Best Christmas Light Displays in Shawnee, KS & Nearby Johnson County
There’s nothing quite like driving around to look at Christmas lights during the holiday season. And if you live in Shawnee, Kansas, you’re in a great spot — some of the best Christmas light displays in the Kansas City area are just a short drive away.
From neighborhood displays right here in Shawnee to synchronized Christmas lights in Overland Park, walk-through displays in Lenexa, and the famous Candy Cane Lane in Prairie Village, there are plenty of places to make part of your Christmas light tour.
We put together some of our favorite Christmas light displays in and around Shawnee, KS to help you plan a night out with the family.
Looking for someone to decorate your own home?
The Holiday Lighting Co. provides professional Christmas light installation in Shawnee, KS and throughout Johnson County.
Christmas Light Displays in Shawnee, KS
You don't necessarily have to leave Shawnee to find great Christmas lights.
Every holiday season, homeowners throughout Shawnee decorate their homes with everything from traditional warm-white rooflines to colorful animated displays.
Shawnee Rocks the Lights
One of the best ways to find local displays is Shawnee Rocks the Lights, the City of Shawnee's annual residential holiday lighting competition.
Participating homeowners can choose to have their decorated homes included on the city's holiday lights map, creating an easy way for families to drive around Shawnee and see some of the community's best displays.
Because participating houses can change from year to year, we recommend checking the City of Shawnee's current holiday lights map before planning your route.
Visit the City of Shawnee website for Shawnee Rocks the Lights
This is probably your best starting point if you're specifically searching for Christmas light displays in Shawnee, KS.
Downtown Shawnee During the Holidays
Downtown Shawnee is also worth driving through during the Christmas season.
The city traditionally kicks off the holiday season with its Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting and other festivities in Downtown Shawnee.
Even if you miss the tree-lighting ceremony itself, you can make Downtown Shawnee part of your Christmas light drive before heading toward some of the larger neighborhood displays around Johnson County.
Christmas Lights Near Shawnee, KS
One of the advantages of starting your Christmas light tour in Shawnee is how close you are to several other Johnson County communities.
Within a relatively short drive, you can reach displays in Lenexa, Mission, Prairie Village, Overland Park and other parts of the Kansas City metro.
Here are several worth adding to your list.
Sar-Ko Aglow – Lenexa, KS
Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park – Lenexa, Kansas
Just south of Shawnee, Sar-Ko Aglow is one of Lenexa's signature holiday traditions.
Each Christmas season, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park is decorated with thousands of colorful lights around Rose's Pond and throughout the surrounding park.
Unlike many displays that you simply see from the car, Sar-Ko Aglow gives you an opportunity to get out and walk through the lights.
That makes it a great stop if you have kids who are getting tired of sitting in the car.
Visit the City of Lenexa website for Sar-Ko Aglow
Holiday Lights & Festive Sights – Mission, KS
Downtown Mission / Johnson Drive – Mission, Kansas
Mission is another easy drive from Shawnee.
The City of Mission celebrates the beginning of the holiday season with Holiday Lights & Festive Sights, which has included the Mayor's tree lighting, holiday activities, vendors and other festivities along Johnson Drive.
If you're building a Christmas light route through northeast Johnson County, Mission can also be a convenient stop on your way toward Prairie Village and some of the area's famous residential displays.
Because the event date changes each year, check Mission's current holiday calendar before heading out.
Visit the City of Mission for Holiday Lights & Festive Sights
Candy Cane Lane – Prairie Village, KS
7900 Block of Outlook Lane – Prairie Village, Kansas
Candy Cane Lane is one of the classic neighborhood Christmas light traditions in Johnson County.
The homes along the street decorate for Christmas with lights and, of course, the oversized candy canes that give the neighborhood its nickname.
This is a drive-through neighborhood display, and it can get busy during peak evenings close to Christmas.
If you're starting in Shawnee, you could combine Candy Cane Lane with Mission and several Overland Park displays for a bigger Johnson County Christmas light tour.
