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Christmas with kids in Manhattan
In Manhattan, Kansas, the holiday season rolls down Poyntz Avenue after dark. The Spirit of the Holidays lighted parade has been bringing the town downtown for more than 20 years, with a vintage fire engine and a Mayor's Tree nearby.
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The story of Christmas in Manhattan
How Manhattan celebrates
The signature Manhattan tradition is the Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, held on a December evening in downtown Manhattan. The 2024 parade was the 23rd, so it began around 2002, when Ed Klimek brought the idea to town while serving on the City Commission. It is organized by Downtown Manhattan, Inc., the City of Manhattan and the Flint Hills Breadbasket. Families gather along Poyntz Avenue, and many claim a spot early on restaurant patios or inside restaurants to stay warm. A Mayor's Tree in Triangle Park is part of the season too.
Christmas last year in Manhattan
The downtown calendar for December 2025 shows how many kid options the town offers. Santa Claus visited Manhattan Town Centre from November 28 through December 24. The Flint Hills Discovery Center hosted Breakfast with Santa on two Saturdays, December 6 and 13, with a listed price of $35. The Museum of Art and Light held free School's Out STEAM Station days between Christmas and New Year, and two New Year's Eve family parties let kids count down early. The Building Buddies exhibit at the Discovery Center ran through January 4, 2026.
Fun facts about Christmas in Manhattan
The 2024 lighted parade was the biggest in its history, with just over 70 entries, and it took a new route west along Poyntz Avenue, skipping Aggieville that year. Grand Marshal Ed Klimek, the man who brought the parade to Manhattan, rode with his wife Denise on the Manhattan Fire Department's Old Engine No. 1. The local radio station has described the town's nickname, the Little Apple, glowing during the parade. Klimek also supports the Mayor's Tree in Triangle Park.
Traditions today
- Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade: A December evening parade on Poyntz Avenue with lit floats and community groups.
- Mayor's Tree in Triangle Park: A community Christmas tree supported by local volunteers.
- Santa at Manhattan Town Centre: Santa visits the mall from late November to Christmas Eve.
- Breakfast with Santa at the Flint Hills Discovery Center: A Saturday morning breakfast with Santa at the science museum.
- School's Out STEAM Station: Free hands on activity days at the Museum of Art and Light over winter break.
- New Year's Eve family countdowns: Early evening parties let younger kids celebrate before bedtime.
A fact for kids
In Manhattan, a real fire engine joins the Christmas parade. In 2024 the grand marshal rode on the fire department's Old Engine No. 1 along Poyntz Avenue.
Questions about Christmas in Manhattan
What is the main Christmas tradition in Manhattan, Kansas?
The Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade is the main tradition. It is held on a December evening along Poyntz Avenue downtown, with lit floats and community groups. It is organized by Downtown Manhattan, Inc., the City of Manhattan and the Flint Hills Breadbasket.
When did the Manhattan lighted parade start?
It started around 2002. The 2024 parade was the 23rd annual, and the article says it began 23 years earlier when Ed Klimek brought the idea to Manhattan while serving on the City Commission. That puts the start at around 2002.
How big is the Spirit of the Holidays parade?
The 2024 parade had just over 70 entries, which the organizers said was the largest in its 23 year history. It ran on a Friday evening, starting at 5:30 p.m. Entry counts change each year, so use the number as a rough sense of scale.
Where do people watch the Manhattan parade?
Spectators can watch anywhere along Poyntz Avenue. In 2024 the route ran west on Poyntz and ended just before 14th Street, and it skipped Aggieville that year. Organizers suggested arriving early for a seat on a restaurant patio, inside a restaurant or along the street.
Who is Ed Klimek?
Ed Klimek brought the lighted parade to Manhattan while serving on the City Commission. He was named the 2024 Grand Marshal and rode with his wife Denise on the Manhattan Fire Department's Old Engine No. 1. He also created Purple Power Play on Poyntz and supports the Mayor's Tree in Triangle Park.
What is the Mayor's Tree?
