Weekend Possibilities | Festival of Lights, K-Pop, Holiday Shopping

Get a jump on holiday shopping, sip on French wine or take a festive stroll through the brisk night air at Powell Gardens this weekend.

Friday, Nov. 17

5 p.m. Buffalo State Pizza, 1815 Wyandotte St., and Alliance Française de Kansas City will celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau at the Crossroads pizza joint Friday evening. The annual release of the fast-fermented French wine made from Gamay grapes is celebrated globally. Here in Kansas City, organizers plan for Beaujolais tasting, food and drink deals, along with music by Made in France Band. Be sure to register online in advance.

5 – 10 p.m. Bundle up, Festival of Lights returns to Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. 50, this weekend. The botanical garden will be transformed into a winter wonderland through the holiday season, where guests can wander lit pathways and sip on warm drinks. There will be plenty of photo-op stops throughout the garden, food and beverages in the Terrace Room and pop-up performances by Quixotic throughout the festival. Admission is $18 for adults and $9 for children. A variety of food and drink packages are also an option.

7 p.m. In need of a dance floor? K-POP Night is on the books for Friday night at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., and it should be a party. Expect all the hits from K-pop giants like BTS, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, Twice, NCT and more. Local dance groups will take turns onstage. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $20.96.

Saturday, Nov. 18

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is celebrating 90 years with special events and programming through the end of the year. The museum is making archives available in the Spencer Art Library, offering free slices of birthday cake in Rozelle Court and scheduling curated tours framed by the Nelson’s history. The museum is free to visit.

10 a.m. – Noon Kids can learn the basics of theater, storytelling and public speaking with at the Drama Time KC Acting Club Saturday morning at the Kansas City Library southeast branch, 6242 Swope Pkwy. Kids of all ages will participate in performing an adapted script of “Annie” called “Annie on The Vine.” Register for the free class online.

11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Spend Saturday at Servaes Brewing Co.’s, 10921 Johnson Drive, Apple Fest. The brewery will serve seven special guest ciders and a guest apple pie sour, in addition to the regular brews. Arrive early enough to grab a few slices from the caramel apple bar. Apple Fest is free.

Sunday, Nov. 19

10 – 2 p.m. Knock a few names off the shopping list at the Holiday Kids Maker Market at Lenexa City Hall, 17005 W. 87^th Pkwy. Stop by to shop for artwork, clothing, totes, candles, bath and body products and more – all made by youth creators. More than 30 local kids will be set up throughout the space. The Maker Market is free.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. If the gift list is long, you might as well swing through the KC Holiday Boutique at Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd., before it packs up Sunday evening. Hundreds of vendors should have a little something for everyone. In addition to shopping, there’s a holiday entertainment stage to set the proper vibes, a hall of trees and a shopper’s relaxation lounge. Tickets are $10. You can check out the participating vendors online ahead of time.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The inaugural Wild Foods Cook-Off from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is Sunday at the Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center in Lawrence, 1365 N. 1250 Road. The competition will bring chefs of any level together to compete in crafting the best dish in multiple categories, including wild game, wild fish, wild plants, wild mushrooms, wild sweets and wild invasive species/nuisance species. There will be workshops on native land habitat restoration, foraging, and plant and animal identification throughout the day. The competition is free to attend.

1 – 3 p.m. Football fans will have to wait until Monday night for on-field action from the hometown team, but there’s an opportunity to meet a Chiefs legend Sunday afternoon. Former Chiefs running back Christian Okoye plans to sign copies of his new book, “The Nigerian Nightmare: My Journey Out of Africa to the Kansas City Chiefs and Beyond,” at Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd. A copy of the book is $35 and is available online in advance. You must purchase a copy for a signature.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.