Evergy Festival of Lights
at Powell Gardens
November 10 – December 30, 2022
Wednesday – Sunday* | 4-10 p.m.
During Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden transforms into a winter wonderland. Enjoy a breath of fresh air during a hectic holiday season! Bundle up with family and friends while you stroll a lighted outdoor path, pausing for plenty of Instagram and holiday-card worthy photo moments along the way. Encounter immersive botanic installations that show off the exceptional architecture and landscape elements of the Gardens and accentuating the natural joy of the most festive season.
Purchase Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens Tickets
This winter festival will light Powell Gardens November 10 – December 30, 2022. This year, featured new media artist, Kevin Heckart, transforms two sites with interactive light displays and a new festival feature, the Light Labyrinth, promises an adventure for all ages!
*Closed on Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Additional days (November 21-22, December 19-20 and 26-27) have been added to accommodate seasonal holidays.
New in 2022
Featured Artist: Kevin Heckart
Kevin Heckart makes new media works that play in the feedback-loop of internet culture while sourcing technology to capture the attention of millions. He utilizes coding to construct dreamy interactive light installations.
Heckart received a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute in 2019 and has been a Kansas City resident for over 10 years. While Heckart has often collaborated with local artists, his work is exhibited widely including most recently at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Tokyo Culture Art and published in WAD Magazine, The New York Times, and MTV.
Look for Verticalis in the Conservatory and Garden Office in the Garden Galleries.
Merry & Bright Selfie Station
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Education Building (in Children’s Garden)
A *must not miss* photo opportunity, squeeze your best buds, family, and partners into the larger-than-life Adirondack chairs and strike a pose. New to 2022, this destination on the path is the perfect spot to capture mementos. Don’t forget to tag @powellgardens and use #festivaloflightskc to share your festive selfies!
Light Labyrinth
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Missouri Barn & Silo
Explore the quilt-like pattern of the Villandry garden beds as you tackle navigating a labyrinth of light. Transitioning color blocks represent the changing seasons of fall, winter, spring, and summer. Travel to the top of the Silo to watch others try their hand at navigating the path for themselves. This immersive experience is fun for all ages; please accompany small children.
Festival Favorites
Daily | 4 – 10 p.m.
Fountain Garden
An immersive installation transforms the Fountain Garden, bathing the space in aquatic hues with a dazzling show of light and sound. Quixotic strikes with creativity again at Powell Gardens in 2022, having refreshed this festival-favorite sculpture, unveiling a new light show program to a spirited track.
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Heartland Harvest Garden
At the Papaya Spiral, a pink beacon transports guests through an Illuminated Passage. Surround yourself with light, stand in the center and take a picture of your group from below, look up to catch a glimpse of the stars.
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Tram Circle near Visitor Center
All new light installation at the 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.
Jump into a life-sized snow globe for the perfect winter selfie!
Food, Drink, and Shopping
NEW! All Inclusive VIP Dinner
Fridays & Saturdays beginning Nov. 18*
Fridays: 5:30, 6:45, and 8 p.m.
Saturdays: 5, 6:15, and 7:30 p.m.
The Terrace Room at Powell Gardens will feature an all-new VIP dinner experience for guests on Friday and Saturday evenings during Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens. VIP tickets include fast pass festival entry, parking, and a delicious holiday buffet meal, and a drink (wine, beer, or non-alcoholic).
Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens VIP Holiday Menu
- House Salad + Ranch & Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Fresh Baked Croissant + Cinnamon Honey Butter
- Holiday Ham
- Beurre Blanc Chicken
- Red Skin Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Fresh Green Beans
- Truffle Mac & Cheese
- Assortment of Holiday Desserts
Additional Food & Beverage
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, music and the evolving glow of a suspended installation by featured new media artist, Kevin Heckart. Mele Kalikimaka!
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Grand Hall (Visitor Center)
Beer, wine, hot chocolate, and hot cider (with spiking options!) and snacks are available in the Visitor Center.
Guests can upgrade their Country Club Bank Cocoa order to an Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens branded reusable cup, sponsored by Country Club Bank, FDIC.
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Visitor Center
The Marketplace at Powell Gardens has garden-inspired and locally made gifts, including Powell Gardens grown poinsettias. Shop a selection of sweet and savory snacks alongside favorite beverages.
Daily | 4-9:30 p.m.
