Weekend Possibilities | THUNDERGONG! Livestream, Festival of Lights and Alpaca Yoga

As COVID-19 cases spike across the region, staying home and socially distant outdoor events might be the smart play.

That being said, there’s no shortage of local online events to mark mid-November, most notably the livestream debut of THUNDERGONG! 2020.

Friday, Nov. 13

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Start the season off right this weekend at the Brookside Holiday Season Opener at the historic Brookside shops at 63rd Street and Brookside Boulevard. Expect holiday sales, pop-up events, food and drink specials, music, giveaways and more — all with COVID-19 precautions in place.

4 – 10 p.m. Festival of Lights: Enchantment has returned to Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, for the holiday season. Kansas City’s botanical gardens will be transformed into a winter wonderland with a variety of light displays spanning 25 acres. Be sure to swing by the Enchanted Tiki Bar and Santa’s Workshop. Adult tickets are $12. Kids ages 5-12 get in for $5.

Saturday, Nov. 14

8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Need to add a little green to the place before the gloomy winter months? Virgil’s Plant Shop Truck has plans for a pop-up Saturday morning sale at McClain’s Market in Shawnee, 5833 Nieman Road. Grab a hot drink and treat, then pick up plants while supplies last.

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Manna Meadows is inviting yogis to the farm for an Alpaca Yoga session on Saturday morning. Ring in the weekend with an hour-long session led by Kristin Rea and Sharon Heimes, adjacent to adorable alpacas. Be sure to bring your own mat! Alpacas are provided. The session is $15 per participant.

7 p.m. If staying indoors is the plan, streaming THUNDERGONG! Saturday night is a must. Steps of Faith Foundation’s famous fundraising event will offer a mix of musical performances, comedy and skits featuring Kansas City’s own Jason Sudeikis with Will Forte, Fred Armisen, Wynonna Judd, Cactus Moser, Brandi Carlile, Nathaniel Rateliff, The Get Up Kids, Madisen Ward, Blake Shelton, Tom Morello, Camila Cabello, Jack Johnson and many more! The stream is free.

8 p.m. Phil Collins Experience is coming to Knuckleheads and livestream tickets are still available. Watch the tribute band, plus Candice Hill and Black Diamond, live at the East Bottoms venue from your own couch, all for a good cause. Proceeds will be donated to Community Linc  — a nonprofit organization helping homeless families across the region. Tickets are $15.

Sunday, Nov. 15

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. There’s a family friendly road trip unlike any other happening at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road. Get tickets to the Dinosaur Road Trip, a simulated walk-through journey across Route 66, where visitors can experience real-life roadside attractions like the world’s largest cowboy boots, in addition to life-size animatronic dinosaurs like those that once roamed North America. Scheduled entry is required. Tickets at $12.

11 a.m. – 1p.m. Boulevard Brewing Co. is partnering with Believe In Your Beard and Children’s Mercy for Believe in Your Beard Bingo Sunday morning in the Beer Hall and Rec Deck, 2534 Madison Ave. Free rounds of bingo will include raffle prizes, a special appearance by K.C. Wolf, plenty of beer and more. All raffle ticket proceeds go to Children’s Mercy.

7:30 p.m. Celebrate the music of Bach, Mozart, Brahms and Clara Schumann Sunday evening with Notes & Letters by Bach Aria Soloists. The online event will feature an hour of music, letters and storytelling directly from the composers, performed by actor Justin Barron and the Bach Aria Soloists, among others. Tickets are $15.