Weekend Possibilities | Holiday Toasts, “A Christmas Carol,” and a Tesla Sleigh Ride Ramping Into Peak Holiday Festing
Published December 19th, 2019 at 10:00 AM
Kansas City’s holiday season is peaking with what may be an extra-long weekend for those who used their vacation days wisely. There’s a full spread of weekend events celebrating the season if you’re cramming in the cheer ahead of next week’s hump-day holiday.
Friday, Dec. 20
4 – 7 p.m. Get some last-minute shopping out of the way at the final weekend of A Very Cherry Holiday Pop Up Shop at Objects, 605 E. 31st St. in Kansas City. The Cherry Pit collective pop up features handmade art, jewelry, vintage clothing, ceramics, homegoods, cards, ornaments and more. Expect extended hours and store-wide sales in the final weekend. Can’t make it on Friday? Be sure to check online for the full weekend’s hours and specials.
Make reservations for an evening at Miracle Kansas City — a holiday pop-up bar with locations on the Plaza and downtown. Expect a bar decked with holiday decor and drinks to match, ranging from the “Christmaspolitan” to the “Hallmark Heater.” A short food menu includes a handful of pizzas, along with meatballs, chicken tenders and a spinach salad. Tickets for the one-of-a-kind evening are available for three-hour blocks daily throughout the holiday season.
7 – 10 p.m. Head over to The Rino, 314 Armour Road in North Kansas City, to kick off what may feel like a holiday weekend with Beer & Hymns Christmas 2019. The North Kansas City spot has plans for a night of brews, classic hymns, Christmas songs, cocktails and coffee. Don’t worry, lyric sheets are provided. There is no cover.
8 p.m. The Kansas City Symphony’s Christmas Festival starts Friday evening in Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd. The symphony chorus, handbell ensemble and special guest vocalists will fill the night with top holiday tunes. Expect a visit from the man in red himself, plus a Helzberg Diamonds giveaway at each show. Tickets start at $30 for adults and $15 for children.
Saturday, Dec. 21
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. More than a dozen vendors are heading to the Lenexa Holiday Farmers Market, 8750 Penrose Lane, to provide high-quality, local ingredients to anyone looking to craft the perfect holiday meal or pick up the perfect presents for friends and family. Poke around for anything from pecans and candles to handmade desserts and crafts, then try breakfast or lunch at the Lenexa Public Market in City Hall.
2 p.m. If you’re still looking to get in the holiday spirit, join Ebenezer Scrooge on his spiritual adventure in Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s, 4949 Cherry St., “A Christmas Carol” the tale of Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Cratchits, directed by Jason Chanos, has treated Kansas City families with the spirit of Christmas for 39 years. Tickets for the matinee are still available.
3 – 5 p.m. Warm up with an afternoon of live music in the KC Bier Co. Bierhalle, 310 W. 79th St. in Kansas City. Authentic German music via Bram and Juergen should go well with one of KC Bier Co.’s Winterbrock seasonal series Dark Doppelbock Lagers, or traditionally brewed Dunkel, Hefeweizen, Helles or Pils pours.
Sunday, Dec. 22
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Whether you are entertaining out-of-towners or looking for a Sunday morning date spot, consider Brunch with Santa at Pinstripes in Overland Park, 13500 Nall Ave. The Italian-American Bistro offers a bottomless Sunday brunch buffet, which rolls out omelets, waffles, homemade flatbreads, salads and much more. Those 21 and over can enjoy $4 mimosas and $7 bloody marys. Bowling and bocce prices are listed online per person, per hour. Reservations are recommended.
Sip on hot chocolate and see Kansas City glow like never before with The Fontaine’s Lights Tour. The four-star hotel is offering “sleigh rides” through local neighborhood light displays aboard its exclusive Tesla Model X. Tours are $20 per person and last one hour. Be sure to schedule the ride in advance by calling 816-753-8800.
4:00 p.m. Local figure and hockey skaters will perform “A Trip on the Polar Express” Ice Skating Show Sunday evening at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence, 19100 E. Valley View Pkwy. Heartland Figure Skating club members ages 4 to 16 will jump and spin along to music from the holiday classic after a competitive showcase at 3:30 p.m. Tickets for show are $5 at the door or online. Children age four or under are free.