Weekend Possibilities | Classic Holiday Flicks, Christmas Parties and a Kwanzaa Celebration

Check this list twice for holiday happenings around town. Or just stay indoors with the family — whatever flies your sleigh.

Friday, Dec. 24

12:30 p.m. Skip the Christmas Day movie theater crowds for an all-time classic Friday afternoon at Screenland Armour, 408 Armour Road. The North Kansas City theater will offer a matinee screening of Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Tickets to see the timeless Christmas tale are $12 for adults and $6 for children.

6 – 7:30 p.m. Start Christmas Eve at the Merry & Brite Pop-Up by PH Coffee, 2200 Lexington Ave. The Kansas City coffee shop’s social gallery space will have live entertainment and holiday-inspired cocktails to sip as Santa sets off on his rounds. Tickets are $15 per person and include a photo to take home and complimentary sparkling wine or non-alcoholic cider. Reservations required.

Saturday, Dec. 25

5 p.m. Pharaoh Cinema 4 in Independence, Missouri, 114 W. Maple Ave., will temporarily screen another holiday classic on Christmas Day. Bring the family out for “Elf” back on the big screen for just a few days. Tickets are $7.50 for adults and $5 for the kids. If Saturday’s show fills up, there’s a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

6 – 11 p.m. Whether you’re looking for a way out of family dinner or trying to entertain out-of-town guests, ReRoll Tavern, 2386 Armour Road, thinks Switch Saturday: Open Game Night could do the trick. ReRoll will have a list of Nintendo Switch games to choose from and play, plus old-fashioned board games. Fun for the whole gang is just $5.

6 p.m. – Midnight If getting out and about sounds good this Christmas Day, Brick House, 400 E. 31st St., will be open. The Martini Corner staple is throwing an Ugly Sweater Party for anyone looking for a final chance to show off their terrible threads and party after presents. There is no cover charge.

9 p.m. Local music label Center Cut Records isn’t afraid to throw a party on Christmas. Make plans to check out Christmas After Hours featuring Calvin Arsenia and The Black Creatures at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., for an evening of local music, perfect for a Christmas nightcap. Tickets are $15.

Sunday, Dec. 26

2 – 4 p.m. For some peace, quiet and calm, consider a night at Pinot’s Palette, painting Northern Lights. The paint-along, plus wine night in Briarcliff, 4165 N. Mulberry Drive, is $37 per guest. No painting experience is required. Make sure to bring your favorite bottle of wine and a snack. Reservations are required.

3 – 7 p.m. Weston Wine Co., 540 Main St., will have the Chiefs-Steelers game on its tasting room big screen come Sunday. Get there early to claim a spot and settle in for food and drink specials and Football Sunday as Kansas City looks to hold off Pittsburgh and maintain its spot atop the AFC. 

6 p.m. A seven-day City Wide Kwanzaa Celebration kicks off Sunday evening at the Gem Theater, 1615 E. 18th St. The in-person/virtual event will have an African Market featuring booths by Black-owned vendors and businesses starting at 6 p.m., followed by the nightly celebration programming presented by the National Black United Front, the American Jazz Museum and Nefertiti Ballroom.

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