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 and Smoky Valley Railroad — Cowtown Santa Express

• Second place: Polar Express, Ellis

• Third place: Snowglobe Express, Baldwin

Ice skating rink/winter activity

• First place: Manhattan Ice Skating Rink @ 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