Your guide to festive light displays around Kansas City for the 2022 holiday season
Some of Kansas City’s brightest holiday light shows are already on display, and it’s not even past Thanksgiving. With more on the way, the lights will always be on, even if no one’s home.
Here are a few light shows you, your friends and family can enjoy this holiday season.
WINTER MAGIC
The drive-thru display on Cliff Drive in Kessler Park is over a mile long and features more Christmas lights than one can count. 12 themed areas light up the night, all with different light shows and sounds.
It’s open until Jan. 1. You can purchase tickets on Winter Magic’s website. Click on “book now” or “buy tickets.” Select the date you want to visit, and check out.
Tickets cost:
$25 for a standard car or truck
$40 for a limo or commercial van
$55 for a commercial bus that hosts over 15 passengers
PLAZA LIGHTING CEREMONY
The annual light ceremony at the Country Club Plaza starts at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving with pre-lighting performances and giveaways from the main stage. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick will flip the switch at 6:55 p.m. A performance by The Elders will follow.
It’s free to attend, but space is limited. If you’re going, here’s where you can park:
Valencia Garage on the north side of 47th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
Balcony Garage on Wornall near 46th Street
Seville Garage, entrance on 47th Street between Jefferson and Summit Street
Time Building Garage north of True Food Kitchen on Pennsylvania
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
The Powell Gardens hosts the “Festival of Lights” for its sixth year. Every Wednesday through Sunday from now until Dec. 30, walk through more than 20 miles of festive lights on the garden’s trees, architecture and landscape in Overland Park.
Tickets cost $7 for children ages 5-12, $16 for adults and a parking pass costs $8. Select your date and buy tickets here.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON FARMSTEAD LANE
For the 10th year in a row, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead hosts a free drive-thru holiday light show synchronized to classic holiday and movie music. Turn your car radio to 90.5 Rose FM to hear the music.
It’s open from Thanksgiving to Jan. 8 from 5 to 11 p.m. daily.
HOLIDAY REFLECTIONS
Union Station turns into a walk-thru light village and it’s bigger than ever. Featuring bright lights hanging from the ceiling, massive decorated trees and a train children can ride.
It’s open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day from Nov. 21 to Jan. 1. Tickets cost $7 on Monday-Friday and for members, and it costs $9 on Saturday and Sunday. Get your tickets here
MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS TREE CEREMONY
Mayor Quinton Lucas and special guests flip the switch for his Christmas tree in Crown Center the day after Thanksgiving. Starting at 5:30 p.m., join along for free festivities to kick off the holiday season.
The tree is a symbol of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which helps people in need in Kansas City during the holidays.
HOLIDAY LUMINARY WALK
The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens hosts its annual luminary walk. Guests can take a stroll through the lit paths and experience the unique sceneries, including gnome and fairy villages.
It’s open from 5 to 10 p.m. on the following dates:
Nov. 25-26
Dec. 2-3
Dec. 8-10
Dec. 3 15-17
Tickets cost $15 per person, and entry is free for children ages 5 and under. Get your tickets here.
If you don’t want to bring your kids, there’s an adults-only Candlelight Stroll from 5-10 p.m. on Dec. 1. Tickets cost $16 and you can buy those here.
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK
The 35th annual Christmas in the Park is a free drive-thru light show at the Frank White Jr. Softball Complex in Lee’s Summit. It’s open from 5:30 to to 10 p.m. every Sunday-Thursday and 5:30 to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31.
SAR-KO AGLOW
Lenexa’s light display takes over Sar-Ko Par Trails and Park. A free lighting ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. on Dec. 2, and the lights will be on every day from 6 to 11 p.m. until Jan. 16.
SOUL OF SANTA CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
18th and Vine hosts its 4th annual Soul of Santa lighting ceremony. The tree turns on at 6 p.m. on Dec. 2 and it’s free for all to attend, but the holiday benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Gem Theater costs between $85-125.
The concert features performances from Eric Benét and Chanté Moore.
Are we missing your favorite holiday light show in Kansas City? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com and we’ll add it to the list.
This story was originally published November 18, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
