<span class="subhead">Toy giveaway</span></p><p>Coleman Baptist Church, 17101 E. 203rd St., Peculiar, is once again offering their free toy giveaway. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, the church will host a giveaway, free to all, to ensure there are gifts under every tree. For more information, call 816-779-5707.</p><p>X</p><p><span class="subhead">Festival of Carols</span></p><p>Calvary Bible College will present a "Festival of Carols" 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, in the Liberty Chapel, 15790 Elmwood Ave., Kansas City. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. The evening will feature the Calvary Chorale, instrumentalists and music faculty. Reception will follow concert. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for student or seniors, available online at www.calvary.edu or at the door.</p><p>X</p><p><span class="subhead">Santa train</span></p><p>The Belton Railroad will be giving Santa Train rides Saturday, Dec. 8, at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. The train begins at 502 E. Walnut St., Belton. The rides are 45-minutes long and passengers are served hot chocolate and a cookie. Children will also have the opportunity to sit on Santa&#x2019;s lap and will receive a small gift. Rides will only take place if the temperature is above 20 degrees. For more information, visit. www.beltonrailroad.org. </p><p>X</p><p><span class="subhead">Photos with Santa</span></p><p>Cass Regional Medical Center will host "Photos with Santa" at Cass Regional Medical Center, located at 2800 E. Rock Haven Rd., Harrisonville, Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. until noon. Digital photos of Santa and your loved one/s will be taken in the Rotunda in front of the Christmas tree and e-mailed for you to use at your discretion. In order to receive photos, a valid e-mail address is needed. Everyone is welcome to attend. No personal cameras please. No pets allowed. The event is free of charge. For more information, contact Donna Walters at (816) 887-0783.</p><p>X</p><p><span class="subhead">Garden City Christmas Tree Lighting</span></p><p>The Garden City Lions Club Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. In addition to the tree lighting, there will be a hayride, music, refreshments, and a visit from Santa.X</p><p><span class="subhead">Milk and cookies with Santa</span></p><p>The Garden City American Legion Post 498, 103 N 3rd St., Garden City, is hosting &#x201C;Milk and cookies with Santa&#x201D; at 4-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7; 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9; and 4-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10. For more information, call 816-985-7165.</p><p>X</p><p><span class="subhead">Christmas open house</span></p><p>Aaron&#x2019;s House, 1303 Meadow Dr., Harrisonville, is hosting a Christmas Open House and private shopping event 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. Take a tour of the maternity home and finish up your Christmas shopping from our local vendors representing Scentsy, Tupperware, 31 Gifts, Pampered Chef, Simply Said and many others. An assortment of handmade items will also be available for purchase. Light Christmas snacks and refreshments will be served. Free will donation opportunity to Aaron&#x2019;s House will be extended.</p><p>X</p><p><span class="subhead">&#x201C;Yes, Virginia&#x201D; performance</span></p><p>A benefit for Operation Santa, Antonia Studios will be presenting, &#x201C;Yes, Virginia.&#x201D; The show will be at the Belton High Freshman Center on Sunday. Dec. 9 with 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. showings. Tickets are $5 for children 3-12 and $10 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sendomatic.com/yesvirginia or at select retailers in the Belton/Raymore area.</p><p>X</p><p><span class="subhead">Christmas music with Mar</span></p><p>Archie School&#x2019;s &#x201C;Parents as Teachers&#x201D; program is sponsoring &#x201C;Christmas Music with Mar&#x201D; 6-6:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, in the commons area. The &#x201C;Music with Mar&#x201D; instructor will lead this event as children play instruments and sing songs to make lots of fun music to help celebrate the season. For more information, contact Kristi Reynolds, PAT Educator, at 816-293-5312 Ext. 322 or kreynolds@archie.k12.mo.us. </p><p>X</p><p><span class="subhead">Santa and Mrs. Claus library visit</span></p><p>&#x201C;A visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus&#x201D; will be held at the Harrisonville Library 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13. Come do a Christmas craft, listen to Mrs. Santa tell a story, and tell Santa what is on your list.</p><p>X</p><p><span class="subhead">Christmas ball</span></p><p>The Midnight Blue Orchestra will performing a Christmas Ball 7-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at the Turners German-American Hall, 512 Bong Ave., Belton. Cost is $5/person. Food and beverages available for purchase. </p><p>X</p><p><span class="subhead">Kantorei Christmas</span></p><p>St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, 16808 Holmes Rd., Loch Lloyd, will be presenting an &#x201C;Kantorei Christmas: Angels Did Say,&#x201D; an eclectic Christmas program including three pastiches on the Christmas story. "Of Mary" will feature a scorching Renaissance Polish setting of Beata Es Virgo Maria by Zielienski as well as R. Douglas Helvering&#x2019;s evocative Ave Maria. "Of the Angels" will feature a world premiere by Helvering entitled All My Heart this Night Rejoices. "Of the Birth" will include ancient and modern settings of the Hodie Christus Natus Est text as well as Serenity: O Magnum Mysterium by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo featuring our very own Joanna Metsker on Violin. The audience will also be introduced to Gjeilo&#x2019;s seven brand new arrangements of many of our most popular Christmas carols including Away in a Manger and The First Noel. The performance will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Tickets are available online at www.kantoreikc.org/tickets.