Festival of Lights will open this weekend at Powell Gardens

Although the pandemic is putting a damper on many holiday traditions, the Festival of Lights will open this weekend at Powell Gardens, located east of Lee’s Summit on 50 Highway.

Festivalgoers will walk along a mile-long path spread out over 25 acres through the gardens featuring a variety of immersive light displays More than 20 miles of holiday lights comprise installations that highlight the natural forms of Powell Gardens’ tree collection, show off the exceptional architecture and landscape design of the gardens, and transport visitors to enchanted wonderlands, with plenty of Instagram and holiday card-worthy photo stops along the way.

Several special events will be included with festival admission.

• Kansas City Ballet, 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., November 13, 14 and 15 .The Kansas City Ballet Second Company will perform a brief exciting and beautiful medley of dance, including excerpts from Devon Carney’s “The Nutcracker” alongside new holiday-themed jazzy numbers that are sure to excite hearts and incite smiles.
• Lyric Opera of Kansas City Soundscapes, 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., November 12. Artists from the Lyric Opera of Kansas City will present a concert as part of Soundscapes in the City, a series of short, outdoor concerts featuring hits from opera and musical theatre.
• Reindeer at the Gardens, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., November 28. Three of Santa’s reindeer will visit the Children’s Garden corral. Visitors will be able to pet the reindeer and pose for photos with them.
• Santa’s Workshop, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturday, November 27 to December 19. Deliver your holiday wish lists to Santa in a festively transformed corncrib in the Children’s Garden, where he will be posing for photos.

Festival of Lights will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Ticket information is available at www.powellgardens.com

–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice