Our Plaza lights aren't just popular in person — social media users love them too.
The intrigue: A post about KC's Plaza lights was among the most viewed holiday light posts in the nation, according to data from Sprout Social.
By the numbers: An Instagram reel from Visit KC highlighting the city's tree lighting tradition garnered 36,269 views.
Flashback: The Plaza Lights began in 1925 with 16 bulbs hung over a doorway. The first full ceremony was held in 1930 and has taken place every Thanksgiving except 1973.
The display now outlines 15 blocks of Spanish-style architecture and runs nightly from 5pm to 3am through early January.
Plaza lights ceremony. GIF: Abbey Higginbotham/Axios
💭 Abbey's thought bubble: A core memory for me is when I lived on the Plaza in 2020. I watched the lights flip on from my rooftop with no one around, and it still felt like the whole city checked in.