Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens

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November 11-December 30, 2021

Wednesday–Sunday | 4–10 p.m.

Festival Admission Applies | Members Receive Free Admission

Festival of Lights will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Additional days (December 20-21 and December 27-28) have been added to accommodate seasonal holidays.

On November 11, Powell Gardens will kick off the holiday season with Festival of Lights (Nov. 11-Dec. 30, 4-10 p.m.), illuminated by Evergy. This family-favorite winter festival is a breath of fresh air during a hectic holiday season. Bundle up and stroll along a lighted outdoor path featuring immersive, botanically inspired installations that celebrate the natural joy of the most festive season.  

Festival goers will walk a mile-long path woven through 25-acres. (The path is ADA compliant, with shorter options available.) Miles of holiday lights highlight the natural forms of Powell Gardens’ tree collection and show off the exceptional architecture and design of the Gardens. Encounter Instagram and holiday card-worthy photo stops along the way.  

“I am proud to share that our beloved Festival of Lights is returning for its fifth year! There is nothing like it in Kansas City. During the holidays, this is the perfect place to take a much-needed breath from a busy year,” said Tabitha Schmidt, Powell Gardens CEO/President. “Enjoy your loved ones. Make memories, reinvigorate traditions, and take in the magic and splendor of Powell Gardens during the most wonderful time of the year.”  

A newly imagined Enchanted Tiki Bar occupies the glass-domed conservatory, while a new warming station along the trail sells spiked or non-alcoholic hot chocolate and Louisburg cider. Take your drinks to go and snap a selfie in a larger-than-life snow globe or by the new Magic Tree wrapped in 3.5 miles of lights before enjoying the display from above atop the Missouri Barn Silo. Quixotic is back with a new take on Fountain of Light, a light and sound installation in the Fountain Garden. Venture to the Children’s Garden to create and deliver your holiday wish list to Santa (Nov. 26-Dec. 22, Friday & Saturday). Special events include live music and performances by the Kansas City Ballet (Nov. 12-14) and visits from Santa’s reindeer (Saturdays, Nov. 27-Dec. 18) as well as holiday container design and wreath-making workshops.  

The Holly Jolly Rest Stop, a festive outpost at the Missouri Barn, will have fire pits where families can cozy up together on the adjacent lawn in front of a spectacular view of the Villandry Garden display. The Marketplace and Holly Jolly Rest Stop provide opportunities to purchase garden-inspired and locally made gifts, as well as a variety of Powell Gardens grown poinsettias.  

This year, start a new family tradition. Festival of Lights is open Wednesday-Sunday, 4-10 p.m. Additional days (December 20-22 & 27-29) have been added to accommodate seasonal holidays. Tickets are available at www.powellgardens.org/lights.  

Head to Powell Gardens for the annual Festival of Lights, a breath of fresh air during a hectic holiday season.

Wander an outdoor path featuring immersive light installations that are grounded in nature and celebrate the natural joy of the holiday season. More than 20 miles of holiday lights comprise installations that highlight the natural forms of Powell Gardens’ tree collection, show off the exceptional architecture and landscape design of the Gardens, and with Instagram and holiday card-worthy photo stops along the way.

Keep warm with hot chocolate and Louisburg cider as you take in the display from above atop the Missouri Barn Silo, deliver your holiday wish list to Santa, and shop for local and garden-inspired gifts for your friends and family in The Marketplace at Powell Gardens.

ADDITIONAL SPECIAL EVENTS DURING FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Reindeer at Missouri Barn

Saturdays, November 27-December 18| 4-9:30 p.m.: Santa’s reindeer will stop at Festival of Lights on Saturdays (Nov. 27-Dec. 18). Pet these festival animals and pose for a photo at the Missouri Barn.

Santa’s Workshop at Powell Gardens

On Fridays and Saturdays between Nov. 26 and Dec. 22 (and daily Dec. 19-22), create and deliver your holiday wish lists to Santa in a festively transformed corncrib in the Children’s Garden, where he will be posing for photos.