Tree Lighting Ceremonies Around Kansas City
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to gather with family and friends for festive celebrations in the Kansas City metro. Christmas tree lighting ceremonies are a great way to enjoy the season and experience local traditions. Check out these spots to kick off the holiday season with community gatherings, live entertainment, and plenty of holiday cheer!
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies around Kansas City
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Festival - KCK
Visit Memorial Hall for the KCK Mayor's Tree Lighting Festival! Enjoy free live entertainment with the City Choir, along with hot chocolate, photos with Santa, small business vendors, food trucks, games, and more. Celebrate the season with the KCK community!
November 7, 2025 - 4:00 - 8:00 PM (Tree lighting at 7 PM)
Memorial Hall - 600 N. 7th St., KCK
The Village at Briarcliff Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Kick off the holidays at the Village at Briarcliff's Tree Lighting Ceremony! Enjoy family-friendly activities like photos with Santa, hayrides, face painting, and a festive fireworks show. Take advantage of event-only specials from local businesses, and capture the moment at the holiday photo booth and selfie station!
November 8, 2025 - 4:00 - 7:00 PM
4151 N Mulberry Dr, Kansas City, MO
Shawnee Christkindl at Moonlight Market & Mayor's Tree Lighting
Downtown Shawnee's Moonlight Market is hosting its annual Christkindl event and tree lighting. Bring your family and friends to shop from local vendors, enjoy food and drinks, and make a festive craft. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there to spread holiday cheer, and the evening will wrap up with the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting, illuminating downtown Shawnee for the season.
November 13, 2025 - 4:00 - 7:00 PM
11110 Johnson Drive Shawnee, KS 66216
Brookside Holiday Season Opener
The Brookside neighborhood is kicking off the season with its annual tree lighting ceremony at the Brookside Holiday Season Opener. Enjoy pop-up shops, exclusive deals, treats all weekend long, and a special visit from Santa. The festivities include cookies, hot chocolate, live music, and, of course, the tree lighting! Afterward, you can sip, shop, and stroll through the charming Brookside storefronts to get into the holiday spirit
November 13, 2025 - 5:00-8:00 PM (tree lighting at 6PM)
West 63rd St., Kansas City, MO
Legendary Tree Lighting - Tanger Kansas City Legends Outlets
The ceremony at Tanger Kansas City Legends Outlets will feature family-friendly entertainment, including live holiday music, prize giveaways, and kids’ activities. Guests can enjoy complimentary refreshments and capture memories with Santa, who will lead the countdown to the tree lighting. The evening offers fun for all ages, with free activities like face painting, balloon artists, and a visit from a balloon snowman character. Local musicians will perform classic holiday tunes leading up to the big countdown.
November 15, 2025 - 5:00 - 8:00 PM
1843 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66111
Overland Park Mayor’s Holiday Festival
Snap photos with Santa, the Grinch, and a few favorite snow princesses while strolling through the Maker's Market for holiday goodies. Enjoy snacks from food trucks as the kids make crafts and ride a mini-train or watch a holiday movie at Strang Hall. For the adults, beer and cocktail stations will be available throughout the area.
November 21, 2025 - 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Thompson Park - 8045 Santa Fe Drive Overland Park, KS 66204
Independence Square Lighting
Enjoy a festive evening in the picturesque town square of Independence (featured in the new Chiefs-inspired Hallmark movie), featuring sleigh rides, hot cocoa, and a visit from Santa Claus. Kids can enjoy reindeer games, crafts, and write letters to Santa at his workshop in the Independence Uptown Market. Afterward, take a sleigh ride around the square and enjoy the magical holiday lights as you sip hot cocoa and explore the local shops.
November 21, 2025 - 6:00 -7:30 PM
106 S Liberty St, Independence, MO 64050
Mayor’s Tree Lighting in Downtown Lee’s Summit
Mark your calendar for the Downtown Lee’s Summit tree lighting celebration on November 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the new Green Street area. Check out musical performances and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Attendees can take photos with Santa until 8 p.m. After the ceremony, enjoy late-night shopping and live window displays throughout Downtown Lee’s Summit.
November 21, 2025 - 6:30 - 8:00 PM
209 SE Green Street Lee's Summit, MO
Union Station
Weston Holiday Tree Lighting
View the beautiful Weston downtown tree shine during the annual tree lighting ceremony at Holladay Park. Weston makes for a great weekend getaway from the busy Kansas City metro and this tree makes the backdrop even more special.
November 21, 2025 - 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Holladay Park - Spring Street Weston, MO 64098
Ward Parkway Lighting Ceremony - No date announced yet for 2025
Head to Ward Parkway Center in KCMO for a festive evening at their Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Restaurant Pavilion! There are great family-friendly restaurants nearby for a family dinner out. Enjoy live performances from Center School District, tasty snacks, and a visit with Santa. Gather the family and watch the magic unfold as the 30-foot tree lights up!
