Christmas in the Park is a favorite Christmas tradition in Kansas City, Missouri. Each year, 300,000 lights, 175 animated figures, and pops of Christmas color turn the campground at Longview Lake into a winter wonderland. The whole family will revel in the magic of this enchanting car show and fundraiser.
Christmas in the park
More than 2 million local residents have driven through the annual holiday lights event since it began in 1987. A companion event called Christmas in the Sky was added in 1997 to kick off the annual holiday lights display with a show at the stage and fireworks
Both events have become vacation favorites in Jackson County, where Kansas City is located. County officials host both events each year, and local radio station 99.7 The Point provides the fireworks musical soundtrack in a simulcast.
Christmas in The Park is open nightly from the Friday after Thanksgiving through December 31 at Kansas City’s Longview Lake Park, located two miles south of I-470, off View High Drive. . The two-mile drive to Christmas In The Park begins at Frank White, Jr., Softball Complex, 3901 SW Longview Park Drive.
Christmas in the Park is open every night until New Years Eve. The hours are from Sunday to Thursday from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Christmas in heaven
Christmas in The Sky is a launch event, held in Longview Lake Beach, prior to Christmas in the Park. Includes celebrity performances and an evening theater show with dozens of singers and dancers. Santa arrives in a mule sleigh with the first Christmas present. Then huge arrays of colorful fireworks, timed to Christmas music at 99.7 The Point, light up the skies over Longview Lake.
After Christmas in the Sky, Kansas citizens have their first opportunity to travel through the park by car or bike to see more than 300,000 lights and 175 animated displays that make up Christmas in the Park. Each year the county Parks and Recreation department adds a new exhibit to the experience.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and the holiday stage show begins at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks at 7:30 p.m.
Charity benefit
Admission is free to both the Christmas in the Sky stage and the fireworks launch shows and the Christmas in the Park Christmas light display. But donations are accepted, and a portion of the proceeds is divided among 35 Kansas City-area charities.
Tips for enjoying Christmas in the park
Make sure you have plenty of gas and a lot of time at your disposal. You should expect end-to-end or slow-moving traffic to enter, pass through, and leave the park. Therefore, a weekend trip through the park’s exhibits could take a few hours. Also, be sure to drive with your parking lights on so you don’t disturb the people in front of you.
More Christmas Events in Kansas City
Kansas City does everything it can for the holidays. From the famous Plaza Lights display and abundant holiday shopping opportunities to ice skating, New Years Eve celebrations and seasonal home decorations throughout the metro, Kansas City is packed with fun for the whole family.
