The 100 Year History of Country Club Plaza Christmas Lights

Plaza Lights/Courtesy of Visit KC

Back in 1925, a string of lights at Country Club Plaza in Kansas City was lit. That small event paved the way for a tradition that continues today.

Country Club Plaza in the 1950s

The Country Club Plaza Christmas Lights are just different. In fact, the Plaza in Kansas City is one of the most magical places in the entire state. The annual tradition brings thousands of people to the shopping center in the weeks leading up to the holiday.

A Small Start

It was just a strand of lights over the doorway of the Mill Creek Building and a few Christmas trees. But that small display turned into a beloved annual event. Now, thousands of lights illuminate all the domes of the shopping area.

At the time, the shopping center was still a new development by J.C. Nichols. The area was struggling at the time because it was in a remote part of the city. The nation’s first suburban shopping center was even dubbed “Nichols’ folly,” because most people thought it would fail miserably.

Country Club Plaza Christmas Lights in Kansas City
Courtesy of Visit KC

Happy 96th (officially)

That first year was a relative success. So in the coming years, the maintenance supervisor began hanging more lights. By 1930, it had become a special event for the city. That’s the year the Plaza hosted its first lighting ceremony. The lighting has continued every year except in 1973 when President Richard Nixon asked Americans to cut back on events like this to reduce our need for foreighn oil. It even took place during the pandemic years of the early 2000s, although big crowds were not encouraged.

So this year officially marks the 96th lighting, according to Visit Kansas City.

Country Club Plaza Today

Today, for thousands of Missourians, Christmas isn’t finished without a trip to see the Country Club Plaza Lights. The festivities begin on Thanksgiving and last until mid-January.

And the Plaza certainly wasn’t a folly. Today, it is one of the hottest shopping and residential areas in Missouri. It now consists of 15 blocks or stores, boutiques, and restaurants. 120 shops now call the Plaza home as the area has become one of the hottest neighborhoods in the Midwest.

For more information on the Country Club Plaza Lights, click here.