It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! From mid-November to mid-December all across the Kansas City Metro, the switches are flipped, and the city is decked out in holiday splendor!
This is the 2013 guide. Click here for the 2017 Lighting Ceremonies Guide.
We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location and other information, especially with the possibility of weather impacts.
Liberty Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Nov 21, 2013 from 6:30 pm until 7:30 pm at Historic Liberty Missouri. The evening’s events will culminate with the flip of a switch turning on the thousands of lights trimming the historic buildings around the square. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be available. This event serves as the kick off for the Liberty Community Christmas Tree Program. Donations will be welcomed to help support the LCCT, which lends a hand to disadvantaged Liberty families and seniors during the holiday season. In 2012, the Liberty Community Christmas Tree provided food and gifts to 273 families with 699 children and food to another 135 households. The Community Christmas Tree coordinators are working to raise $30,000. Celebrate the season of giving by providing a monetary donation at the lighting ceremony to help disadvantaged families in Liberty.
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting: Overland Park Nov 22, 2013 from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm at Historic Overland Park Clock Tower 7315 W. 79th Overland Park, KS. Cypress Springs cordially invites attendees to park in their lot or on the street and ride to the Tree Lighting in their warm, toasty bus! While waiting, they invite guests to enjoy cookies and hot chocolate in their lobby.
Mayor's Tree Lighting: Lee's Summit Nov 22, 2013 at 6:30 pm at Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street. Lee’s Summit Mayor Randy Rhoads will flip the switch to light the Mayor’s Tree and all of downtown on Friday, Nov. 22. This event is one of the area’s favorite holiday traditions. The ceremonies begin at 6:30 p.m. in Howard Station Park in Downtown Lee’s Summit. Ryan Lefebvre, Royals announcer, is the master of ceremonies. This year’s annual event features free hot cocoa, cookies and live performances. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves arrive via fire truck to visit children at Howard Station Park; so bring a camera to take photos with Santa. Carriage rides also will be offered for a fee. Don’t forget to visit participating Downtown businesses, which will be open until 8 p.m.
Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Union Station Nov 23, 2013 from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Union Station 30 W. Pershing Kansas City, MO. Union Station Holiday Lighting Ceremony - 5:30 p.m. (with entertainment for an hour or two before the halls are lit). After the halls and trees are lit at 6 p.m., the mini holiday express train offers free rides for all small kids from 6 to 8 p.m. that night; thru rest of season Mini Holiday Express Train rides cost $5/ride, but are free to members anytime.
Northern Lights Holiday Lighting Ceremony Nov. 23, 6:00, at Zona Rosa Town Square, I-29 & Barry Rd., Kansas City, MO. Zona Rosa will once again kick off the holiday season with a special lighting ceremony to spotlight the large crowns hung above the streets, as well as the featured 50-foot Christmas tree in Town Square. The community is invited to the FREE program, including the official arrival of the holiday Fairy Princess, Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus!
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting: Gardner Nov 26, 2013 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Linden Square Gardner, KS. Join Mayor Moore and members of the City Council for this annual tradition at Linden Square.
Christmas in the Sky Nov 27, 2013 from 5:30 pm until 9:00 pm at Longview Lake Park I-470 to View High Drive. Kansas City , MO. Enjoy this evening filled with local celebrities, holiday stage productions and an amazing fireworks display, synchronized to your favorite holiday music. This event sets the stage for opening night of Jackson County’s Christmas In The Park. Directions to Christmas In The Sky: Take 470 East to the Raytown Road Exit, Exit South on Raytown Road and follow to the Longview Lake Beach entrance. Directional signs will be posted off of Raytown Road for Christmas In The Sky.
84th Annual Plaza Lighting Ceremony Nov 28, 2013 from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm at Country Club Plaza 47th & Wyandotte Kansas City , MO. Live music, the flip of the Plaza Lights switch, and fireworks! 5:00 – 6:00 pm: KCP&L Pre-Show with performances and great giveaways from the main stage. 6:00 – 7:00 pm: KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony (broadcast LIVE on KSHB-TV). 6:53 pm: Flip of the Switch by actor & KC native Rob Riggle, followed by fireworks. 7:00 – 8:00 pm: Post-ceremony concert featuring The Elders. The KCP&L Plaza Lights shine daily from 5pm to 3am, Thanksgiving through Sunday, January 12, 2014.
