# Christmas lights in Kansas City for little kids, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-19
- 6 listings with 2026 dates; 0 without posted dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/christmas-lights/
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## Drive-thru Christmas lights

- **Winter Magic** at Platte Purchase Park, 10400 N Platte Purchase Dr, Kansas City, MO 64154. When: Nightly Nov 4, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: 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%. Sensory: Flashing-lights warning posted. About a mile of synchronized lights, tune to FM radio; pets welcome; no cash at the gate. Official page: https://wintermagickc.com/
- **Christmas in the Park** at Longview Lake (starts at Frank White Jr. Softball Complex), 3901 SW Longview Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64081. When: Nov 25 – Dec 31, 2026. Time: 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. Official page: https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Event-Calendar/39th-Annual-Christmas-in-the-Park

## Walk-through lights and light trails

- **GloWild: Hidden Treasure** at Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO 64132. When: Wed–Sun evenings through Dec 27, 2026 (open Thanksgiving week Mon–Tue; see operating calendar). Time: 6–10 p.m. Earliest start: 6 p.m. Price: See the zoo's ticket page. Mile-long one-way lantern path, about an hour; free carousel rides. Animals not the focus at night. Official page: https://kansascityzoo.org/glowild
- **Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village** at Union Station Kansas City, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027 (closed Nov 26, Dec 25). Time: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; last entry 1 hour before close. 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. Indoor and daytime, so it works for early bedtimes. Includes model trains. Official page: https://unionstation.org/event/holiday-reflections/
- **Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting** at Crown Center Square, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108. When: Nov 27, 2026. Time: See official page. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.crowncenter.com/events/mayors-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony

## Worth the drive from KC

- **Evergy Festival of Lights** at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO 64061. When: Nov 19–22, 27–29; Dec 2–5, 10–12, 18–23, 26–29, 2026; Jan 2–3, 2027. Time: 5–10 p.m. 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. Drive: About an hour (Kingsville, MO). Outdoor lighted path plus the Winter Holiday Train display in the Conservatory and a warming station. Official page: https://powellgardens.org/hours-admission/

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
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- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### 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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).