Garden Galleries
Warm up halfway through your walk! One side of the warming station in the Garden Galleries greenhouses will serve Country Club Bank Cocoa and hot cider (spiked or non-alcoholic) amidst a festive peppermint display. On the other side, a new interactive installation from featured artist Kevin Heckart adds cheer and whimsy. Warm up and enjoy the lights amidst a display of Powell Gardens grown poinsettias.
Daily | 4-10 p.m.
Missouri Barn and Silo
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 Lighted Labyrinth 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.
Guests can upgrade their Country Club Bank Cocoa order to an Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens branded reusable cup, sponsored by Country Club Bank, FDIC.
Daily 4-10 p.m.
Missouri Barn and Silo
Coffee lovers can enjoy a cup of local roasted coffee along with fresh bakery sweets and treats at Sip &Sugar Coffee shop (located at the Missouri Barn and Silo). Guests can upgrade with Country Club Bank Cocoa order to an Evergy Festival of Lights branded reusable cup, sponsored by Country Club Bank, FDIC.
Shop for the perfect stocking stuffer while you sip! Browse a selection of unique and traditional toys, games, candies, and gifts.
Don’t Miss: Festival Classes and Events
Each weekend, Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens will feature performances from throughout the Kansas City community. Performers include choirs, bell ringers, bands and more.
November 25 – December 17 | Friday & Saturday, 5-9 p.m.
(Daily December 19-22)
Santa’s Workshop in Children’s Garden
On Fridays and Saturdays between November 25 and December 17 (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.
- Friday, November 25: Bonbons Gitaus Gypsy Jazz (6-8 p.m.)
- Sunday, November 27: KC Horn Club (5:30-7:30 p.m., Missouri Barn & Silo)
- Sunday, November 27: Hammer Dulcimer & Guitar by Linda & Dan (6-8 p.m., Grand Hall)
- Friday, December 2: Hammer Dulcimer & Guitar by Linda & Dan (6-8 p.m., Grand Hall)
- Friday, December 2: St. Paul Ringers Bell Choir (6-8 p.m., Visitor Center Terrace)
- Saturday, December 3: St. Paul Ringers Bell Choir (6-8 p.m., Visitor Center Terrace)
- Saturday, December 3: Center Place Restoration School Choir (6-6:45 p.m., Grand Hall)
- Saturday, December 3: Carolers of Note (6-8 p.m.)
- Sunday, December 4: Tre Venti Woodwind & String Trio (6-8 p.m., Grand Hall)
- Friday, December 9: Tre Venti Woodwind & String Trio (6-8 p.m., Grand Hall)
- Saturday, December 10: Hammer Dulcimer & Guitar by Linda & Dan (6-8 p.m., Grand Hall)
- Saturday, December 10: Carolers of Note (6-8 p.m.)
- Sunday, December 11: Emily Dix (6-8 p.m., Grand Hall)
- Sunday, December 11: KC Horn Club Brass Quartet (5:30-7:30, Missouri Barn & Silo)
- Friday, December 16: Elegancia Violin (6-9 p.m., Grand Hall)
- Saturday, December 17: Sepiatones Ukulelu (6-8 p.m., Enchanted Tiki Bar)
- Saturday, December 17: Carolers of Note (6-8 p.m.)
- Sunday, December 18: Emily Dix (6-8 p.m., Grand Hall)
- Friday, December 23: Sepiatones Ukulele (6-8 p.m., Enchanted Tiki Bar)
- Friday, December 30: Sepiatones Ukulele (6-8 p.m., Enchanted Tiki Bar)
Wednesday, November 30 | 4-6 p.m.
$50 | 10% less for members
Conifer Room
Art lovers of all sorts are invited to attend Artful Gardens: Festival of Lights, the final installment of a new seasonal series at Powell Gardens. “Docent Donna” Houtteman of Art Blocks KC will help learners of all levels explore the connections between art and the natural world while drawing inspiration from Powell Gardens’ living museum.
This art-focused evening includes a 90-minute presentation showcasing artists that use light and seasonal themes for their inspiration and works of art. Afterwards, guests will enjoy wine, beer, and light snacks while receiving a private guided tour of the Conservatory as well as the current blooms on display at Powell Gardens.
This class is the perfect date night, solo exploration, or evening with friends. We invite you to answer the question: What came first, the garden or the artist?
Saturday, December 10 | 4-5 p.m.
$45 | $20 less for members
Terrace Room
Join Education Manager Caitlin Eckard for our final Garden to Glass class of the year. You will learn about the Wassail tradition while enjoying the spiced drink of the same name. Learn how you can make this drink at home, then enjoy Festival of Lights!
More information coming soon!