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Are you ready to experience the magical twinkle of Kansas City Christmas lights? From the iconic grandeur of Union Station's holiday lights to the enchanting beauty of The Country Club Plaza and the immersive experience at Enchant Christmas, Kansas City becomes a luminous wonderland as the year winds down.
But the sparkle doesn't stop there! We'll also guide you through some of the city's most well-known residential neighborhoods and parks, where community spirit shines bright with dazzling light shows and decorations. Each location on our list offers a unique glimpse into the heart and soul of Kansas City during the holiday season, making them must-visit destinations for locals and visitors alike.
As Kansas City's local, certified PEO since 1988, we're part of this community and love to share the best of what our city has to offer, especially during the holidays. Here are the top 13 Kansas City Christmas lights displays.
1. Mayor's Christmas Tree at Crown Center
4. Plaza Lights
8. Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
9. Winter Magic
10. Christmas Place
11. Candy Cane Lane
12. Bradshaw Christmas Lights Show
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Did you know Kansas City is home to one of USA Today’s Top 10 Public Christmas Trees? It’s true! The 100-foot Oregon Douglas fir is one of the nation’s largest Christmas trees featuring 7,200 lights twinkling from our very own Crown Center here in Kansas City. While you’re there, immerse yourself in the season with ice skating, a gingerbread village, and a holiday train. For more information, visit the Crown Center website.
The Kansas City Mayor will flip the switch to light the tree on November 24 at 5:30 p.m. with fireworks following the lighting. The event is free and lasts for about one hour.
For 50 years Crown Center has been home to the Mayor's Christmas tree, which will stay lit through January 2, 2024.
2405 Grand Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri
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The holidays really do come alive at Union Station! At this year's expanded Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village, you’ll find classic holiday decorations in green and red throughout, including one of the largest indoor lighted trees and a mini Holiday Express train in Rudy's Wonderland!
Christmas virtual reality, new to Union Station last year, makes a reappearance this holiday season! Take a ride through Lapland on the Magical Sleigh Ride VR attraction. You'll explore Santa's secret, magical wonderland, complete with elves, and you'll experience it in 4D, complete with sleigh motions, wind effects, sights and sounds.
You'll also gain access to Union Station's award-winning model train exhibit! With plenty of beautiful places throughout, you’ll be able to snap the perfect holiday picture. Visit Union Station’s website for hours of operation.
The official kick-off to the holiday season begins at Union Station on November 20 at 10:00 a.m. The Christmas attraction remains open seven days per week through January 1, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. The event is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and closes early on Christmas Eve.
Tickets must be purchased and start at $7 per person for weekdays and $10 on weekends(no cash, credit cards only). Holiday Express train rides require an additional $5 ticket. Magical Sleigh Ride VR requires an additional $6 ticket. The last ticketed entrance is at 7:00 p.m.
Fountain Forest: Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains and Union Station’s newest addition reflects just that! “Fountain Forest”, a 4,500 sq. ft. indoor, illuminated fountain that features a 30-foot liquid fireworks dance show to the beat of your favorite Christmas music, will make its debut inside Holiday Reflections this year. The makers of Fountain Forest have made similar fountains that you may have seen at Universal Studios, Sea World and Walt Disney World.
Themed Blackout Curtains: Want to have the same experience during the day as the nighttime exhibit visitors? The 17 iconic Grand Plaza windows will be covered this year with “12 Days of Christmas” themed blackout curtains. A win for daytime visitors!
Santa will be at Union Station this year, wandering about the Holiday Reflections exhibit and available for informal pictures from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on November 24 through December 24.
30 W. Pershing Rd. in Kansas City, Missouri
Kick off your holiday season with a festive, family walk through the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens! A winter wonderland, the Luminary Walk features colorful lights, live musical performances, a campfire with warm apple cider, a serene forest experience, a gnome and fairy house walk, and of course, Santa!
Tickets can be purchased for $15 plus a service fee for the nights of November 24 - 25, December 1 - 2, December 7 - 9 and December 15 - 16 from 5 - 10 p.m. The last entry is at 9:00 p.m. Children 5 and under are admitted for free. For more information, visit the Arboretum's website here >>
Want a less-crowded, quieter experience? Then the adults-only candlelight stroll may be just for you. The adults-only strolls take place on November 30 and December 14.
8909 W. 179th Street in Overland Park, Kansas
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Maybe the most well-known Kansas City Christmas lights are those illuminating the Country Club Plaza buildings. A local tradition for more than 90 years, the plaza lighting ceremony is what many local Kansas Citians consider the official start to their holiday season.
The best spots to admire the lights include the rooftop of the Halls building, McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant, the InterContinental Hotel, and the second floor of Barnes & Noble. For fun facts about the Plaza Lights, check out the VisitKC website.
The 94th Annual Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony 2023 takes place Thursday, November 23 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. The Plaza Lights stay illuminated through mid-January from 5:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
4706 Broadway Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri
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All new for 2023 is Enchant Christmas' The Mischievous Elf, a larger-than-life, immersive Christmas lights maze in Kansas City!
