Weekend Possibilities | Ted Lasso Trivia, Christmas on the River and The Nutcracker

Local holiday traditions new and old will take hold this weekend in Kansas City as calendars flip to December.

Pick from Living Windows in Independence, pet pictures with The Grinch and the return of The Nutcracker to kick-start the post-Thanksgiving holiday spirit.

Friday, Dec. 3

6 – 9 p.m. Living Windows at Independence Square, 108 S. Liberty St., returns for one night of holiday charm. Select shops on the square will stage live holiday performances in their windows while the Kansas City Women’s Chorus, other ensembles and a bell choir set the scene. Holiday sweets will be available along the walk. There is no admission fee.

6 – 10 p.m. Parkville is off to the races when it comes to Christmas celebrations. Friday night’s annual Christmas on the River festival offers a family-friendly evening in Historic Downtown Parkville, 8701 McAfee St., with live entertainment, hay and train rides, carolers, hot chocolate, photo ops with Santa and more. Fireworks start at 8:45 p.m. Activities and admission is free.

7 p.m. Stand-up comedian, actor and writer Patton Oswalt, known for his roles in NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” and “A.P. Bio,” stops by the Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway, Friday night. Tickets to Oswalt’s Who’s Ready to Laugh? tour are available starting at $47 plus fees. Proof of vaccination against the coronavirus or a negative test within 48 hours is required to attend.

7:30 – 9:30 p.m. How well do you know coach? There’s Ted Lasso Trivia at Outfield Beer Co., 10953 Kaw Drive, Friday night. The baseball-themed brewery in Edwardsville, Kansas, invites enthusiasts of the Jason Sudeikis-led Apple TV+ comedy for beers and big fun as TV bingers battle it out, answering questions on A.F.C. Richmond and company. The trivia night is free to attend.

Saturday, Dec. 4

9 – 11 a.m. Outlaw Harley-Davidson in Blue Springs, Missouri, 3100 N.W. Jefferson St., will serve up $5 french toast plates as part of its Harleys & Hash Browns Charity Breakfast series. The holiday edition of the fundraising breakfast will make donations to NextStep KC. The $5 breakfast ticket will enter you into a raffle for $50 toward Outlaw Harley-Davidson.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. KC Bier Co., 310 W. 79th St., is opening early Saturday morning for Bundesliga soccer and more. In partnership with the Bayern Munich fan club FC Bayern Kingdom KC, KC Bier’s early morning Drink to Donate fundraiser will send one dollar of each beer sold to the Bishop Sullivan Center. Additionally, the brewery is asking for warm clothing item donations. In return, you will receive a $5 voucher to be used in the bierhalle.

4 – 9:30 p.m. December Saturdays at Powell Gardens’ Festival of Lights welcome special visitors to the botanical grounds, 1609 N.W. U.S. Hwy 50. Pay a visit to the annual holiday celebration at Powell for the chance to see real reindeer up close and personal. Santa’s fleet will be parked at the Missouri Barn for photos each Saturday through Dec. 27. Admission is $13 for adults and $6 for children.

Sunday, Dec. 5

Noon – 12 a.m. Cafe Ca Phe, Kansas City’s first Vietnamese coffee shop, will hold a virtual variety show Sunday to raise money as it prepares to open a brick-and-mortar location in Columbus Park, just east of the River Market. The 12 Hours of Christmas livestream will feature a full day’s worth of music, comedy, poetry, art and more, and it’s all available at your computer. The paid online event is $14.99.

1 p.m. It’s safe to officially consider it the holiday season because The Nutcracker is back at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd. Tickets remain available for Sunday’s matinee performance of the KC Ballet main company’s marquee show during its opening weekend. Seats can be reserved starting at $56. Full vaccination against COVID-19 is required. Masks or face coverings are encouraged.

1 – 4 p.m. Word is The Grinch will be in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Sunday afternoon. That’s where Brookside Barkery & Bath and Chain of Hope, 817 N.E. Woods Chapel Road, will come together to snap photos of your pet alongside The Grinch and raise money to purchase five tons of pet food for those in need this holiday season. Don’t worry about props, puppy antlers will be available so your furry friend can look just like Max. Dogs must be on leashes. A $5 donation is suggested per photo.

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