Submitted

The magic of the holiday season in Kansas shone bright as the Kansas Press Association and Kansas Newspapers proudly announced the winners of the first-ever Best of Kansas Holiday Contest, a statewide celebration recognizing the best seasonal events, attractions and traditions across the Sunflower State.

From pumpkin patches and haunted hayrides to Christmas concerts, holiday markets and dazzling light displays, Kansans were invited to nominate and vote for their favorite fall and holiday experiences. Nominations were accepted through Oct. 17, 2025, followed by public voting from Oct. 27 through Dec. 31, 2025. Entries and votes poured in from communities across Kansas.

“We were extremely pleased with both the number of nominations and the number of votes received in this inaugural contest,” said Amber Jackson, contest coordinator for the Kansas Press Association. “The response clearly shows how much Kansans value their local traditions and the events that bring their communities together during the holiday season.”

While only a portion of nominated events could be named winners, the Kansas Press Association emphasized that the contest showcased an impressive variety of experiences across the state. Full results and additional information can be found at extra.ljworld.com/Best-of-Kansas.

The Best of Kansas Holiday Contest marks the first holiday-focused edition, with additional Best of Kansas contests planned in the future.

2025 Best of Kansas Holiday Contest winners

Christmas concert/holiday performance

First place: 1st Infantry Division Band Holiday Concert @ C.L. Hoover Opera House

Second place: Happy Holidays from the Little Apple

Third place: Salina Symphony Christmas Festival

Christmas parade

First place: Holiday Hullabaloo at Leonardville Light Up 66449

Second place: Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum

Third place: FrostFest Illuminated Parade

Holiday fireworks/tree lighting ceremony

First place: WaKeeney — Christmas City of the High Plains

Second place: Holiday Hullabaloo Leonardville Light Up 66449

Third place: Festival of Lights at Blue Earth Plaza in Manhattan

Holiday light tour/drive-thru experience

First place: Chautauqua Isle of Lights

Second place: Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown

Third place: Holiday Hullabaloo at Leonardville Light Up 66449

Holiday market/craft fair

First place: Beloit Holiday Fair

Second place: Tree Lighting Festival, WaKeeney

Third place: Kansas Holiday Market and Food Truck Festival at the Flint Hills Discovery Center

Holiday train ride

First place: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad — Cowtown Santa Express

Second place: Polar Express, Ellis

Third place: Snowglobe Express, Baldwin

Ice skating rink/winter activity

First place: Manhattan, Kan., Ice Skating Rink at City Park

Second place (tie): Ice Skating at Chicken N Pickle, Overland Park

Second place (tie): Kansas City Ice Center and Pavilion

New Year’s Eve celebration

First place: Family New Year’s Eve at the Flint Hills Discovery Center

Second place: Aggieville Little Apple Drop, Manhattan, Kan.

Nutcracker performance/holiday show

First place: Prairie Nutcracker at Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre

Second place: BTC Athletics & Dance, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Third place: Salina Symphony Christmas Festival

Santa visit/Santa’s village

First place: Christmas on the Bricks, Fort Scott

Second place: Holiday Hullabaloo Leonardville Pride

Third place: Spud’s Emporium Christmas Village, Scott City

Corn maze

First place: Infinity Maze

Second place: Pumpkin Hollow at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

Third place: Kansas Maze, Buhler

Fall farm experience

First place: Pa’s Pumpkin Patch

Second place: Pumpkin Hollow at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

Third place: Grinter’s Sunflower Farm

Fall food festival

First place: Glen Elder Chili Cook-off

Second place: Oktoberfest Hays

Third place: Wellington Fall Festival Chili Cook-off

Haunted hayride

First place: Ghostly Party at Glen Elder State Park

Second place: Night of the Living Farmstead at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

Third place: Field of Screams, Maize

Oktoberfest celebration

First place: Oktoberfest Hays

Second place: Junction City Oktoberfest

Third place: Neewollah Festival, Independence

Pumpkin patch

First place: Cottage Lane Pumpkin Patch

Second place: Pa’s Pumpkin Patch

Third place: Pumpkin Hollow at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

Scarecrow festival/display

First place: Wellington Scarecrow Light Pole Decorating Contest

Second place: Downtown Scarecrow Light Pole Decorating Contest, Winfield

Third place: Columbus Day, Columbus

Trick-or-treat/trunk-or-treat event

First place: Wellington Trick or Treat Down the Street

Second place: Trick or Treat on the Bricks

Third place: Witches Night Out, Augusta

Holiday food festival/bake sale/cookie walk

First place: Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery Holiday Gift Show, Lindsborg

Second place: Handmade Holiday Gift Mart, Smoky Valley Arts, Lindsborg

Third place: Candlelight Charm, Council Grove

Holiday tradition in Kansas

First place: Christmas at the Marshall-Yohe House

Second place: Christmas Tree Lane, Abilene

Third place: “Christmas Through the Ages” Tree Display

Overall holiday town

First place: Lindsborg — Little Sweden USA

Second place: Abilene

Third place: Hays

Volunteer/charity event for the holidays

First place: Festival of Trees, Hays

Second place: Holiday Food Boxes, Lindsborg

Third place (tie): Operation Holiday, Wellington

Third place (tie): Salina Rescue Mission

Community Thanksgiving dinner/event

First place: Salina Salvation Army Community Dinner

Second place: 57th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Topeka

Third place: St. Lutheran Thanksgiving Dinner, Pittsburg

Harvest festival

First place: Harvest Home Festival, Silver Lake

Second place: Scammon Kansas Fall Festival

Turkey trot/Thanksgiving run

First place: 50th Annual Turkey Trot, Wichita

Second place: Pittsburg Turkey Trot 5K

Third place: Gobbler Grind Marathon, Overland Park

About

Kansas Press Association (KPA) was organized in 1863 to serve, improve and promote the newspaper industry and to protect the rights of a free press. Today, KPA continues its efforts by providing member publications with marketing and educational services, legal and technology hotlines, legislative representation and a forum for the exchange of ideas. The association hosts conventions, conferences and seminars for the newspaper industry, and serves as a central source of industry information. Kansas Press represents more than 150 member publications, both print and online, throughout the state.