When you embark on your journey through the outdoor Christmas lights maze at Legends Field, you'll go on a magical journey to help a mischievous little elf named Eddie and his pal, Sparky the reindeer, to find eight misplaced toys for children on Santa’s list!
Although the maze is the main attraction, this Kansas City Christmas lights experience has a lot more to offer. Also on site is a village of tiny storefronts, Santa, ice skating and a play place for little ones aged 0-7.
The experience takes place November 24 - December 31, 2023, with tickets starting at $34 (adult) and $25 (junior).
Legends Field, 1800 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66111
Your holidays aren’t complete unless you’ve taken a drive through the 36th Annual Jackson County Christmas in the Park! This breathtaking display features more than 500,000 dazzling lights and 200 animated displays. For pictures and additional information, visit the Jackson County website.
Everything kicks off this year on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, from 5:30 - 10:00 p.m. Admission is free.
Christmas in the Park is open through December 31 from 5:30 - 10:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5:30 - 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Longview Campground, 1499 SW County Park Road in Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Once you’ve taken in the Christmas in the Park experience, be sure to head over to Lee's Summit Magic Tree. The tree is simple elegance and illuminated with more than 12,000 rainbow-colored LED lights. Visitors are able to take photos in front of the tree and have the option to donate to charity.
Magic Tree will be collecting toys again this year to give to children of deployed and non-deployed soldiers. To donate, please bring a new, unwrapped toy for Operation Toy Soldier when you visit the Magic Tree.
The Magic Tree lighting ceremony takes place on November 22, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Experience the magic through January 5. For pictures, directions, charity information and testimonials, visit the Magic Tree website.
I-470 and View High Drive in Lee’s Summit, Missouri
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In its 11th year, but with plenty of new features, Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane is the perfect place to pull in with your family to enjoy a 38-minute show synchronized to music. So, grab some hot chocolate before you head out, find a parking spot, tune your radio to 90.5 FM and enjoy the show. More information can be found on the City of Overland Park’s website.
Experience Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane from November 23 - December 31 from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. Admission is free.
13800 Switzer in Overland Park, Kansas
Experience over one mile of Kansas City Christmas lights displays while driving along historic Cliff Drive in Kessler Park! Winter Magic, in association with the KCMO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, is back for its fourth season and open daily from November 2 through December 31 starting at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, online for a one-hour time slot at $25 (standard vehicle) to control the flow of traffic. Proceeds benefit The KC Parks Fund and Children's Mercy Kansas City. Visit the Winter Magic website for more information >>
1800 Cliff Drive in Kansas City, Missouri
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Voted the number one Christmas neighborhood in Johnson County Kansas for 16+ years and always a must-have on our list of best Christmas lights in Kansas City, this neighborhood is a must-see! It features a double cul-de-sac with all 23 homes participating and is the closest you'll get to a real-life winter wonderland right here in Kansas City.
The tradition was started by Terrace Place resident Cindy Lou Corley who lost her courageous battle against breast cancer. The neighborhood has done an outstanding job keeping its tradition alive.
Open Thanksgiving evening through January 4.
131st Place and Antioch in Overland Park, Kansas
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This well-known display has been around since 1958 and was revived for its 50th anniversary in 2007. It is definitely worth adding to your Kansas City Christmas lights drive this holiday season. Each home on the street and cul-de-sac has at least one 4-foot tall candy cane, with some measuring 10 feet, hence its name, Candy Cane Lane.
You can expect to see lots of twinkling lights, holiday displays, and a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree with lighted presents displayed around it. To see photos and for additional information visit the Kansas Travel website.
The display is open November 25 - January 1 from 5:00 - 10:30 p.m.
7900 block of Outlook Lane in Prairie Village, Kansas
Another attraction to add to your Kansas City Christmas lights adventure in Overland Park is the Bradshaw Street Christmas Light Show. While it is a more recent display, it is just as impressive as some of the more well-known ones.
The display encompasses an entire cul-de-sac of homes. Be sure to tune in to 99.9 FM once you enter the neighborhood as many of the lights are synchronized to the music and be sure to check out the talking Christmas tree!
13812 Bradshaw in Overland Park, Kansas
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The Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens in Kansas City offers a magical winter wonderland experience from November 16 to December 30, 2023, on Wednesdays through Sundays from 5 - 10 p.m.
This year's highlight is the transformation of the Conservatory into Crystal Chambers by Quixotic, creating a world where the glimmer of winter converges under the Northern Lights. Crystal Chambers pop-up performances are on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 - 9 p.m., only through December 23.
The festival boasts a Neon Magic Tree near the Visitor Center that is open daily and several favorite photo stops, like the snowflake arch and vintage holiday ornaments.
For those interested in crafts, the festival offers Winter Wreath Workshops and art lovers can enjoy the Summit Art display, showcasing works by local artists. Workshops take place on December 2 and December 9 only.
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If you're planning on expanding your holiday lights display before your guests arrive, be sure to check out this blog where our Safety and Health Consultant, Randy Clayton, shares holiday lights safety tips.
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