There's nowhere like Lawrence, Kansas, during the holiday season! While lots of folks know we have one of the most unique Christmas parades in the nation, the fun doesn't stop there. Every weekend starting at the end of November all the way until Christmas is packed with fun festivities for the whole family. Here are my recommendations for the can't-miss events of the holiday season in Lawrence.
Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony & Santa Rescue
November 29 | 9th and Massachusetts Streets
If you're nostalgic for the holidays of your youth or Christmases long past, Lawrence has just the event for you to kick off the season. It almost feels like something out of the storybook, and the kids love it: the Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony & Santa Rescue. On the Friday after Thanksgiving at 6 PM, locals and visitors alike congregate in Downtown Lawrence at the corner of 9th and Massachusetts Street to watch as the city flips the switch on the holiday lights that adorn every tree along Mass Street, signaling the official start of the holiday season. Afterwards, Santa (the man himself!) appears on the rooftop of Weaver's Department Store and has to be "rescued" by the local fire department using their long firetruck ladders. It's kitschy, and it's delightful. Don't forget to have your little ones write letters to Santa and drop them off at the North Pole Post Office tent! Letters written in both English and Spanish will receive responses if you include a return address.
Stay for the weekend: If you're in town for the whole weekend, be sure to also check out the Bizarre Bazaar Holiday Market at the Lawrence Arts Center, the Festival of Trees at Maceli's, the Plantaland! Tropical Pop-Up Holiday Mall at Vinland Valley Nursery in Baldwin City, and get your photo taken at the Outdoor Christmas Photo Booth at White Tail Run Winery.
FESTIVAL OF TREES
November 29 - December 9 | Maceli's Banquet Hall
It wouldn't be the holiday season in Lawrence, Kansas, without the Festival of Trees! Local businesses, groups, and individuals donate over 60 fully decorated Christmas trees, as well as 30 wreaths and gingerbread houses. The donations are put on display at Maceli's Banquet Hall for a full week before being sold at silent and live auction. If you're a fan of Christmas trees, you can't miss this event. Every tree has its own theme; you might see a love letter to KU Basketball, a tree carved beautifully and painstakingly out of wood from a local craftsman, or even a "Merry Swiftmas" friendship bracelet tree like I saw last year. Walk through the brightly lit forest of the Festival of Trees and be sure to grab some photos! A suggested donation of $5 is requested for adult guests and children over the age of 6, and proceeds from the event and the auction benefit the O'Connell Children's Shelter.
While you're in town: Check out Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland performance at the Lied Center on December 4, the Queens of Country Christmas ALS Benefit Concert at Lucia on December 6, and Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory family musical at Theatre Lawrence Dec. 6-8, 12-15, and 19-22.
Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade
December 7 | Downtown Lawrence
Lawrence's biggest holiday event is the Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade, and for good reason! It's one of the most unique parades in the nation, if not the world. Riders on horseback and completely old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages parade down the length of Massachusetts Street. The carriages, riders, and even the horses are festively adorned from head to toe. You'll see Santa hats, bows, ribbons, garlands, antlers, glitter, candy cane stripes, and a whole lot of jingle bells. Santa and Mrs. Clause bring up the rear of the parade. The hoofed participants range from adorable miniature horses to spectacularly large Clydesdales. Cozy up to watch the parade with hot cocoa and blankets, and then make the most of your visit with a nourishing meal from a local restaurant or a shopping spree to Downtown Lawrence's numerous locally owned shops.
Stay for Winter Wonder Weekend: while you're in town for the parade, check out the City of Lawrence's Holiday Extravaganza Craft Fair, the Tails & Traditions Holiday Festival at the Watkins Museum, and Winter Wonderland at Prairie Park Nature Center.
For extra festive fun: Sign up for the Winter Wonder Pass, a free passport on your phone that unlocks exclusive discounts and takes you to festive locations around the city, earning points to exchange for sweepstakes prizes!
SantaCon 2024
December 14 | The Sandbar
While most of the events on this list are perfect for families with kiddos, I'd be remiss if I didn't include this classic Lawrence tradition: SantaCon! Hosted by The Sandbar, SantaCon is a pub crawl around Downtown Lawrence complete with reindeer games at each bar and other fun activities. Donations of $5 are suggested for each participant and go toward a local charity. The most important part? Everyone dresses as Santa. Elves and other holiday characters also allowed.
Stay for the weekend: The weekend of December 13-15 is a great time to hear some holiday tunes and do some holiday shopping. For music, check out Big Band Christmas at Liberty Hall for jazz and dancing, The Nutcracker: A Kansas Ballet at the Lawrence Arts Center, the Holiday Greetings Concert with the MAPAA Brass Chorale and Chamber Orchestra, the Lawrence Civic Choir's 50th Anniversary Winter Concert. For shopping and supporting local artists, check out LOLA's Giant Y2K Holiday Art Market at Van Go Inc.
Inclusive Winter Market
December 21-22 | Lied Center of Kansas
A new Lawrence tradition in the making, the Inclusive Winter Market is your last stop shop before we settle into our blankets for the New Year. The Inclusive Winter Market is a celebration of the diversity of Lawrence's artists and makers, and it also happens to be a wonderful place to get any last-minute holiday shopping done! Last year, the Lied Center was filled with over 100 local artists selling their wares as well as Indian Tacos for sale and a photographer taking holiday photos for folks on site. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever!
Come for the market and stay for a while, enjoying a brightly lit Lawrence all dressed up for the holidays.
Holiday Pop Ups
While you're in Lawrence for one of the holiday events I've mentioned, make plans to have a meal or grab a drink at one of Lawrence's Holiday Pop Ups! It's a great way to support a local restaurant and also indulge in some serious cheer. Plus, amazing photo ops! Here's the line up this year:
Winter Wonder Pass
From one-of-a-kind events to twinkling lights to shopping local for the whole family, Lawrence, Kansas, does the holidays right. Explore Lawrence this season with the Winter Wonder Pass, a digital pass that unlocks...
Holiday
From the time the lights go up until we say hello to a new year, Lawrence has a full lineup of activities and events to spread the holiday cheer. From theatrical and musical performances to a dramatic Santa rescue and a traditional...
