Mark your calendars; Your OP event guide for December

Three small children smile as they pose with Santa.

Fill your schedule with exciting events happening in Overland Park! From family fun and creative workshops to Governing Body and committee meetings, the City’s event calendar is packed with endless opportunities to get involved in your community and make memories with friends and family:

Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane – Daily through Dec. 31

Experience the enchantment of the season at Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane daily from 5-10 p.m. through December 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. The display is at the main entrance of Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead.

Art at the Center

Visit the Future of Art Exhibition featuring artwork created by local high school students in December any time Tomahawk Ridge Community Center is open.

Friday, December 1
Luminary Walk – 5-10 p.m.

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 2
Holiday Market – 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Take advantage of an opportunity to shop the Overland Park Farmer’s Market for holiday gifts and goodies. You’ll find all the same farm fresh produce and local foods you’re used to. The Market information booth will also be open to accept debit and EBT cards. The Holiday Farmers’ Market is an extension of the farmers’ market season and will feature our 2023 season vendors. 

Nutcracker Tea Party – 12 p.m. & 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.

Luminary Walk – 5-10 p.m.

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 3
Nutcracker Tea Party – 11:30 a.m. & 3 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

Stained Glass Workshop for Beginners – 1 p.m.

Join us in making a stained glass hanging at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, featuring an ornament design! Learn beginning stained glass techniques with lead-free solder and flux. Supplies will be provided. Purchase tickets online in advance.

Monday, December 4
Neighborhood Executive Committee Officers Board – 5:30 p.m.

The Neighborhood Executive Committee develops and monitors the progress of the neighborhood programs. This meeting is held at Matt Ross Community Center.

Community Development Committee – 6 p.m.

Community Development Committee meetings are held every first Wednesday of every month at City Hall in Conference Room 1.

City Council – 7:30 p.m.

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 5
Electric Glow – 4:30-8 p.m.

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 6
Giggle Time Children’s Program – 10 a.m.

Gather your little ones for some giggling and wiggling and a fun-filled time at 10 a.m. at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center with a performance by StoneLion Puppet Theatre. This special winter performance features trick marionettes, singing puppets, music and dancing!

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. 

Electric Glow – 4:30-8 p.m.

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 7
Luminary Walk – 5-10 p.m.

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. 

Legacy of Greenery Committee – 6:30 p.m.

The Legacy of Greenery Committee promotes landscaping throughout the city by advocating and encouraging the proper planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, flowers and turf. The Legacy of Greenery Committee meets the first Thursday of every month and sponsors many annual activities, including seedling giveaways, poster contests, and landscape excellence awards. The Legacy of Greenery Committee meets at City Hall.

REC Book Club – 7 p.m.

Read, exercise, and converse with other book lovers at Matt Ross Community Center’s monthly book club.

Friday, December 8
Luminary Walk – 5-10 p.m.

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 9
Luminary Walk – 5-10 p.m.

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 11
Planning Commission – 1:30 p.m.

Planning Commission meetings are held the second Monday of every month at City Hall in the Council Chamber.

Playbook OP Community Meeting – 5-7 p.m.

Overland Park’s updated Parks and Recreation long-range plan, Playbook OP, will serve as a roadmap for meeting the current and future needs of Overland Park, covering everything from aquatics and community centers to green spaces and recreational activities. Your input is crucial. Please participate in this process and help shape the future of Overland Park’s most treasured places. Swing by May Ross Community Center, talk with Parks and Recreation staff and share your thoughts on the Playbook OP journey. 

Civil Service Commission – 6 p.m.

The Civil Service Commission reviews, approves, and assists the police department in the promotions process for officers below the rank of Captain. Meetings of the civil service are commission open to the public and meets on the second Monday of the last month each quarter at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, December 12
Electric Glow – 4:30-8 p.m.

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 13
Electric Glow – 4:30-8 p.m.

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 p.m.

Public Safety Committee meetings are held every second Wednesday of every month at City Hall in Conference Room 1.

Thursday, December 14
Candlelight Stroll – 5-9 p.m.

Experience the glow of candles through the woods, dazzling light displays and live musical performances at this adults-only event. 

Friday, December 15
Luminary Walk – 5-10 p.m.

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 16
Luminary Walk – 5-10 p.m.

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 17
Stained Glass Workshop for Beginners – 1 p.m.

Join us in making a stained glass hanging at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, featuring an ornament design! Learn beginning stained glass techniques with lead-free solder and flux. Supplies will be provided. Purchase tickets online in advance.


Monday, December 18
Committee of the Whole – Legislative Agenda – 6:30 p.m.

The Committee of the Whole meets on an as-needed basis at City Hall in Conference Room 1.

City Council – 7:30 p.m.

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 19
Electric Glow – 4:30-8 p.m.

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 20
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. 

Electric Glow – 4:30-8 p.m.

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 meetings are held every third Wednesday of every month at City Hall in Conference Room 1.

Thursday, December 21
Candlelight Stroll – 5-9 p.m.

Experience the glow of candles through the woods, dazzling light displays and live musical performances at this adults-only event. 


Monday, December 25
City Offices Closed – All Day

City offices, including City Hall and Sanders Justice Center, will be closed for the Christmas holiday.

Tuesday, December 26
Parks + Recreation Advisory Council – 6:30 p.m.

This 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.

Saturday, December 30
The Night Tree – 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Join us for “The Night Tree” —a delightful blend of literature, creativity, and community that leaves a lasting impact on both the participants and our woodland friends. Participants will have the opportunity to read “The Night Tree” by Eve Bunting, a beautifully crafted story that captures the essence of sharing and caring for nature. Drawing inspiration from the tale, we’ll embark on a creative journey to craft unique ornaments designed specifically for woodland animals. Gather around a designated Night Tree adorned with the newly-crafted ornaments. With cups of hot chocolate in hand, enjoy the crisp winter air and share in the warmth of community. Purchase tickets online in advance for either 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.