Weekend Possibilities |The Jewish Nutcracker, Santa Dash and KC Retro Gaming Swap

Forecasts for an unseasonably warm December weekend across Kansas City coincides with all sorts of festive fun, from Bows in the Bottoms to a local on-ice production of “Beauty and the Beast.”

Friday, Dec. 10

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Bundle up for another weekend of Bows in the Bottoms in the West Bottoms, 1222 W. 12th St. The entertainment space under the 12th Street bridge will be buzzing with holiday cheer and plenty of shopping opportunities around the historic Kansas City neighborhood. Holiday music, lights, Santa and the Grinch will be on site for photos and fielding Christmas lists. Bows in the Bottoms is free.

5 – 11 p.m. Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane at Deanna Rose Children’ Farmstead, 13800 Switzer Road, is in full swing a few weeks before the big day. The free show, synched with holiday music, runs on a loop and can be viewed from the Deanna Rose parking lot through Jan. 11, 2022. Be sure to tune in to 90.5 Rose FM to sing along.

Saturday, Dec. 11

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Local gamers will get together Saturday for the KC Retro Gaming Swap and Collectibles Show at the Ivanhoe Masonic Lodge, 8640 Holmes Road. Retro video game, vinyl, comic book and magic card vendors, to name a few, will be set up throughout the space all day. Check the full schedule for appearances from YouTube personalities and other content creators. A ticket to the Gaming Swap is $5 for general admission. VIP tickets are available for $15 and will grant early access to the goods starting at 8 a.m.

10 a.m. – Noon Need to move? Hit the streets in your best Santa garb as part of the Kansas City Santa Dash, 4116 Pennsylvania Ave. The run around Westport offers both a 5k and an Elf Dash option for the kids. There’s also a virtual dash option. Participants will get a Santa suit shirt, a medal, ornament and holiday treats. Registration for the 5k is $38.

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. After the dash, grab lunch at Bay Boy Specialty Sandwiches, located in the West Plaza, 4706 Holly St. The product of a mission to build the most unique sandwiches on the block, Bay Boy offers San Francisco-inspired options between bread, both hot and cold. Be prepared to stand in line (it’s worth it).

Noon – 9 p.m. Experience the Holidays at the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum, 4109 N.E. Pleasant Valley Road, is inviting families for a full day of holiday music, carolers, holiday crafts, lights and more. The completely free event on the farm in Gladstone starts with photos and cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus before a members-only holiday reception and caroling finale 7-9 p.m. Saturday also marks the farm museum’s final day of its Toys from Christmas Past display.

4 – 10 p.m. The Christmas Bar Crawl is coming to Kansas City and it’s for a good cause. The festive crawl starts near Kansas City Live at Power & Light District, 14 E. 14th St., and includes waived cover to select bars and restaurants across Downtown and in the Crossroads. Organizers ask that participants bring either a $10 donation or new toy to benefit Toys for Tots. A ticket is $15 and will get you two complimentary drinks or shots. Sign up for the bar crawl 4-6 p.m. Don’t be a Scrooge, wear a costume.

Sunday, Dec. 12

11 a.m. The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City will stage a Christmas classic like you’ve never seen it before. Make it out to the White Theatre, 5801 W. 115th St., for a matinee performance of The Jewish Nutcracker. The adaptation created by Maggie Osgood Nicholls follows Rebecca and the Nutcracker along their quest and encounters with mice and dancing dreidels. Tickets start at $10.

4 – 5:15 p.m. The Social Symphony of Kansas City has plans to stop by Rochester Brewing and Roasting Co., 2129 Washington St., Sunday evening for a Christmas at the Movies performance. The “drunk orchestra” invites all ages to the space for a set packed with traditional holiday tunes and music from your favorite flicks of the season.

4:30 p.m. Local Kansas City skaters of all ages will put on A Tale of a Beauty and a Beast — on ice — Sunday evening at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Missouri, 19100 E. Valley View Parkway. Tickets to see the ice rink rendition of the classic tale of “Beauty and the Beast” are $5 and are available online or at the door. The featured show follows a competitors showcase starting at 4 p.m. Children under the age of 4 get in free.

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