Wakeeney, Kansas: Christmas City of the High Plains

Not sure it's actually worth the stop unless you're simply checking a box! No Santa sheds any more (that we could see) and quite underwhelming. I guess if you're already in the neighborhood...why not?

There's a cute little North Pole in an alley right off of Main Street.

I passed through on the night of Nov 10, the lights are starting to go up but overall not very lit up yet. There is a lot of local pride about being a Christmas Town. The lights are all up on the weekend after Thanksgiving weekend and stay up until New Years, so time your visit accordingly.

For half a century, the town of Wakeeney has touted itself as the "Christmas City of the High Plains." Holiday decorating mania seizes them more fiercely than it does other Kansas towns. An artificial tree, 35-feet tall, is erected at Main Street and Russell Avenue. Between Thanksgiving and New Years Day, a four block area is festooned with lights and other decorations.

A summer visit to Wakeeney will turn up a few Christmas-themed sites -- a lot on Main Street, dubbed "North Pole," features small statues and wall murals. A tool shed in the back looks like the place where a live Santa (perhaps the mayor?) greets children. We didn't see anyone (the mayor?) walking around in a Santa suit, but it was a weekday.... (Thanks to Cassandra for reminding us about this place)