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Kansas City Nov 29, 2013 from 5:30 pm until 9:00 pm at Crown Center Square 2450 Grand Blvd. Kansas City , MO. The 100-foot-tall Mayor's Christmas Tree, one of the nation's tallest, is the centerpiece for an illuminating holiday celebration. Mayor Sly James and Kansas City's Tech N9ne will flip the switch to light the tree. The tree is a symbol of the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund, which is dedicated to assisting the city's less fortunate. After the holidays, the wood from the Mayor's Christmas Tree is made into commemorative ornaments, which are sold the following year to benefit the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund.
Light up the Night: Parkville Nov 30, 2013 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Pocket Park on Main Street Parkville. Welcoming the sights, sounds and joys of the holiday season with a lighting ceremony, festive fun, and open houses at participating downtown shops!
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting: Belton Dec 2, 2013 from 5:30 pm until 8:30 pm at Downtown Belton Main Street Belton, MO. Bring 2 canned goods or new unwrapped toys for charity. Enjoy delicious food and great entertainment. And, enjoy Santa arrival at 6:20 pm by Fire Truck.
Christmas in the Park: Gardner Dec 2, 2013 from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Cornerstone Park 215 N. Center Street Gardner, KS. The 23rd Annual Christmas in the Park holiday event kicks off with the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Monday, December 2, 2013. Seasonal music will be performed by area school children. The event will include a Christmas-time message from Mayor Chris Morrow and the arrival of Santa. A lucky individual will be selected to flip the switch that turns on thousands of beautiful lights throughout the park.
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Raymore Dec 3, 2013 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Raymore City Hall 100 Municipal Cir Raymore, MO. This free event will feature the lighting of the Mayor's tree outside Raymore City Hall, guest carolers, live animal petting zoo (provided by the Bud Johnson Petting Zoo), cookies and hot cocoa, and a special visit by Santa Claus. Kids may also visit with St. Nick and have their photos taken. Kick off the Mayor's annual food drive by bringing a canned or non-perishable food item for the barrel.
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting: Prairie Village Dec 5, 2013 from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Corinth Square 83rd & Mission Prairie Village, KS. Start the season off right by joining your friends and neighbors for the 28th Annual Prairie Village Mayor's Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Thursday, December 5th. The program will be held at 6 pm at Corinth Square – between Wooten’s and The Wild Bird Center. Both the Corinth and Village Shopping Centers will be holding Open Houses as well.
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting: Grandview Dec 5, 2013 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at City Hall 1200 Main St Grandview, MO. Donations will be accepted for this event to benefit the Grandview Assistance Program (GAP). Get into the holiday spirit at this beautiful community event. Gather with friends in front of Grandview City Hall (event will be outside under a tent - please dress appropriately) for the lighting of the Mayor's Christmas tree and enjoy live entertainment from area school music programs. Santa is there to pass out candy canes and everyone is in good cheer. For more information, call (816)316-4888
Sar-Ko Aglow Sar-Ko Aglow Dec 6, 2013 from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park 87th & Lackman Lenexa, KS. Kick off your holiday festivities this year by meeting up with friends and neighbors for a community celebration at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park on Dec. 6 for Sar-Ko Aglow. Bundle up and enjoy a stroll through the park while taking in the spectacular lights, sipping hot cocoa and listening to carolers. Santa will also be on hand to hear children's holiday wishes. Holiday lights will officially be switched on at 6 p.m. After that, enjoy local caroling groups from Rising Star, Holy Trinity and Cedar Ridge Christian Church around Roses Pond. Kids can visit with Santa in the Gazebo. Hot drinks will be served on the Legler Barn Museum parking lot.
Candy Cane Hunt & Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Dec 7, 2013 from 5:30 pm until 6:30 pm at Merriam Marketplace 5740 Merriam Drive Merriam, KS. It's that magical time of year where tree tops glisten and children listen for Santa to arrive via the Merriam Fire Truck. Bring the entire family to celebrate the season with hot cocoa, holiday carolers and dancers, along with Mayor Ken Sissom lighting the tree.
Breakfast with Santa! Dec 14, 2013 from 9:30 am until 11:00 am at Irene B. French Community Center 5701 Merriam Drive Merriam, KS. Bring the family and have fun making a holiday craft, face painting, games, breakfast and time with Santa! Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register call 913-322-5550. Registration deadline is Wednesday, December 11th! Tickets: $6.00 per person