November 22, 2024 - 6-8 PM
8815 State Line Rd, Kansas City, MO
Northern Lights Holiday Lighting Ceremony - Zona Rosa
Zona Rosa is one of Kansas City’s favorite shopping and entertainment districts! Don’t miss a special Holiday Lighting Ceremony with live music, food trucks, giveaways, ice skating, and photo ops with holiday characters. The Grand Tree will turn on at 6 PM with Santa Claus!
November 22, 2025 - 4:00 - 6:00 PM - North Park
8731 N Stoddard Ave, Kansas City, MO
Soul of Santa Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Soul of Santa Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on Wednesday, November 26th, at 18th & Vine. This year’s event celebrates and raises awareness about disabilities.
November 26, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
1512 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO
Miracle on Main Street Lighting Celebration
Celebrate the beautiful Miracle on Main Street in downtown Platte City with horse-drawn carriage rides, meeting Mr. & Mrs. Claus, face painting, a petting zoo, children’s train rides, make-and-take crafts, and so much more! There will be community performances and free trolley rides from nearby parking. A fun, free night out for the whole family in Platte City!
November 26, 2025 - 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Main St. Platte City, MO
Magic Tree Lighting Ceremony - No date announced yet for 2025
Witness the iconic Magic Tree in Lee’s Summit light up, symbolizing hope, peace, and joy for the holiday season. Highlights include magical photo opportunities, festive music, and a toy drive supporting Operation Toy Soldier—bring a new, unwrapped toy to help military families. Be sure to dress warmly and enjoy this heartwarming community tradition.
November 27, 2024 - 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Paragon Star Sports Complex, Lee’s Summit, MO
Bright at Bluhark: Holiday Tree Lighting
Watch the Bluhawk tree light up on November 28 while seeing Santa, a live reindeer encounter, a theatrical light performance, holiday treats, and so much more! This is a great way to celebrate the start of the Christmas season with free fun for the family.
November 28, 2025 - 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Between Jersey Mike’s and Costa Vida at 159th and Antioch, Overland Park, KS
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting at Crown Center Square
Kansas City’s favorite tradition! The mayor (and some famous Hallmark stars!) will help light the enormous Crown Center Square Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. Enjoy a beautiful night out with the family, taking in the Christmas spirit at Crown Center. You can also enjoy the free Hallmark Christmas Experience!
November 28, 2025 - 6:00 PM
2425 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO
Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting - Prairie Village
Celebrate the season at the Prairie Village Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting! Enjoy performances from the Indian Hills Middle School Choir, Shawnee Mission East Drumline, KC Wolf, and Dancerz Unlimited. Plus, meet Santa and warm up with holiday treats and hot chocolate all at Corinth Square!
December 4, 2025 - 6:00 PM
Corinth Square - Mission Rd &, W 83rd St, Prairie Village, KS
Gladstone Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting - Linden Square
Kick off the holiday season at the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting in Linden Square, Gladstone. Enjoy live performances, hot chocolate, cookies, and a visit from Santa. This annual event also supports local charities through fundraising efforts.
December 2, 2025 - 6:00 - 8:00 PM
602 NE 70th St, Gladstone, MO
Holiday Lights and Festive Sights in Mission, KS
Welcome winter in Mission, Kansas as the Mayor turns on the city’s Christmas tree and a menorah during the Holiday Lights and Festive Sights event! Enjoy s’mores and games while browsing local vendors’ booths at the Mission Market. Food trucks and vendors will also be available!
December 5, 2025 - 5:30 - 7:30 PM
5635 Johnson Dr. Mission, KS
Sar-Ko-Aglow Lighting Ceremony
One of the most beautiful, free park light displays in the KC metro! Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa has a lovely paved path around Rose’s Pond where you can stroll along and view the twinkling lights each holiday season. The season starts on December 5 with a lighting ceremony at 6 PM, hot cocoa, visits with Santa, and the Dicken’s Carolers!
December 5, 2025 - 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park - 87th Street Parkway & Lackman Road, Lenexa
Mayor’s Tree Lighting - North Kansas City
Visit the southwest corner of Armour and Swift Streets for the annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting in North Kansas City! Visit Santa and his elves, enjoy treats, and enjoy a night out for the family.
December 5, 2025 - 6:00 - 7:00 PM
1906 Swift St., North Kansas City
Mayor’s Tree Lighting - Raymore (T.B. Hanna Station Park)
Celebrate the holiday season in Raymore, MO with a visit to the Christmas Tree Trail at T.B. Hanna Station Park. Enjoy photos with Santa, seasonal refreshments, and ice skating at the park. Walk through the park to see trees decorated by Raymore’s favorite local businesses and organizations, each adding their unique touch to the festivities. Bring your family for a special Mayor’s Tree Lighting to kick off the season!
December 5, 2025 - 6:00 PM
214 S Washington St, Raymore, MO
After enjoying the festive atmosphere of these Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, continue the holiday spirit by exploring the beautiful displays of free holiday lights around Kansas City. These dazzling light shows add an extra touch of magic to the season and are perfect for families looking to create lasting memories. For more details on where to find the best free light displays, check out my blog on free holiday lights around Kansas City.
Updated 10/29/2025 - Gabrielle Isom
