When the table has been cleared and the football game turned off, locals know what comes next in a quintessentially KC Thanksgiving.
The Plaza Lighting Ceremony has kicked off the holiday season here for nearly 100 years — attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators to watch ~300,000 brightly-colored bulbs illuminate the city with the flip of a switch.
Let there be light... or so its origin story goes.
In 1925, Charles “Pete” Pitrat, a Nichols Company maintenance supervisor, innocently hung a single strand of lights on the Mill Creek Building — a move that snowballed into a full fledged ceremony by 1930. With the country reeling into the Great Depression, the celebration became a beacon of community knitting Kansas Citians closer year after year.
Fast forward 94 years to now, where both bulb count and attendance have soared to the hundreds of thousands, overstuffed citizens can opt to watch the telecast, and celebrities from Walter Cronkite to Oleta Adams have been invited to flip the switch. Nothing (besides the Oil Shock of ’73 and the COVID-19 pandemic) have kept Kansas Citians from this time honored tradition since.
Chicken N Pickle Ice Pond | Tuesday, Nov. 26-Thursday, Feb. 6 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Chicken N Pickle, Overland Park | $11+ | Make magical memories as you glide underneath festive twinkle lights, or prepare to own the ice with KC’s only broomball league.
“A Christmas Carol” | Tuesday, Nov. 26-Saturday, Dec. 28 | Times vary | Kansas City Repertory Theatre | $79+ | This production, featuring Ebenezer Scrooge on his journey to rediscover the true meaning of the holidays, has been a beloved family tradition for over 40 years.
Thursday, Nov. 28
Thanksgiving Dinner | 5-7 p.m. | The Intercontinental | $55+ | Dine on an extensive buffet, complete with carving station and assorted desserts, while overlooking the Plaza lights from its rooftop ballroom.
Friday, Nov. 29
Red Zona Rally | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Zona Rosa | Free | Head to Zona Rosa for a Black Friday party featuring shopping deals, free coffee, a Chiefs watch party at The Rink, visits from KC Wolf and the Rumble Drumline, and more.*
2024 Kit Man Sale | 10 a.m. | Children’s Mercy Park | Cost of purchase | Score 25%-50% off all items + autographed gear at this once-a-year sale.
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Event | 6:30 p.m. | Crown Center | Free | Witness the illumination of the 100-foot-tall Mayor’s Christmas Tree (one of the tallest in the nation) alongside fellow festive locals.
Saturday, Nov. 30
KC Chief Nazeeh Johnson Potting Class | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | rOOTS KC, River Market | $60 | Meet a member of the KC Chiefs, see his Super Bowl rings up close, and create your own Chiefs-inspired plant masterpiece.
Merry Market | Saturday, Nov. 30-Sunday, Dec. 22 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | City Market | Free | Embrace the spirit of the season as you browse local goods, connect with artisans, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that only a community-centered marketplace can offer.
Wicked Party | 7-11:30 p.m. | ReRoll Tavern | $7+ | Whether you’re team Glinda or team Elphaba, it will be a spellbinding night celebrating all things “Wicked” with themed activities, drinks, and a chance to sing your heart out.
Sunday, Dec. 1
Kansas City Comets vs St. Louis Ambush | 4:05 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence | $22+ | The Comets are taking on their I-70 rivals for the first home game of the season.
Professionals share insights and build connections, enhancing their productivity with practical tools for focused work and effective time management. | Photo courtesy Ash Wright Photography
Stop watching your workday slip away. Created by HubSpot and ClickUp, this productivity system is used by the top 1% of performers in the professional world.
The system provides practical tools like custom-designed progress tracking templates, science-backed focus techniques, and a unique project hours calculator to eliminate wasted time.
Unlike other productivity systems that focus on theory, this kit offers ready-to-use templates and frameworks for immediate implementation. (Perfect for both in-office and remote workers, it’s designed to streamline productivity, without unnecessary extras.)
The wait is finally (almost) over. South KC residents will soon get to see inside the long-awaited Red Bridge Farm Fresh Market next month. A grand opening, debuting the new roof + covered patio among other upgrades, will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 18 from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. (FOX4)
Ranked
Luminary Walk at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Garden may be one of the nation’s best holiday light displays. The annual exhibit was nominated by USA Today, along with 19 other contenders, for the honor. Help the metro claim the top rank by casting your vote before 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2. (Johnson County Post)
Coming Soon
Buckle up for two new men’s brands coming to Legends Outlets: Duluth Trading Company and Todd’s Clothiers & Tailor Shop. The latter, which specializes in high-end attire, is locally owned and will debut its 1803 Village Pkwy. location this Friday, Nov. 29. Construction has yet to begin on Duluth’s ~16,000-sqft store in the former Forever 21. (KCBJ)
Try This
While the screening is private, you can attend the red carpet premiere for “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” this Saturday, Nov. 30. Fans are encouraged arrive at the Crown Center Square Hallmark event donned in their best festive fits — whether that’s a Chiefs jersey or a Christmas sweater is up to you. (KSHB)
Eat
Next time you feel like grabbing a burrito from Tex-Mex chain Chipotle, consider stopping by its milestone Olathe location. The recently opened 14833 W. 151st St. spot is the brand’s 1,000th restaurant with a drive-thru “Chipotlane.” Don’t forget to ask for extra guac. (Johnson County Post)
Home
Don’t let drafty windows cause your energy bill to increase as temperatures drop. Prepare your home for winter with Renewal by Andersen® premium windows and doors. Get your free quote.*
The Buy
The Buy
An electric salt and pepper grinder set that’s 20% off for early Black Friday. Snag one for just over $20 for yourself or as a holiday gift for your chef-iest friend.
While my fiancé and I are driving six hours to see his family for the holidays, I’m sure most readers are either flying to their faraway destinations or staying in the metro. For the former, check out our KCI guide before you fly — and for the latter, you might need this one before the week is out.
