Each holiday season, the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens glows with thousands of twinkling lights. Yet amid the colorful displays and festive performances, it is the warm flicker of candlelight that gives the annual Luminary Walk its unmistakable charm.
“The candlelight is really what sets the Luminary Walk apart,” says Jennifer Cairns, Director of Development for The Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park. “Volunteers literally head into the woods and light all of the candles by hand, creating this magical, almost old-fashioned feeling throughout the Arboretum.”
Now entering its 27th year, the event has grown alongside the Arboretum. As the gardens have expanded, volunteers have gained more space for installations and new elements, and features like the beloved gnome homes have become treasured traditions.
The Luminary Walk now offers four experiences. The traditional Luminary Walk welcomes families with live entertainment, Santa visits and festive activities, while the adults-only Candlelight Stroll offers a quieter atmosphere and additional beverage options. Electric Glow provides a lower-sensory experience with no live music and smaller crowds. Glow Cart Tours offer chauffeured golf cart rides through the displays for guests with mobility needs.
During the traditional Walk and the Candlelight Stroll, guests wander the illuminated gardens with candles aglow, discovering performances along the route from local musicians, youth choirs, carolers and even an Elvis impersonator. Visitors can warm up with beverages, including cider from Louisburg Cider Mill. Because the Arboretum is not typically open at night, the lights, designed to complement the trees, trails and gardens, offer a rare chance to see its beauty after dark.
“Luminary Walk is almost entirely volunteer-driven, with incredible support from the Arboretum staff,” Cairns says. “It takes an extraordinary group of people to create something that feels this magical.”
The event is also one of the Friends of the Arboretum’s most important annual fundraisers, with ticket proceeds supporting educational programs, operations and capital needs. For first-time visitors, Cairns recommends dressing warmly, wearing comfortable shoes and allowing plenty of time to explore.
“Luminary Walk is really about wandering,” she says. “Grab a drink, stop and listen to the music, notice the little details, and enjoy being in the gardens after dark.”
Luminary Walk in its various forms is open November 27 through December 26. Tickets are available at artsandrec-op.org.