Photo: Visit KC
It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas! We’re sure a lot of people are itching to go check out the Kansas City holiday light displays.
And, why not? Looking at Christmas lights is an inexpensive holiday activity that can be enjoyed by kids (and adults) of all ages.
This list includes any kind of displays we could find from professional set ups, civic events and private homes.
It’s amazing the expense, time and effort that businesses and residents put into creating some of the holiday light displays around Kansas City. With that in mind, be more of Cindy Lou than a Grinch when viewing the light displays:
- While many holiday light displays in Kansas City are free, some also collect donations for charity or to keep the displays going from year to year. Try to have a little cash on hand and give something, even if it’s just a couple of dollars. It all adds up to make a difference
- If you’re going through residential areas, be respectful of neighbors. Drive slowly as if your own family lives there and never block anyone’s driveway.
- Be patient. Sometimes the drive-thru holiday light displays don’t move along as quickly as we’d like. Think of it as a time to slow down and try to remember the lyrics to Christmas songs you’ haven’t sung in years.
- If the light display involves a parking situation, be sure you park in designated places and shut your lights off.
If you know of any great holiday light displays around Kansas City we’ve missed, drop us a note at info@kansascityonthe cheap.com.
If you’re feeling festive, you may also be interested in our other posts:
Kansas City Holiday Events & Activities 2019
Kansas City Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
Free and Cheap Kansas City New Year’s Eve Parties
Kansas City New Year’s Eve Parties for Kids
Kansas City Christmas Tree and Holiday Lighting Ceremonies
Polar Express, Santa Trains and Christmas Train Rides in Kansas City
Kansas City Holiday Markets, Bazaars, Craft Shows and Boutiques
Where to Visit Santa in Kansas City
Classic Holiday Movies at Theaters in Kansas City
Christmas Pop-Up Bars in Kansas City Deliver Cheerful Cocktails
Make sure you don’t miss any upcoming deals by subscribing to Kansas City on the Cheap’s daily emails (just one a day), and following us on Facebook and Twitter.
Best Holiday and Christmas Light Displays in Kansas City 2019
Kansas City, MO
Plaza Lights
Country Club Plaza
Nov. 28, 2019 – mid-January 2020
5 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Admission: FREE
If you have never seen the Plaza Lights in Kansas City and you only have time to see one holiday display while you’re visiting, this is the one to see. The switch is flipped in a traditional ceremony on Thanksgiving night. The bar area on the second floor of Brio Tuscan Grille is a great place enjoying dinner or drinks with friends and family.
Mayor’s Christmas Tree
Crown Center Square
Downtown Kansas City
Nov. 29, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
Admission: FREE
All the trees in Crown Center Square are lit up for the holidays, but the centerpiece is the Mayor’s Christmas Tree. At 100 feet tall, it’s one of the tallest in the U.S. The first night of illumination is done as part of a special ceremony. Experience full winter magic by skating on the ice terrace.
Winterfest
Worlds of Fun
Nov. 23 Dec. 31, 2019
Hours vary by day
Admission: Tickets start at $23
View more than five million lights and a 70-foot Christmas tree during Worlds of Fun’s Winterfest celebration.
Kingsville
Festival of Lights
Powell Gardens
Nov. 29, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
Sunday-Thursdays: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: $5-$12; FREE for members
Accessible pathways are filled with holiday lights and unique botanically themed displays. Special weekends include time with Santa Claus.
Lee’s Summit
Christmas in the Park
Longview Lake
Nov. 27 – Dec. 31, 2019
Sunday-Thursday: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday- Saturday: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Admission: FREE. Donations accepted.
This display is another popular Kansas City tradition. It features more than 500,000 lights and 175 animated figures in a drive-thru wonderland. Christmas in the Park opens with a spectacular Christmas in the Sky celebration on Nov. 27.
Magic Tree
I-470 and View High Drive
Nov. 26, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
Admission: FREE. Donations accepted for Operation Toy Soldier
The tree has more than 13,000 lights that stay illuminated 24/7 during the season.
Liberty
Liberty Light Show
Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
Dec. 6-8; Dec. 13-15, 2019
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: FREE
This drive-through light display will be synchronized to music. You’ll tune your radio to hear performances of Christmas favorites. There will also be a simple narrative of the Gospel story throughout the show. Shows are about 15 minutes long and begin every 45 minutes.
Kansas City, KS
Legends Lighting
Legends Outlets
Nov. 16, 2019 – early Jan. 2020
Admission: FREE
The entire shopping center is lit up for the holidays, but features a 45-foot tree decorated with festive LED-lighted snowflakes and a three-foot-six-inch snowfall topper featuring a mix of static LED light bars and double-sided LED animated show tubes.
Lenexa
Sar-Ko Aglow
Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park
Dec. 6, 2019 – Jan. 12, 2020
Admission: FREE
All the trees around Rose’s Pond will be lit up for the season beginning with an official ceremony and Santa visit on Dec. 6.
Olathe
Paulie’s Penguin Playground
16617 Indian Creek Parkway
Nov. 28 – Dec. 25, 2019
Admission: FREE. Donations accepted for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
A walk-through, penguin-themed display delights for the holiday season and raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Overland Park
Christmas Place
131st & Antioch Road
Nov. 28, 2019 – Jan. 1, 2020
Admission: FREE
According to the Christmas Place website, this light display has been “voted the number one Christmas neighborhood in Johnson County for 16 straight years.” It’s a double cul-de-sac of 23 homes that shifts from a residential area into a winter wonderland you can drive through.
Photo: Roy Harryman
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
Nov. 28, 2019 – Jan. 7, 2019
5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Admission: FREE
This Overland Park attraction never fails to disappoint, regardless of the season. Even though the farmstead is closed, you can still enjoy a synchronized light show from the comfort of your car. Turn off your headlights as you are watching and tune your radio to 90.5 FM. Pack blankets, hot cocoa and cookies for a special treat. This display can be found at the main entrance of the farmstead.
Holiday Luminary Walk
Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 2019
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: $12 (advance tickets recommended); 4 and under FREE
Thousands of candles light the way through walking paths at the Overland Park Arboretum. Carolers and Santa join.
KidsTLC Benefit Display
10955 Granada
Nov. 27 – Dec. 31, 2019
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: FREE; donations for KidsTLC accepted
A creative, spectacular lighting display in Overland Park benefiting children seeking hope at KidsTLC. The holiday light display will be synchronized to music on 97.1 FM and will run every evening the day after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve. There will be a scrolling message to encourage visitors to text “KidsTLC” (not case sensitive) to 243725 to make a donation. All proceed benefit KidsTLC who provides hope and healing to children and families facing challenges with mental and behavioral health, developmental trauma and autism.
Vince & Associates Holiday Light Display
103rd & Metcalf
Nov. 22, 2019 – Jan. 1, 2020
Admission: FREE
The Vince & Associates display includes more than 200,000 LED lights synchronized to music. The best viewing experience is sitting in your car across the street in the parking lot of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Take note because there is a new radio frequency for 2019. Tune into 97.1 FM and enjoy.
Prairie Village
Candy Cane Lane
7900 Outlook Lane
Nov. 30, 2019 – Jan. 1, 2020
Admission: FREE
Each year since 1958, the residents of Candy Cane Lane turn a quite suburban cul-de-sac into a magical Christmas wonderland. Drive through to see old favorites and new additions. FREE candy canes are handed out on the first night!
