2024 Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Festival

Bands from all 5 KCKPS schools (Harmon, Schlagle, Sumner, Washington and Wyandotte) compete and share their talents in the Battle of the Bands.

Join us for the Honors Orchestra! The KCK Public Schools Fine Arts Department Offers a comprehensive fine arts education for all students in Kindergarten through grade 12, through course offerings in visual art, music, theatre and dance.

The Heartland Ringers are a community handbell choir consisting of members from the Kansas City area. Heartland Ringers mission is to enjoy fellowship through music and share our gifts and talents with the community.

Ms Lydz’s Dance and Acrobats strive to provide a safe, fun, positive and motivating environment that will develop and improve each child’s athletic experience and improve their confidence while under the guidance of highly skilled caring and compassionate mentors. Their moto is “Believers are Achievers" and they offer classes to children starting at Age 2 through their teens.

The Salvation Army's brass bands are a well-known part of the organization's music and ministry.

Stranded in the City is made up of brothers André Reyes, Jr. and Antonio Reyes, Timmy Keith, Matt Elton, and Densil (D.J) Malabre. Together they form one of Kansas City's powerhouse bands. André and Antonio arose from a musical family tracing across four generations. They met Timmy, a natural rock guitarist, and bassist, Matt, who would later become the core of Stranded in the City. Densil adds his West African style to the mix to solidify the sound.

As a diverse group, Stranded in the City provides a retro flavor in a fresh sound, playing every song with soul and every beat of their hearts. Through the thickness of the groove, they deliver rich vocal harmonies and smoking improvisational skills. Expect a melting pot of genres; R&B, Funk, Country, Tex-Mex, Rock and Pop all in their music. Never the less backed by the right energy.

They perform locally and pack venues in Kansas City and the surrounding areas. In the spring of 2023, they premiered their debut album.

Website: Stranded in the City

Grupo Cafetal is a lively music group, part of the Colombian Cultural Association, focused on sharing the traditional music of Colombia. They perform a variety of Colombian styles, showcasing the unique rhythms and melodies from different regions. Through their performances, Grupo Cafetal brings the true sounds of Colombia to audiences, helping people appreciate and connect with the country’s musical heritage.

LeVelle, famously known as "LB," is a powerhouse R&B/Neo-Soul artist and songwriter from Kansas City, Ks, whose electrifying personality and soulful voice have taken the music world by storm. LeVelle’s love affair with music began early, fueled by the undeniable thrill of watching how it could move, uplift, and inspire people. "The sheer joy of making people feel good resonated with him profoundly,” With an impending release of his new project Love Story set to drop, Levelle is poised tonight to showcase his artistry like never before.

Drawing inspiration from legendary icons like Sam Cooke, Al Green, and Gerald LeVert, LeVelle has crafted a sound that masterfully fuses timeless soul with modern flair, creating a musical identity that is distinctly his own. His unwavering dedication to his craft led him to meticulously study the stage presence of luminaries such as Charlie Wilson, Tank, The O’Jays, and Keith Sweat, honing his ability to dominate the stage and connect with his audience in an unforgettable way.

LeVelle’s relentless pursuit of excellence has paved the way for extraordinary opportunities, including touring as a background singer for the iconic Charlie Wilson and sharing the stage with industry titans like Frankie Beverly & Maze, Anthony Hamilton, and Robin Thicke. In 2019, LeVelle boldly stepped into the limelight with his debut solo album, My Journey Continues. The album was met with widespread acclaim, amassing over 7 million streams and delivering the chart-topping single "Fell in Love" featuring Anthony Hamilton, which soared to #11 on the Billboard R&B chart and captivated over 2.2 million viewers on YouTube.

Reflecting on his journey, LeVelle reveals, "I faced countless challenges, from personal loss to overwhelming obstacles, but my resolve never wavered. My music is about channeling that passion to inspire others never to let go of their dreams."

With the impending release of his highly anticipated project, Love Story, set to drop in the fall of 2024, LeVelle is poised to showcase his artistry like never before. The album's lead single, "Right Here," marks his first release without a featured artist, allowing LeVelle to shine at the forefront. "I wanted this project to be unapologetically about me," he explains. "With 'Right Here,' I'm proving to my audience that I can stand tall as a defining artist of this generation. I'm dedicated to delivering something truly spectacular with this new project. You're about to discover what you’ve been missing."

Website: LeVelle Official Site | Soulful R&B & Neo-Soul Music

Check out the various organizations and small businesses with freebies and concessions for you to enjoy. This includes:

• Babe's Delicious Delicacies
• Blended Vibes
• Parks & Recreation
• Turner Recreation Center
• Salvation Army
• KCKPD Gaming Center
• Life 88.5

It wouldn't be a party in KCK without food trucks! The following food trucks will be participating in this year's Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Festival:

• TCs Fully Loaded Baked Potatoes
• KC Turkey Leggman
• Don Antonio's
• Oralia Food Truck - Tast of Potosi
• Omnivorium Food Truck