What started with a single strand of Christmas lights strung over a store entrance in 1925 has turned into a living legend as the most spectacular holiday lighting display in the nation.
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The Kansas City Plaza Lights 2012
A local tradition for 83 years, Plaza Lights is a 15-block holiday spectacle on the famed Country Club Plaza, featuring thousands of glimmering, jewel-colored lights that accentuate every dome, tower and window of the Spanish-inspired shopping district (Nov. 22-Jan. 13). Sporting Kansas City players (and U.S. Open Cup champions) Matt Besler, Kei Kamara and Jimmy Nielsen flipped the switch on Thanksgiving night.
While enjoying the lights, shoppers peruse the detailed window displays while listening to the clip-clop of the horse drawn carriages and the holiday songs of carolers.
Find: Plaza Shopping | Hotel Deals Near the Plaza
Early Holiday Beginnings
Putting up the lights is no small task. Starting after Labor Day each year, a crew of four electricians from Capital Electric begins stringing the lights while the weather is still warm.
Special trucks with lifts let workmen reach tall places. To ascend the domes and towers, workers use ropes and shoes just like mountain climbers to keep their footing.
As Thanksgiving approaches, midnight “light runs” test the lights to guarantee they all come on at once. During the holiday season, workmen are kept busy replacing the many thousand bulbs that burn out. Removal of the lights begins right after the holiday season ends, this season on Jan. 13.
All lights are down by March and taken into the shop where they are checked, coiled, tied, wrapped and cataloged for storage until the next year’s event.
The only time the Plaza lights were not in operation occurred in 1973 when President Nixon called upon all Americans to curtail the use of Christmas lights to reduce dependence on foreign oil imports.
Fun Plaza Lights Facts
- The Plaza Lights started with a string of 16 lights over a doorway in 1925. The first Plaza Lighting took place in 1930.
- Tower lights are always one color. For example, The Time Tower, at Broadway and Ward Parkway, is always red.
- The lights don’t stay up all year long. The hard-working crew from Capital Electric begin hanging the lights in August and take them back down starting in mid-January through the beginning of March.
- The big switch on the stage at the Plaza Lighting Ceremony really does turn on all the lights.
- The child chosen to help turn on the lights from the audience is always chosen at random.
- A lights test occurs on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (the day before Thanksgiving) from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.
- The only time that the Plaza lights were not in operation occurred in 1973 when President Nixon called upon all Americans to curtail the use of Christmas lights to reduce dependence on foreign oil imports.
- Guests that have been invited to turn on the Plaza Lights include: George Brett, Trent Green, Kate Spade, "Fastest Man in the World" Maurice Green, Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Eric Stonestreet, Walter Cronkite, Derek Thomas, Marcus Allen, Buck O’Neil and Oleta Adams.
- All of the Plaza’s parking garages are free and open to the public.
- Best viewing options for the Plaza Lights include Halls rooftop, which would allow you to see the actual ceremony. Other roof tops with good views during the season of lights include McCormick & Schmick’s, Starker’s Reserve Restaurant, The Intercontinental Kansas City Hotel and the second floor of Barnes & Noble.
- The Plaza’s shops have extended hours during the holiday season (Nov. 22-Dec. 30).
- The best time to take a carriage ride on the Plaza is during the holiday season. Two carriage companies operate all-year. Surrey’s Carriage Company at 816-531-2673 and Pride of Kansas City at 816-531-1999.
Deals on Hotels near the Plaza
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Buy 2 Nights, Save 20% Off Spring Special
Category: All Hotels | Location: Country Club Plaza Area
Includes Breakfast, Free Parking and Cocktail Reception!April 10, 2013 - May 31, 2013
An Exclusive Deal from KC's Super-Inclusive Hotel: Receive 20% off for any stay 2 nights or longer. A couple of black outs exist and this incredible deal must be booked through the hotel so please call us at 816.931.0001 or visit www.theqhotel.com Super-Inclusive means * Free Shuttle Service from the Plaza to the Power and Light District (and everything in between) * Free Parking (most city hotels charge $18/n...more
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Phone: 816-931-0001
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Starting at $109: Splash and Save Rate
Holiday Inn Country Club Plaza
Category: All Hotels | Location: Country Club Plaza Area
$89 and Up!May 11, 2013 - October 13, 2013
Have fun with the family and enjoy the largest outdoor hotel pool in Kansas City. This package includes a $40.00 hotel credit that can be used for any food or beverage item in the hotel. For example you could enjoy one of our delicious pizzas out by the pool or a refreshing pina colada, it is your choice to spend any way you would like.
