and Santa throwing the switch to light up the Mayor’s Christmas tree at 5:15 p.m. Then the festivities continue from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Shawnee Town. Various Downtown businesses will also be hosting open houses throughout the afternoon. www.cityofshawnee.org
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting: Merriam, KS December 4, 5:00 PM, Merriam Marketplace. Outdoor tree lighting, holiday music and a special visit from Santa!
913.322.5550 www.exploremerriam.com/EVENTS/index.htm
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting: Blue Springs, MO December 7, 5:30 PM, Blue Springs City Hall (903 West Main Street). Join the celebration when the Mayor throws the switch that lights this very special Christmas Tree. Entertainment by local schools and community groups. Free refreshments are served. Santa and other special guests join the festivities. www.bluespringsgov.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1909
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