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: 2010.
Christmas in the Park
Where: Longview Lake Park (I-470 and View High Drive, KCMO) 816.503.4800
Description: Christmas in the Sky kicks off Christmas in the Park as KUDL provides a Fireworks Display at 7:30pm 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
Description: Kansas City’s Christmas Tradition begins with a lighting ceremony from 6-7pm Thanksgiving evening (complete with fireworks). For best viewing of the Plaza Lights (over 80 miles of lights), watch from the rooftop of Halls.
The Ultimate Tree
Where: In Overland Park, KS. Click for map.
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. Bring cocoa and cookies... the show is almost thirty minutes long if you watch it in its entirety. 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
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
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
Description: This Christmas Light display is beautifully choreographed to music for an animated light display your children will love! Park at Emanuel Baptist, 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
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 Nov. 21st. 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)
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 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
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 Description: Giant greeting cards and lights decorate an entire neighborhood. More than 200 homes participate.