A family car driving past holiday lights on a snowy night
Lights 2026 · Kansas City

Christmas lights in Kansas City for little kids, picked for early bedtimes.

Six Christmas light displays in and around Kansas City have 2026 dates: 2 drive-thrus and 4 walk-throughs. Two are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 5 p.m. at Evergy Festival of Lights. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.

6displays with dates
2drive-thrus
2free
5 pmearliest evening start

Last checked · How we choose

All 5 displays

Pick tonight’s lights

Tap a filter to narrow it down. Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.

Drive-thru

Winter Magic

Platte Purchase Park · 10400 N Platte Purchase Dr, Kansas City, MO 64154

Drive-thruSensory infoBook ahead
When
Nightly Nov 4, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Earliest start
From 6 p.m.; closing varies (generally 6–9 p.m.); 30-minute timed arrival windows
Price
$20–$40 per vehicle online by date ($7 more at the gate); November Pass saves 40%
  • About a mile of synchronized lights, tune to FM radio
  • pets welcome
  • no cash at the gate

Sensory: Flashing-lights warning posted

Little-kid take: Stays in the car: the easiest pick with a baby or a toddler who may fall asleep. PJs on, car seat buckled, no stroller needed.

Tickets / details ↗Directions

Checked Oct 18 on the official page · Source

Report a problem
Drive-thru

Christmas in the Park

Longview Lake (starts at Frank White Jr. Softball Complex) · 3901 SW Longview Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64081

Drive-thruFree
When
Nov 25 – Dec 31, 2026
Earliest start
5:30–10 p.m. Sun–Thu; 5:30–11 p.m. Fri–Sat
Price
Free; donations at the exit
  • 39th year
  • more than 1 million lights and 200+ animated displays built by Jackson County Parks + Rec
  • Weeknights early in the season have shorter lines

Little-kid take: Stays in the car: the easiest pick with a baby or a toddler who may fall asleep. PJs on, car seat buckled, no stroller needed.

Tickets / details ↗Directions

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem
Walk-through

GloWild: Hidden Treasure

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium · 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO 64132

Walk-through
When
Wed–Sun evenings through Dec 27, 2026 (open Thanksgiving week Mon–Tue; see operating calendar)
Earliest start
6 p.m.
Price
See the zoo's ticket page
  • 6–10 p.m.
  • Mile-long one-way lantern path, about an hour
  • free carousel rides
  • Animals not the focus at night
Tickets / details ↗Directions

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem
Walk-through

Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village

Union Station Kansas City · 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108

Walk-throughDaytime hours
When
Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027 (closed Nov 26, Dec 25)
Earliest start
10 a.m.
Price
$10 Mon–Thu, $12 Fri–Sun and Dec 21–Jan 4; members $9; plus 10% fee; 12 months and under free
  • 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; last entry 1 hour before close
  • Indoor and daytime, so it works for early bedtimes
  • Includes model trains

Little-kid take: Has daytime hours, so it works before nap. Stay until dusk to see the lights come on.

Tickets / details ↗Directions

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem
Walk-through

Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting

Crown Center Square · 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108

Walk-throughFree
When
Nov 27, 2026
Earliest start
See official page
Price
Free

Little-kid take: Free, so it’s an easy one to try for a short visit.

Tickets / details ↗Directions

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem
Worth the drive

Worth the drive from KC

Bigger out-of-town shows parents make a night of. The drive time is on each card.

Walk-through

Evergy Festival of Lights

Powell Gardens · 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO 64061

Walk-throughAbout an hour (Kingsville, MO)
When
Nov 19–22, 27–29; Dec 2–5, 10–12, 18–23, 26–29, 2026; Jan 2–3, 2027
Earliest start
5 p.m.
Price
Adults $19 Wed/Thu/Sun, $22 Fri/Sat; youth 5–12 $10/$12; 4 and under free; nonmember parking $10
  • 5–10 p.m.
  • Outdoor lighted path plus the Winter Holiday Train display in the Conservatory and a warming station

Little-kid take: Opens at 5 p.m., so an early visit gets you home in time for bedtime.

