Wichita Christmas Events & Activities 2022

Nov. 11–Dec. 23

Holiday shows at Mosley Street Melodrama are always a hit with locals and out-of-town guests alike. The first act is a hilarious, audience-interactive take on "A Christmas Carol" featuring a cast of Wichita all-stars. The second act is a holiday musical revue.

Tickets are available for show-only or show with dinner or brunch. Mosley Street also offers a party pack for groups. Visit their website for showtimes, tickets and details.

Gingerbread Village

Nov. 12–13

Gingerbread Village is a beloved annual tradition for many families in the Wichita area. Presented in partnership with the Assistance League of Wichita, this event is a wonderful time of family creativity and fun. Admission gets you a gingerbread house kit complete with walls, frosting and a variety of decorations.

The event runs 10 a.m.–5 p.m. both days. Tickets include museum admission for the day and are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and children, and $6 for Exploration Place members. Gingerbread Village has limited space available, so buying tickets early is encouraged.

12 Drinks of Christmas

Dec. 2

Here's a holiday event just for the grownups! Stamp your "passport" as you imbibe traditional drinks from around the world. Your $75 ticket ($65 for members) also gets you admission to Exploration Place exhibits, including the new Arctic Adventure polar playground with indoor snow.

The merry-making begins at 7 p.m. Must be 21 to attend. Visit the event page for tickets and more info.

Santa's Pancake Party

Dec. 3

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for an unforgettable family breakfast. Enjoy a scrumptious stack of pancakes with hot cocoa or coffee and get a photo with the Jolly Old Elf himself! Your $18 ticket ($15 for members) also gets you admission to Exploration Place exhibits. It's the perfect opportunity to explore the new Arctic Adventure polar playground, complete with indoor snow and a sock skating rink.

Times are available at 8, 9 and 10 a.m. Reservations are required and space is limited, so get tickets early.

Nov. 17

For many Wichitans, it just isn't the holidays without TSO. The rock show returns to Intrust Bank Arena for The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More! Tickets start at $29 and are available through Select-A-Seat.

Nov. 18–Dec. 18

You don't have to travel to NYC for a Christmas spectacular—it's available right here in Wichita! Presented by Crown Arts Collaborative, the all-ages "Crown Holiday Spectacular" will dazzle you with high-energy singing, dancing and comedic acts.

Tickets are available for show-only or show with dinner. Visit the Crown Uptown website for performance times, tickets and details.

Nov. 18–Dec. 23

Prairie Pines Playhouse Mystery Theatre offers an all-inclusive evening of entertainment. The high-energy murder mystery, "Demise at the Department Store," is played between three courses of a holiday meal. This is a great activity for families, company parties or just because.

Visit the Prairie Pines website for performance times and tickets. Prairie Pines is a working Christmas tree farm and has many other activities throughout the season, too!

Nov. 18–Dec. 31

A beloved Wichita tradition, Illuminations at Botanica transforms the gardens into a winter wonderland of millions of lights. Get some hot cocoa and walk through spectacular lighting displays. It's a truly memorable and magical experience. Kids can even visit Santa and ride on an enchanted carousel.

To help with crowd control at this popular event, tickets must be pre-purchased online for reserved time slots.

Nov. 20–Dec. 18 (Sundays)

Enjoy a little holiday magic while finding (or making!) gifts for your loved ones. This festive weekly event at Bradley Fair features horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, favorite characters, musical performances, crafts, and plenty of hot cocoa and cider. There is also a tree-lighting ceremony on Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. Visit the event webpage for the complete schedule.

Nov. 25–Dec. 23

If you've ever felt nostalgic for the Oldtown Cabaret holiday shows, you're getting your Christmas wish this year. Get festive with sketch and musical comedy by Wichita icons Christi Moore and Patty Reeder, alongside a cast of local favorites and rising stars.

Tickets are $35 with food and drink available for separate purchase. Visit Roxy's website for performance times and tickets.

Nov. 25–Dec. 31

Travel 20 minutes south and 65 million years back in time for a dino-tastic holiday celebration at Field Station: Dinosaurs in Derby. Join T-Rex, Spinosaurus, Triceratops and more as they don their festive apparel. This unique holiday celebration features 10 acres of lights, activities and of course, life-sized dinosaurs.

Visit the Field Station: Dinosaurs website for hours and tickets.

