Weekend Possibilities | World Cup Watch Party, Nighthawk and Early Winter Magic Holiday Season Begins

The beautiful game interrupts regularly scheduled American football programming starting Sunday.

Friday, Nov. 18

12:30, 4 & 7:30 p.m. The Classic Holiday Movie Series at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, starts this weekend with multiple showings of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Tickets for the holiday throwback series on the region’s largest screen are just $3.50. 

6 – 10 p.m. Need a hit of holiday cheer ahead of Turkey Day? Winter Magic, a synchronized drive-thru light show by KC Parks and Recreation is in full swing on Cliff Drive, 1800 Cliff Drive. The new location of the one-mile drive will take visitors through the woods in one of the oldest corners of the city as dazzling lights line up with modern takes on classic holiday tunes. It’s $25 for a standard car or truck. Be sure to check out additional details online in advance.

9:30 p.m. Comedy troupe Truck Noises will take the Bird Comedy Theater, 103 W. 19th St., stage Friday night for a performance of “The Old Man and the Truck.” The hour-long sketch comedy performance tells a chilling and silly tale of “a monster in the bog.” Tickets are $12.

Saturday, Nov. 19

8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Early birds are invited to Yoga at the Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway Blvd., Saturday morning for a truly one-of-a-kind workout with a lovely view. Participating yogis will meet in the Brandmeyer Great Hall at 8:30 a.m. for an intermediate session and then at 10:30 a.m. for a lesson in yoga foundations. Space is limited. Reserve a spot for $18.

10 – 11 a.m. Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 4051 West Drive, has plans to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a special children’s storytime Saturday morning. The library program will have Native American artwork on display, a bracelet-making station, plus constellation stories from Plains tribes and picture books by Native American authors. The event is free to attend.

Noon – 6 p.m. Sip & Shop at KC Wine Co., 13875 S. Gardner Road, Saturday afternoon will provide the chance for holiday shoppers and wine lovers to mingle with local makers and small business owners to start the holiday season. The 21 and up event will have KC Wine Co. slushes, seltzers and more to sip on while shopping for stocking stuffers and other locally made boutique goods. The Sip & Shop is free.

7 p.m. – 3 a.m. Always free. No cover. No reservations. That’s the deal at Nighthawk, one of Kansas City’s newest rooms, located below Hotel Kansas City, 1228 Baltimore Ave. Check out the late-night space Saturday to catch a set from Back Alley Brass Band. There is a nightly happy hour from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 20

10 a.m. The biggest sporting event on earth kicks off Sunday and Kansas City’s soccer-friendly brewery Strange Days, 316 Oak St., is ready to party. Watch the World Cup’s opening match between host nation Qatar and Ecuador at the City Market brewery, where tacos via Sugar Skull Grill will be on the menu, craft beer will flow and area football fans join to celebrate the world’s game.

3 – 7 p.m. Just across town, Border Brewing Co., 512 E. 18th St., is celebrating the season with a Friendsgiving. Friends of the brewery are invited to bring a crockpot or dish to share over a few beers, or just stop by for some free food. Border plans for beer releases and special food pairings throughout the evening. Friendsgiving is free.

6 p.m. Nine college hoops icons will be inducted into the National College Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday and tickets are available to attend the historic evening at the College Basketball Experience, 1401 Grand Blvd. A ticket will get you into the Hall of Fame VIP Reception and Induction Ceremony, where coaches John Beilein, Jerry Krause and Lon Kruger, along with players Richard Hamilton of Connecticut and Larry Miller of North Carolina, among others, will be honored. It’s $150 to get in the door.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.