# 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-21
- 6 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/christmas-parades/
- Christmas break (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/christmas-break/index.md
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- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/llms.txt

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **Overland Park Mayor’s Holiday Festival** at Downtown Overland Park, Overland Park, KS. When: Fri, Nov 20, 2026. Time: 5–8 p.m.; program and tree lighting 5:30–6 p.m. Price: Free. Free holiday crafts for kids and a free train ride. Official page: https://www.visitoverlandpark.com/events/annual-events/mayors-holiday-festival/ (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Lee’s Summit Mayor’s Tree Lighting** at Green Street, 209 SE Green St., Lee’s Summit. When: Fri, Nov 20, 2026. Time: 5–8:30 p.m.; tree lit at 6. Price: Free. The 45-foot tree in downtown Lee’s Summit comes on at 6. Santa is there for photos. Official page: https://downtownls.org/event/mayors-tree-lighting-presented-by-security-bank-of-kansas-city/ (checked 2026-10-31)
- **Santa's Arrival at the Zona Rosa Holiday Lighting Ceremony** at Zona Rosa, North Park, Zona Rosa, Kansas City, MO. When: Sat, Nov 21, 2026. Time: 3–6 p.m.; Santa arrives at 6 p.m. to turn on the lights. Kids' choirs, train rides, magical snow and a snowball fight, a coloring wall, mini 'reindeer' horse and little kid goats, food trucks. Official page: https://www.zonarosa.com/events/events/holiday-lights/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Magic Tree Lighting at Paragon Star** at Paragon Star, off View High Drive north of I-470, Lee’s Summit. When: Tue, Nov 24, 2026. Time: 6:30 p.m. Price: Free. 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: https://www.visitkc.com/events/lees-summit-magic-tree-lighting-ceremony/ (checked 2026-10-31)
- **Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting** at Crown Center Square, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: See official page. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.crowncenter.com/events/mayors-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Christmas in the Courtyard** at Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St., Merriam. When: Fri, Dec 4, 2026. Time: 6–8 p.m. Price: Free. School choirs carol before the mayor lights Merriam Plaza. Kids can make a craft and visit Santa. Official page: https://www.merriam.org/Government/Departments/Parks-Rec/Events/Christmas-in-the-Courtyard (checked 2026-10-31)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [Overland Park Mayor’s Holiday Festival](https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/events/overland-park-mayors-holiday-festival-downtown/): next dates Nov 20, 2026
- [Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa's arrival](https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/events/mayors-christmas-tree-lighting-and-santas-arrival-crown-center-square/): next dates Nov 27, 2026

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6. Lists refresh Monday and Thursday. The email goes out Thursday evening.
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## FAQ

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in Kansas City?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/kansas-city/christmas-tree-lighting/).

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in Kansas City free?
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.

### Which are best for little kids?
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.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).