Best Holiday and Christmas Light Displays in Kansas City 2020

We’re sure a lot of people are in the spirit to go check out Christmas and holiday light displays in Kansas City.

Holiday Light displays in Kansas City - Country Club Plaza Lights

Photo: Visit KC

And, why not? Looking at Christmas lights is an inexpensive and safe 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:

Donate if you can. 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

Don’t get put on the naughty list. 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.

Lights off. 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@kansascityonthecheap.com.

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Best Holiday and Christmas Light Displays in Kansas City 2020

MISSOURI

Blue Springs

Ridgewood Lights
1817 SE Ridgewood Drive, Blue Springs, MO
Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 2020
6 p.m. to TBD (check Facebook page to confirm)
Admission: FREE (accept donations for Wayside Waifs)

A computer programmed Christmas light display consisting of nearly 12,000 lights, multiple songs and FREE candy canes. There is also a sleigh that makes a great backdrop for photos.

Excelsior Springs

Hall of Trees
Hall of Waters’ Water Bar – downtown Excelsior Springs
Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 2020
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (call to confirm hours)
Admission: FREE

The Hall of Waters was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. See this annual seasonal display of trees put together by the community that serves to lift holiday spirits and raise money.

Lane of Lights
East Valley Park – Excelsior Springs
Nov. 21-Dec. 31, 2020
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: $5 donation suggested

The spirit of season comes through in this drive-thru holiday lights display in Excelsior Springs.

Independence

Crysler Lights
3510 S. Crysler, Independence, MO
Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 2020
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays; until 11 p.m. weekends
Admission: FREE

Holiday light show synchronized to music that you can listen to from the comfort of your car. Tune radios to 100.3 FM.

Kansas City, MO

Plaza Lights
Country Club Plaza
Nov. 26, 2020 – Jan. 10, 2021
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.

Mayor’s Christmas Tree
Crown Center Square
Downtown Kansas City
Nov. 27, 2020 – Jan. 3, 2021
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 being done as part of a virtual ceremony.

18th & Vine Historic District
Downtown East – Kansas City
Admission: FREE

Drive by and see the decorated tree billed as “Christmas in Color”. The lighting and Soul of Santa Foundation’s second annual holiday concert is being done virtually this year, but the tree is lit all season.

Downtown Marriott Hotel
Downtown Kansas City – 12th Street
Admission: FREE

The 20-story hotel has a fondness for getting into the local spirit, including celebrating the KC Royals World Series competitions and the Kansas Chiefs Super Bowl win. For Christmastime, the Marriott hotel in downtown Kansas City turns on an animated display of characters and greetings made up of 30,000+ bulbs and a collection of color.

Winter Magic
Swope Park next to The KC Zoo
Nov. 1, 2020 – Jan. 2, 2021
Admission: $20 per car load; $30-$40 for commercial vans or buses

Winter Magic is touted as the most fantastic of drive-thru holiday events in Kansas City. Visitors cruise through nine themed displays of the 12 Days of Christmas, a toy workshop, stained-glass nativity. spinning trees, lighted animals in the zoo area, the KC Proud section and more.

Zona Rosa Holiday Lights
Zona Rosa Town Center
Nov. 21, 2020 – Jan. 3, 2021
Admission: FREE

Zona Rosa has put together a festive atmosphere with a 50-foot tree, suspended crowns and selfie photo stations.

Winterfest
Worlds of Fun

Winterfest will return to Worlds of Fun in November 2021.

Kingsville

Festival of Lights
Powell Gardens
Nov. 13, 2020 – Jan. 3, 2021
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. See here for more details.

Knob Noster

Country Acres Christmas Lights Extravaganza
1290 NE 140 Road, Knob Noster, MO
Nov. 26-Dec. 31, 2020
5:30 to 11 p.m.
Admission: FREE

Take a road trip to see this delightful display in Knob Noster, MO. See here for more details.

Lee’s Summit

Christmas in the Park
Longview Lake
Nov. 25 – Dec. 31, 2020
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.

Lee’s Summit City Hall Plaza
Downtown Lee’s Summit
Nov. 20, 2020 – first week of January
Nightly dusk to dawn
Admission: FREE.

Walk or cruise through downtown Lee’s Summit to enjoy the mayor’s Christmas tree, holiday decor from various shops and an animated light display at City Hall Plaza that was designed by the Lee’s Summit High School Robotics team.

Magic Tree
I-470 and View High Drive
2020 Schedule Details Pending
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
Evenings on select nights in December
Admission: FREE

This drive-through light display will be synchronized to live and automated music throughout various dates in December. See here for more schedule details.

