Events

75th Annual Christmas City of the High Plains

Saturday November 29, 2025

Always the Saturday following Thanksgiving !

Join WaKeeney in kicking of the holiday season with our annual Tree Lighting downtown, WaKeeney.    For over 75 years WaKeeney has held this celebration the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  This year that date is November 29th.  The festivities begin at 9am with a large Christmas Bazaar that is so large it is housed in three buildings located at the Trego County Fair grounds.   There are activities through the day at the Trego County Historical Society Museum and a special event at the City Public Library for children.   The magic begins downtown around 4:30 with free horse & wagon rides, free train rides, s’more making, live reindeer and so much more!  Live music will begin at 6pm and serenade Santa & Mrs. Claus into the downtown square.  Santa will light the 35′ live greenery tree and then travel on to his house located at The North Pole park on Main Street to greet each child!  The WaKeeney four block downtown will stay lit until New Years. 

WaKeeney’s downtown comes to life with a 35ft Christmas tree made with real greenery with over 3,000 lights.  The tree rests under a canopy of heavenly blue lights in the middle of town.  The tree is topped with four ivory stars, each 5-foot in diameter. To complete this downtown display is a four-block square draped with greenery, handcrafted wreaths, bells and bows and of course more lights. In all there are more than 6800 lights in the display.  The idea was born in 1948 by two local businessmen, Art Keraus and J.H. “Jake” Heckman. The first display was lit in 1950 and has been a tradition ever since.  The Tree and Downtown lights will then stay lit each evening until after New Year’s Day.  For more information, visit WaKeeney.org or find us on Facebook at Get WaKeeney.

You’ll be glad to make this a holiday tradition as many come from far and wide to experience this magical event.

Leon Day

LEON is NOEL spelled backward so The Christmas City of The High Plains is celebrating. Bring your lawn chairs & your picnic, or buy from a food vendor at the event. There will be games & Santa is coming. Because we are celebrating backwards, you will need to bring gift TO Santa to help support our Local Food Pantry. There will also be a Pickle Ornament Hunt with prizes. We hope to see you !! Fun for ALL ages!!

Buzzard Bash

Join us for the 4th annual Buzzard Bash, as we welcome our annual migration to WaKeeney.   There are events planned for the entire day from a fun run, scavenger hunt for kids and adults, kid games, street vendors, food, music and a great car show!  The day ends with a beer garden and street dance.  Find more information on Facebook – Buzzard Bash !  See you there May 31, 2025!

Trego County Free Fair

Trego County hosts its local County Fair in July.  Each year there are many things to enjoy from the 4-H and open class exhibits, to the livestock, craft vendors, live music, and entertainment, not to mention the carnival food and the carnival rides.  The County Fair is also known as a time for local Class Reunions.  You can visit the Trego County website for the most recent information at www.TregoCountyFair.com.

Christmas City of The High Plains

Every Saturday after Thanksgiving since 1950, WaKeeney’s downtown has come to light with a 35ft Christmas tree made with real greenery with over 3,000 lights.  The tree rests under a canopy of heavenly blue lights in the middle of town.  The tree is topped with four ivory stars, each 5-foot in diameter. To complete this downtown display is a four-block square draped with greenery, handcrafted wreaths, bells and bows and of course more lights. In all there are more than 6800 lights in the display.  The idea was born in 1948 by two local businessmen, Art Keraus and J.H. “Jake” Heckman. The first display was lit in 1950 and has been a tradition ever since.  The Tree Lighting Ceremony Day is full of fun for the whole family including a Craft Fair, Santa’s Downtown Workshop, Horse & Wagon rides, the Nex-tech Train, live reindeer and of course Santa at the North Pole.  The Tree and Downtown lights will then stay lit each evening until after New Year’s Day.  For more information, visit WaKeeney.org or find us on Facebook at Get WaKeeney.