Festival of Lights
November 11-December 30, 2021
Wednesday–Sunday | 4–10 p.m.
Festival Admission Applies | Members Receive Free Admission
Festival of Lights will be closed Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Additional days (December 20-21 and 27-28) have been added to accommodate seasonal holidays.
Head to Powell Gardens for the fifth annual Festival of Lights (November 11-December 30), illuminated by Evergy. This family-favorite festival is a breath of fresh air during a hectic holiday season. Bundle up and wander a lighted outdoor path featuring immersive, botanically-inspired installations that celebrate the natural joy of the most festive season. More than 20 miles of lights highlight the natural forms of Powell Gardens’ tree collection, show off the exceptional architecture and landscape elements in the Gardens, and create paths through Instagram and holiday card-worthy photo moments.
A newly imagined Enchanted Tiki Bar occupies the glass domed conservatory, while a new warming station along the trail sells spiked or non-alcoholic hot chocolate and Louisburg cider. Take your drinks to go and snap a selfie in a larger-than-life snow globe or Magic Tree wrapped in 3.5 miles of lights before enjoying the display from above atop the Missouri Barn Silo. Visit Santa’s reindeer (Saturdays, Nov. 27-Dec. 18) before venturing to the Children’s Garden to deliver your holiday wish list to Santa, then return to the Visitor Center to shop for local and garden inspired gifts for friends and family in The Marketplace at Powell Gardens.
This year, begin a new family tradition. Festival of Lights is open Wednesday-Sunday, 4-10 p.m. Additional days (December 20-21 & 27-28) have been added to accommodate seasonal holidays.
New Festival Features
Daily | 4-9:30 p.m.
Conservatory (Visitor Center)
Powell Gardens’ signature glass-domed conservatory is transformed into a holiday-themed enchanted tiki bar complete with island cocktails, live tropical plants, and music. Mele Kalikimaka!
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Tram Circle near Visitor Center
More than 3.5 miles of lights cover a towering Royal Purple Smoketree (Continus) in the Visitor Center Tram Circle. Marvel at this magic tree as you begin your walk!
Daily | 4 – 10 p.m.
Fountain Garden
An immersive installation transforms the Fountain Garden, bathing the space in blue hues. Presented in partnership with Quixotic, this display enchants visitors with a dazzling show of light and sound.
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Heartland Harvest Garden
At the Native Edge, a new Illuminated Passage transports guests through a lighted sphere. Surround yourself with light and look up to catch a glimpse of the stars.
Daily | 4-9:30 p.m.
Seed to Plate Greenhouse
Enter the Seed to Plate Greenhouse to find a hot chocolate bar alongside other seasonal drinks and spikers, as well as seating in a warm greenhouse. Powell Gardens grown poinsettias make for a special holiday display.
Festival Events
November 26 – December 22 | Friday & Saturday, 5-9 p.m.
(Daily December 19-22)
Children’s Garden
On Fridays and Saturdays between Nov. 26 and Dec. 22 (and daily Dec. 19-22), create and deliver your holiday wish lists to Santa in a festively transformed corncrib in the Children’s Garden, where he will be posing for photos.
Saturdays, November 27-December 18 | 4-9:30 p.m.
Missouri Barn
Santa’s reindeer will stop at Festival of Lights on select nights. Pose for a photo with these festive animals at the Missouri Barn.
Food and Beverage
Grand Hall Bar + Bites
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Grand Hall (Visitor Center)
Beer, wine, hot chocolate, and hot cider (with spiking options!) and snacks available in the Visitor Center.
Warming Station
Daily | 4-9:30 p.m.
Seed to Plate Greenhouse
Warm up halfway through your walk! The new warming station in the Seed to Plate greenhouse will serve hot chocolate and hot cider (spiked or non-alcoholic). Sit for a minute to enjoy a display of Powell Gardens grown poinsettias.
The Marketplace at Powell Gardens
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Visitor Center
The Marketplace at Powell Gardens as garden-inspired and locally made gifts, including Powell Gardens grown poinsettias. The Conifer Candy Bar includes treats from Annedore’s Fine Chocolates.
Holly Jolly Rest Stop
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Missouri Barn and Silo
Enjoy hot drinks (spiked and not!), frosted cookies, and savory snacks at this festive outpost at the Missouri Barn, will have fire pits where families can cozy up together on the adjacent lawn 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The safety and comfort of visitors, staff, and volunteers is our top priority. While Powell Gardens generally remains open, there are times when inclement weather may create an unsafe environment. In the event of inclement weather, the Gardens may choose to close and cancel scheduled events.
If a class, event, or festival is cancelled, Powell Gardens will alert ticket holders via email. Any closures impacting guests will also be posted on social media, as well as noted online at www.powellgardens.org. (Follow Powell Gardens on Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss any important updates.)
When possible, rain out dates will be provided. Impacted ticket holders should review the information communicated via email for next steps.
Festival of Lights is an outdoor festival. The path is a half-mile walk over paved surfaces. (In most spots, sidewalks are 10′ wide.) The path is wheelchair accessible.
When visitors reach the Missouri Barn, they may walk back (making it a 1-mile round trip) or wait for the tram to take them back to the Visitor Center.
Special moments like Santa, reindeer, and the Kansas City Ballet are included with festival admission on select nights. When purchasing tickets, double check the date before placing your order.
Classes (like the winter wreath workshop) require a separate ticket. Visit www.powellgardens.org/calendar to purchase tickets to classes and workshops.
The Festival of Lights digital guide (linked below and available via QR code throughout the Gardens) shows the dates, locations, and times of festival features.
Thank you to our sponsor!
Festival of Lights is made possible thanks to generous support from Evergy.
Frontier Furniture