Will western Wyandotte County be visible from outer space this holiday season?
No one really knows, but lights will be brighter near 126th and State this holiday season, with three holiday light shows planned. One sponsored by the Unified Government’s Parks Department starts tonight.
Last year, the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame and the Renaissance Festival held holiday light shows near 126th and State, Bonner Springs, and they plan them again this year.
The Ag Hall’s light show served as a substitute for the former Santa’s Express event, with people staying in their cars as they toured the lighted Ag Hall grounds, and waved to Santa Claus from their cars.
Ag Hall
This year, the Ag Hall plans two weekends, Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12, for a drive-through holiday light show, Santa’s Express in Lights, according to information from the website. People will stay in their cars. The family-friendly show from 5:30 to 9 p.m. will feature a drive through living nativity, with animals including sheep, goats, camel, cow and donkey. Christmas trees will be decorated, and the Ag Hall train will be lighted. Kids can wave to Santa Claus, and can drop off letters in Santa’s mailbox. People may drop off canned goods for area food pantries. The admission charge will be $10 per car, with proceeds benefiting the Ag Hall.
Renaissance Festival
The Renaissance Festival, meanwhile, held a light show last year, helping it through a year when COVID canceled a lot of regular activities. The Renaissance Festival returns with Knights of Lights Holiday Celebration starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, on the festival grounds. Patrons may walk through the Renaissance Festival grounds, viewing lights, enjoying performances, and buying food. The cost will be $14.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids 5-12 in advance. At the gate, prices are $18 for adults and $13 for kids 5-12. Producing the Renaissance Festival’s light show will be Landers’ Visions.
Hours at the Renaissance Festival will be Thursdays and Sundays: 5-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays: 5-11 p.m., Dec. 20-24: from 5-10 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. On New Year’s Eve, open for a special celebration from 5 p.m. – 1 a.m.
UG Parks Department
New to the mix at 126th and State this year will be the Unified Government’s Parks Department’s drive-through Holiday Light and Magic show, starting tonight, Nov. 18, in Wyandotte County Park, 126th and State, Bonner Springs.
With the UG’s mile-long drive-through contact-less lighting show, patrons will buy tickets online for a time slot per day. The time slots are aimed at controlling traffic. For example, for Nov. 18, tickets are available for 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The cost of the tickets on Nov. 18 will be $20 per car, $30 per commercial van, and $40 per bus. Tickets go up by $5 each on Fridays and Saturdays. The holiday light shows will go through Jan. 2.
People at the UG’s light show will stay in their cars. Tickets for the UG’s Holiday Light and Magic show will not be sold in person at the gate. All tickets are sold in advance online. Proceeds go to the UG Parks.
Recommendations: It’s recommended to visit the website for the holiday light show you’re interested in before going. Also, look at the maps, directions and other information posted online to make sure you’re in the right place.
Websites:
Ag Hall, https://www.aghalloffame.com/events/santas-express-in-lights/
Renaissance Festival, https://www.kcrenfest.com/2021-knights-of-lights/
UG Parks Department, https://holidaylightandmagic.com/