Festival of Lights

During Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens (November 14-January 4), holiday lights turn Kansas City’s botanical garden into a winter wonderland. This year, a new path highlights the iconic Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel as it winds through the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden.

Make plans for a breath of fresh air during the hectic holiday season! Bundle up with family and friends while you stroll along a lighted outdoor path. Experience the natural joy of Powell Gardens through exceptional architecture and the treasured Midwest landscape in the most festive season.

Festival Features

Conservatory Snow Globe:

Daily: 5-10 p.m.

Step into a winter wonderland with an enchanting new feature—a walk-through snow globe experience inside Powell Gardens’ glass-domed Conservatory! Stroll beneath twinkling lights, surrounded by flocked trees and delicate white flowers. The Conservatory pool is transformed into a snowy scene, while red ornaments add a festive pop against the greenery. This magical setting is sure to transport you into the heart of the holiday season.

New! Aliento a Tequila:

Daily: 5-10 p.m.

The holiday season brings a new botanical exhibit to Powell Gardens! Aliento a Tequila (or The Spirit of Tequila) exhibition explores and celebrates the landscape, culture, and traditions that gave birth to tequila, Mexico’s mestizo national drink. This series of photographs by Joel Salcido includes the original distilleries that literally founded the industry, as well as several artisanal tequileras committed to the ancestral ways of tequila-making, from harvest to bottle.

Located in the Conifer Room, the exhibit is open daily during Every Festival of Lights. On the other side of the exhibit space, there are crafts for kids. Stop by and be inspired to create!  

Location: Conifer Room (Visitor Center)

Magic Tree:

Daily: 5-10 p.m.

Marvel at a magical light installation at the Royal Purple Smoketree (Continus) in the Visitor Center Tram Circle. Look for this signature tree as you begin your walk!

Location: Tram Circle near Visitor Center

Favorite Photo Stops:

Daily:  5-10 p.m.

Step into a world of winter scenes, perfect for your family’s holiday card! Don’t miss the snowflake arch in the Conifer Garden, vintage holiday ornament at the Millstone, or the lighted butterfly just beyond the Peppermint Warming Station. This year, we’ve added a gingerbread house near the Fountain Garden.  

Location: Fountain Garden

Light Maze

Daily: 5-10 p.m.

Get lost in the magic of the season with our dazzling Light Maze! Wander through glowing pathways surrounded by shimmering lights. Perfect for all ages! Can you find your way to the sparkling center?

Location: Villandry (Missouri Barn & Silo)

Special Events:

New! Winter Sip & Stroll Market

5-10 p.m.

Finish your holiday shopping at Powell Gardens’ Winter Sip & Stroll Market. Local artisans and vendors will be onsite selling holiday and everyday creations. Take home the perfect gift!  

Location: Missouri Barn

5-9 p.m.: Santa’s Workshop in Children’s Garden

On Fridays and Saturdays, visit Santa in his cozy Powell Gardens workshop! Mrs. Claus will join Santa for special story times on Saturdays. Visitors are encouraged to write a letter to Santa and make a free holiday craft daily.

7 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.: Chapel Concert: Friends of Chamber Music

Purchase tickets for our Festival of Lights concert series, hosted in the beautiful Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel! On December 14, Friends of Chamber Music – Kansas City will perform.   

The Friends of Chamber Music and Heartland Young Artist Project is a collaborative initiative between Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City and Heartland Chamber Music, created with a goal to expand music education opportunities within our community.  

Through this partnership, full scholarships are offered to selected chamber music ensembles made up of piano and string students aged 12-19 from the Kansas City area. These talented young musicians receive high-quality instruction, including weekly coaching from distinguished faculty, which features some of Kansas City’s finest musicians as well as Dmitri Atapine and Hyeyeon Park, the artistic co-directors of Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City.

The Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel opens at 6 p.m. on concert evenings. Concert tickets include admission to Evergy Festival of Lights (5-10 p.m.).

Cost: $38

Location: Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel

Click Here to Buy Concert Tickets

Festival Food, Beverage, and Shopping

Daily: 5-10 p.m.

The Marketplace at Powell Gardens has garden-inspired and locally made gifts, including Powell Gardens grown poinsettias. Sweet and savory snacks and drinks are also available.

Location: The Marketplace at Powell Gardens, Visitor Center

Daily: 5-9 p.m.

Enjoy food and drink in the Terrace Room, an indoor pop-up café space during Evergy Festival of Lights. Purchase savory and sweet treats, as well as beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. For a fun holiday activity, pick up a sugar cookie painting kit—perfect for kids and adults alike! Take a seat at our festive tables and relax.

Location:  Terrace Room (Visitor Center)

Daily: 5-10 p.m.

Beer, wine, hot chocolate, and hot cider (with spiking options!) are available in the Visitor Center. Don’t miss the new charcuterie cones at this location!

Location: Grand Hall Bar + Bites, Visitor Center

Daily: 5-9:30 p.m.

Take a warm break at the Powell Express Station, nestled halfway through your walk. Inside the Garden Galleries greenhouses, warm up with hot chocolate or cider—spiked or non-alcoholic—amidst a festive peppermint display. Marvel at a beautiful poinsettia tree surrounded by Powell Gardens-grown poinsettias, white snapdragons, euphorbia, and dusty miller. Don’t miss the enchanting holiday train and railroad display from the MO-KAN Garden Railroaders, adding even more holiday magic to your night!

Location: Powell Gardens Express Station, Garden Galleries

Daily: 5-10 p.m.

Enjoy warm drinks (spiked and not!), hot food, sweet and savory snacks, and a full selection of beer, wine, and cocktails at this festive outpost. The Missouri Barn features fire pits where families can cozy up together in front of a spectacular view of the display in the Villandry Garden. Head up to the top of the Silo and gaze out over the Gardens and experience the twinkling wonderland from above

Location: Holly Jolly Rest Stop, Missouri Barn and Silo

Daily: 5-10 p.m.

Coffee lovers can enjoy a cup of local roasted coffee (including a new “Uniquely Powell” blend from Post Coffee!) along with fresh bakery sweets and treats at Sip & Sugar Coffee shop. Shop for the perfect stocking stuffer while you sip. Browse a selection of unique and traditional toys, games, candies, and gifts.

Location: Sip & Sugar Coffee Shop, Missouri Barn and Silo

Click Here to Buy Tickets