Seasonal favorites are here, so let’s bring on the holiday cheer! From holiday lighting traditions to local gifts your family and friends will love, KC Destinations knows how to serve up the festivities. Take a peek at these holiday happenings across the metro!
Leavenworth, Kansas A shopping event like no other! Pick up your tree from the Main Street office or participating businesses and “decorate” it with what you buy! As you buy items around town the shop keeper will stamp off the amount! When you have a minimum of 8 ornaments stamped turn your tree into 416 Cherokee. Beginning November 11, we will draw a tree every Friday and you could win $50 in Main Street bucks. Each Friday we will empty the bowl for the next weeks trees! Then on December 22, we put all of the trees into a bowl and draw for our Grand Prize Winners!! https://www.visitleavenworthks.com/visitors/page/calendar-events
Bonner Springs, Kansas The community comes together for the annual Candy Cane Hunt and Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 3. Kids can hunt for candy canes starting at 4:30 in Centennial Park then the holiday lighted parade arrives in downtown around 5:30 p.m. The tree will light up at 5:45 and then Santa and Mrs. Claus will top off the night with cookies and cocoa at the community center! All activities are free and anyone is welcome to attend. Also, enjoy the Knights of Lights returning in 2022! Join us for a Winter Wonderland at the grounds of the Kansas City Renaissance Festival! Enjoy twinkling lights, beautiful music, a visit with Santa and more as we transform Canterbury for the holidays. We'll even have a New Year's party! Tickets for Knights of Lights are now on sale online. Knights of Lights occurs from 5:30 – 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 25 to December 18 plus December 21 through December 24 and December 30. A special New Year’s Eve party is on sale, too! https://www.kcrenfest.com/2022-knights-of-lights/
Kansas City, Missouri The 93rd Annual Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony returns on Thursday, November 24, 2022 starting at 5:00 p.m. Kick off the holiday season in style and join us for this beloved Thanksgiving tradition in Kansas City. Plaza lights are on display nightly throughout the holiday season.
Mayor’s Christmas Tree – Nov. 25, 2022; 5:30 p.m.
Crown Center’s magnificent centerpiece towers more than 100 feet high and is illuminated by more than 7,200 white bulbs, proving it a proud showcase of Kansas City’s seasonal spirit. The Mayor’s Christmas Tree lights will shine brightly through January 2, 2023.
Kansas City, Kansas KCK offers a great selection of indoor things to do with the family over winter break. Special indoor and outdoor holiday events include Olde World Christmas and Nighttime Tours at Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center, Holiday Light & Magic, a one-mile-long drive-thru display, Santa's Wonderland and activities at Cabela’s, building your own box of holiday greenery, wreath-making, holiday gifts and sweets at Hanging of the Greens at Cider Hill Family Orchard, the Knights of Lights with the KC Renaissance festival, and photos with Santa or the Grinch at Nebraska Furniture Mart! Looking for an evening away from the kids? Check out A Pop Up Before Christmas, a popup cocktail experience with themed cocktails through the end of the year.
Merriam, Kansas Santa Claus is coming to town on Friday, December 2 for Christmas in the Courtyard and the Mayor’s tree lighting at the Merriam Community Center. The festive fun begins at 6:30 p.m. and features time with Santa, live music from Merriam Park Elementary students, a hot cocoa bar, a giant snow globe for photos, a holiday movie and popcorn, glittery cotton candy, a snowball toss, and Christmas ornament craft. You can also find all the Merriam & Bright holiday promotions at exploremerriam.com
Lenexa, Kansas Lenexa’s Sar-Ko Aglow is Friday, December 2nd at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park! At 6pm, the flip is switched and a park full of festive color will light up the night. Santa and the Dickens Carolers will be on hand to spread holiday cheer. Lights will be turned on at 6pm at this free event and lights will stay up through Jan. 16, 2023. https://bit.ly/3EyDF5S
Olathe, Kansas
Visit two historic homes in Downtown Olathe, Junque Drawer Boutique & Studio, and the Holiday House. The holiday house is full of gifts, home décor, and more! The Holiday House can be found at 101 W Cedar St Olathe, KS 66061. Grab a hard seltzer or drink, enjoy the holiday music, and shop at both locations! www.junquedrawerstudio.com
Gardner, Kansas Lots of ways to enjoy the holidays in Gardner! Check out Santa’s Workshop after the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting in Christmas in the Park on Nov. 28th or at the second date on December 4th. Enjoy photos and all-you-can-eat Chris Cakes and sausage links at Breakfast with Santa on December 10th, or find some of the hundreds of candy canes Santa has hidden at the Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt on December 15th. More info available at Special Events | Gardner, KS gardnerkansas.gov