The holiday season is right around the corner, and soon our evenings will be spent gazing at twinkling lights and listening to nostalgic holiday tunes. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Christmas lights in Kansas City (and a few on the outskirts) to make sure your Christmas in Kansas City is just as merry and bright as it should be.

Feel free to use this interactive map to guide your way on this enchanting Christmas road trip.

GoogleMaps
1. The Country Club Plaza
4745 Central St, Kansas City, MO 64112, USA
Chris Murphy/Flickr
Nothing says Christmas in Kansas City more than the Plaza. Though we sometimes feel like the lights are just a common occurrence, we still catch ourselves staring every year.
2. The Mayor's Tree at Crown Center Square
2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Facebook
The annual lighting of this tree is a city-wide event, but even if you miss it you should still stop by and witness the 100-foot tree in all its glory. 2022 marks its 50th anniversary and promises to be even more grandiose.
3. Pleasant Valley Baptist Church's Liberty Light Show - 1600 N State Route 291, Liberty, Missouri
North State Route 291, N State Rte 291, Liberty, MO 64068, USA
Liberty Light Show 2019 / Facebook
This amazing light show is one for the family. Lights synced with live music isn't something you find often, and the magical combination is best viewed right here in Liberty. It really is an amazing show, and not one you'll find anywhere else. A lightning storm in 2021 damaged a good portion of the lights, so be sure to visit the website to check on dates for the 2022 season.
4. Zona Rosa's Northern Lights
8640 N Dixson Ave, Kansas City, MO 64153, USA
Zona Rosa Facebook
The crown-themed lights at Zona Rosa are a special break from the normal snowflakes and stars you see everywhere else. The square is filled with holiday cheer to help complete your road trip's goal: more lights!
5. Legends Outlets
1843 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66109, USA
Legends Outlets Kansas City Facebook
Every year, Legends Outlets displays this gorgeous 45-foot tree that towers over the square. It's just stunning, and the perfect backdrop for photos to commemorate your Christmas in Kansas City.
6. Stagecoach Park
1205 E Kansas City Rd, Olathe, KS 66061, USA
Olathe Parks & Rec Facebook
This classic display of animated holiday lights in Kansas really brings out the holiday spirit, and is another great addition to this list. There are giant trees and twinkling lights, galore!
7. Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, 13800 Switzer Rd, Overland Park, KS 66221, USA
Friends of Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead Facebook
Catch the amazing lights here at the farm, where you can take a break for a while and enjoy the ever-shifting display on the barn. This is one must see lights show on your Christmas road trip!
8. Lee's Summit Magic Tree
10201 View High Dr, Kansas City, MO 64134, USA
Lee's Summit Magic Tree Facebook
Of course, you can't go look at holiday lights without seeing The Magic Tree. It's here every year, and the magic surrounding it extends much farther than the light. This year, the Magic Tree is partnering up with Operation Toy Soldier to provide toys to the children of soldiers. Feel free to spread the holiday cheer with a donation of a new, unwrapped toy when you visit.
9. Christmas in the Park
Longview Lake, Missouri, USA
Jackson County Parks + Rec Facebook
This amazing light show in Missouri is worth every minute spent outside your warm home, and is a great way to round out your road trip. Tip: head here on weeknights to make the wait shorter!

For more holiday adventures, here are some of the best winter spots to make your Christmas in Kansas City unforgettable.

 

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Christmas in Kansas City

Jackie Ann | October 17, 2022

What are the best drive-thru light shows in Kansas City?

One of the best holiday lights in Kansas City also happens to be a drive-thru light show, so don’t let this holiday season fly by without paying a visit to Winter Magic. This incredible light show is the longest list tunnel in Missouri, and it’s worth a road trip from any corner of the state to see it in person. The show runs nightly from November 3, 2022, until January 1, 2023.

What are the best holiday events in Kansas City?

From the Country Club Plaza to ice skating at the Crown Center Ice Terrace, Christmas in Kansas City is always a memorable experience. Watching the Kansas City Ballet perform The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition for many Kansas City residents, but there are plenty of holiday events in Kansas City to keep you entertained all season long. 

Is Kansas City a good place to visit in the winter?

Absolutely! If you’re dreaming of a winter wonderland where you can experience a white Christmas, Kansas City is for you. On average, Kansas City sees about 15 inches of snowfall per year, so you stand a very good chance of waking up to that beautiful white powder on Christmas Day. Here are a couple of tips for surviving a Kansas City winter so you can get outside and enjoy some of the best winter activities in Kansas City, like viewing the frozen waterfall at Overland Park or sledding down Suicide Hill. For an incredibly scenic stroll through a natural setting, consider bundling up and visiting Powell Gardens in Kingsville. It’s about an hour's drive from Kansas City, but this 970-acre park is worth it, especially when covered in snow. 

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