Your December guide to First Friday in Kansas City: What to do, what to see, where to park
It’s a new month, and with that comes First Fridays down at the Crossroads Art District and in the Historic West Bottoms. The monthly event may be colder this time, but it remains a sure thing for enjoying art, entertainment, food and good times in Kansas City.
Here’s what to know for December.
The Crossroads:
You won’t be lonely heading down to The Crossroads this First Friday. There you’ll find local, regional, national and international artists displaying their work in concert with local arts organizations, galleries, studios and area businesses.
You’ll find something else in December, too. The Crossroads is hosting a holiday pop-up market crawl featuring East Crossroad’s craft alcohol producers. Border Brewing, Brewery Emperial, Double Shift Brewing and Torn Label are some of the local breweries involved. The crawl goes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m on Friday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The Bunker Center for The Arts is also hosting a holiday gift show. The exhibition is open until Dec. 23, where patrons can purchase coffee mugs and paintings featuring artwork from Jamie Reynolds, Shelly Pinto and Ada Koch. It’s cash only and it’ll be open on Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Don’t forget to stroll through the neighborhood and admire the large-scale wall murals and stop in the Art Alleys between Baltimore and Wyandotte from 18th Street to Southwest Boulevard to visit with local art vendors showing their individual work.
A few exhibitions worth checking out this month:
Joann Quiñones’ La Gruta/The Grotto, which features sculptures that explore the intricacies of race, class, gender, sexuality and religion.
Visions of the Flint Hills is entering its final two weeks in the district. Open until Dec. 16, this exhibit highlights the Flint Hills ecosystem in Kansas.
Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art hosts Peter Pincus’ Inset, a ceramic showcase built on his exploration of the history of ceramics, expertise and understanding of color.
See more about this month’s exhibits here.
When to go:
Most exhibitions open at 6 p.m. and close at 9 p.m.
Parking:
If you’re looking for free street parking, arriving early is your best chance. While there are many parking free and metered parking options in the Crossroads and downtown Kansas City, First Fridays are busy.
Using public transit like the Kansas City Streetcar is encouraged. The 16th Street and the 19th Street stops will put you right in the middle of the Crossroads.
The West Bottoms:
The “Bows in the Bottoms” will take place in the Historic West Bottoms for December’s First Friday. It’s about that time to wrap up Christmas shopping, and the West Bottoms will have plenty of shops open.
Favorite vintage variety shops like Bella Patina, Treasures on 13th, Bottoms Up and Robin’s Nest will be open for business. Tired of shopping? Take a seat at Chef J BBQ or grab a drink or two at Stockyards Brewing.
The main attraction on Friday is the Lighting of the District, which officially kicks off the holiday season in the West Bottoms. Starting at 6 p.m. Friday, the lights will turn on with help from the likes of Santa Claus and The Grinch. They’ll also be available for photos throughout the weekend.
“Shopping the West Bottoms is as entertaining as it is rewarding to find unique decor and not-mass-produced gifts for loved ones,” Amber-Arnett Bequeaith, West Bottoms District spokesperson said in a statement.
When to go:
First Friday weekend runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Parking:
Free street parking in the West Bottoms is typically extremely limited during First Friday weekends. City parking lots cost $10 for the day and may require a short walk. Here’s a map of the neighborhood parking lots.
Have questions about other things to do in Kansas City, or small businesses or artists to support this holiday season? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published December 1, 2021 at 5:00 AM.