The public is cordially invited to attend the annual Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting at Haymarket Square each year on the Friday before Thanksgiving.  Food and gift vendors will be available starting at 4 p.m.  The Holiday Parade will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m., and the official Tree Lighting will be held immediately following the parade. 

Parade - Registration Information

Limit of 25 entries.  Theme is "Holidays".  Deadline to register is noon on the Wednesday before the parade.  All guidelines for the entry are listed on the registration site, which will be available Fall 2024.

The staging area is at 5^th and Seneca. Staging will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 5 p.m.  Parade begins at 5:30 p.m.

The parade route will begin at 5^th and Seneca, move south to Delaware then west on Delaware to 7^th Street, then south on 7^th Street to Cherokee, then east on Cherokee to Haymarket Square.

Market

The holiday market begins at 4 p.m.  To become a vendor for the holiday market, see contact information area to the right.

Light Display

Each year, lights are put up at Haymarket Square and set to music on a specified radio station.  The display stays up until the Monday after New Year's Day for all citizens to enjoy.  Just pull into Haymarket Square and tune your radio to the station showing on the signs.

General information: parksandrec@firstcity.org

Family Friendly Market for you to find all your farm fresh, and homemade items. 

Location: 2705 155th Street, Basehor, KS 66007

A year-round market! Market hours:

Thursdays & Fridays: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Program Type:

Age Group: 

Program Description

Event Details

Parents and Pre-schoolers can socialize in an open-play setting. Come and go as you please. We will offer a fun place to play with educational toys and games. Come in and go wild with your friends!

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adult

Children under the age of nine must be accompanied by a parent, adult guardian or a responsible caregiver 16 years or older.

Patron Code of Conduct

The Library Patron Code of Conduct applies at Library programs.

Family Friendly Market for you to find all your farm fresh, and homemade items. 

Location: 2705 155th Street, Basehor, KS 66007

A year-round market! Market hours:

Thursdays & Fridays: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Program Type:

Age Group: 

Program Description

Event Details

Parents and Pre-schoolers can socialize in an open-play setting. Come and go as you please. We will offer a fun place to play with educational toys and games. Come in and go wild with your friends!

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adult

Children under the age of nine must be accompanied by a parent, adult guardian or a responsible caregiver 16 years or older.

Patron Code of Conduct

The Library Patron Code of Conduct applies at Library programs.

Journey back to the birth of Christ through Walk through Bethlehem! This is a free, live, interactive event set in the village of Bethlehem. Your walk-through Bethlehem begins December 6-8, 2024

Walk through Bethlehem is a FREE live, interactive event, set in the village of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth.

You'll be immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of an ancient city,
eventually making your way to the same discovery
the shepherds made that first Christmas night—Jesus, the Savior, lying in a manger

Come join Santa and friends for pancakes, pictures, and lots of fun. Entry fee includes one plate per ticket (keep your plate if you want seconds). Photos with Santa will be available. A DJ will be spinning tunes and other entertainment will be provided. It's a great way to enjoy the holiday season!

**Skip the line! Advance purchase provides you with a Flash Pass for express entry to the event.**

Cost:

• Adults - $6 in advance*; $7 at the door
• Children (12 and under) - $5 in advance*; $6 at the door

*Advance tickets purchased online include a convenience fee.*

Family Friendly Market for you to find all your farm fresh, and homemade items. 

Location: 2705 155th Street, Basehor, KS 66007

A year-round market! Market hours:

Thursdays & Fridays: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The Children’s Small Mall is an opportunity for children between 3 and 13 years old to do their own holiday shopping for family, teachers, and friends in a secure environment.

Children love this event, as it allows them to pick out something they think their loved ones will want without the presence of a parent, and the gift comes from the heart. Of course, the biggest challenge is keeping the selected gift item a secret.

For first-time shoppers and parents, it is important to know what to expect, so our “Head Elf” explains the process.

Prior to entering the shopping area, a gift list is completed by the parent with names, ages, and the dollar amount for each gift on the list. The gifts are $5 or $7 prepaid. Our volunteer elves escort each little shopper with their gift list into the shopping area where the gifts are arranged according to category and price. For the shopper, it can be exciting and overwhelming trying to make a decision on that perfect gift.

We have a wide selection of items to choose from. For women, jewelry is popular, along with scarves, candles, serving dishes, and so much more. For dad, granddad, or uncle (the hardest to buy for), there are tools, flashlights, calendars, and desk accessories, just to name a few gifts. For the sweet tooth in the family, there are sweets and baking gift sets. We have teen gifts as well as children’s toys, books, and stuffed animals for the siblings.

When their shopping is completed, each child receives a bag of Magic Reindeer Food, a free ride on the 1913 carousel (photo op), movies, and access to the Kid’s Craft Corner to make some awesome ornaments.

While waiting for your little shoppers, parents can relax with a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and browse through the crafts, gifts, and baked goods available for purchase. Not to be missed are our three raffles, the Ladies’ Basket filled with items for mom, the sports theme with tons of sport items, and the kids’ raffle loaded with toys, books, and stuffed animals.

For additional information email or call the museum at (913) 682-1331.

Program Type:

Age Group: 

Program Description

Event Details

Use your creative talents to decorate a mason jar and a recipe card, then fill it with all the ingredients to make someone’s holiday very merry and delicious. All supplies provided for one jar plus ingredients per person.

Registration required

This program is for adults age 18 & older. Children in attendance will be given an alternative activity.

Program Type:

Age Group: 

Program Description

Event Details

Parents and Pre-schoolers can socialize in an open-play setting. Come and go as you please. We will offer a fun place to play with educational toys and games. Come in and go wild with your friends!

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adult

Children under the age of nine must be accompanied by a parent, adult guardian or a responsible caregiver 16 years or older.

Patron Code of Conduct

The Library Patron Code of Conduct applies at Library programs.

Age Group: 

Program Description

Event Details

Make a real difference to someone in need by donating blood. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or click here.

Family Friendly Market for you to find all your farm fresh, and homemade items. 

Location: 2705 155th Street, Basehor, KS 66007

A year-round market! Market hours:

Thursdays & Fridays: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Program Type:

Age Group: 

Program Description

Event Details

Parents and Pre-schoolers can socialize in an open-play setting. Come and go as you please. We will offer a fun place to play with educational toys and games. Come in and go wild with your friends!

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adult

Children under the age of nine must be accompanied by a parent, adult guardian or a responsible caregiver 16 years or older.

Patron Code of Conduct

The Library Patron Code of Conduct applies at Library programs.

Family Friendly Market for you to find all your farm fresh, and homemade items. 

Location: 2705 155th Street, Basehor, KS 66007

A year-round market! Market hours:

Thursdays & Fridays: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.