Holiday lights
Christmas lights dates in Kansas City
Drive-through shows for a cold night, walk-through gardens for a clear one. Book the timed tickets first, then dinner.
Drive-through light shows
Heat on, music up, one ticket per car. Eat before or after.
The place
Winter Magic (official page, opens in a new tab)
Opens at 6 PM every night, November 4, 2026 to January 2, 2027.
One ticket per car: $20 to $40 depending on the night ($40 on peak December Saturdays).
Hours and prices
Opens at 6 PM every night, November 4, 2026 to January 2, 2027. Closing time changes by night (8 to 11 PM) on its calendar, so plans keep to 6 to 8. You book a 30-minute arrival window.
One ticket per car: $20 to $40 depending on the night ($40 on peak December Saturdays). Buy ahead; it costs more at the gate.
10400 N Platte Purchase Dr, Kansas City, MO 64154
The place
Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake (official page, opens in a new tab)
The 39th year: nightly, Wednesday November 25 to Thursday December 31, 2026.
Free.
Hours and prices
The 39th year: nightly, Wednesday November 25 to Thursday December 31, 2026. Sunday to Thursday 5:30 to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday 5:30 to 11 PM. Another line on the same page says it is open until 11 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, so confirm Sunday's closing time.
Free. Drivers can leave a donation for local charities at the exit.
3901 SW Longview Rd, Lee's Summit, MO 64081
Dinner, Then the Winter Magic Lights
Dinner at Third Street Social, then a mile of holiday lights and a light show from your warm car.
Burgers, Then the Winter Magic Lights
Burgers at Danny's, then a mile of holiday lights and a light show from your warm car.
Planned with no alcohol
Dinner in Downtown Lee's Summit, Then Christmas in the Park
Dinner on Third Street in downtown Lee's Summit, then a slow, free drive through a million lights at Longview Lake.
Christmas in the Sky, Then Christmas in the Park
The night before Thanksgiving at Longview Lake: a holiday show and fireworks on the beach, then the county's free drive-through lights on its first night.
Planned with no alcohol
Lights you walk through
Wear real shoes and a hat. These are outside.
The place
Powell Gardens Festival of Lights (official page, opens in a new tab)
5 to 10 PM on its open nights only: November 19 to 22 and 27 to 29, December 2 to 5, 10 to 12, 18 to 23 and 26 to 29, and January 2 and 3, 2027.
$19 each Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday or $22 Friday and Saturday, plus $10 parking (members get in and park free).
The place
Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum (official page, opens in a new tab)
Select nights only, 2026: the Luminary Walk November 27 and 28 and December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19; an adults-only (18 and over) Candlelight Stroll December 3, 10 and 17; Electric Glow (electric lights only) December 16, 20 to 23 and 26.
$17 each for the Luminary Walk or the Candlelight Stroll, $12 each for Electric Glow; 5 and under free.
Hours and prices
Select nights only, 2026: the Luminary Walk November 27 and 28 and December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19; an adults-only (18 and over) Candlelight Stroll December 3, 10 and 17; Electric Glow (electric lights only) December 16, 20 to 23 and 26. Tickets are for a half-hour entry window; no entry after 8 PM (another line says final entry 7:30) and the lights start going out at 9. The path is about 1.5 miles.
$17 each for the Luminary Walk or the Candlelight Stroll, $12 each for Electric Glow; 5 and under free. Bought ahead online. Food, drinks and adult beverages are sold inside; no outside food or drink.
8909 W 179th St, Overland Park, KS 66013
The Powell Gardens Festival of Lights
A drive out to Powell Gardens for its holiday lights, then warm drinks and food at the festival's rest stop.
Planned with no alcohol
Fritz's, Then the Hallmark Christmas Market and Light Show
Burgers delivered by toy train at Fritz's, then the free Hallmark Christmas market and the 6 PM light show on Crown Center Square.
Planned with no alcohol
The Plaza lights
The Plaza lights get their own page: when they are on, the lighting ceremony and where to park. Plaza Lights date night
The Christmas Board
The Christmas Board opens Nov 20: a winter of KC dates on one board, free this season. Open the Boards
Every day, time and price here comes from the place's or event's own page, linked on its card. Holiday hours change and nights sell out, so check before you go.