Weekend Possibilities | Plaza Lights, Mariah Carey and Cats  

Just like that, the holiday season is here. Enjoy your turkey dinner and set the weekend itinerary around Thursday night’s Plaza Lighting Ceremony, Mariah Carey at T-Mobile Center, Black Friday Record Store Day and Sunday’s big Sporting KC match. 

Thursday, Nov. 23 

5 – 8 p.m. Get your Thanksgiving nap in and head to The 94^th Plaza Lighting Ceremony Thursday evening. The tradition celebrating the holiday season will feature performances from Quixotic and Celtic rockers The Elders. Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne will flip the switch and fireworks will follow. The lights turn on soon after 6:30 p.m. Plan to arrive early. The Plaza lighting is free. 

Friday, Nov. 24 

7 a.m. Josie Records, 1814 Oak St., is opening early for Black Friday Record Store Day. Music lovers can add to their own collection or snag a rarity for a Christmas gift with hundreds of limited-edition and exclusive releases available in-store only. Josie is offering a 20% discount on used vinyl, CDs, books and DVDs and 10% off turntables, apparel and accessories on Friday only. Here is the full list of Record Stroe Day releases. 

4 – 10 p.m. Reservations are open for Christmas in the Crossroads, a pop-up experience by Society, 2016 Central St. The restaurant-meets-club-meets-art gallery is opening tables for groups of two to 10, where themed craft cocktails, delicious dishes and merry décor await. There is no reservation fee, but spots will fill quickly.  

7:30 p.m. What better way to turn to Christmas music after Thanksgiving than with the “Queen of Christmas” herself, live in concert? Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas One and All! tour comes to T-Mobile Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Friday night. Tickets are available starting at $54.95, plus tax and fees. 

Saturday, Nov. 25 

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. More than 135 purebred and household felines will compete in Saturday’s Johnson County Cat Show at the Johnson County Fairgrounds, 136 E. Washington St., in Gardner, Kansas. The day calls for six separate best-in-show competitions, a cat costume contest, plenty of cat supply vendors and more. Be sure to check out the full schedule of events online in advance. The first 100 children will get a free cat coloring book. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children and seniors.  

10 a.m. – 8 p.m. The 13^th Annual Holiday Swing opens for business this weekend at Crown Center, 2405 Grand Blvd. The handmade goods holiday shopping fest from Strawberry Swing will have dozens of local makers and bakers on site, plus food trucks and seasonal drinks available for purchase. May we recommend making a day of it and hitting the Ice Terrace rink or taking photos with the mayor’s Christmas tree? The Holiday Swing is free. 

Tap List | Dark Beers Reign Supreme on Black Friday

11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Virgil’s Plant Shop, 2763 Cherry St., plans to celebrate Small Business Saturday with a Holiday Party in the Crossroads. In addition to 20% off all plants, the shop is bringing in Steel Panther Tattoo artists to do flash tattoos in the Plant Bus, plus local silversmith works from Perlin Jewelry and local calligrapher Darcey Kei, who will be crafting handmade ornaments. A bartender will be there serving up free holiday cocktails. There is no admission fee. Non-alcoholic drinks will be available. 

Sunday, Nov. 26 

10 – 3 p.m. Sending off out-of-town guests on Sunday? Or maybe just sick of leftovers? Make brunch reservations at Lula Southern Cookhouse, 1617 Main St. Complete with the hospitality, the concept from chef-owner Bradley Gilmore is inspired by his North Carolina roots and named after his grandmother. Grits, gravy, fried chicken – it’s all on the menu, plus several gluten-free options. Plates hover around $26.  

Noon – 4 p.m. You can get one last dose of turkey and all the fixings Sunday afternoon at Moosejaw and RoKC’s Friendsgiving at the Olathe climbing gym, 686 N. Central St. There will be plenty of food and games with prizes. If you don’t mind climbing on a full stomach, a day pass to the rock walls is $19. Climbing gear is available to rent.

4 p.m. Sporting Kansas City squares off against the Houston Dynamo in Sunday’s Western Conference Semi-Finals match in Houston and No Other Pub, 170 E. 14^th St., is throwing a Watch Party. The official SKC venue will open two hours before the 6 p.m. kick and roll out $4 drafts, $5 wells and $10 chicken nachos to fuel the fandom. You can book a table in advance online.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.