Fill your schedule with exciting events happening in Overland Park! The City’s event calendar is packed with endless opportunities to enjoy the season, get involved in your community and make memories with friends and family.
Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane
Experience the enchantment of the season at Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane daily from 5-10 p.m. Nov. 28-Dec. 31. Bring some cocoa, cookies and blankets as you view the lights and hear the music from the warmth of your car in the Farmstead’s parking lot. This even is free, and the display is at the main entrance of Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead.
When the holidays are over, bring your real Christmas tree or holiday tree to one of the City’s drop-off locations for recycling from Dec. 26-Jan. 12. Your tree will be mulched and used at City parks and the Arboretum. Please remove the stands, lights, tinsel and ornaments. Artificial trees are not accepted.
Walk and Read at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Let’s explore! Walk and Read “The Prairie that Nature Built” at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Start behind the Education Center on the blacktop path, and follow the signs to read the story. The walk is about one-mile round trip with inclines and rocky paths.
Participation is included with admission to the Arboretum.
The imaginations of local high school students will be on display through their diverse artwork featuring many different forms of art.
View this gallery Nov. 27-Jan. 10, any time Tomahawk Ridge Community Center is open.
Monday, December 2
Neighborhood Executive Committee Officers Board – 5:30 p.m.
The Neighborhood Executive Committee develops and monitors the progress of the neighborhood programs.
Community Development Committee – 7 p.m.
Community Development Committee meetings are held every first Wednesday of every month at City Hall in Conference Room 1.
Mayor and Council meetings are held on the first and third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall in the council chamber.
Tuesday, December 3
Discovery Day at the Arboretum – 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Craft time awaits on the first Tuesday of the month at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Each month, a new make-and-take project unfolds on Discovery Day. Crafting supplies are included, and the projects are available on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 100 participants. The first Tuesday of the month also happens to be Free Admission Day at the Arboretum, so entry into the gardens and this project are all free! The theme for December is “Evergreen Ornaments.”
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Wednesday, December 4
Giggle Time Children’s Program – 10 a.m.
Join us for a delightful children’s program on the first Wednesday of the month. From music and stories to puppet shows, Giggle Time features new and exciting entertainers. Come and join in the laughter and joy at this free event at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center.
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Thursday, December 5
Experience the glow of candles through the woods, dazzling light displays and live musical performances at this adults-only event, perfect for date night or a relaxing evening with friends at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
Legacy of Greenery Committee – 6:30 p.m.
The Legacy of Greenery Committee develops strategies to increase, preserve and enhance the city’s tree canopy by promoting, planting and maintaining trees and shrubs in the city. The Legacy of Greenery Committee meets at City Hall on the first Thursday of every month.
Read, exercise, and converse with other book lovers at Matt Ross Community Center’s monthly book club. Meet other avid readers to discuss a predetermined book. This group meets on the first Thursday of the month.
Friday, December 6
Plan Your Park: Bietigheim-Bissingen Park – 1:30-3:30 p.m.
What should the playground look like in Overland Park’s newest park, currently under construction? Gather the kids and head to Wilshire by the Lake Clubhouse, 11203 W. 157th Terrace, to help us decide on the play structure for Bietigheim-Bissingen Park. This new park, named in honor of our German sister city, will incorporate unique cultural touches, and we’d love your input to make it a true community space. Your feedback will help us select a playground everyone can enjoy.
Kick off your holiday season with a stroll through lights at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. View enchanting gnomes and fairy villages, enjoy musical performances and grab a complimentary hot cider in the Children’s Discovery Garden.
Saturday, December 7
Holiday Market and Pavilion Farewell Celebration – 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Support local and kick off your holiday season with a festive morning of shopping, delicious eats and community cheer. You’ll find all the same farm fresh produce and local foods you’re used to with a special holiday touch! The Overland Park Farmers’ Market will also host a celebration to mark the final market at the current pavilion before the City embarks on a significant renovation project. During the celebration, attendees can write messages on the pavilion, a special way to bid farewell to the current structure before it is donated to the city of Garnett, Kansas, for their own farmers’ market. Mayor Curt Skoog will address the community at 11:45 a.m., highlighting the significance of this transition. Following the 2024 market season, the old pavilion will be removed to make way for the construction of a new market building and downtown gathering space, set to be completed by the spring of 2026. This event is a chance for the community to come together, reflect on the market’s history and look forward to the exciting changes ahead.
Nutcracker Tea Party – 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The Annual Nutcracker Tea Party at Fiorella’s Event Center, 9000 W. 137th Street, is a family-friendly event perfect for the child in all of us! Enjoy a one-hour version of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker Ballet, performed by Crescendo Conservatory, along with a delightful tea party. Purchase tickets in advance on the Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park’s website.
Kick off your holiday season with a stroll through lights at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. View enchanting gnomes and fairy villages, enjoy musical performances and grab a complimentary hot cider in the Children’s Discovery Garden.
Sunday, December 8
Nutcracker Tea Party – 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The Annual Nutcracker Tea Party at Fiorella’s Event Center, 9000 W. 137th Street, is a family-friendly event perfect for the child in all of us! Enjoy a one-hour version of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker Ballet, performed by Crescendo Conservatory, along with a delightful tea party. Purchase tickets in advance on the Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park’s website.
Monday, December 9
Ordinance Review Committee – 11:45 a.m.
The Ordinance Review Committee reviews ordinance amendment proposals with staff before consideration by the full commission.
