Light ’em up! Christmas tree lighting ceremonies start as early as this weekend

By Kathy Feist/Kristina Light

It seems holiday celebrations start earlier every year.  This year is no different. 

Brookside

Brookside turns Christmas into a three-day celebration starting Thursday, November 12, with a Brookside Cocktail Crawl from 5-8 pm. On Friday, November 13, the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony runs from 5-8 pm with Santa, music and activities. Finally on Saturday, November 14, Cookies, Cocoa & Crafts runs from 11 am – 2 pm at the various shops. 

Leawood 

The City of Leawood will hold the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Monday, November 16, at 5:45 pm, at City Hall, 4800 Town Center Dr. Cookies, hot beverages, and caroling from local students will help light up City Hall for the season.

Martin City

Martin City will hold its Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, November 19, at Rosehill Gardens, 311 E 135 St. The celebration starts early with the opening of Rosehill Winery at 2 pm to serve hot cocoa, wine and beer.  But the real family celebration begins at 6 pm when Pegah’s provides free hot cocoa and treats. At 6:15 pm the Martin City K-8 School choir will lead the community in song. Finally at 6:30 pm Santa switches on the downtown lights followed by photos and wish lists with Santa. 

Ward Parkway  Center

Ward Parkway Shopping Center will hold its Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 20, at 6 pm. The Center High School marching band and Boone Elementary School choir will lead the community in song. Santa Claus and his elf will provide photo opportunities and listen to children’s Christmas wishes. 

Longview Lake

Jackson County’s tribute to the holidays comes two-fold at Longview Lake. On Sunday, November 22, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, bicyclists get the first view of one million lights and hundreds of illuminated displays at Jackson County’s Christmas in the Park. Santa will be there for photos. Lights and helmets are required. On Wednesday, November 25,  Christmas in the Sky holiday show will feature music, dancing and fireworks on the shores of Longview Lake Beach. Christmas in the Sky kicks off the free Christmas in the Park light show featuring 200 animated light displays for automobile-filled viewers. Christmas in the Park ends on New Year’s Eve. 

Country Club Plaza Lights Ceremony

A Kansas City tradition since 1930, the Country Club Plaza lights more than 280,000 bulbs across 80 blocks of Spanish-style architecture with live music and a fireworks finale. Lights stay on nightly from November 26 through mid-January. The lighting ceremony is early this year at 5:30 pm due to the Chiefs game. Free; parking is tight. countryclubplaza.com.

KCMO Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting at Crown Center

One of the nation’s largest Christmas trees stands on Crown Center Square. For nostalgic reasons, attending this year may be the last time to see the lighting ceremony at Crown Center before the area is transformed for the future Royals Stadium pavilion. At 6 pm on Friday, November 27, Youth Chorus KC performs, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Crown Center President Stacey Paine offer remarks and a fireworks finale closes the ceremony, launching the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund for Kansas Citians in need. After the holidays, the tree’s wood becomes commemorative ornaments sold to raise more. Free.  30 minutes. crowncenterchristmas.com

Belton

 The Belton Holiday Light Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting will be held November 28 starting at 4:30 pm when the streets of downtown Belton will be closed off for the Holiday Light Parade. At 5 pm vehicles decked out in lights will head down Main Street. Children can visit with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause. At 6 pm, Mayor Larkey will light up the Christmas tree at Peace Park. At 7 pm, Main Street is reopened. Weather-permitting, the Belton Missouri Historical Railroad will be running during the celebration. 

Raymore

The Raymore Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held Friday, December 4, 6-8 pm, at T.B. Hanna Station, 214 S. Washington. Activities include pictures with Santa, the Raymore Christmas Tree Trail and the lighting of the Mayor’s tree. Businesses, organizations, families and individuals are invited to decorate their own tree for display at T.B. Hanna Station through the holiday season. Decoration forms are due Monday, Nov. 16, by 5 p.m. 

Grandview

Grandview wraps up the area’s Christmas tree lighting ceremonies when Mayor Leonard Jones flips the switch on Thursday, December 3, at 6 pm,  outside The View Community Center, 13500 Byars Rd. Activities include cookies and cocoa, music and a special appearance from Santa who arrives on a lit-up fire truck. Attendees are encouraged to bring donations of canned food, toiletries, or cash for the Grandview Assistance Program to help local families in need.