See Santa, Christmas trees and holiday lights across Johnson County this week
Johnson County will be lit this week with holiday events from Edgerton to Westwood. And Santa is going to be busy making stops just about everywhere.
Say hi to the big guy for us, and come back to The Star every week for stories about the happenings across Johnson County through our free weekly newsletter and community events listings like this one.
You can also submit your own events to our free community calendar.
Now here’s your rundown of things to do in JoCo this week.
Johnson County: Donate new toys
Santa and the Johnson County Park Police will be collecting new, unwrapped toys at several locations on Saturday, Dec. 6:
- 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Shawnee Mission Park’s Barkley Plaza main entrance, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee
- noon to 1:30 p.m. at Thomas S. Stoll Park, 12500 W. 119th St., Overland Park
- 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse parking lot, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village
DeSoto: Santa on tour
Santa will be cruising through DeSoto neighborhoods atop a fire truck beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. You can track him online leading up to the event as well.
De Soto: Christmas tree lighting
Mayor’s Annual Deck the Hall and Tree Lighting will be 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at City Hall, 32905 W. 84th St. Join in on the music, Santa visits, community supper, kids crafts and activities.
Edgerton: Christmas tree lighting
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Downtown Greenspace, 404 E. Nelson. See Santa, cookies, hot chocolate and music from the Edgerton Elementary Choir.
Fairway: Santa visits with kids & pets
Visit Santa from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Fairway Pool House, 6136 Mission Road. Pre-registration is required for a specific time and date. Staff available to take pictures with your device, for $20 per child. Pet photos with Santa using your device is also available from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7. Pre-registration is required, and it’s $10 per pet.
Leawood: Step back in time for the holidays
Holiday Traditions on the Prairie runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Historic Oxford Schoolhouse, 14701 Mission Road. Live holiday music, crafts, and decorate the schoolhouse tree.
Leawood: Visit the nature center
A Holiday Open House will be from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Prairie Oak Nature Center. 14701 Mission Road.
Lenexa: The lights at the park go on
The Sar-Ko Aglow + Lighting Ceremony will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 8801 Greenway Lane. Lights stay on dusk to dawn until Jan. 19.
Merriam: Join in on holiday celebration
Christmas in the Courtyard will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St. You’ll find Santa visits, live music, crafts, treats, and carols performed by Crestview and Merriam Park elementary students.
Mission: Market goes all out with lights
Holiday Lights and Festive Sight runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the Downtown Mission Market Site, 5635 Johnson Drive, featuring the Mayor’s Tree Lighting, Local vendors; family activities, games and crafts; and s’mores.
Mission: Remembering Pearl Harbor
A Pearl Harbor Remembrance happens 11:30 .m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Powell Community Center, 6200 Martway St.
Olathe: See the Christmas tree lighting
The Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Downtown Library, 260 E. Santa Fe St. It will feature music from the Olathe Civic Jazz Band, holiday crafts, and pictures with Santa.
Olathe: Free visits to the stagecoach stop
Christmas Open House will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Heritage Center at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, 1200 E. Kansas City Road. Admission is waived, but stagecoach rides are $3 per person. Gingerbread house kits for $4.
Olathe: Find Santa’s candy canes
The Great Candy Cane Hunt goes from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Stagecoach Park, 1205 E. Kansas City Road. Bring flashlights to find candy canes Santa dropped in the park. Special candy canes can be redeemed for great prizes. Also included are crafts, activities and hot chocolate. Registration is required.
Overland Park: Rudolph’s story comes to light
“Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” opens Saturday, Dec. 6, at Black Box Theatre at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave. The Theatre in the Park production will run through Dec. 23.
Overland Park: See the arboretum in its glory
A series of Adults-Only Candlelight Strolls has begun at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St. General admission is $17, or members are $15 with coupon code. Included are dazzling light displays, live music and enchanting gnome houses. Children under 18 are not admitted. It’s also offered on Dec. 11 and 18.
Prairie Village: Tree lights up
The Holiday tree lighting will be 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at Corinth Square, Mission Road and West 83rd Street. Dancerz Unlimited, a local school choir and the Shawnee Mission East drum-line will perform. The tree lighting event is the major fundraiser for the Prairie Village Foundation.
Roeland Park: Holiday season begins
The Tree Lighting is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec 3, at the Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Ave. Holiday carols with Roesland Elementary’s choir. You can get photos with Santa, plus a pancake dinner.
Shawnee: Movie and fun for the kids
Kids Night Out is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Drive. Dinner, games, crafts, free play, snacks, and a movie. $15 per child. Registration is required.
Westwood: Choir helps light the tree
Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at Westwood City Hall, 4700 Rainbow Blvd. Performance by the Westwood View Choir, fire pits, refreshments, and Santa.
This story was originally published December 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM.