KCP Holiday Lights - 1
Kansas City twinkles with holiday magic, lighting up the metro with some truly dazzling displays! Here’s our roundup of the best Christmas lights in KC!
Most displays run from Thanksgiving to Christmas, starting at sunset (5:30) until 10:00, with a few exceptions—be sure to check online for exact times!
Holiday Drive-Through Tips for Maximum Fun:
- Dress the kiddos in cozy PJs and pack some travel mugs of hot cocoa with a side of cookies.
- Cue up your favorite holiday playlist and get ready for a sing-along!
- Fill up your gas tank and make a quick restroom stop before embarking on your festive adventure.
- Save your favorite spots in GPS for easy repeat visits and future traditions!
- Don’t forget to share your festive finds on social media! Tag us so others can enjoy KC’s best holiday lights and link to our guide to make their search even easier!
Winter Magic
Winter Magic is a popular drive-thru holiday light show in Kansas City, Missouri. For the 2024 season, the event runs from November 1, 2024, through January 5, 2025, operating every night starting at 6 PM.
This year, Winter Magic has relocated to Platte Purchase Park at 10400 N Platte Purchase Dr, Kansas City, MO 64154. The event features twice the number of lights compared to previous years, offering a dazzling one-mile drive with upgraded displays and festive music.
Ticket prices vary depending on the day:
- Monday through Thursday: $20 per vehicle
- Friday and Sunday: $25 per vehicle
- Saturday: $30 per vehicle
GloWild | Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
GloWild: Legends & Lore is currently captivating visitors at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, running through December 29, 2024. This year's festival features two distinct loops:
- Adventure Loop: Showcasing themes like Atlantis and dinosaurs.
- Fantasy Loop: Highlighting an enchanted forest and a fairy garden.
Santa Claus is present at Santa’s Cabin (located in the Sheep Station) from 5:30 to 9:00 pm each night GloWild is open through December 22. Visitors can meet Santa and his helper elves, with the option to take photos using personal cameras or purchase professional photos.
Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen, situated across from the Australia train station, offers cookie decorating and s'mores for purchase, along with free meet-and-greet photo opportunities with Mrs. Claus. These activities are available from 5:30 to 9:00 pm through December 22.
The festival operates on the following schedule:
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Friday and Saturday: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Carla Farris
The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Annual holiday events on select nights from November 24 through December 20, 2024. This year, attendees can choose from three unique experiences:
Luminary Walk: Stroll through candlelit woods, enjoy live musical performances, and savor complimentary hot cider in the Children's Discovery Garden. This event is scheduled for:
- Friday, November 29 & Saturday, November 30
- Friday, December 6 & Saturday, December 7
- Friday, December 13 &Saturday, December 14
Electric Glow: Experience the beauty of the Luminary Walk's electric displays without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains, or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making it ideal for a more relaxed evening. Dates include:
- Monday, November 25 - Wednesday, November 27
- Tuesday, December 3 - Wednesday, December 4
- Tuesday, December 10 - Wednesday, December 11
- Tuesday, December 17 - Wednesday, December 18
Candlelight Stroll: An adults-only evening featuring the glow of candles through the woods, dazzling light displays, and live musical performances. This event is set for:
- Thursday, December 12
Holiday Reflections at Union Station
Scheduled to run from November 22, 2024, through January 1, 2025. This expansive indoor holiday experience fills the Grand Plaza with breathtaking scenic elements and endless photo opportunities. Highlights include sky-reaching lights, a forest of decorated trees, and dazzling overhead ornaments.
New this year is the Fountain Forest, a 4,500 sq. ft. indoor illuminated fountain. This custom fountain features a 30-foot liquid fireworks dance show set to the beat of favorite holiday songs, crafted by the makers of similar fountains at Universal Studios, Sea World, and Walt Disney World.
Additionally, all 17 iconic Grand Plaza windows will be adorned with "12 Days of Christmas" themed blackout curtains, totaling more than 4,500 square feet. This enhancement ensures a consistent and brilliant lighting experience regardless of the time of day or night.
Christmas in the Park
Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake Park is celebrating its 37th year, running from November 27 through December 31, 2024. This enchanting drive-through winter wonderland features over half a million lights and 200 animated displays, all designed and built by Jackson County Parks + Rec's talented crews.
Event Details:
- Dates: November 27 – December 31, 2024
- Hours: Nightly from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
- Location: The drive begins at the Frank White Jr. Softball Complex and winds through Longview Campground.
- Admission is free; however, voluntary exit donations are accepted, benefiting 40 local charities. Since its inception, Christmas in the Park has donated more than $1 million to community charities.
