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If you've been to any of the area retailers or taken a drive around town, it would be hard not to notice Christmas is upon us. For many, loading up in the car together to view holiday lights displays is a Christmas tradition enjoyed by family members both young and old . . . and even our furry friends.
As Kansas City’s local PEO for nearly 35 years, we know a thing or two about the top holiday spots in the metro. Here are 11 of our favorite places to view dazzling Christmas lights across Kansas City.
1. Mayor's Christmas Tree at Crown Center
4. Plaza Lights
7. Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
8. Winter Magic
10. Candy Cane Lane
11. 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.
Kansas City's Mayor will flip the switch to light the tree on November 25 at 5:30 p.m. For 50 years Crown Center has been home to the Mayor's Christmas tree, which will stay lit through January 2, 2023.
2405 Grand Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri
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! 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 21 at 10:00 a.m. The Christmas attraction remains open seven days per week through January 1 from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tickets must be purchased and start at $7 per person. 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. The event is closed on Thursday, December 1.
Christmas virtual reality has come to Union Station this year! 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.
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 the following days:
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 25 - 26, December 2 - 3, December 8 - 10 and December 15 - 17 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 stroll takes place on December 1.
8909 W. 179th Street in Overland Park, Kansas
Maybe the most well-known lights in the area 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 93rd Annual Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony 2022 takes place Thursday, November 24 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. The Plaza Lights stay illuminated through mid-January from 5:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Located at 4706 Broadway Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri
Your holidays aren’t complete unless you’ve taken a drive through the 35th 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.
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.
Located at the Longview Campground at 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.
Experience the magic through January 5. For pictures, directions, charity information and testimonials, visit the Magic Tree website.
This year, Magic Tree is collecting toys 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.
Located at I-470 and View High Drive in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
In its 10th 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 on November 24 - January 8 from 5:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Yum! Who wants to enjoy kettle corn, hot chocolate hot dogs or cotton candy while watching the light display? Jack's Kettle Corn food truck will provide just that this holiday season on the following dates:
Please stay in your vehicle, Jack’s Kettle Corn staff will come to you.
Located at 13800 Switzer in Overland Park, Kansas
Experience over one mile of Christmas lights displays while driving Kansas City's historic Cliff Drive! Winter Magic, in partnership with Kanas City Parks, is back for its third season and open daily from November 3 through January 1.
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 UG Parks Foundation and Children's Mercy Kansas City. Visit the Winter Magic website for more information >>
1800 Cliff Drive in Kansas City, Missouri
Voted the number one Christmas neighborhood in Johnson County Kansas for 16 years, 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.
Located at 131st Place and Antioch in Overland Park, Kansas
This well-known display has been around since 1958 and was revived for its 50th anniversary in 2007 and is definitely worth the 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 26 - January 1 from 5:00 - 10:30 p.m.
Located at the 7900 block of Outlook Lane in Prairie Village, Kansas
Another attraction to add to your holiday 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 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!
Located at 13812 Bradshaw in Overland Park, Kansas
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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