Planning Commission – 1:30 p.m.
The Planning Commission considers all applications for final development plans and plats, holds public hearings and makes recommendations for final action to the Governing Body for rezoning, special use permits and preliminary development plans. It also prepares the Comprehensive Plan and reviews the Capital Improvements Program. Planning Commission meetings are held the second Monday of every month at City Hall in the Council Chamber.
Public Information Meeting: 2025 Neighborhood Streets Reconstruction Program – 5:30-8 p.m.
The City of Overland Park will hold a second public meeting to discuss the 2025 ARPA Neighborhood Street Reconstruction Project. This meeting is an open house, and there will not be a formal presentation. City staff and representatives from the design consultant, Walter P. Moore and Associates, will be available to discuss the project and answer any questions residents may have.
Civil Service Commission – 6 p.m.
The Civil Service Commission reviews, approves and assists the police department in the promotion process for officers below the rank of Captain. Meetings of the civil service are commission open to the public and meets the second Monday of the last month each quarter at 6 p.m. at Sanders Justice Center.
Tuesday, December 10
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Board of Zoning Appeals – 7 p.m.
The Board of Zoning Appeals considers requests for relief from the requirements of the zoning ordinance and meets monthly, generally on the second Tuesday. The Board of Zoning Appeals meets at City Hall.
Wednesday, December 11
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Public Safety Committee – 7:30 p.m.
Public Safety Committee meetings are held every second Wednesday of every month at City Hall in Conference Room 1.
Thursday, December 12
Experience the glow of candles through the woods, dazzling light displays and live musical performances at this adults-only event, perfect for date night or a relaxing evening with friends at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
Environmental Advisory Council – 6 p.m.
The Environmental Advisory Council studies environmental issues while supporting and promoting new and existing programs and developing educational programs that are beneficial to individuals and businesses in our community with respect to environmental issues. This council meets on the second Thursday at 6 p.m.
Environmental Advisory Council Officers Board – 8 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Officers Board is to be held at 8:00 p.m. in Conference Room 2 of the Myron Scafe Building, 8500 Antioch, Overland Park, KS. The purpose of the Officers Board Meeting is to plan the agenda.
Friday, December 13
Kick off your holiday season with a stroll through lights at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. View enchanting gnomes and fairy villages, enjoy musical performances and grab a complimentary hot cider in the Children’s Discovery Garden.
Saturday, December 14
Kick off your holiday season with a stroll through lights at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. View enchanting gnomes and fairy villages, enjoy musical performances and grab a complimentary hot cider in the Children’s Discovery Garden.
Monday, December 16
Public Works Committee – 5:30 p.m.
Public Works Committee business generally includes streets and highways, public works facilities, traffic signals and signs, infrastructure planning, right of way management, sidewalks and bikeways, public transportation, stormwater management and traffic management systems. Public Works Committee meetings are held every fourth Wednesday of every month at City Hall in Conference Room 1.
Mayor and Council meetings are held on the first and third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall in the council chamber.
Tuesday, December 17
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Wednesday, December 18
Site Plan Review Committee – 11:45 a.m.
The Site Plan Review Committee makes recommendations to the Planning Commission on matters relating to site planning and architectural details of development proposals. Items may be recommended for committee review by the City Council, the Planning Commission or city staff. The Site Plan Review Committee meets at City Hall.
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Finance, Administration + Economic Development Committee – 7 p.m.
Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee business generally includes council rules, procedures and protocol, administrative services, finance, human resources, information technology and more. This committee meets on the third Wednesday of every month at City Hall in Conference Room 1.
Thursday, December 19
Experience the glow of candles through the woods, dazzling light displays and live musical performances at this adults-only event, perfect for date night or a relaxing evening with friends at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
Friday, December 20
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Saturday, December 21
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Sunday, December 22
Holiday Floral Arrangement Workshop – 3:30 p.m.
Join Laura Mohamadi, lead designer at Flower House KC, for a festive workshop on creating a stunning holiday centerpiece using modern techniques inspired by traditional floral design. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to craft a beautiful arrangement perfect for your holiday table. All supplies will be provided, and you’ll leave with your own custom centerpiece to brighten your home. This class is open to ages 12 and up. Meet us in the Education Center for an afternoon of creativity and holiday cheer!
Monday, December 23
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Wednesday, December 25
City offices, including City Hall and Sanders Justice Center, will be closed for the Christmas holiday.
Thursday, December 26
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Friday, December 27
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Saturday, December 28
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Sunday, December 29
Stained Glass Workshop for Beginners – 1 p.m.
Learn beginning stained glass techniques with lead-free solder and flux at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Supplies will be provided, however, you may bring small pressed flat flowers or leaves from home. Class size is limited. Due to the nature of working with a soldering iron and chemicals, this workshop is for adults 18 and older. Protective gloves, masks and eyewear will be worn. Please wear an apron or a long sleeve shirt. Tara from Lost and Found Design will be teaching this workshop.
Monday, December 30
Enjoy the beauty of the Luminary Walk electric displays at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, without the candlelit woods, Santa, musicians, cider, trains or crowds. Electric Glow limits capacity, making the event ideal for wandering through the gardens in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Tuesday, December 31
Parks + Recreation Advisory Council – 6:30 p.m.
The Parks & Recreation Advisory Council advises and makes recommendations to the Governing Body and staff on residential parks and recreational needs and wants. It meets the last Tuesday of every month at City Hall.