Your guide to the 83rd Annual Plaza Lighting Ceremony

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony is a tradition that comes to life with the flip of a switch every Thanksgiving!

PHOTOS: Sneak Peek: 2012 Plaza Lights http://bit.ly/UkweSz

If you're one of the thousands of spectators heading down for the ceremony, here are some helpful hints that will make the journey a little easier.

Ceremony

The ceremony is in a different location than in years past. The stage is on Nichols Road, just west of Pennsylvania, near Brio Tuscan Grille. The best views are on Nichols Road near Victoria’s Secret and Burberry, according to the Country Club Plaza's website.

Roads will start closing at 5 p.m.

Your 41 Action News station will have special live coverage from 6-7 p.m.

For much more on the Plaza Lighting Ceremony, visit KSHB.com/plaza .

Parking

Parking is available in the following garages:

- Seville Garage: Enter on Jefferson or 47th Street

- Plaza III Garage: Enter on Pennsylvania

- Granada Garage: Enter on Pennsylvania, Nichols or 47th Street

- Valencia Garage: Enter on Pennsylvania, 46th Terrace or 47th Street

- Neptune Garage: Enter on Wornall, Broadway or 46th Terrace

- Central Garage: Enter on Central Street, exit on Nichols Road

- Surface and Garage Parking: Entrances on Wyandotte and 46th Terrace

- Halls Garage: Enter on Wyandotte or Central Street

- XXI Forever Garage: Enter on Wyandotte

VIEW | Map of parking garages: http://tinyurl.com/d4v3qt3

Schedule of Events

5-6 p.m. - Choirs from 41 Action News Sounds of The Holidays will kick-off the night with holiday entertainment. Performers from the KC SuperStar singing competition, sponsored by the Jewish Community Center, will also take the stage.

6-7 p.m. - KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony broadcast live on 41 Action News

6:50 p.m. - Sporting Kansas City players Matt Besler, Kei Kamara and Jimmy Nielsen flip the switch, followed by a fireworks display over Nichols and Broadway.

7-8 p.m. - The Elders perform

The Plaza lights will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. through January 13, 2013.

Food and Drink

Below is a list of Plaza restaurants and bars that will be open on Thanksgiving.

Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Buca di Beppo: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

California Pizza Kitchen: 7-10 p.m. (limited menu for specials on cocktails)

The Capital Grille: Lunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Dinner 5-10 p.m.

Chaz on the Plaza: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Coal Vines: 6 p.m. to midnight

Figlio: Brunch 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., appetizers and pizza served 6:30-9 p.m.

Fogo de Chao: Lunch noon to 3p.m., dinner 3-9 p.m.

Fred P. Otts: 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Gram & Dun: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Granfalloon Bar & Grill: 11-3 a.m.

LatteLand Espresso & Tea: 8 a.m. to noon, 5-10 p.m.

M&S Grill: Noon to 8 p.m.

McCormick & Schmick’s: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

O’Dowd’s Little Dublin: 4 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Panache Chocolatier: 5-9 p.m.

Plaza III: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Seasons 52: Noon to 8 p.m.

Starbucks: 5:30 a.m. to midnight

Tomfooleries: 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Topsy’s Popcorn: 5-8 p.m.

Zocalo: Food service 5-11 p.m., last call at 1 a.m.

For more information on Plaza holiday hours, visit http:// tinyurl.com/ ajuyywg.

Your Experience

Send 41 Action News your Plaza Lights 2012 photos! Send them to MyReport@kshb.com or tweet them to @41ActionNews.

VIEW | Your Plaza Lights 2012 photos: http://tinyurl.com/bbrw67f

For more information on the lighting ceremony, visit http://tinyurl.com/6ueosyp.