(Updated November 18, 2020.) In response to the recent increases in COVID-19 cases in the area and updated guidelines from local health officials, Powell Gardens leadership has updated festival safety precautions as follows:

• The performance by the Lyric Opera of Kansas City on Saturday, November 21 has been cancelled. For the remainder of the festival, all events and performances will be spread out across the grounds and will span several hours of the festival to allow for social distancing.  We look forward to partnering with the Lyric Opera on future events as circumstances allow.
• Signage and line management has been enhanced to facilitate social distancing and limit capacity as appropriate throughout the festival.
• The Festival’s indoor dining option, the Evergreen Eatery, has been closed. Grab and go snacks and beverages are still available at five locations spread throughout the festival’s 25 acres.

These updates strengthen our existing COVID-19 safety precautions which will remain in place. Existing precautions include compliance with the Johnson County, MO face coverings mandate, increased custodial practices, and use of outdoor facilities, among others. See below for a full lists of safety precautions in affect at the Festival of Lights.

Powell Gardens is operating with the following precautions and amenities in place for the safety of visitors, staff, and volunteers:

• Per the Johnson County, MO face covering mandate, all visitors are required to wear masks indoors, when social distancing is not possible, and in additional mask zones that are marked with signs to protect the safety of our community.
• Visitors are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets at the link below for a contactless experience. Members will be granted contactless entry upon arrival and do not need to pre-register.
• Hours are limited to 4-10 p.m. during Festival of Lights: Enchantment to ensure our custodial staff can maintain increased sanitation procedures.
• Hand sanitation stations will be positioned throughout the Gardens.
• Snacks and beverages will be available in the Perennial Lounge (in the Visitor Center) and Holly Jolly Rest Stop (at the Missouri Barn in the Heartland Harvest Garden) during Garden hours.
• Tram service will be limited to 5-10 p.m.
• Visitors are encouraged to follow CDC recommendations and practice social distancing.

As the situation evolves leadership continues to meet frequently to monitor new developments and ensure that precautionary measures are adequate and appropriate.

For updates, follow us on social media @powellgardens.

 PURCHASE Festival of Lights: Enchantment TICKETS

Powell Gardens (1609 US-50 E, Kingsville, MO 64061) is easily accessible throughout the Kansas City metro area, conveniently located twenty miles east of Lee’s Summit and twenty miles west of Warrensburg.

Powell Gardens is currently constructing a new front entrance, coming November 2020. During construction, our Gardens will be open during normal business hours. Click here to plan your visit.

Powell Gardens embraces most weather events and encourages visitors to experience the Gardens regardless of rain or snow.  However, when the weather becomes dangerous to visitors, staff, and volunteers, the Gardens may choose to close.  Powell Gardens uses the National Weather Service as a benchmark and takes into account the impact closing the Gardens will have on scheduled events and classes.

Winter Weather Events of Concern:

• Winter Weather Advisory: Garden remains open
• Winter Storm Warning: Garden closes
• Ice Storm Warning: Garden closes
• Heat Advisory: Garden remains open
• Tornado Watch: Garden remains open
• Tornado Warning: Visitors, staff and volunteers are moved to safe areas, the Visitor Center basement and the lower level of the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel.
• Lightning: Garden remains open, but everyone in the Gardens is advised to take shelter.

If events or classes are canceled due to inclement weather, they will be rescheduled or refunds will be processed.

Military Discount

Active-duty and retired military personnel receive $2 off general admission year-round. Please call 816.697.2600 during Garden hours or purchase tickets in person to take advantage of this discount.

Reciprocal Garden Admissions Program

Powell Gardens is a proud supporter of the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program. All Powell Gardens members enjoy select benefits at more than 320 botanical gardens around the country.

To enjoy this benefit, simply present your current membership card at one of our partner institutions. To visit Powell Gardens as a reciprocal member, please present your membership card at a participating Garden to our staff upon arrival to Powell Gardens.

Coolers with picnic items (food and non-alcoholic beverages) are allowed.

It’s simple to learn more about what’s growing at Powell Gardens! PlantSnap is an easy to use plant identifier app. Scan the QR reader to download the Powell Gardens version of PlantSnap and instantly learn about flowers, trees, and other plants as you stroll through the gardens.

PlantSnap’s library has 600,000+ plants and 200 million+ plant images. Once the app is downloaded, take pictures of plants at Powell Gardens to see a complete description and learn the botanical nomenclature. You can even build collections of your favorite plants to reference later!

 Download PlantSnap

PlantSnap also connects us to other gardens and plant lovers around the world. Be certain to check out the app’s social feed to join a discussion and learn about plants in other parts of the world. PlantSnap works anywhere on Earth and is translated into 37 languages. The Powell Gardens’ QR code also gives the option of selecting the premium, ad-free version. A portion of the revenue generated by each visitor using the premium version supports the American Public Gardens Association’s (APGA) Garden to Garden Disaster Response Center. This response center supports member gardens recovering from extreme climate events as well as programs to help public gardens build resilience.

Powell Gardens is a member of APGA, allowing our members reciprocal benefits when visiting other member gardens.

Service animals are welcome at Powell Gardens. Pets are not allowed unless otherwise specified (Dog’s Day Out).

Please adhere to the following guidelines:

•    Service Animals should remain on a leash at all times and may not be left unattended.
•    Please clean up after your service animal and dispose of waste in a trash receptacle.

Powell Gardens is a smoke-free facility.

Firearms or weapons of any kind are not allowed.