More holiday fun in Johnson County this week includes games, shows & activities
The holidays are continuing to sweep Johnson County this week, when storytimes, games and other family activities take festive spins.
You can meet Santa, help with local causes in your community and even prove that you have the best Christmas lights. And The Star’s here to connect you with it all.
This list is part of our coverage about the happenings across Johnson County, which you can get more of through our free weekly newsletter.
You can also submit your own events to our free community calendar.
Now here’s your rundown of things to do in JoCo this week.
De Soto: Wreaths for veterans
Wreaths Across America will hand out wreaths from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13, at the DeSoto Cemetery. A commemorative ceremony will be hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution’s John & Hattie Possum Chapter.
Edgerton: See holiday performances
The Lanesfield School Christmas Concert is scheduled for 1 to 4 pm. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Lanesfield Historic Site, 18745 S. Dillie Road. There will be crafts and free refreshments.
Edgerton: Free fun for kids
Join in with Kids Night Out from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at The Greenspace, 303 E. Nelson St. The free event includes pizza dinner, holiday-themed games and a kid-friendly movie.
Gardner: Meet Santa, eat pancakes
Breakfast with Santa is from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Warren Place Venue, 136 E. Warren St. Admission is $10 in advance or $11 at the door, including all-you-can-eat breakfast with pancakes, sausage and juice from Chris Cakes. Pictures will be available for purchase from Adams Pro Photo for $5.
Then, you can visit Santa’s Workshop from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Cornerstone Park, 215 N. Center St. Free. Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, share Christmas wishes, and take home a special ornament and candy cane.
Lenexa: Hunt for hidden candy canes
The Candy Cane Hunt runs from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at Lenexa Old Town Activity Center, 9301 Pflumm Road. Ages 6 and under. After searching for candy canes, come inside for milk and cookies, festive crafts, story time and a musical performance. No registration required.
Lenexa: Families welcome at storytime
Storytime happens from 6 to 6:30 p.m. today Dec. 10 at the Lenexa City Center library, 8778 Penrose Lane. Storytime may feature stories, songs, fingerplays and movement activities.
Lenexa: Play games and hear stories
Join in on Naughty or Nice Games from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the Lenexa Rec Center, 17201 W. 87th St. Parkway. The storytime with a special guest storyteller, cookie “painting,” heart-growing holiday crafts, grouchy games, a bounce house, and snowball fights is for ages 4 and up. Registration is required.
Lenexa: Beloved story turned radio play
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The free 1940s-style radio broadcast of the holiday classic will be at the Lenexa City Center, Lenexa City Hall, 17101 W. 87th St. Parkway.
Olathe: Special solstice celebration coming up
Register for A Winter Solstice Celebration on Dec. 20 at the Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. K-7 Highway. Activities include a walk through the woods with trails lit by luminaries. Hear stories about the longest night of the year, visit live owls, toasted marshmallows. Five time slots are available beginning at 4:30 p.m. It’s $12 a person. $13 nonresident, with advance registration required.
Olathe: A Yuletime event
TimberRidge Yule Log Celebration is from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at TimberRidge Adventure Center, 12300 S Homestead Lane. Decorate a yule log, search for hidden ones, and gather around the campfire for s’mores, cider, and a special wish-burning tradition.
Olathe: Drop off unwanted waste
The regular Household Hazardous Waste Event is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1420 S. Robinson Drive. Residents must provide a photo ID and a general description of items. Items that can be dropped off include aerosol cans, automotive fluids, automotive and household batteries, bathroom cleaners, carpet cleaners, cooking oil, drain cleaners, fertilizers, paint, light bulbs, and pesticides. There’s a 5-gallon liquid/chemical/oil limit. Paint must not exceed 25 gallons.
Olathe: Pancakes and pooltime
Registration is open for Santa’s Splash and Stacks at the Olathe Community Center Pool, which is from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at the center, 1025 E. Kansas City Road. There will be pancakes and sausage before swimming, activities for the kids and a performance by a live bell choir. Cost is $25 per person and children under five must have an adult in the pool with them.
Olathe: Celebrate the season at the library
Winterfest runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Indian Creek Library, 16100 W. 135th St., with crafts, games, story times, photo opportunities, and movies for the entire family.
Overland Park: See budding artists’ work
The Future of Art Exhibition is open, with an opening reception 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 11902 Lowell. The Future of Art Exhibition showcases high school artists from Blue Valley, Olathe and Shawnee Mission School Districts. It is on display now through Jan. 12.
Roeland Park: Bingo gets chilly
Register for Frosty Fun Family Bingo from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Drive. Dinner. Cost is $12 a person $13 for nonresidents, with a discount applied for every third family member.
Shawnee: Who has the best lights?
Shawnee residents have through today to submit their homes’ holiday lights for a local contest. Online voting runs Dec. 14-21, with a map available to see the submitted homes for yourself. Plus, kids can enter their own contest.