Kansas City, MO

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The Plaza Lights

By Mary Anne McNeish-Sharp, About.com

Plaza Lights 2006

Country Club Plaza/ Highwood Properties

Plaza Lights :

The Plaza Lights are one of Kansas City's most favorite traditions and is the official kick off of the holiday season. The famous ceremony, which began as 16 lights hung over a doorway, now includes over 80 miles of lights with 280,000 multi-colored bulbs outlining and illuminating the buildings and towers of the Country Club Plaza.

Light It Up :

The first official Plaza Lighting ceremony began in 1930, and now draws over 500,000 people to the Country Club Plaza on Thanksgiving night. The streets are full of folks who come to celebrate at Kansas City's favorite shopping and dining destination. The lights turn on every evening at 5pm and continue until January 11th, 2009.

Plaza Lighting Ceremony:

The Ceremony all takes place on a huge stage situated at 47th and Wyandotte on the West side of the Cheesecake Factory and in front of the former Marc Shale building. Performers, musicians and the Plaza Lighting Ceremony orchastra perform throughout the night.

2008 Plaza Lights :


Ceremony Time: Show starts at 6pm, lights at 6:30.
Honorees: American Idol Winner David Cook will flip the switch.
Fireworks: Following the lights above the Intercontinental Hotel and Cheesecake Factory.

Watch It on TV:


If you can't make it down to the ceremony, you can still watch it on TV!

KCTV Channel 5

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