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Phone: 816-753-7400
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Starting at $149 : Escape Shopping Package
Residence Inn by Marriott Country Club Plaza
Category: All Hotels | Location: Country Club Plaza Area
Includes $50 Gift Certificate to the Country Club Plaza!February 15, 2013 - May 31, 2014
Stay in a Studio Suite with Residence Inn by Marriott on the Country Club Plaza any Friday/Saturday night and receive a complimentary $50 gift certificate per night to use anywhere on the Country Club Plaza. Also included is a complimentary full hot breakfast buffet and covered parking. Rates from $149-$169. Make your reservation via our website, www.marriott.com/mcikc, or by calling 816-931-5700 or 800-331-3131. Some ...more
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Phone: 816-753-0033
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Starting at $189 : Mini Shopping Package
Courtyard by Marriott Country Club Plaza
Category: All Hotels | Location: Country Club Plaza Area
Includes $50 Country Club Plaza Gift Card! February 05, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Your pacage includes deluxe accomodations, Double Queen or King guest room, $50.00 Plaza Gift Card. We are located directly on the Country Club Plaza within steps to shopping and dining. 48 hours cancellation
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Phone: 816-285-9755
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Starting at $279 : The Country Club Plaza Romance Package
Courtyard by Marriott Country Club Plaza
Category: All Hotels | Location: Country Club Plaza Area
$279 and Up!May 08, 2012 - December 31, 2015
Romance package including a king suite,breakfast voucher for 2, Grand Street Cafe certificate, carriage ride around the plaza, champagne and a rose petal turn down service. Rates from $279. Based on availability. Carriage ride based on availability and weather conditions. Please book directly with the hotel or on www.marriott.com 48 hours cancellation required.
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Phone: 816-285-9764
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Starting at $299 : Wine and Dine Package
Courtyard by Marriott Country Club Plaza
Category: All Hotels | Location: Country Club Plaza Area
Includes Dinner for Two at Capital Grill Steakhouse!May 09, 2012 - December 31, 2013
Overnight accommodations in King Suite, Dinner for 2 with exlusive menu at The Capital Grill Steakhouse, Breakfast for 2 and rose petal turn down service. Please book your romantic reservations by calling our sales office 816-285-9764. Must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. Must be cancelled at least 48 hours in advance. Based on availability.
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Phone: 816-285-9764
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Starting at $299 : 'It's A Girl Thing' Package
Courtyard by Marriott Country Club Plaza
Category: All Hotels | Location: Country Club Plaza Area
Includes $100 Country Club Plaza Gift Card & $25 M&S Grill Gift Card!May 08, 2012 - December 31, 2013
It's A Girl Thing, package includes deluxe accommodations for four people, a $100 Plaza gift card, $25 M&S Grill Gift card, hot deluxe breakfast for four. For your fun weekend make reservations with the hotel directly at 816-285-9764. Based on availability. 48 hours cancellation
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Phone: 816-285-9764
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Summer Movie Madness
Best Western Plus Seville Plaza Hotel
Category: Handicap Access | Location: Country Club Plaza Area
May 08, 2013 - September 03, 2013
Any 1 night stay with us gets you a movie and concessions for 2 people! Must be booked either through the hotel or on the link provided. Deal only activates on booking site with 1 night stay chosen. But may be booked for a stay of multiple nights by calling hotel directly. 816-561-9600. Let's Go to the Movies!! Based on availability
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Phone: 815-561-9600
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The Marriott Country Club Plaza LEGOLAND Package
Category: All Hotels | Location: Country Club Plaza Area
January 25, 2013 - December 29, 2013
Discover LEGOLAND Discovery Center and The Country Club Plaza all in one package! Package includes the following at check-in: -2 Adult tickets to LEGOLAND Discovery Center -1 Child ticket to LEGOLAND Discovery Center -LEGOLAND lanyard activity book full of activities to guide your child through their LEGO adventure -LEGO themed box full of fun elements and bright bricks Additional tickets (Adult 15.00 and Child 11...more
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Phone: 816-531-3000 ext 602
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The Marriott Country Club Plaza SEA LIFE Package
Category: All Hotels | Location: Country Club Plaza Area
January 25, 2013 - December 29, 2013
Discover Kansas City SEA LIFE Aquarium and The Country Club Plaza all in one package! Package includes the following at check-in: -2 Adult tickets to SEA LIFE Aquarium -1 Child ticket to SEA LIFE Aquarium -SEA LIFE Aquarium guide book filled with the amazing discoveries you will encounter throughout your journey -Souvenir set of Sea Life Creatures and girl/boy marine biologist. Additional tickets (Adult 15.00 and ...more
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Phone: 816-531-3000 ext. 602
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