Nov. 26–27

Metropolitan Ballet presents its annual production of "The Nutcracker" on Thanksgiving weekend this year—the perfect activity to get out and enjoy as a family. All ages will delight in the spectacular performances, magically growing Christmas tree, and a thrilling battle with the Mouse King.

Performances take place at Century II Concert Hall. Tickets start at $15 and are available through Select-A-Seat.

Dec. 1–11

If you can't get enough of Regency romance and want to see something comfy-cozy for the holidays, you're in luck. Wichita Community Theatre brings "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley" to Wichita for the first time. This sequel to "Pride and Prejudice" features familiar faces like Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but it's bookish middle sister Mary Bennet who is in the spotlight. Will she find independence, an intellectual match…and maybe love?

Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students/military/seniors, with special "Throwback Thursdays" pricing of $11. Visit the WCT website for performance times and reservations. WCT is located in the heart of the College Hill neighborhood, so you might pair a performance with an evening of Christmas-light-looking.

Dec. 1–18

If "Elf" is one of your must-watch holiday films (or even if you've never seen it), you won't want to miss the live stage musical adaptation. This hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy will give even the biggest "Cotton-Headed-Ninny-Muggins" a warm festive glow.

The Forum Theatre Company performs at the Wilke Center at First United Methodist Church. Visit the company website for performance times and tickets.

Dec. 2–10

Stroll along the lamplit, carol-filled streets of a Victorian town all dressed up for Christmas. There's plenty of laughter and hot chocolate to share. Victorian Christmas at Old Cowtown Museum is held at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets are $8 per person; Cowtown members and kids 4 and under are free.

On Saturday, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 starting at 9 a.m., kids can have breakfast with Santa! They'll also make crafts and hear a holiday story from Jolly Old Saint Nick himself. Tickets are $15 per person.

Dec. 4

Take a musical adventure through a winter wonderland and holiday fantasy with WSO and the Wichita Community Children's Choir. Pieces include Englebert Humperdink's "Hansel and Gretel," Howard Blake's "The Snowman," and selections from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." If you've never heard "The Nutcracker" performed with full orchestration, you won't want to miss this.

Performances take place at Century II Concert Hall and tickets start at $30. Visit the WSO website for tickets and details.

Dec. 4

Celebrate the holiday season and our own beautiful Arkansas River. Running from 5–8 p.m., this event will feature Santa, s'mores, wagon rides and food trucks, culminating in the release of floating lights on the river near the Wichita Boathouse.

Lights on the River is free to attend, but you can purchase a light to release. Proceeds go to Ark River water quality improvement.

Dec. 7–10

Holiday fun for the littlest littles! Part of WCT&DC's Once Upon a Time Series, "The Gingerbread Man" is a participatory theatre experience for kids ages 2 and up. The show is performed at the Crown Uptown Theatre by a professional acting company. See the WCT&DC website for tickets and details.

Dec. 8–9

Travel back to the 1970s when John Denver's music was everywhere. This tribute show starring Rick Schuler is an enchanting experience in an intimate setting. You'll hear all the favorites like "Rocky Mountain High" and "Take Me Home Country Roads" interwoven with inspirational carols and holiday classics. Tickets are available through Select-A-Seat.

Dec. 9–11

Music Theatre Wichita begins a new tradition this year with the first annual Live Holiday Special! This all-new show will feature Broadway veterans, local favorites, and talented youth singing and dancing to holiday classics. Visit the MTWichita website for tickets and performance times.

Dec. 10–11

Spend the evening or afternoon with one of history's most influential authors. David Payne as C.S. Lewis brings his one-man-show back to Wichita. You'll feel as if you're really in the room with the literary giant, hearing reflections on Christmas and Lewis' life. Tickets are available through Select-A-Seat.

Dec. 15

See this Christmas favorite on the big screen. "Miracle on 34th Street" tells the heartwarming story of a department store Santa who claims to be the real thing. This screening at the Orpheum celebrates the 75th anniversary of this beloved film just in time for the holidays.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the film starts at 7. Seating is general admission. Tickets are $8 with discounts available; visit the Orpheum website for details.

Dec. 16–18

Be transported into a magical fairytale world with Ballet Wichita's "The Nutcracker," featuring a cast of over 130 local dancers. This 48th annual production is a traditional but lavish Nutcracker with gorgeous costumes and scenery.

Performances take place at Century II Concert Hall. Tickets start at $25 and are available through Select-A-Seat.