North Kansas City

North KC Mayor’s Christmas Tree
North KC City Hall, 2010 Howell Street, North KC, MO (corner of Armour & Gentry)
Evenings beginning at 6 p.m. through December
Admission: FREE

Take advantage of holiday displays and the North KC mayor’s Christmas tree for your seasonal photo ops.

KANSAS

Bonner Springs

Knights of Lights
KC Renaissance Festival Grounds
Nov. 26, 2020 – Jan. 10, 2021
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: $25 – $45 per vehicle

Medieval magic meets the Christmas spirit with the Kansas City Renaissance Festival Grounds transformed into a magical light display for the holiday season. See details here.

Santa Express in Lights
National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame
630 N. 126th Street
Dec. 4-5, 11-12 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Admission: FREE ($10 per car donation suggested)

Drive along a luminary lit road to see holiday lights and a living nativity complete with camel, donkey, cow, goats and sheep. You can also wave to Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves. There is even a mailbox for letters to Santa.

Fairway, KS

KC Family Dental
4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Nightly from 5 to 9 p.m.
Admission: FREE

This Fairway business has installed three, nine-foot tall singing Christmas trees. They perform 17 different holiday songs you can enjoy from your car or standing outside if the weather isn’t too frightful.

Gardner, KS

Gardner Christmas in the Park
Cornerstone Park – 215 N. Center
Beginning Nov. 30
Admission: FREE

Christmas lights are set up at Cornerstone Park in Gardner.

G-Town Christmas
29299 W 151st St just East of Gardner Road
Nightly from 5:15 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 29-Jan. 5
Admission: FREE

Home of the first Computer Animated Christmas Lights Display in Gardner. Synchronized to music on 102.3 FM

Gardner Holiday Home Lights Tour
Residential and neighborhood displays throughout Gardner
Admission: FREE

The Gardner Parks and Recreation Department organized a Holiday Home Lights Tour. Pack into the car with cocoa and Christmas music to see this list of participants. According to their Facebook page, this list will take you from the Tumbleweed Grill and Bar (it’s decorated!), through Gardner until you end up near 151st and Four Corners Road.

615 E. Main Street
635 Oak Crest Circle
513 E. Acorn Street
29145 W. 184th Street
29113 W. 186th Street
18409 S. Sycamore Court
18408 Ash Street
624 S. Poplar Street
638 S. Oak Street
639 S. Oak Street
648 S. Oak Street
651 S. Oak Street
700 S. Sycamore Street
549 Plum Creek Drive
249 W. Main Street
17219 Jessica Street
31197 W. 170th Street
740 Berry Street
280 W. Mockingbird Street
260 W. Mockingbird Street
616 N. Elm Street
805 N. Mulberry Street
512 Parma Way
16259 Blair Court
16255 Blair Court
28324 W. 162nd Terrace
28321 W. 162nd Terrace
28316 W. 162nd Terrace
28317 W. 162nd Terrace
28313 W. 162nd Terrace
28309 W. 162nd Terrace
28213 W. 162nd Street
28216 W. 162nd Street
16158 S. Canton Street
28332 W. 162nd Terrace
28507 W. 162nd Place
14520 Oak Valley Drive

Kansas City, KS

Legends Lighting
Legends Outlets
Nov. 20 – Dec. 31, 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. See here for more details about several 2020 holiday events at the Legends Outlet.

Lawrence, KS

Parkside Christmas
1132 Parkside Circle – NE corner of Dad Perry Park
Nightly from Thanksgiving to Jan. 6, 2021
Admission: FREE

Started in 2008, this is a synchronized light and sound Christmas display showcased every night during the season.

Santa’s Lights
132 Bramble Bend Court
Thanksgiving Night through New Year’s Day
Admission: FREE

A synchronized Christmas light and sound display in Lawrence, KS. Tune to 96.7 FM to listen and enjoy.

Lenexa

Sar-Ko Aglow
Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park
Dec. 4, 2020 – Jan. 10, 2021
Admission: FREE

All the trees around Rose’s Pond will be lit up for the season beginning with an official ceremony livestreamed online. See here for more details.