Crown Center Mayor’s Christmas Tree
Experience the magic as the 100-foot Mayor’s Christmas Tree lights up on November 29 at 6:30 PM, remaining illuminated through January 5. This Kansas City tradition, adorned with 7,200 sparkling lights, stands as a symbol of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund. At season's end, the tree’s wood is repurposed into commemorative ornaments, with proceeds supporting local charities.
JINGLE! Kansas City Holiday Festival
Nov. 29 – Dec. 31, step into a winter wonderland at JINGLE! Kansas City, an immersive holiday festival featuring dazzling light displays, festive activities, and unique entertainment for all ages. Highlights include a quarter-mile ice skating trail, a real snow tubing hill, and the spectacular Winter Wonderland Light Maze. Wander through themed neighborhoods like JINGLE! Village, Polar Park, and The North Pole, where you’ll find Santa in his cozy den and Mrs. Claus hosting crafting sessions. Enjoy performances, holiday pop-up bars, and seasonal treats.
Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens
The Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens is scheduled for select evenings from November 14, 2024, through January 4, 2025. The festival will be open from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the following dates:
- November: 14–16, 22–23, 29–30
- December: 1, 5–7, 12–14, 19–23, 26–29
- January: 2–4
Please note that Powell Gardens will be closed on Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.
During the festival, visitors can enjoy a lighted outdoor path that showcases the garden's architecture and Midwest landscape adorned with holiday lights. This year's event features a new path highlighting the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel as it winds through the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden.
Country Club Plaza Holiday Lights
Experience the 95th annual Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony, a cherished Kansas City tradition. On Thanksgiving night, November 28, 2024, the Plaza will be illuminated with thousands of lights adorning its 15-block district. The ceremony begins at 5:00 PM, with the official lighting at approximately 7:05 PM, followed by a fireworks display.
The lights will remain on nightly through January 12, 2025, allowing visitors ample time to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Northern Lights at Zona Rosa
Kick off the holiday season at Zona Rosa on November 23, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at North Park, just south of Dillard’s. Enjoy Kansas City’s historic holiday crowns and a newly crafted Grand Christmas tree lighting, along with live performances by local bands, a jingle bells giveaway, food trucks, and photo ops with The Grinch and Cindy Lou-Who. Santa will make a special appearance at 6:00 PM to officially light up the season.
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
From November 28 to December 31, 2024, enjoy the festive 38-minute Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane show at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park. This captivating display lights up the main entrance and barn, synchronized with holiday music broadcast on 90.5 Rose FM for visitors to tune in from their vehicles. The show runs nightly from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and admission is free—perfect for cozying up with blankets, cocoa, and cookies as you watch.
Sar-Ko Aglow
Experience the enchanting Sar-Ko Aglow at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa from December 6, 2024, through January 20, 2025. Stroll around Rose’s Pond to admire the vibrant holiday lights reflecting on the water, creating a picturesque setting perfect for family photos. The lighting ceremony is scheduled for December 6 at 6:00 PM, featuring hot cocoa, the Dickens Carolers, and visits with Santa until 7:00 PM.
Lee's Summit Magic Tree
The Lee's Summit Magic Tree is now located at the Paragon Star Sports Complex, 1401 NW River Road, Lee's Summit, MO. Adorned with over 12,000 multicolored LED lights, this beloved holiday attraction offers a stunning backdrop for family photos and festive gatherings. The annual lighting ceremony is scheduled for November 27, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Visitors are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to support Operation Toy Soldier, benefiting children of military personnel.
Additional Beloved KC Lights to Enjoy:
Candy Cane Lane: Located at Outlook & 79th Street in Prairie Village, this neighborhood shines with festive charm! Enjoy candy canes, towering Christmas trees, and homes beautifully decked out in lights.
Christmas on Bradshaw: Head to 13810 Bradshaw Street in Overland Park, where the entire street and cul-de-sac come alive with synchronized lights set to holiday music on 99.9 FM. Just a short drive from Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, this neighborhood is a holiday must-see!
Christmas Place: At 8705 W 131st Place in Overland Park, over twenty homes in the Terrace Place subdivision light up with a coordinated theme. Kids love the playful Grinch display and a jolly Frosty the Snowman!
69th Street off Ward Parkway: Explore the many streets in the 60s and 70s blocks along Ward Parkway, where entire blocks dazzle with holiday lights—perfect to pair with a trip to the iconic Country Club Plaza Lights.
Christmas Card Lane: Near Ridgeview & 151st Street in Olathe, this neighborhood delights with brilliant Christmas lights and whimsical, oversized wooden Christmas cards.
Kansas City truly sparkles with holiday magic this time of year! We hope our guide helps you find the best spots to soak up all the festive lights and create new traditions with family and friends.
Don’t forget to share the magic on social media and tag @KCParentMagazine in your holiday light photos—we’d love to see your adventures and spread the joy! Happy holidays and happy exploring!