WaKeeney

Christmas City of the High Plains
73rd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

The tradition continues! The largest Christmas tree and light display between Kansas City and Denver, since 1950, the "Christmas City of the High Plains” magically transforms the town of WaKeeney into a holiday wonderland. See the 35-foot tree of fresh pine, thousands of lights, handmade decorations, fresh greenery, and the North Pole that will make you think you’re not in Kansas anymore!

Goodland

Annual Parade of Lights

If you think you can put together an awesome float for a light parade, then head on over to the Annual Parade of Lights in Goodland! Bring on the holiday decorations, lights, and holiday spirit because prizes are awarded to the 1st - 4th places, as well as the Most Luminous, Most Original, and Spirit Award! Come out and light up the town on Black Friday, November 24th!

Hays

Christmas at Creekside

Christmas at Creekside is the premier Hays Holiday Light Tour...over the creek & through the woods... that is. The days to mark on your calendars are Thursday, Friday, & Saturday evenings from 6-11 PM between November 24 - December 30. Creek Side Resort offers one of the best venues to spend your weekend nights in Hays this Holiday Season!

Abilene

Cowtown Christmas

Watch Christmas come alive in the heartland. Nestled in the picturesque landscape of the Sunflower State, Abilene transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Abilene's Cowtown Christmas has so many activities. Tour the beautifully decorated historic Seelye Mansion, ride the rails with Santa aboard the Cowtown Santa Express, experience Meredith Wilson's Miracle on 34th Street at Great Plains Theatre, shop Abilene's unique and small businesses, and much, much more!

See a list of activities at AbileneKansas.org/Christmas.

Ellsworth

Hometown Holiday

Remember the "good ole days?" This year, Ellsworth County is going old school, with a return of holiday favorites and family-friendly events and activities. The town will have a decorating contest, classic festivities, and the 12 drinks of Christmas (alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties). The holidays in Ellsworth are a special time for traditions, memories, and reflections of days gone by

Manhattan

Family New Year's Eve

It's the annual family-friendly celebration to ring in the New Year! Manhattan has all the food, music, and fun you need to get ready for 2024! Kids are welcome to the iconic balloon drop at kids' midnight (8 p.m.) with a glow party! This event is one of the best ways to get the kids out on one of the biggest party nights of the year!

Overland Park

Luminary Walk

The Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a recurring event, so you have plenty of opportunities to check this one out! Starting on the last weekend of November and happening every weekend until December 16th, this beauty shines bright for multiple weeks. The event is also open on Thursday, December 7th, so don't wait, go ahead and get your tickets now, you won't want to miss your window to see these lights!
 

Electric Glow

Looking for something more low-key? Relaxed? Chill? Then the Electric Glow is for you. This event is designed for you to just enjoy the lights; no music; no Santa; just lights! The Electric Glow is held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from November 28th - December 20th. Both of these events are great ways to get out and experience the beautiful lights of the Kansas City area!
 

Bonus Event - Date Night!

The Botanical Gardens also hosts an Adults-Only Candlelight Stroll. It's only for two nights, once on Nov. 30 and again on Dec. 14. If you'd rather spend time on experiences rather than gifts this holiday season, this event is ideal for you!

Leavenworth

A Victorian Christmas

The Vintage Home Tours are back in Leavenworth for the 31st annual season! This epic tour across historic homes in Leavenworth begins at the famous Carroll Mansion and features the Victorian architecture in Leavenworth. The $20 tour fee serves as a donation to the Vintage Homes Committee, and be sure to grab them beforehand since they'll be $25 at the door! You can pick up tickets at the Carroll Mansion Museum, Candle Queen Candles & Gifts, dorMail Gallery & Frame Shoppe, and the Leavenworth Antique Mall.

Kansas City

Enchant Christmas

Get ready for Enchant Christmas in Kansas City, an immersive and magical experience that is perfect for holiday celebrations. Take an adventure through The Mischievous Elf, a larger-than-life light maze that makes the cornerstone of the Enchant experience! Shop at the Village of tiny storefronts with local crafts and boutiques, perfect for completing your holiday shopping list! Get the chance to Ice skate through the forest of lights! Don't forget the family, as they also have a kid's area and Santa to keep them entertained!

Garden City

Garden City Christmas Parade

Tis the Season! Head on over to Main Street in Downtown Garden City for the Garden City Christmas Parade. This holiday tradition is a great kick-off to Christmas. Beginning at 6 PM and ending at 7 PM on December 3rd, 2023, this one-hour parade is easy to get to and won't run too late into the evening, so make sure to bring the entire family!