Deck the City Holiday Lights Tour
Multiple locations in Lenexa
Displays continue through Dec. 27
Admission: FREE

Lenexa residents were invited to take part in a self-guided tour of holiday lights and outdoor decorations. Cruise the streets of Lenexa and take a look at these participating residents and businesses include:

9646 Haskins Street
10249 Caenen Drive
9258 Twilight Lane
Aptora Corporation – 8877 Bourgade Avenue
15326 W. 88th Terrace
8428 Allman Road
9019 Alden Street
9208 Alden Street
13508 W. 82nd Street
14418 W. 91st Street
8938 Cottonwood Street
8970 Tomashaw Lane
14306 W. 83rd Place – Second Place
8344 Hallett Street
8411 Greenwood Circle
8932 Twilight Lane
14120 W. 83rd Street
7708 Oakview Lane
8131 Bittersweet Drive – Third Place
24900 W. 86th Street – Best in Show; synchronized to lights; look for the radio station posted to tune in and enjoy.
8616 Redbud Lane – First Place; lightshow set to music nightly from 6 to 9 p.m.
Lenexa Public Market – 8750 Penrose Lane, 21713 W. 95th Terrace
9331 Cottonwood Street
8943 Twilight Lane
9411 Twilight Lane
15436 W. 93rd Street
14831 W. 90th Street
14630 W. 85th Terrace
Schenke – 12527 W. 81st Pace
8742 Sunray Drive
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church – 7740 Lackman Road – includes a lighted banner for photos
15323 W. 83rd Terrace
7534 Twilight Lane
17402 W. 84th Street
15528 W. 89th Terrace
15007 W. 77th Terrace

Olathe

Paulie’s Penguin Playground
16617 Indian Creek Parkway
Nov. 27 – Dec. 23, 2020
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. It’s open and worth visiting during the day, but the best experience is at night when the display is lit up.

Rockin’ Winter Wonderland
KC Wine Co/KC Pumpkin Patch
Nov. 27 – Dec. 25, 2020
Admission: $25 per car load (up to 6 people)

Get cozy in your pajamas, tune into holiday music and head out for more than a mile of winter light magic. Gifts options and stocking stuffers are available for curbside pick up during your visit.

Stagecoach Park & Olathe Community Center
1205 E Kansas City Road
Admission: FREE

A festive display of giant trees and twinkling lights. There is also a lighted luminary path that goes partially around the lake at the rear of the community center building.

Olathe Neighborhood and Public Displays
Olathe is lit! Here are number of other residential and neighborhood holiday light displays you can find throughout the City of Olathe, Kansas. Plug these into your GPS and take a festive tour.

Arbor Landing (SW of 159th and Mur-Len)
Briarwood (139th St/Ter and Black Bob)
Brougham Village (15904 W 152nd Pl and 152nd and Brougham)
Cedar Brooke (SE of 119th and Lone Elm)
Cedar Creek (K-10 and Cedar Creek Pkwy)
Christmas Card Lane (NW of 151st and Ridgeview)
Fairview Hills (Prairie and Logan)
Heatherstone (119th and Rene)
Heritage Hill West (143rd and Caenen Ln)
Indian Creek North (123rd Ter and Seminole Dr)
Meadowridge (140th Ter and Black Bob)
Mission Ridge (Frontier Ln and Ridgeview)
Nottingham at Heritage Park (159th and Hallet)
Olathe Trails (126th and Sycamore)
Palisade Park (163rd and Ridgeview)
Prairie Point (108th Terr and Lone Elm)
Prairie Farms (Santa Fe and Hedge Ln)
Woodland Manor (108th Ter and Woodland)

Overland Park

Altasciences Holiday Light Display
103rd & Metcalf
Nov. 26, 2020 – Jan. 1, 2021
Admission: FREE

The Altasciences light display (formerly Vince & Associates Clinical Research) 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. Tune into 99.5 FM and enjoy.

Christmas on Bradshaw
13800 block of Bradshaw Street
Admission: FREE

An entire cul-de-sac and street decorated with holiday lights set to music. Tune in at 99.9 FM to enjoy.

Christmas Place
131st & Antioch Road
Nov. 26, 2020 – Jan. 1, 2021
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.

Best Christmas and Holiday light displays in Kansas City

Photo: Roy Harryman

Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
Nov. 26, 2020 – Jan. 7, 2021
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. 27-28, Dec. 4-5, Dec. 11-12, 2020
4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: $14 (tickets must be purchased in advance); 5 and under FREE

Thousands of candles light the way through walking paths at the Overland Park Arboretum with music and wagon rides.

Candelight Stroll
Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Dec. 3, 2020
4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: $14 (tickets must be purchased in advance.

An adults-only version of the popular Holiday Luminary Walk offering candles, lights and tranquility at the Arboretum.

Thompson Park
8045 Santa Fe Drive, Downtown Overland Park
Admission: FREE

The Overland Park Parks and Recreation crews have decked out the park with lots of pretty lights this year for the holidays. This includes the newly decorated Mayor’s Christmas Tree.

Prairie Village

Candy Cane Lane
7900 Outlook Lane
Nov. 28, 2020 – Jan. 1, 2021
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.