2025 Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Festival

Get Ready for Holiday Fun and Cheer at the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Festival- Nov. 7th

You are cordially invited to join the Unified Government for the 2025 Mayor’s Downtown Holiday Lighting Festival! This traditional event will be held in person at Memorial Hall on Friday, November 7th from 4PM - 7PM. We are so excited to welcome families back to downtown KCK and kick off the holiday season together. The official tree lighting will take place at 7PM. 

On the main stage, guests will enjoy musical performances by Chris Stewart, singer/songwriter, and Stranded in the City, a local favorite.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Midwest native and actor Anthony Hill, best known for his role as Dr. Ndugu on Grey’s Anatomy. He will be joined on stage by the families of Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Ming and Kansas City, Kansas Police Officer Hunter Simoncic, both of whom made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community. As part of the city’s commitment to honoring their legacies, their families will be a part of this year’s celebration and will light the official tree at 7:00 PM, marking the start of the holiday season in our metro area.

Festival Highlights to Include:

• Live performances from local school bands, drill teams, and dance troupes
• A Battle of the Bands showcase
• Local vendors and holiday shopping
• Food trucks and seasonal treats
• Appearance and Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus
• Book giveaways, children’s activities, and games
• Face painting, holiday movies, and goody bags
• The official lighting of the city’s Christmas tree at 7PM

Indoor Mainstage Performers

• 4:30 KCKPS Honors Orchestra 
• 5:00 Heartland Ringers 
• 5:30 Salvation Army Brass Band
• 6:00 KCK Community Orchestra 
  
  

Outside Mainstage Performers

• 4:00 National Anthem- Dana May Abram, accompanied by Dr. William Brewer
• 4:15 Chris Stewart
• 4:45/ 5:00 High School Battle of the Bands
• 5:30 Ms. Lyndz's Dance & Acrobatics
• 6:00 Stranded in the City Band
• 6:30 Rosie's Dance Academy
• 6:45 Anthony Hill, Interviewed by Sandra Olivas
• 6:55 Officer Hunter Simoncic and Deputy Elijah Ming's families to enter the mainstage to assist with the tree lighting with Anthony Hill 
• 7:00 Lighting of the Wyandotte County/ KCK tree
• 7:01 Gateway Highsteppers to perform and close out the holiday event
  

   

  Anthony Hill Biography and Photo

  Anthony Hill was born in Springfield, Missouri, and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. He attended Oklahoma State University, where he starred in numerous stage productions and played football for the Cowboys. Hill currently stars as fan-favorite, Dr. Winston Ndugu on ABC’s GREY’S ANATOMY. Previously, he played a pivotal guest role on HBO's WATCHMEN, as well as appearing in HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER (ABC), SCREAM (MTV), SILICON VALLEY (HBO), IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA (FX), NCIS: LOS ANGELES (CBS), FULLER HOUSE (Netflix), and a supporting role in the Lifetime TV movie FAITH UNDER FIRE, starring Toni Braxton.

  He is repped by Authentic Talent and Literary Management.

  
    
  

Interested in Volunteering?
If so, please contact the Office of the Mayor at 913-573-5010. 

Download the 2025 Flyer: 2025-Mayors-Tree-Lighting-Flyer-with-Band-Photo.pdf(PDF, 1MB)

Please share this invitation with your school administrators, parents, residents, neighborhood groups, and community partners.

Help us make this a memorable celebration! 

When

Location

Memorial Hall, 600 N. 7th St. Trfy., Kansas City, KS, 66102, View Map