Tech N9ne will flip the switch for the Plaza lights this Christmas

November 10, 2023

Brock Wilbur,

Fresh off a busy year, including the release of his new album BLISS, a recent tour with the rap-rock group Hollywood Undead, and a special performance at the Chiefs Super Bowl LVII victory parade, Tech N9ne will perform the honored tradition of flipping the switch at this year’s Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony.

[Editor’s Note: If you haven’t checked out BLISS yet, you absolutely must. Read our review and interview with the musician here or our coverage of how important his work has been to the history of KC hip-hop.]

Via a tweet this morning, N9ne announced:

“So I did the lighting ceremony last year on 18th and Vine, some years back I lit the Mayor’s Christmas tree at Crown Center and NOW the Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony switch will be flipped by yours truly. WOW! Talk about evolution!”

The Lighting Ceremony returns on Thursday, Nov. 23, celebrating 94 years as a holiday tradition in the community. Fresh off his latest tour, independent hip-hop artist Tech N9ne will “flip the switch” to illuminate Country Club Plaza in thousands of twinkling lights.

Ceremony partner KMBC will again present the live broadcast that starts at 6 p.m. with Lara Moritz as host.

“I remember as a 12- or 13-year-old, I would travel down to the Plaza with friends to witness the Lighting Ceremony on Thanksgiving evening but could never get close enough to see anything due to the large amount of spectators,” recalls Tech N9ne. “Back then, this kid on 5816 Forest would’ve never believed that he’d be part of that huge ceremony one day and now look. It’s such an honor to be the one to give light this year. I’m excited!”

Christmas on the Plaza. // Courtesy Country Club Plaza

In addition to the longstanding tradition of flipping the switch, the event will feature performances by Tech N9ne, Quixotic, DJ Kirby and The Elders, along with a fireworks show. Evergy returns this year as the presenting sponsor.

See you @ThePlazaKC @evergypower Christmas Lighting 2023 on Thanksgiving, Nov 23rd. We play after @TechN9ne flips the switch! #plazalights #celticchristmasconcert #holidaykickoff pic.twitter.com/lI0mNYWkKz

— The Elders (@TheEldersBand) November 9, 2023

The tentative schedule for the evening includes a pre-lighting ceremony with giveaways from stage going from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by an hour of event mainstage coverage leading up to the 7:05 p.m. flip of the switch, followed by fireworks. Then The Elders play out the remainder of the night.

The stage will be located at the intersection of Nichols Road and Pennsylvania, with the best views along Nichols Road between Pennsylvania and Broadway. Free parking will also be offered at several nearby garages, including:

Valencia Garage (by H&M) on the north side of 47th Street and Pennsylvania
Balcony Garage on Wornall near 46th Street
Seville Garage, entrance on 47th Street between Jefferson and Summit
Time Building Garage north of True Food Kitchen on Pennsylvania

The Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony is open to the public and free to attend. The Evergy Plaza Lights will stay on through Jan. 14, 2023.

Editor’s Note: Before the official art for this event was sent to the media, we made this truly horrible photoshop header that, frankly, it would be a crime to not share with you.