Jetmore

Christmas Open House & Holiday Market

Perhaps one of the best-hidden gems in Kansas is HorseThief Reservoir. They will have their Christmas Open House and Holiday Market on December 9th. If you are wanting to get something special for the holidays, then this is the event for you. You'll be able to shop for gifts from local craft vendors and tour their newly unveiled yurts! Safe to say you won't want to miss out on your chance to visit this amazing place in Kansas!

Liberal

Downtown Christmas Parade

Another downtown celebration that you won't want to miss is the Liberal Downtown Christmas Parade. The festivities in Liberal begin with live entertainment and performances. Of course, those in attendance have the opportunity to win prizes and meet Santa! The parade will kick off once the lights can shine bright after sunset!

Winfield

Isle of Lights

Christmas is happening all winter long in Winfield. The city's spectacular Isle of Lights will be on display from November 19th - December 30th. This mile-long light display runs through Island Park and is considered one of the most awe-inspiring in the state. With such a large time frame to see this beautiful display of lights, you simply have to come out to Winfield just to see them!
 

Christmas Parade

Later on in December is when the downtown Christmas Parade. This event brings the lights floats to the downtown area with all sorts of fun festivities. Combine this with the Isle of Lights and you are bound to be in the holiday spirit!

Lindsborg

Saint Lucia Festival

If you happen to be into Swedish lore, then you must come to Lindsborg this holiday season. This legendary event is celebrated in Sweden on December 13th, but the people of Lindsborg have made a tradition of celebrating on the second Saturday of December. The town re-creates the legend as a young woman clothed as Saint Lucia brings joy and light once again into the community. Participants will find a day of Swedish folk dancing, live music, food, children's crafts, and most importantly a shining light of hope and joy to fuel you for the season!
 

Lindsborg Heritage Christmas

Want more Swedish Traditions? Head on over to the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum and celebrate a Heritage Christmas, based upon Swedish traditions. Enjoy music in the Swedish Pavilion, a guided tour of the mill, and a bake sale in the Sweadal Courthouse. Kids can also enjoy a crafts room in the Schoolhouse and the Smoky Valley HS dram team will be performing at the train depot at 5:30 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM, and 7:30 PM.

TOWANDA

FULTON VALLEY FARMS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

A Country Christmas at Fulton Valley Farms may just be your newest family tradition. It's a magical place where you can stroll through hundreds of thousands of lights scattered around the farm, meet Santa AND his reindeer, view a living nativity, and even have a Christmas dinner. The magic kicks off on Black Friday, November 24th,  and continues every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night until December 17th. This is a ticketed event, so we recommend purchasing them ahead of time at FultonValleyFarms.com.
 

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS DINNER

Fulton Valley Farms will also host a Christmas Dinner on December 1st. You can reserve a private table at the venue, but get your tickets fast since space is limited! After dinner will be lights and festivities. Come out for the amazing food and start to December!

Fort Scott

Candlelight Tour Fort Scott

Be ready to head over to Fort Scott National Historic Site because this event sells out FAST! The fort is again hosting its annual Candlelight Tour on the first weekend of December. Over 1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and more than 100 reenactors bring the fort to life as you travel back in time. During the tour, you will be immersed in ways people have historically been provided the opportunity to be healthy and embrace happiness, despite their struggles. Tours on December 1 are from 6:30 - 9 PM with each one leaving every 15 minutes. On Saturday, December 2, the tours will run from 5 - 9 PM. Don't forget your coat because it can be pretty chilly at night during December!

Yates Center

Festival of Lights & Lighted Christmas Parade

Now in its 5th year and gaining more attention each year, the Festival of Lights & Lighted Christmas Parade in Yates Center is one of the premier holiday events in Southeast Kansas. This free event features carriage rides on the red brick streets of the Historic Town Square. Vendors with new antiques, boutiques, and sweets will fill the town and make it easy to complete the holiday shopping list. Grab some photos with Santa & Grinch! Celebrate with the festival's special guests! This bright and cheery spectacle of Historic Yates Center Town Square is a truly magical moment. There will be prizes for each float category. Oh yeah, and you are free to enter a lighted float for the parade - they have some really creative ones out there!

Coffeyville

Brown Mansion Candlelight Tour

Last year's Brown Mansion Candlelight Tour sold out, so make sure to get your tickets early for this one!  The Brown Mansion Christmas celebration extends through select dates in December. Guests are able to wander all three floors of historic halls by candlelight, a journey that is sure to leave you in the holiday spirit. Experience the lights, sounds, and warm feeling of holidays with the Browns in their beautiful historic home. More information is available at coffeyvillehistory.com.