Weekend Possibilities | Seeing Santa, Drive-Through Light Display and Arena Soccer All-Star Game Picking Your Spots This Holiday Season

It’s officially the holiday season in Kansas City.

December’s first weekend will feature a few opportunities to (safely) meet Santa Claus, paint the perfect holiday portrait, or drive through a dazzling holiday light display.

Friday, Dec. 4

3 – 7 p.m. How about a personalized video call with the big man himself? The Junior League of Kansas City’s Reimagined Holiday Mart Storytime with St. Nick tradition is virtual this year. Make a donation of $50 and set up a time for Santa to read ‘The Night Before Christmas” to your little ones and then keep an eye out for a personalized letter in the mail from the North Pole.

5 p.m. We told you it’s not just a phase. Forget holiday cheer, Border Brewing Co., 406 E. 18th St., is passing the AUX cord to its patrons for You’re the DJ: Emo Night. Expect plenty of those old familiar tunes, plus plenty of tasty craft beers from the Crossroads taproom. Be sure to download the Rockbot App ahead of time so you can request your favorite emo tunes and upvote top songs of the night. Time to get your angst on.

5 – 9:30 p.m. The holiday spirit endures at KC Pumpkin Patch, 13875 S. Gardner Road in Olathe. Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves have been busy on the farm setting up the 2020 Rockin’ Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Display. So get cozy, grab a snack, hot chocolate and reserve a time to take the enchanted one-mile drive on the farm. There will be curbside KC Wine Co. stocking stuffers available for last-minute shoppers out there. Vehicle passes are $25.

Saturday, Dec. 5

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Speaking of the man in red, he’ll be at Nebraska Furniture Mart, 1601 Village West Pkwy. in Kansas City, Kansas, taking photos at the Legends Outlets shopping center Saturday morning. There will be a free gift for children and to-go hot cocoa kits while supplies last.

6:30 p.m. Fans of classic metal and hard rock are getting in the holiday spirit Saturday evening with Almost Kiss and KCDC’s Merry KISSmas Show at Knuckleheads Saloon, 2715 Rochester Avenue. The pair of Kansas City cover bands will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. in order to meet city COVID-19 guidelines and wrap up before 10 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10.

7 – 9 p.m. How’s your artistic ability? Nothing a glass of wine will hurt? Pinot’s Palette, 4165 N. Mulberry Drive in Kansas City, is inviting amateur artists of any skill level to paint a holiday masterpiece Saturday evening. Painters will come away with a ‘No Place Like Gnome’ work of art, plus a night out to remember. Bring your own beverages, Pinot’s provides an ice bath for bottles, plus all the art supplies you’ll need. Registration is $36.

7 p.m. Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, 19100 E Valley View Pkwy., will host the first-ever Major Arena Soccer League All-Star Game on Saturday night. Watch as Comets head coach Leo Gibson leads the team of MASL Eastern Conference all stars. Tickets for the match are still available and start at $38.

Sunday, Dec. 6

Olathe Parks and Recreation’s Great Candy Cane Hunt is happening virtually this year. Participating families can pick up their candy cane hunt bag including candy canes for the hunt, a flashlight, a hot cocoa kit, the Candy Cane Hunt story, and a Candy Cane Craft at the Olathe Community Center ahead of the weekend. Be sure to share pictures of your at-home hunt Dec. 4-6 using #GreatCandyCaneHunt for a chance to win prizes. The candy cane hunt bag is $10 per participant.

8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. December’s edition of the First Fridays weekend in the West Bottoms, 1401 W. 13th St., will be a festive one. Balls & Bells in the Bottoms, a holiday-themed three days in the district, will feature photo opportunities with Santa and The Grinch, plus a tree lighting ceremony and more. Be sure to bring that Christmas list along, just in case the perfect find is hiding on the shelves of one of those West Bottoms antique spots.