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PLAZA

The Plaza Lighting Ceremony

Thanksgiving night on the Plaza: music on the stage, the switch flipped, then fireworks, then one photo together under the new lights.

Free2 hrs 50 minLimited verified informationBack Nov 26
Plan this date
Map of the stops for The Plaza Lighting CeremonyA map of a few blocks, not to scale, north at the top, with straight lines between stops. Stop 1, Plaza Lights, the start, a general area rather than one address. Stop 2, One-photo finale, under 0.1 miles from stop 1, 5 min walk. The route is under 0.1 miles end to end. Neighborhoods shown: Plaza.PLAZA47TH STMAIN STWORNALL RDPENNSYLVANIA AVEMADISON AVESTART Plaza LightsOne-photo finale12N0.1 miThe Plaza Lighting CeremonyOutdoorsWalkStreetcar lineStraight lines, not directions. Dotted ring: somewhere in this area.Not to scale, north up. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
The route is under 0.1 miles end to end. © OpenStreetMap

Whole route inGoogle Maps Apple Maps

Also close by
  • Barnes & Noble (Country Club Plaza), shopping, 1 min walk from stop 1
  • Charlie Hustle (Plaza), shopping, 1 min walk from stop 1
  • The Capital Grille, food, 2 min walk from stop 1
  • Puttery Kansas City, games, 2 min walk from stop 1
  • Heritage by Bo Lings, food, 2 min walk from stop 1
  • Prime Social Rooftop, rooftop drinks, 2 min walk from stop 1

The stops

  1. Plaza LightsFree. Find a spot near the stage early; in past years the switch was flipped just before 8.about 150 min · Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, MO 64112 · hours freshly checked · then 5 min walkWebsite Google Maps Apple Maps
  2. One-photo finaleOnce the crowd thins, take one photo of the two of you under the new lights.about 15 minWebsite Google Maps Apple Maps

How the night flows

Visit KC lists the 2026 ceremony time and lineup as not announced yet (read 2026-10-17). It has run on Thanksgiving night at Nichols Road and Pennsylvania Avenue, about 6 to 8:30 PM, with the lights on just before 8 and fireworks after; this plan keeps that window until the 2026 time is posted. Eat before you come: restaurants keep their own Thanksgiving hours. The Chiefs play at Buffalo at 7:20 that night.

Good to know

Reservations
Not needed
Parking
The Plaza garages are free; Visit KC suggests the Plaza 211 garage rooftop for a view.
Getting around
Driving, Walking
Setting
Outdoors
Alcohol
None needed
What to wear
Dress warm: coats, gloves and shoes for cold sidewalks.

Before you go

Hours, prices and reservations change. Anything we haven't recently source-checked is marked “Confirm today” in the planner rather than presented as fact. Check the venue's own page before you head out.

We last looked over this date on September 26, 2026. That is a review of the plan, not a promise that every detail is current.

Spot something closed, moved or wrong? Tell us so it can be fixed.

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