Weekend Possibilities | Making Movies Plays Radiohead, A Holiday Block Party and Polar Express Kids Yoga Can't Wait

All sorts of cheer fills out the weekend calendar as the holidays inch closer.

Lee’s Summit’s magic tree, A Drag Queen Christmas and Double Shift Brewing Co.’s Sucky Sweater Party are just a few of the options.

Friday, Dec. 17

8 a.m. – 11:45 p.m. The Lee’s Summit Magic Tree is glowing at the corner of View High Drive and Interstate 470. The local holiday landmark looks good in the background of selfies and benefits Operation Toy Soldier. Visitors can support the cause by bringing a new, unwrapped toy when visiting the tree, or give online at lsmagictree.com.

6 – 11 p.m. Guess the Grape at The Grand Hall at Power & Light, 1330 Baltimore Ave., is a food and wine experience fit for anyone who appreciates a proper pairing or pour in a night out. The one-night-only fundraising event from The Kansas City Free Eye Clinic will have tasty plates and pairings in conjunction with area restaurants, interactive wine-themed games, raffle prizes, live entertainment and more. A guest ticket is $110. Raffle tickets are available online for anyone unable to attend.

Saturday, Dec. 18

11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Put your pickleball skills to the test or take in the competition wearing your worst at Saturday’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Pickleball Tournament at Chicken N Pickle in North Kansas City, 1761 Burlington St. Teams who think they have what it takes can pick between social and competitive games. Team registration is $85. Each tournament participant will receive a Chicken N Pickle ugly sweater sweatshirt.

3:30 – 4:15 p.m. Send the kids away for an afternoon of Polar Express Yoga by Home Holistic in Overland Park, Kansas, 7927 Floyd St. The kids yoga class for any ability level will teach participants positions through songs, games and Polar Express-themed movement activities. The class is catered to children ages 5 to 11. Tickets are $5.

6:30 p.m. Kansas City SantaCon weekend is here. Put on your Santa Claus best and head over to Waldo, where the holiday pub crawl will take over participating restaurants and drinking establishments in the name of good cheer and goodwill. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Love Fund for Children. Check-in is located at Social, 7425 Broadway. General admission all-you-can-drink tickets are $65.

7 p.m. The biggest holiday concert of the year is set for Saturday night at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway. Get tickets for Christmas Festival by the KC Symphony and Symphony Chorus and settle in for classically arranged carols and other holiday classics in the incredible Helzberg Hall, featuring Broadway star Ashley Brown, a visit from Santa and more. Tickets start at $48.50, plus taxes and fees.

8 p.m. If you’re looking for loud music, local Afro-Latino rockers Making Movies will play their annual holiday show Saturday night at The Truman, 601 E. Truman Road. Front man Enrique Chi and the band have plans to take on Radiohead’s 2000 record “Kid A” following sets from fellow Kansas City bands Republic Tigers and Blvck Hippie. Tickets are still available and start at $20, plus taxes and fees.

Sunday, Dec. 19

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cherry Pit Collective, 604 E. 31st St., is throwing quite the Holiday Block Party & Maker Sale Sunday afternoon. Stop by for all sorts of local makers and vendors ready to help check items off your gift lists. Be sure to look online for the complete list of participating makers. There will be pizza, veggie options from The Fix, coffee from Cafe Cà Phê and that’s just a taste. The Block Party is free to attend.

2 – 6 p.m. Double Shift Brewing Co.’s Sucky Sweater Party should make for a holiday-themed Sunday “fun day” in the Crossroads Arts District, 412 E. 18th St. The afternoon will have an ugly sweater competition, movies and music to get you in the spirit, beer specials, plus a special pop-up from The C Word Cakery.

8 – 10:30 p.m. How about A Drag Queen Christmas at The Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St., to round out the weekend? The show will include part-magical, part-hilarious holiday performances from drag queens you may have seen featured in reality television hit RuPaul’s Drag Race. All ages are welcome, however the show does include adult content. Tickets start at $50.

Flatland contributor Clarence Dennis also is a social media manager for 90.9 The Bridge.