Tickets / details ↗Directions

Checked Oct 18 on the official page · Source

Report a problem
Nov 1 – Jan 4

When each one is open

Nothing is lit yet. Winter Magic opens first, on Nov 4. Winter Magic and Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village run into the new year.

Winter Magic Nov 4 – Jan 2
Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village Nov 20 – Jan 4
Christmas in the Park Nov 25 – Dec 31
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Nov 27
GloWild: Hidden Treasure Dec 27 on
Nov 1Dec 1Jan 1
Early bedtime plan

Lights before bedtime

In early December the sun sets around 4:55 p.m. in KC (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.

Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village

From 10 a.m. · stay until dusk

10 a.m.

Winter Magic

6 p.m. start · plan about an hour

From 6 p.m.; closing varies (generally 6–9 p.m.); 30-minute timed arrival windows

GloWild: Hidden Treasure

6 p.m. start · plan about an hour

6 p.m.

Christmas in the Park

10 p.m. start · plan about an hour

5:30–10 p.m. Sun–Thu; 5:30–11 p.m. Fri–Sat

Drive-thru or walk-through?

Which is better for little kids?

🚗 Stay in the car

  • Babies and toddlers stay warm and buckled, PJs and all
  • No stroller, no mitten battles, no lost hats
  • A car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime
  • Check the listing for timed slots and refund rules

Picks: Winter Magic, Christmas in the Park

🚶 Get out and walk

  • Kids 3 and up love running ahead to the next display
  • Bring the stroller where the venue allows it (see each card)
  • Plan a snack stop and a bathroom break
  • Check sensory notes for bright lights and crowds

Picks: GloWild: Hidden Treasure, Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village, Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting

Bring along

The little-kid lights kit

Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.
PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.
2026 prices

Prices at a glance

From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.

DisplayPriceLittle kidsGood to know
Winter Magic$20–$40 per vehicle online by date ($7 more at the gate); November Pass saves 40%See the venueDrive-thru
Christmas in the ParkFree; donations at the exitSee the venueDrive-thru
Evergy Festival of LightsAdults $19 Wed/Thu/Sun, $22 Fri/Sat; youth 5–12 $10/$12; 4 and under free; nonmember parking $104 and under freeWalk-through · About an hour (Kingsville, MO)
GloWild: Hidden TreasureSee the zoo's ticket pageSee the venueWalk-through
Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village$10 Mon–Thu, $12 Fri–Sun and Dec 21–Jan 4; members $9; plus 10% fee; 12 months and under freeSee the venueWalk-through
Mayor's Christmas Tree LightingFreeSee the venueWalk-through
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Good questions

Christmas lights in Kansas City: questions parents ask

Are there free Christmas lights in Kansas City?

Yes. Christmas in the Park and Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting are free in 2026.

What’s the cheapest Christmas light show in Kansas City?

Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village ($10 Mon–Thu, $12 Fri–Sun and Dec 21–Jan 4; members $9; plus 10% fee; 12 months and under free); Evergy Festival of Lights (Adults $19 Wed/Thu/Sun, $22 Fri/Sat; youth 5–12 $10/$12; 4 and under free; nonmember parking $10); Winter Magic ($20–$40 per vehicle online by date ($7 more at the gate); November Pass saves 40%). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.

Drive-thru or walk-through: which is better with little kids?

With a baby or a sleepy toddler, a drive-thru is easiest: they stay buckled in and warm. Two of the 6 displays can be driven, including Winter Magic and Christmas in the Park. Walk-throughs (four here) are better for kids who want to run around.

What time do the Christmas lights start in Kansas City? We have an early bedtime.

The earliest evening starts: Evergy Festival of Lights at 5 p.m., Winter Magic at 6 p.m. and GloWild: Hidden Treasure at 6 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime. For no-late-night options, Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village works in the daytime.

Which light shows are best for kids under 3?

Little ones get in free at Evergy Festival of Lights (4 and under free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.

How do you check these Christmas lights listings?

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.

Keep planning: This week in KC · Kansas City city guide · Visiting KC

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