A fresh new look for OP’s award-winning farmers market. | Renderings via City of Overland Park
Goodbye for now. The Overland Park Farmers Market is holding its final event of the season this Saturday, Dec. 7 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Shoppers will be able to snag familiar favorites (plus a few festive additions) and bid the market’s current iteration a final farewell, before construction kicks off on a $34 million renovation project this month.
The city-led improvement project is expected to wrap in 2026 (just in time for the World Cup), promising upgrades like:
An indoor pavilion for year-round use
Permanent shade structures
Enhanced stone patio + utilities hookups
Expanded restroom access
Improvements to Clock Tower Plaza, Overland Park Drive + Marty Street
Access to parking during non-market days
Following other city-led initiatives, the new market space will also feature sustainability improvements including solar panels on the pavilion roof, EV charging stations, and native landscaping.
You can find out more, view renderings + keep track of the progress on the project’s website.
Events
Events
Thursday, Dec. 5
Sarah Silverman | 7 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland | $47+ | Expect to roll over as the comedian, actress + writer’s intrusive thoughts take on new, hilarious depths in her euology-turned-national tour “Postmortem.”
It’s A Wonderful Life | Thursday, Dec. 5-Monday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Music Theater Heritage | $45+ | Reimagined for the stage as a live radio broadcast, the iconic world of George Bailey and his affable helper angel, Clarence, unfolds as you’ve never seen before.
Friday, Dec. 6
Sar-Ko Aglow Lighting Ceremony | 6 p.m. | Sar Ko Par Trails Park, Lenexa | Free | Kick off your holiday by meeting up with friends and neighbors for Lenexa’s annual holiday lighting tradition.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Red Stocking Breakfast | 7:30-10:30 a.m. | Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ, Overland Park | $15+ | Raise money for KCSL’s child abuse prevention programs with a festive breakfast served up by local celebs + fun activities and a silent auction.
Oh Hey, Agave! | 4:30-10 p.m. | Hotel No Vacancy | $20+ | Your ticket includes an Agave spirit tasting, custom Glencairn glass, small bites from Yoli Tortilleria, dessert + coffee from Café Corazón, a takeaway gift bag, and raffle ticket.
Sunday, Dec. 8
The Jewish Nutcracker | Times vary | The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre at The J, Overland Park | $6+ | Follow Rebecca and the Nutcracker on their magical journey from Bubbe’s house to the Land of Nosh, encountering everything from mice to dancing dreidels.
Magpie Makers Market | 12-5 p.m. | 1522 Holmes St. | Free | Spend your green on greener gifts with this vendor pop-up specializing in handmade goods crafted with reused materials.
End of an Era Watch Party | 8 p.m.-1 a.m. | The Abbott | $35 | It feels like the perfect night to celebrate all things Swiftie with photo ops, friendship bracelets, and a livestream of Taylor’s final “Eras Tour” stop.
Kansas City’s annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party is hanging up its kitschy clothes after 20 years. The holiday fundraiser, created to support Operation Breakthrough, is hosting its final soiree at Tower Tavern this Saturday, Dec. 7. Snag a $60 ticket and experience its open bar, festive music, photobooth + familiar faces one last time.
Traffic
We like to call it I-435 Jr. For the next three months, eastbound travelers on Shawnee Mission Parkway should expect to share two lanes, instead of three between I-35 and Antioch. The construction is part of a utility undergrounding project meant to reduce power outages for northeast JoCo residents. (Johnson County Post)
Civic
Sorry, Charlie. In attempt to keep up with aviation trends, Mayor Q has proposed a clarifying name change for Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport to “Kansas City Downtown Airport – Wheeler Field.” Lee’s Summit’s airport has undergone a similar renaming this month, pending FAA approval. (FOX4)
Coming Soon
While the greens may be open year-round, you might prefer to keep your clubs from freezing at OP’s soon-to-be indoor golf simulator. Back Nine Golf plans to open its first metro location at 6921 W. 75th St. later this year, featuring 24/7 access to its three state-of-the-art bays. (KCBJ)
Trending
Spotify Wrapped released its personalized 2024 round-ups for listeners yesterday, in an event that has earned honorary holiday status among Gen Z + Millennials. We got in on the fun a little bit early this year — tune in and see if our list plays any familiar hits.
History
What started as an empty plot and a $50 budget is now a treasured community skatepark in the Historic Northeast. In the decade since, $100,000 of community investment has transformed Harrison Street DIY into 14,000 sqft of skateable terrain — but incoming development threatens its future. Check out its abridged history and keep up with upcoming events on its socials. (KC Star)
Eat
Did you know? Americans throw away approximately one-third of the food they purchase (costing the average household $1,800 annually). But, Kansas Citians can make a difference. Explore how to cut your household’s food waste through meal planning, shopping consciously, and more with Kansas City Food Wise.*
The Buy
The Buy
Champagne bottle savers. They fit all standard bottle necks to keep your sparkling wine from going flat — the perfect hack for upcoming holiday events and New Year’s Eve parties.
If events are your favorite part of the newsletter, you’re in good company — almost half our readership, 42%, agree that their social calendar comes first.
If you’ve got an event you don’t want to get lost in the holiday shuffle, add it to our free community events page (and don’t fret if you need a little help).
Answered
Answered
The most wonderful time of year to get out and explore the city is…
Jack Frost, take a seat. KCtoday readers overwhelmingly reach for pumpkin spice over peppermint when it comes to seasonal preferences — in other words, 53% of readers like KC best in the fall with summer + spring trailing far behind at ~20% each. Winter... well, you do the math.
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