Christmas Lights in Kansas City
Most displays operate from Thanksgiving – Christmas from sunset (5:30pm) – 10pm. However, there are a few exceptions. Check websites to verify times.
Note: This is your guide to Kansas City Christmas Light Displays, KC Parent also features your Guide to Kansas City Christmas Lighting Ceremonies.
Christmas in the Park
Where: Longview Lake Park (I-470 and View High Drive, KCMO) 816.503.4800 Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; Friday & Saturday,
5:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Tip: This display is outstanding and "worth the drive" even if you live 30-45 minutes away. It is also extremely popular, so weeknights are best to avoid a long wait to see the display. Beware of deer en route as many live nearby! And, you can make an evening of it with dinner at Next Door Pizza (3385 SW Fascination Drive, Lees Summit, MO) where kids eat Free on Monday nights and they make their own pizza!
Description: Christmas in the Sky kicks off Christmas in the Park with a Fireworks Display on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Visit Longview Lake Park to see a local area magically transformed into a winter wonderland! Over 300,000 lights You will find approximately 200 animated holiday figures that will delight and thrill you and your family. Christmas in the Park
Country Club Plaza
Where: Country Club Plaza (Info Center 4745 Central, KCMO) www.countryclubplaza.com
Tip: The best view is atop the Halls Parking Lot! Enter from the Southeast corner (on Wyandotte) to drive to the top.
Description: Kansas City’s Christmas Tradition begins with a lighting ceremony from 6-7pm Thanksgiving evening (complete with fireworks). Enjoy over 80 miles of lights.
The Ultimate Tree
Where: In Overland Park, KS. Click for map.
Tip: This display is over thirty minutes long if you watch in its entirety. Bring some cocoa and cookies for the fun!
Description: "The Ultimate Holiday Tree™ is a giant flat panel Christmas tree lighting display with 1,000s of LED bulbs. Enjoy a light show synchronized to music with animation, lighting effects, patterns, and messages. This Must See display was featured on HGTV's "All Out Christmas" show. Watch videos of The Ultimate Tree to see a sneak preview. The Ultimate Tree turns on Thanksgiving night around 8:00. After that it will turn on at 5:30 every night, and stay on until 10:00 - except Friday and Saturday when the hours are extended until 11:30. It runs through the first week of January.
Kansas City Mayor’s Christmas Tree
Where: Crown Center (2450 Grand Blvd, KCMO) www.crowncenter.com
Tip: Beneath the Mayor's Tree enjoy a delightful wooden playground, making a wonderful backdrop for family photos!
Description: The tree will be lit with a special ceremony (including fireworks choreographed to music) on Friday, following Thanksgiving at 5:30pm. The 100-ft tall tree is adorned with 7,200 lights. It is on display through Christmas.
Downtown City Lights
Where: Downtown Kansas City Convention Center Area (Barney Allis Plaza, 12th & Wyandotte, KCMO) www.downtownkc.org Tip: Walk Main Street for a view of beautifully decorated holiday window displays.
Description: The Christmas lighting display encompasses Barney Allis Plaza and several nearby buildings including the Downtown Marriott Hotel, which features spectacular computer-generated holiday images across its 22-story facade.
Vince and Associates Animated Lights
Where: Vince and Associates 101st and Metcalf, OPKS Tip: Park at Emanuel Baptist Church (directly across the street) for the best view!
Description: This Christmas Light display is beautifully choreographed to music for an animated light display your children will love! Turn your radio to the station listed on their sign, and watch the show!
Northern Lights at Zona Rosa
Where: Zona Rosa (I-29 & Barry Rd, KCMO) www.zonarosa.com Tip: After seeing the lights, visit The Grove for a fun indoor playground.
Description: Zona Rosa restores the local tradition of using crowns as holiday decor with a variety of lighted crowns featured throughout the center during the holidays, as well as the featured Christmas tree in the Town Square. Lighting Ceremony (with the arrival of the Fairy Princess, Santa and real reindeer) on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Dickens Carolers will perform on the square on select dates throughout the season.
Gospel in Christmas Lights (Chicago Street Lights)
Where: Chicago Street in Blue Springs (the one mile long display begins at Highway 7 and Walnut Street in Blue Springs, Missouri)
Tip: This display goes through a neighborhood, it's best to visit during the week for a smaller crowd.
Description: This display depicts the story of Jesus in Christmas lights. Animated lighted figures tell the story from His birth to the Resurrection.
Memory Lane Lighting Display
Where: Pleasant Ridge, 2710 Vermont Rd, Rantoul, Kan www.pleasantridge.com Tip: This display goes through a neighborhood, it's best to visit during the week for a smaller crowd.
Description: Over 30+ various light displays on the mile-long road and Christmas Tree Farm on site.
A Legendary Christmas
Where: The Legends (Legends Outlet, I-435 and Parallel Parkway, KCKS)www.legendsshopping.com Tip: The tree is synchronized to holiday music, so watch closely to enjoy the magic!
Description: The Legends becomes a wonderland during the holiday season as a majestic tree stands in the Civic Courtyard Fountain, constellations of millennium stars and giant holiday ornaments create a magical experience for all who visit. The season is complete with holiday carolers, ice-carving demonstrations, and Santa visits each Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also enjoy A Legendary Light Show during the holidays. Every 15 minutes, The Legends will come alive with dancing lights synchronized to concert-quality, holiday music, providing guests an experience unlike anything they have seen before.
Christmas Card Lane
Where: Olathe - Located north of 151st Street and West of Ridgeview. www.olathe.com
Tip: This display goes through a neighborhood, so it is best to visit during the week to avoid a big crowd.
Description: Giant greeting cards and lights decorate an entire neighborhood. More than 200 homes participate.
Symphony in Lights
Where: Falcon Valley Speedy Car Wash is at 10150 Walker Street near K-10 and Woodland Road, and the Strang Line Speedy is at 11230 Strang Line Road, just south of College Blvd.
Description: Symphony in Lights is a fun and enchanting display of dancing lights choreographed to musical holiday favorites. The centerpiece of the show is the 25-foot tall snowman twinkling high atop Speedy Car Wash. He can be seen for miles around as he dances to the music. The show runs continuously every evening from 5pm to 11pm through the holiday season, and is free of charge for all to enjoy. Radios may be tuned to 89.9FM for the audio portion of the show. From K-10, take the Woodland Road exit north and look for the Giant Snowman!
With every purchase of the Holly Jolly Children’s Mercy Wash, $3 will be donated to Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics. It is an honor to spotlight the caring hands and hearts who deliver first-class care to our region’s children each and every day at Children’s Mercy. Year to date, through our ongoing Children’s Mercy Wash program, over $19,000 has been raised for the Hospital by virtue of the many Speedy Car Wash customers who faithfully select the Children’s Mercy Wash (equal to our best wash, the Speedy Supreme) every time they wash with Speedy.