Legends kicks off holidays

Crowds packed The Legends Outlets Saturday night to light the 45-foot holiday tree and visit with Santa Claus. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
More scenes from the 16th annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday night at The Legends Outlets, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

Legends tree lighting to be Saturday night

The annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at The Legends Outlets. A 45-foot synchronized Christmas tree will be lit. The event is free and open to the public. (File photo from 2018)

Legends Outlets is welcoming another holiday season with its 16th Annual Legendary Tree Lighting from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13.

The free tree lighting ceremony is in the Legends civic courtyard fountain area, near the AMC Legends Theaters. The ceremony is centered around a 45-foot Christmas tree.

There will be holiday entertainment and activities, including a live holiday concert, text-to-win prize giveaways, complimentary hot cocoa, and photos with Santa.

This year, the lighting of the tree will take place between 6 and 6:15 p.m. Saturday. Live music and activities will continue until about 8 p.m.

Upgraded with new lights and the addition of more than 2,000 ornaments, the Christmas tree, which is synchronized to music, will continue to brighten spirits until early January 2022.

Parker 3D, an international holiday design company based in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, is the producer of the holiday lighting show.

This year’s official tree lighting emcees are Adriana Davalos and Toni Talley, hosts of Great Day KC on FOX 4 News. They will take center stage at 5 p.m. to kick off the event, introduce musicians throughout the evening, and then lead the ceremonial countdown to the tree lighting. Great Day KC is a new, weekday lifestyle show dedicated to all things Kansas City. It airs from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Friday, on FOX 4 News.

Families can create special memories from the evening as they enjoy free activities throughout the center. Activities include:

Center Courtyard and surrounding area:
• Live holiday concert
• Face painting
• Balloon twisting
• Prize wheel
• Text-to-win prize giveaways
• Complimentary hot cocoa
• Giant snow globe photo op

The Lawn:
• Holiday movie screening
• Fun photo opportunities
o Santa’s Sleigh
o Giant “I heart Santa” LED Letters
• Yard games
• Santa Mailbox

Characters including KC Wolf, The Grinch, and more, will be roaming around the center for photo opportunities starting at 5:30 p.m.

Live concert: 5-8 p.m.

Throughout the tree lighting ceremony, local musicians from various bands will perform classic holiday music that the whole family can enjoy. Musicians include:

• Rusty Laffoon
• Nick Nave
• Jaclyn Bell
• Nicole Springer
• Miguel

Photos with Santa: 5:15-8 p.m.

Santa will visit Legends Outlets to welcome guests to the 16th Annual Legendary Tree Lighting. After his welcome remarks, Santa will be stationed just west of the center courtyard, between Francesca’s and Converse Factory Store, for family photos. Photos are free, and guests will receive a shareable digital copy and print-out of their photo.

Text-to-win giveaways: 5-7:45 p.m.

Guests can text the word holidaycheer to Legends Outlets’ mobile VIP line at 877-321-2951 for their chance to win various prizes on Saturday, Nov. 13. Registration will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 7:44 p.m. All prize winners will be notified via text message at 7:45 p.m. with instructions on how to claim their prize. Winners must be present to win and must claim their prizes in-person at the Legends Outlets’ VIP tent by 8:15 p.m. Prizes include a Vera Bradley throw blanket, a $50 Puma gift card, a Chiefs cooler bag stuffed with Beef Jerky goodies, as well as other prizes from various Legends Outlets merchants like Tory Burch, Demdaco, Dave & Buster’s, and more.

Shopping: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Legends Outlets will be open current, normal operating hours on Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., for all-day shopping and savings at its nearly 75 leading designer and favorite brand-name outlet stores. Shoppers can enjoy numerous pre-Black Friday sales and special discounts at various retailers. To view a list of sales and promotions happening at Legends Outlets, visit https://legendsshopping.com/hot-deals/. Individual store hours may vary.

The Downtown KCK Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting will be Friday, Dec. 3.