It is a community Christmas tree in Triangle Park that local volunteers support. The tree is part of the downtown holiday season alongside the lighted parade. Check with the city or Downtown Manhattan for current lighting dates, which change from year to year.
What happened at Christmas in Manhattan last year?
In December 2025, Santa visited Manhattan Town Centre from November 28 to December 24. The Flint Hills Discovery Center hosted Breakfast with Santa on December 6 and 13, and the Museum of Art and Light held free STEAM days after Christmas. Two New Year's Eve family parties wrapped up the month.
Where can kids see Santa in Manhattan?
In 2025, Santa Claus visits were listed at Manhattan Town Centre from November 28 through December 24. The Flint Hills Discovery Center also held Breakfast with Santa on two Saturdays. Schedules change each year, so see our Manhattan Christmas events guide on this page for current dates.
How much was Breakfast with Santa in 2025?
The Flint Hills Discovery Center listed Breakfast with Santa at $35 for the December 6, 2025 session, from 8 a.m. to noon. A second breakfast was held December 13. Prices and times can change, so confirm with the Discovery Center before planning your morning.
Are there free holiday activities for kids in Manhattan?
Yes. In 2025 the Museum of Art and Light held free School's Out STEAM Station days on December 22, 23, 29 and 30, with shapes, symmetry and building themes. The parade is also free to watch from the sidewalk. Dates change yearly, so check before you go.
What can toddlers do in Manhattan in December?
Toddlers can enjoy Santa at the mall, a hands on day at the Museum of Art and Light, or a family friendly morning at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. The lighted parade is an evening event, so bundle up and bring snacks. See our Manhattan Christmas events guide on this page.
Is the Manhattan parade good for young children?
Yes, if you plan ahead. It starts at 5:30 p.m. in December, so kids see the lights early in the evening. Arrive early for a seat on a patio or along Poyntz Avenue, bring blankets and warm layers, and decide on a meeting spot in case your group splits up.
What is the Little Apple?
The Little Apple is a nickname for Manhattan, a play on New York's Big Apple. A local radio headline described the Little Apple glowing during the Mayor's Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade. Kids may enjoy hearing that their town shares a nickname with a famous city.
Has the parade route always been the same?
No. In 2024 the route changed to run west on Poyntz Avenue and end just before 14th Street, and it did not pass through Aggieville that year. Routes can change again, so check the Downtown Manhattan announcement for the current year.
How can I explain the parade to my kids?
Tell them the parade is a lighted evening march down Poyntz Avenue where neighbors, businesses and groups show off lit floats. A vintage fire engine carried the grand marshal in 2024. Let kids guess which float they will like best.
What should we bring to the Manhattan parade?
Bring warm layers, folding chairs or blankets, and snacks for waiting. Organizers encourage arriving early to claim a seat on a restaurant patio, inside a restaurant or along Poyntz Avenue. Kids may like a glow stick, which makes them easy to spot in the dark.
Where can I find this year's Manhattan Christmas events?
See our Manhattan Christmas events guide on this page for current kid friendly options. Downtown Manhattan, Inc. and the Manhattan visitors bureau also keep event calendars. Dates change each year, so confirm times, prices and any registration rules with the host before you head out with the kids.
What is the Flint Hills Discovery Center?
It is a science museum in Manhattan that hosts family programs, including Breakfast with Santa in 2025 and the Building Buddies exhibit, which ran through January 4, 2026. It makes a good indoor stop in cold weather. Check its calendar for current hours, ticket prices and holiday programs before you plan the visit.
Is there a Christmas train attraction in Manhattan?
We did not find a rail based Christmas attraction in Manhattan itself. Family holiday options here center on the lighted parade, Santa visits and museum programs. See our Manhattan Christmas events guide on this page for what is happening this year.
What is a good Christmas tradition to start in Manhattan?
Make the lighted parade your yearly kickoff. Grab a patio seat early, warm up with hot chocolate and let each child pick a favorite float. Then add a morning with Santa at the Flint Hills Discovery Center or Manhattan Town Centre for a simple, repeatable family routine.