The Christmas and holiday season hold a special place in Kansas City, particularly when it comes to the Country Club Plaza and its famous lights. It has cultural significance as it announces the start of the holiday season and brings the community together for a night of celebration.
All About The Plaza Lighting
The 96th Annual Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony is an annual lighting ceremony that transforms the Country Club Plaza with thousands of lights, marking the start of the holiday season. This holiday tradition started in 1925 and has become a must-see event in Kansas City during the holidays.
The Plaza Lights in Kansas City is a cherished holiday tradition that has captivated locals and visitors for nearly a century. The unique experience involves watching the lighting of nearly 80 miles of lights which illuminate The Plaza from Thanksgiving to mid-January. That’s why it has become a nationally recognized holiday display.
When do The Plaza Lights turn on?
The Plaza Lights turn on Thanksgiving night every year.
The Thanksgiving Classic is part of Kansas City’s holiday tradition, marking the commencement of the Plaza Lighting Ceremony, an event with deep local historical roots.
What time is The Plaza Lighting Ceremony?
The Plaza Lighting Ceremony starts at 5pm and ends at 8pm each year. The lights switching on (referred to as ‘flipping the switch’) typically occurs at approximately 7pm during the ceremony evening.
When do The Plaza Lights turn off?
Mid-January each year is when the holiday lights on The Plaza turn off. The duration of the light display is from Thanksgiving evening until mid-January.
Plaza Lighting Tour Options
Tours for the Plaza Lights are popular every year, and sell out fast. Since they are a seasonal favorite, we recommend getting your spot booked well far in advance in order to reserve the opportunity for you and your group.
As one of our more popular Holiday Lights Tour options, The Plaza Lighting Tour gives you and your group an awe-inspiring view into one of the city’s famous light displays.
Plaza Lights Tours can also be booked by helicopter! During the holiday season, you can also select a helicopter tour to fly you over the lights on the Plaza to get a birds-eye view of the lighting display.
More Country Club Plaza Lights Details
- Country Club Plaza: The captivating Spanish Revival architectural style of The Country Club Plaza is a perfect place for a romantic stroll, a night out with friends, or even a solo holiday shopping adventure. During the lighting ceremony, there’s live music, festivities, and the lighting of The Plaza.
- Ward Parkway: The Ward Parkway plays a significant role in the Country Club Plaza’s visual appeal and is a historic boulevard developed in the early 1920s that was intended to be an entrance to the shopping district. Ward Parkway offers scenic views. As you drive, you can take in the landscaping, architecture, and glimpses of Brush Creek.
- Brush Creek: The Brush Creek flows near the Country Club Plaza and is lined with walking paths, making it a picturesque spot that is an integral part of the scenic waterway and urban design of the Country Club Plaza.
Go for it!
Are you ready to experience the magic of Kansas City’s plaza lights without any of the usual holiday planning headaches? We know how stressful it can be to ensure every detail is perfect for those special seasonal outings. That’s why at My KC Offers, we help make life easier. From selecting the best routes to securing the most exclusive access, we craft the ideal tour so you can simply soak in the sparkling lights and joyous atmosphere with your loved ones. Let us take the burden of planning off your shoulders this holiday season, so you can step into a winter wonderland of ease and enchantment.