Weekend Possibilities | Enchant, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Santa Rampage Light It Up

There are holiday happenings across the board this weekend, as Krampus, the Grinch and Trans-Siberian Orchestra come to town. There’s also Enchant’s massive light display at Legends Field, a different take on “The Nutcracker” and a Santa Rampage. 

Friday, Dec. 15 

3 – 8:30 p.m. Blipmas at Blip Roasters, 1301 Woodswether Road, will bring festivities to the West Bottoms on Friday. The biker-beloved coffee spot will pour specialty cocktails by Le Vide, roll out some specialty snacks and spin holiday and soul tunes courtesy of DJ Ataxic. Starting at 6:30 p.m., Poetic Underground will put on a showcase, as the slam collective prepares for national competition. Tickets to the poetry slam are $15 at the door. 

4:30 – 11:30 p.m. Legends Field, 1800 Village West Pkwy., in Kansas City, Kansas, has been transformed into a wonderland during the holiday season. Sprawled across every inch of the ballfield, Enchant offers a huge interactive light maze, an ice-skating trail, an artisan maker shopping village and opportunities to meet with the big man in Santa’s Landing. Tickets are $34 for adults and $25.50 for kids. Family four-packs are available for $95.20. 

Saturday, Dec. 16 

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Round up the bunch and spend a storybook morning at Excelsior Springs Community Center, 500 Tiger Drive, on Saturday. Holiday in Whoville from Excelsior Springs Parks and Rec will have a Whoville breakfast spread to get things started with crafts, whimsical games and a Grinch meet and greet to follow. Registration is $10 per person. 

10:30 a.m. Join the army of red and white on wheels Saturday that is Santa Rampage. The Santa Claus impersonators plan to board their bikes after fueling up at Filling Station, 2980 McGee, in Midtown and riding throughout the city with stops at Grinders and Browne’s Irish Marketplace. The merry route winds through Westport and into the Country Club Plaza. Santa Rampage 2023 is free to take part in. 

2:30 p.m. Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to T-Mobile Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Saturday. This year’s production, “The Ghosts of Christmas Past,” honors the legacy of TSO’s creator Paul O’Neil with the group’s newest on-stage magic, made up of the music, theatrics, visuals and storytelling that has been rocking arenas for more than 20 years. Tickets are available starting at $59.75, plus tax and fees. 

Noon – 5 p.m. Shopping for someone who likes the dark and sinister? The annual Krampusnacht Macabre Market at The Big Rip Brewing Co., 216 E. 9^th Ave., might have what you’re looking for. The North Kansas City brewery will have creepy goods available for purchase from Black Rose Co., plus an opportunity to snap a pic with Krampus. Sugar Skull Grill Taco Truck and Hawg Jaw Que will have lunch specials available onsite.  

Sunday, Dec. 17 

1 – 5 p.m. Christmas Through the Ages is on display in Lecompton, Kansas, until New Year’s Eve. Make the trip to the Territorial Capital Museum, 640 E. Woodson, to see more than 200 bedazzled Christmas trees and other décor from decades gone by on display. Christmas Through the Ages is free, although a museum donation is appreciated.  

2 – 5 p.m. Limitless Brewing, 9500 Dice Lane, is teaming up with Monarch Books & Gifts for a Boozy Book Fair at the Lenexa brewery on Sunday afternoon. If you love both reading and drinking, or plan to pick up the perfect read for the bookworm in your life, a ticket is $25 and includes one drink ticket, a gift basket raffle entry and light refreshments. The book fair benefits KC Kansas Angels.

6 p.m. Sunday evening is the last chance to see Nutcracker, All Jazz’d Up! at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road. A refreshing take on the classic story, Nutcracker, All Jazz’d Up! from the Academy of the Arts incorporates tap, ballet, jazz dance and more. All ages are welcome, and Santa will be there. Tickets are $12. 

7 – 11 p.m. Get in the holiday spirit and give back to the community at Sunday night’s Charlie Brown Christmas Charity Art Event at MOD, 1809 McGee St. Check out the studio’s work, plus pop-up artist pieces, including 3-D blacklight paintings by Craig Mildrexer. Sonderlus Soul will supply the soundtrack. The themed-donation event is asking guests to bring items corresponding with characters from a Charlie Brown Christmas. A full list of items is available online. The event will benefit Harvesters, Salvation Army and Wayside Waifs. Early bird tickets are $10. After Dec. 16 tickets are $15.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.