Nov. 16, 2019

This year’s Mayor’s Tree Lighting will feature not one, but two special guests from the North Pole. Friday, November 22nd is your chance to visit Santa and his right-hand man, Buddy the Elf. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. and all are welcome to gather on SE Main Street as Santa and Buddy make their debut in Downtown Lee’s Summit.

Buddy the Elf will travel through the seven levels of the candy cane forest, through the sea of swirly-twirly gum drops, and over the train tracks to be here to help Mayor Baird flip the switch to light Downtown Lee’s Summit in over 100,000 sparkling lights! Codie Allen from 106.5 The Wolf will emcee the event as Buddy the Elf leads the crowd in welcoming Santa Claus! Buddy will be joined by the Lee’s Summit Elementary Cougar Choir for their annual performance of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

The program will also feature a special performance from Summit Theatre Group’s production of “Winter Wonderettes.” Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves will make their grand entrance at 7 p.m. and will stay for photos with children until 8:30 p.m. Before the program, guests can enjoy free cookies and receive a keepsake ornament while supplies last. Over two dozen Downtown businesses will stay open late for holiday shopping after the lighting ceremony on November 22nd.

The Mayor’s Tree Lighting is hosted by Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, the City of Lee’s Summit, and presented by Security Bank of Kansas City. Special guest, Buddy the Elf, made possible by the generous support of Paradise Park. Special thanks to our Spirit of Community sponsor, Cosentino’s Price Chopper, the North Pole Sponsor, St. Luke’s East Hospital, and our supporting sponsors, GEHA, Jason Langston Farmers Insurance, Midwest Property Resources, and Summit Video Services for helping make this family tradition possible. Special thanks to Hy-Vee for donating complimentary cookies for guests to enjoy before the program.

Every year, Downtown Lee’s Summit captures the magic of the holidays with this tradition in the central business district and the holiday lights remain on through the first week in January.