Visitor Guide to Evergy Festival of Lights 2024 at Powell Gardens

Embrace the spirit of the season at Powell Gardens’ beloved winter festival, Evergy Festival of Lights. This year, Kansas City’s botanical garden transforms into a glowing wonderland from November 14, 2024, through January 4, 2025. A new path highlights the iconic Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel as it winds through the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden.

Use this guide to plan your visit! Don’t miss any displays, seasonal treats, or special family moments.

Tips for Visiting

Tickets and Admission

Purchase tickets in advance online (click here) to secure your spot, especially on busy weekends. This year, Powell Gardens introduces staggered entrance times (that’s why you see tickets available in 30-minute increments!) to ensure guests can enter the Gardens quickly. Have your purchased parking and tickets ready to scan when you arrive.

Dress Warmly

Evergy Festival of Lights is an outdoor walking experience. That’s part of what makes this event so special, but it can be chilly! Wear layers and bring extra blankets for the kids to stay cozy during the walk. (Don’t worry—there are plenty of indoor spaces and firepits to warm up along the way!)

Prepare for the Outdoors

After you dress warmly, make sure you’re ready for an evening outdoors! We recommend that garden goers come prepared to enjoy their visit by wearing comfortable and closed-toe shoes. Follow signage to stay on designated paths, walkways, and trails.

Family-Friendly Fun

Take advantage of included activities and displays! Look for Santa in his workshop (select Fridays and Saturdays), navigate the Light Maze, do crafts near the Aliento a Tequila exhibit, and walk through the snow globe in the Conservatory. Don’t forget to bring a camera for memorable holiday photos!

Plan Ahead for an Extra Special Evening

Make your visit unforgettable with holiday extras! Check out Powell Gardens’ Chapel Concert Series or look at special crafts for kids on Thursday evenings. Purchase a +Pack during check out to add a little sparkle to your visit.

Must-See Highlights and Activities

Updated Path (Daily, 5-10 p.m.)n

This year, a new path highlights the iconic Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel as it winds through the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden. Don’t miss out on these incredible views!

Conservatory Snow Globe (Daily, 5-10 p.m.)

Step into an enchanting snow globe inside Powell Gardens’ glass-domed Conservatory. Decorated with flocked trees, delicate white flowers, and glistening lights, this magical indoor scene is a picture-perfect holiday backdrop.

Aliento a Tequila Exhibit (Daily, 5-10 p.m., Conifer Room)

New this year, the Aliento a Tequila exhibit celebrates Mexico’s tequila-making heritage with photographs by Joel Salcido, capturing the beauty and tradition of this cultural craft. Kids can get creative with holiday crafts right beside this unique exhibit.

ScrapHeads Light Display (Daily, 5-10 p.m., East Lawn)

Enjoy a dazzling, music-synced light display created by ScrapHeads 21485, a local student robotics team. Sponsored by ALL PRO Electric Inc., this new addition brings a fun and interactive experience to the festival.

Light Maze (Daily, 5-10 p.m., Villandry Garden)

Lose yourself in a maze of twinkling lights. Wander through glowing pathways and find your way to the sparkling center for a truly magical adventure that both kids and adults will love.

Santa’s Workshop (Fridays & Saturdays, 5-9 p.m., Children’s Garden)

Bring the kids to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in their cozy workshop on Fridays and Saturdays (November 29 – December 21), where story time, letter writing, and holiday crafting await. For a more unique crafting experience, sign up for a paid craft session on select dates.

Chapel Concert Series (Select Dates, 7 p.m., Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel)

Enjoy live music in the serene Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel with performances ranging from jazz to choral harmonies. Concert tickets include Evergy Festival of Lights admission, making for a full evening of holiday delight.

Food, Beverage, and Cozy Stops

Terrace Room (Daily, 5-9 p.m.)

Warm up in the pop-up café with a variety of sweet and savory holiday treats, and beverages for all ages. Pick up a sugar cookie painting kit to create an edible masterpiece!

Grand Hall Bar + Bites (Daily, 5-10 p.m.)

Sip on hot chocolate or cider (with spiking options) and try the new charcuterie cones in the Grand Hall. A great way to refuel as you explore the lights.

Powell Gardens Express Station (Daily, 5-9:30 p.m., Garden Galleries)

Take a break mid-walk to enjoy hot chocolate or cider and admire the seasonal poinsettia display and charming holiday train exhibit by the MO-KAN Garden Railroaders.

Holly Jolly Rest Stop (Daily, 5-10 p.m., Missouri Barn)

With cozy fire pits and a view of the Light Maze, this rest stop offers warm drinks, hot food, and seasonal treats. Head up to the top of the Silo for a stunning aerial view of the lights.

Sip & Sugar Coffee Shop (Daily, 5-10 p.m., Missouri Barn)

Coffee lovers will enjoy local roasts, including the new “Uniquely Powell” blend by Post Coffee. Sip a hot cup while browsing a selection of toys, games, and candies perfect for holiday stocking stuffers.

Shopping at Powell Gardens

The Marketplace (Daily, 5-10 p.m., Visitor Center)

Stop by The Marketplace for garden-inspired gifts, including Powell Gardens’ homegrown poinsettias and other locally crafted items. Perfect for finding that special something to bring home the spirit of the season.

Winter Sip & Stroll Market (Nov. 22-23 and Dec. 13-14, 5-10 p.m., Missouri Barn)

Find perfect holiday gifts at this artisan market, featuring creations from local vendors. Grab a warm drink and peruse unique, handmade goods.

Start a Holiday Tradition at Powell Gardens

We can’t wait to see you and your loved ones at Powell Gardens this holiday season! With sparkling lights and magical moments around every corner, Evergy Festival of Lights is a Kansas City tradition you won’t want to miss.

We offer our sincere thanks to the sponsors that make this festival magical! Thank you to our lead sponsor, Evergy, for supporting the winter festival.