Mayor's
Christmas Tree Lighting

Mayor Christal Watson, the Unified Government and the Downtown Shareholders of Kansas City, Kansas host a free, family-friendly Christmas tree lighting festival. Memorial Hall and its surrounding courtyard become a Winter Wonderland with local vendors, games, food trucks, holiday photo opportunities and giveaways. Sandra Olivias hosts. Kansas University basketball guard S'Mya Nichols serves as grand marshal and distributes toys and swag to youth while supplies last; she joins selected Wyandotte County families on stage at 7 PM to flip the tree lights, with the families receiving special recognition and gifts. The main stage features singer-songwriter Chris Stewart, Stranded in the City and other local performers. UG departments also compete in the annual Gingerbread house design competition. The festival runs 4–7 PM.