From tradition to innovation, KC’s holiday lights brighten the season

Kansas City’s holiday lights radiate the joy of the season to anyone within view, creating a beautiful backdrop for a holiday getaway. The city’s festive displays range from world famous annual classics like the 78th annual Country Club Plaza’s Season of Lights to newer traditions like the Northern Lights at Zona Rosa.

Country Club Plaza’s Season of Lights
Nov. 27-Jan. 11

In its 79th year, the Country Club Plaza’s Season of Lights is a Kansas City winter trademark. More than 80 miles of glimmering Christmas lights accentuate every dome, tower and window of the Plaza’s Spanish-influenced entertainment district, featuring more than 150 shops and restaurants. While enjoying the lights, shoppers peruse the detailed window displays while listening to the clip-clop of the horse drawn carriages and the holiday songs of carolers. The lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving night with a fireworks display to follow.

Crown Center Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lights
Nov. 28-Jan. 1

At 100 feet—taller than the famous trees at the White House and Rockefeller Center—the splendor of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree at Crown Center is a shining beacon of Kansas City charity. The massive centerpiece of the entertainment center owned by Hallmark Cards lights up with 7,200 white bulbs and represents the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which helps 33,000 of Kansas City’s less fortunate. A special celebrity guest will oversee the lighting ceremony Nov. 23, beginning at 5:30 p.m. After hundreds of thousands enjoy the spirit of the tree for the season, it is cut into commemorative ornaments sold to benefit the following year’s fund.

Downtown City Lights
Nov. 15-early January

During the holidays, the entire facade of the downtown Marriott dances and shines with a huge display of color-changing LED bulbs. Red, green and white aren’t the only Christmas colors on display. This state-of-the-art lighting technology can flash more than 16.7 million colors on 30,000 bulbs. The Marriott is just one of several downtown buildings illuminated for the season with vibrant holiday colors to draw in the eye and the heart from miles away. During the opening celebration at Barney Allis Plaza on Nov. 16, the intricately choreographed display is synchronized to music with family entertainment and activities including the kick-off of The Salvation Army's Annual Christmas Campaign.

The Northern Lights at Zona Rosa
Nov. 22-early January

Zona Rosa, the shopping and entertainment district near KCI Airport, made its debut three years ago with holiday crown décor that brought back a longtime downtown Kansas City tradition of suspending large lighted crowns over the street ways. The crowns were a fixture of downtown Kansas City for almost 30 years until they fell into reclusion more than 20 years ago. The same family-owned company that designed the original crowns has produced new 17-foot-wide, 2,000-pound crowns based on the original blueprints. The ornate golden crowns accompany a 14-foot wreath and 50-foot Christmas tree at the urban town center for the Northern Lights at Zona Rosa. The display comes to life during the district’s community lighting ceremony on Nov. 22.

A Legendary Holiday – The Legends at Village West
Nov. 29-early January

The Legends becomes a winter wonderland during the holiday season with a beautifully-adorned tree in the middle of the Civic Courtyard Fountain. Constellations of millennium stars and giant holiday ornaments enhance the experience for all who visit. The festivities are complete with holiday carolers and visits from Santa. The Legends kicks off the season with a lighting ceremony on Nov. 29.

Christmas Card Lane
Nov. 28-Jan. 1

Get lost on a jolly drive through one of the most festive neighborhoods in the city during the holidays. More than 200 homes in Olathe participate in Christmas Card Lane where giant greeting cards adorn the streets in front of homes covered with a myriad of Christmas lights. This is a great way to enjoy some of the lights around the metro without leaving the comfort of your car.

Christmas in the Park
Nov. 26-Dec. 31

Christmas in the Park kicks off with KUDL’s Christmas in the Sky on Nov. 26 with a night filled with local celebrities, holiday performances and a colorful Christmas fireworks display. The month-long display transforms Longview Lake Park into a delightful winter wonderland of 300,000 lights and almost 200 animated figures. Christmas in the Park is one of Jackson County Parks and Recreation’s most celebrated events of the year. The event is free, but donations are accepted to benefit local charities.