Tip: Consider visiting on a weeknight if you'd like to avoid some of the Friday and Saturday night traffic.
Christmas Place – Overland Park, KS
131st Place near Antioch – Overland Park, Kansas
If you're willing to drive a little farther south from Shawnee, Christmas Place is one of the Johnson County displays worth seeing.
Rather than being a single decorated house, Christmas Place is known for multiple homes participating in the display, creating a much bigger neighborhood experience.
It's also relatively close to Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, which means you can easily combine the two stops.
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane – Overland Park, KS
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
13800 Switzer Road
Overland Park, KS
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane is another excellent stop for families.
The display features Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music that visitors can enjoy from their vehicles.
One of the best parts?
It's traditionally free.
Park in the designated viewing area, tune your radio to the station provided for the show and enjoy the synchronized display.
Because schedules can change each season, check the current year's information before making the drive.
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane – Official City of Overland Park Page
Christmas on Bradshaw – Overland Park, KS
Another popular residential Christmas light display can be found on Bradshaw Street in Overland Park.
This neighborhood display has become known for synchronized Christmas lights set to music.
If you're already heading toward southern Overland Park for Deanna Rose and Christmas Place, adding Bradshaw can turn the trip into a full evening of Christmas lights.
Overland Park Arboretum Luminary Walk
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
If you'd rather walk through Christmas lights than see them through your windshield, check out the annual Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
The event traditionally takes place on select evenings during the holiday season and transforms the gardens with lights, candles and other holiday displays.
Unlike many of the neighborhood displays on this list, the Luminary Walk is generally a ticketed event, so you'll want to check availability and purchase tickets ahead of time.
Overland Park Arboretum Luminary Walk – Official Event Page
A Simple Christmas Light Driving Route From Shawnee
Want to make an evening out of it?
One possible Johnson County Christmas light route starting in Shawnee would be:
1. Start with the Shawnee holiday lights map
Drive by several participating homes from Shawnee Rocks the Lights.
↓
2. Sar-Ko Aglow in Lenexa
Stop and stretch your legs while walking around the lights at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.
↓
3. Mission
Head east toward Mission and Johnson Drive.
↓
4. Candy Cane Lane in Prairie Village
Drive through one of northeast Johnson County's best-known neighborhood displays.
↓
5. Head south into Overland Park
Finish the evening with some combination of:
Christmas Place
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
Christmas on Bradshaw
You don't have to hit every stop in one night. In fact, splitting the displays into a Shawnee/Lenexa route and an Overland Park/Prairie Village route may be easier for families with younger kids.
Tips for Looking at Christmas Lights Around Shawnee
Go on a weeknight.
Friday and Saturday evenings are typically going to be the busiest times for popular neighborhood displays. Sunday through Thursday can make for a more relaxed drive.
Check schedules before leaving.
Residential displays are operated by individual homeowners, and city events can change dates or hours from year to year.
Be respectful in residential neighborhoods.
Keep your music down, don't block driveways and follow any posted traffic instructions. Remember that the people putting on these displays are often homeowners doing it simply because they love Christmas.
Bring the hot chocolate.
This one probably doesn't need an explanation.
Want Christmas Lights on Your Own Home?
Driving around Shawnee looking at Christmas lights is fun.
Spending your weekend untangling strands of lights, climbing ladders and trying to figure out why half the roofline isn't working?
Maybe not quite as fun.
The Holiday Lighting Co. provides professional Christmas light installation in Shawnee, KS and throughout Johnson County.
We handle the design, professional installation, maintenance during the season, takedown and storage so you can enjoy your Christmas lights without spending your weekend on a ladder.
You can also learn more about our:
Whether you're looking for a classic warm-white roofline or a Christmas display that makes your house stand out from the neighborhood, we'd be happy to help.
Get your Christmas lights installed professionally this year and spend your holiday season enjoying them instead of installing them.
Request Your Free Christmas Light Quote
Last updated for the upcoming holiday season. Christmas light displays, dates, hours and participating homes may change from year to year. Always check with the city, venue or display organizer for current information before visiting.