Christmas parades 2026Kansas City · The City of Fountains

Christmas parades and tree lightings in Kansas City, 2026.

In 2026, Christmas parades and tree lightings near Kansas City run Nov 20 through Dec 4. Lee’s Summit Mayor’s Tree Lighting is Nov 20 and is free to watch. Overland Park Mayor’s Holiday Festival is Nov 20 and is free to watch.

The quick answersChecked
When’s the Christmas parade?No 2026 parade posted yet.Not yetWhen’s the tree lighting?Overland Park Mayor’s Holiday Festival: Nov 20 · 5–8 p.m. Plus 5 more.6 lightingsIs it free?5 of 6 are free to watch; the rest list a price.5 freeDaytime or after dark?2 daytime, 4 in the evening. Each card is marked.4 evening

Last checked · 6 events · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every parade and tree lighting, soonest first

Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.

20NovFriOverland Park Mayor’s Holiday FestivalTree lighting · 5–8 p.m.20NovFriLee’s Summit Mayor’s Tree LightingTree lighting · 5–8:30 p.m.21NovSatSanta's Arrival at the Zona Rosa Holiday Lighting CeremonyTree lighting · 3–6 p.m.24NovTueMagic Tree Lighting at Paragon StarTree lighting · 6:30 p.m.27NovFriMayor's Christmas Tree LightingTree lighting · See official page4DecFriChristmas in the CourtyardTree lighting · 6–8 p.m.

Christmas parades

Christmas parades in and around KC

Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.

No 2026 Christmas parade posted here yet. We check parade organizers every week through early December.

Tree lightings

Tree lightings and lighting nights near KC

Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.

Nov24Tue

Magic Tree Lighting at Paragon Star

Paragon Star, off View High Drive north of I-470 · Lee’s Summit

Tree lightingFreeEvening
Time
6:30 p.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: The Magic Tree has been a Lee’s Summit tradition for over a decade. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the drive that supports military families.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec4Fri

Christmas in the Courtyard

Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St. · Merriam

Tree lightingFreeEvening
Time
6–8 p.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: School choirs carol before the mayor lights Merriam Plaza. Kids can make a craft and visit Santa.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Before you go

Three things that make parade night easier

SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.

Every year

Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in KC

Overland Park Mayor’s Holiday FestivalNext: Nov 20, 2026Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa's arrivalNext: Nov 27, 2026

Keep planning

More for little kids in KC

November: things to do in KCEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in KCEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in KCFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in KCFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in KCIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in KCStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branchIce skating in KCHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in KCParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in KCKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas trains in KCPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in KCBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in KCChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas tree farms in KCChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in KCDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsChristmas break in KCWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Playgrounds in KCParks with a playground, restrooms and sheltersSplash pads in KCSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in KCStarting prices, ages and what’s includedYouth soccer, T-ball and basketball in KCSoccer, T-ball and basketball for kids under 6, with sign-up datesMore things to do with kids in Kansas City this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Christmas parades in Kansas City: the FAQ

Overland Park Mayor’s Holiday Festival at Downtown Overland Park: Fri, Nov 20, 2026, 5–8 p.m.; program and tree lighting 5:30–6 p.m. Lee’s Summit Mayor’s Tree Lighting at Green Street, 209 SE Green St.: Fri, Nov 20, 2026, 5–8:30 p.m.; tree lit at 6. Santa's Arrival at the Zona Rosa Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Zona Rosa, North Park: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 3–6 p.m.; Santa arrives at 6 p.m. to turn on the lights. Magic Tree Lighting at Paragon Star at Paragon Star, off View High Drive north of I-470: Tue, Nov 24, 2026, 6:30 p.m. The full list is on the tree lighting page.

Five of the six we list are free to watch: Overland Park Mayor’s Holiday Festival, Lee’s Summit Mayor’s Tree Lighting, Magic Tree Lighting at Paragon Star and Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

Daytime ones are easiest with little kids: Santa's Arrival at the Zona Rosa Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.

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