Compiled by Kellie Houx

CLAY COUNTY — A variety of family-friendly Christmas events in the Northland begin Friday, Dec. 6. While it may not be exhaustive, the following a list of community events in the Gladstone Dispatch and sister publication Courier-Tribune’s coverage area in chronological order.

Dec. 6

Santa will be dropping more than 6,000 candy canes in Smithville’s Heritage Park, 320 E. Main St. in Smithville. This is a free event for children up to age 12. Attendees should bring a flashlight and bag to search for candy canes. The hunt begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Children ages 3 and under will gather at the basketball court; those aged 4 to 7 will be on field 1 and ages 8 to 12 will gather on field 2.

<n> The North Star Community Band will hold a holiday concert starting at 7:30 p.m. at Oak Park High School, 825 NE 79th Terrace in Kansas City North. The concert is a benefit for horn player Rachel Gibbs. The evening will feature Christmas favorites as well as music from “The Polar Express” and a sing-along.

Dec. 7

At the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum, 4109 NE Pleasant Valley Road in Gladstone, there will be photos and cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. Photo sales will be available.

From 7 to 9 p.m., the free event Holiday Nights at the museum will include holiday crafts for kids, a luminary trail, caroling performed by the Dickens Carolers, a Santa letter-writing station, a vintage toy display, selfie stations, a bonfire with roasted chestnuts and a guest appearance by Santa. For more details, call 423-4107.

Shoal Creek Living History Museum will be transformed for a glimpse of a 19th century Christmas with St. Nicholas on hand for his annual visit on Saturday.

Starting at 10 a.m., visitors can go on a walking tour through homes decorated for the holidays and log cabins of the 1800s while reenactors bring the village to life. St. Nicholas will be in the Thornton Mansion in green velvet robes. Shopping is available at the Mercantile. Admission to the living history site at 7000 NE Barry Road in Kansas City is $5. The event runs through 2 p.m.

CandyLand Christmas in downtown Smithville starts at 1 p.m. Saturday at Smithville Senior Center, 113 W. Main St. Santa will be there and the location is where families can grab a goody bag and a CandyLand map to the vendors participating in the event that features sales from local stores. Afterward, be there for the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree at 6 p.m.

“Kids can drop their letters to Santa and pick up a goody bag before we send them off on a treasure hunt through downtown,” reads an event release.

The Smithville Community Lighted Christmas Parade rolls through downtown Smithville starting around 6 p.m. Saturday.

Starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, the city of Liberty, Liberty Parks & Rec. as well as Historic Downtown Liberty Inc. unite for Hometown Holidays. Free family activities start at 2 p.m. This event will primarily take place on Water Street, with some activities taking place in and around Liberty City Hall, 101 E. Kansas St. Photos with Santa will be inside the council chambers. There will be kids crafts in the city hall atrium. S’mores and refreshments will be in the grass between city hall and Rooney Justice Center. There will be a petting zoo as well as games and face painting. Live music will be provided by the Dickens Carolers, the Ukuladies and Liberty High School Songwriters Club.

The Liberty Mayor’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 5:10 p.m. Saturday in front of Liberty City Hall. Letters to Santa can be dropped off at the mailbox next to the tree at city hall through Dec. 20. Letter templates are available at the tree and Liberty Community Center. Children should make sure to add a return address before mailing as Santa has been known to reply.

The Liberty Youth Ballet Company will present “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 7 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Liberty Performing Arts Theater, 1600 S. Withers Road. Tickets are available for purchase at libertyyouthballetcompany.org.

The Liberty Symphony Orchestra presents “Christmas Time is Here” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Second Baptist Church, 300 E. Kansas St., Liberty. It will be an evening of Christmas classics. Tickets are free, but reservations are recommended at libertysymphony.org/tickets.html.

Ballet North will present an in-house presentation of the “Nutcracker Suite” featuring Act 2 along with complimentary refreshments and a chance for picture-taking with the Sugar Plum Fairy at the studio facility. The performances are at 2 and 4 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 14. Reservations can be made at balletnorth.com/reserve-your-place.

Dec. 8

The Liberty Community Chorus concert will bring in special guests, the Liberty High School Concert and Chamber Choirs, at 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at St. James Catholic Church, 309 S. Stewart Road. This concert will feature familiar carols like “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Carol of the Bells” along with modern classics by John Rutter, Bob Chilcott and Elaine Hagenberg.

Tickets can be purchased at libertycommunitychorus.org.<n> Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City will play holiday season favorites starting at 4 p.m. Sunday at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church, 7600 NW Barry Road in Kansas City, including sing-along Christmas carols. Santa will be in attendance. To learn more, visit kcphilharmonia.org.

Northland Symphony Orchestra’s NSO Holiday Pops Concert will take place at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday at North Kansas City High School, 620 E. 23rd Ave. in North Kansas City. The first timeslot features the choirs of Hawthorn and English Landing elementary schools. At 4:30 p.m., the orchestra is joined by choirs from Bell Prairie and Briarcliff elementary schools.

Dec. 10

The Gladstone Community Center will offer holiday concerts this season. The first is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the center, 6901 N. Holmes St. The KC Symphony Woodwind Quintet will perform holiday favorites for about an hour. Refreshments will be served afterward.

Dec. 14

Liberty’s Heritage Middle School Heritage Holiday Mart runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the school, 600 W. Kansas St. There will be more than 100 vendors. Pictures with Santa will be from 1 to 3 p.m.

At 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 14, Ibsen Dance Theatre, 260 NE Barry Road in Kansas City, will present the “Land of Sweets.” The Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends will offer a holiday performance and a party with treats. There will be dancer meet and greets and photo opportunities. Call 436-7277 for ticket information. <n> Kearney’s Magical Night starts at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 in downtown Kearney with the lighted Christmas parade along Washington Street. At 7 p.m. Santa arrives at Kearney City Hall, 100 E. Washington St., for pictures. Local businesses will be open. A Small Mall and Hot Chocolate Bar will be open at the Old Firehouse/Kearney Enrichment Council office at 106 S. Jefferson St. Around 8 p.m., there will be a city fireworks display at Kearney Elementary School.

Dec. 15

The Northland Symphony Youth Saxophone Ensemble will partner with William Jewell College for the Kansas City Saxophone Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 15. Registration is at 3 p.m. with a 4 p.m. rehearsal and 6 p.m. performance in the Mabee Center at William Jewell College in Liberty. Email Joel Gordon at nyse@northlandsymphony.org for more details.

<n>Dec. 17

Gladstone Community Center will offer its second holiday concert at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the center, 6901 N. Holmes St. The Gateway Sixth-Grade Center choirs will perform holiday favorites for about an hour. Refreshments will be served afterward. <n>

Dec. 20 & 21

Luzicka Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” at 6:30 pm. Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 as well as at 2 p.m. Dec. 21 in the Liberty Performing Arts Theater. Tickets can be purchased at Luzickaballet.com.