Kansas City sparkles in holiday splendor with magnificent displays across the metro! These are our top picks for the Best Christmas Lights in KC!
Most displays operate from Thanksgiving through Christmas from sunset (5:30) to 10:00; however, there are a few exceptions. Check websites to verify times.
Christmas in the Park
Longview Lake Park (I-470 & View High Dr., Kansas City, MO, 816.503.4800) Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-10:00; Friday & Saturday, 5:30-11:00; Thanksgiving Eve-Christmas. 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!
Lee's Summit Magic Tree
Lee's Summit Magic Tree is located I-470 and View High Drive (a great addition to your Christmas in the Park light-seeing trip). Hours of Operation: 5pm - 1:00am Daily. The tree is lit with over 12,000 LED lights in every color of the rainbow. You are invited to pull into the drive and take photos with the family sharing them on social media with #LSmagictree. Donations are accepted at the tree in partnership with Lee’s Summit Social Services to provide a charitable outlet for those interested in supporting our community’s families in need.
Country Club Plaza
Country Club Plaza (Info Center: 4745 Central, Kansas City, MO, www.countryclubplaza.com) Thanksgiving thru Mid-Janary. Kansas City’s Christmas tradition begins with a lighting ceremony from 6:00 to 7:00 Thanksgiving evening (complete with fireworks). Enjoy more than 80 miles of lights. The best view is atop the parking lots.
The Ultimate Tree
At the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead 138th and Switzer in Overland Park. The display will run each night between 5:00 until 10:00 Thanksgiving through January 5th. Visit http://www.theultimatetree.com/news.html for information. The Ultimate Holiday Tree™ is a giant flat panel Christmaslighting display with thousands 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. This display is more than 30 minutes long if you watch in its entirety. Bring some cocoa and cookies for the fun!
Kansas City Mayor’s Christmas Tree
Crown Center Square (2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO, www.crowncenter.com) . Friday after Thanksgiving thru Christmas. The tree is lit with a special ceremony (including fireworks choreographed to music) on Friday following Thanksgiving at 5:30. The 100-ft.-tall tree is adorned with 7,200 lights. It is on display through Christmas. Tip: Beneath the mayor's tree enjoy a delightful wooden playground, making a wonderful backdrop for family photos!
Downtown Marriot
Downtown Marriot (200 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO) The 20-story hotel provides an animated holiday display showing your favorite holiday characters and greetings.
Legendary Christmas
Legends Outlets Kansas City 1843 Village West Parkway Kansas City, KS. www.legendsshopping.com mid-Nov thru Christmas. Unique lighting display on a 45-foot holiday tree created by a world-renowned technology-driven holiday lights team all synchronized to music.
Vince & Associates Animated Lights
Vince & Associates Clinical Research (101st & Metcalf, Overland Park, KS). mid-November thru Christmas. This Christmas light display is beautifully choreographed to music for an animated light show your children will love! Turn your radio to the station listed on their sign and watch the show! Tip: Park at Emanuel Baptist Church (directly across the street) for the best view!
Northern Lights at Zona Rosa
Zona Rosa (I-29 & Barry Rd., Kansas City, MO, www.zonarosa.com). mid-November thru Christmas. Zona Rosa restores the local tradition of using crowns as holiday décor, 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. After seeing the lights, visit The Grove for a fun indoor playground.
Stagecoach Park
Animated light show at Stagecoach Park (1205 East Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS). The show features 41,000 lights and runs 5:30 to 10PM on Monday - Thursday, 5:30 to 11PM on Friday - Sunday.
Sar-Ko-Aglow
Sar-Ko Aglow at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park (87th St.,& Lackman Rd., Lenexa KS) features beautiful trees around a pond.
Gardner's Christmas in the Park
Cornerstone Park (215 North Center, Gardner, KS).
A Few Festive Neighborhoods & Landmarks:
- Candy Cane Lane 7900 Block of Outlook St., Prairie Village, KS
- Christmas Place: 8900 block 131st Place, Overland Park, KS
- Paulie's Penguin Playground 16617 Indian Creek Pkwy, Olathe, KS
- Christmas Card Lane West of Ridgeview & North of 151st St., Olathe, KS
Homes Animated to Music:
- 12612 West 70th Terr, Shawnee, KS
- 9708 and 9717 Lee Blvd, Leawood, KS
- 2801 West 127th St., Leawood, KS
- 11308 Mackey St., Overland Park, KS
We Want to Know...
Where do you find the best lights in Kansas City and which neighborhoods are worth a drive through?