Holiday Events

Now in ts 19th year, what was formerly the called Arc's Lights on St. Paul is one of Wichita's biggest Christmas lights shows. With the entrance located at Douglas and St. Paul, the event features a special radio station for guests to tune in to to hear coordinated Christmas music as they drive through the magnificent display. The Arc's lights runs from 5:30 until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 until 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and 5:30 until 11:30 on Christmas eve. Children can even get their photo taken with Santa at this event, from 5:45 until 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and on Dec. 21-23. Admission to the Arc's Lights is free, but donations are welcome. Proceeds will benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each $10 donation will add a light to the live Shine! tree in front of the Arc! The Arc is also accepting volunteers to help run the program. For details, click here.

Featuring over one million lights, Illuminations at Botanica allows guests to see the gardens transformed into a winter wonderland filled with festive light displays. Illuminations operates from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m., and runs seven days a week (excluding Dec. 24-25.) Tickets to Illuminations are just $8 each.

Featuring over 3,000 trees and plantings, more than 1,000 people, 200 period vehicles, 125 buildings and over 51 animations, the Kansas in Miniature Holiday show is truly a sight to see. Set in 1950s Kansas, the detailed display reflects the period's innovation and optimism for future generations. The model features actual structures and landmarks of Kansas. The Kansas in Miniature Holiday show is included with general museum admission and is free for members. 

Serenity Bed and Breakfast is one of Wichita's oldest structures.  The original Victorian house, built in 1887, will offer an open house this holiday season, from Dec. 3-31. Guests can see the beautiful B&B adorned in its finest Christmas decor, take guided tours of the property, hear stories about Victorian times and enjoy music and snacks. if you're lucky, Santa might just drop by for a visit and a picture while you're at Serenity, and Mrs. Claus might be the one to serve your snacks! Guests will also receive goodie bags filled with coupons for local retail shops. 

The open house runs from 5-8 p.m. on weekdays (excludes 12/11), from 1–9 p.m on Saturdays (excludes 12/12), and from 1-6 p.m. on Sundays (excludes 12/13.)

Tickets are $10 for adults ages 10 and up, $7.50 for children ages 10-4, and children under the age of 3 get in for free. 

Old Cowtown Museum marks its 40th Christmas with this year's Dickens of a Christmas celebration. On Fridays and Saturdays from Dec. 4-19, guests can see the Christmas classic, "A Christmas Carol" come to life. Scenes from the play, written by Charles Dickens, will be re-enacted across the museum grounds. The event also features a visit to Santa in his workshop, Christmas carolers wandering the grounds, cookies and cocoa and a variety of Christmas activities for the kids! 

Regular admission tickets admit guests into the Museum grounds for Dickens of a Christmas, and tickets for the accompanying Christmas dinner are $26.95 for ages 16 and older ($19.95 for members), and $14.95 for ages 4-15 ($11.95 for members.) Dinner Tickets must be bought in advance, either online or by phone.

On Dec. 22, Trans Siberian Orchestra stops once again at Intrust Bank Arena for two performances, one  4 p.m. and the other at 8 p.m. The Concert tells the story of a runaway boy on Christmas Eve, and features hit Trans Siberian Orchestra songs like "Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24," "O’ Come All Ye Faithful," "Good King Joy," "Christmas Canon," "Music Box Blues," "Promises To Keep," and "This Christmas Day." Tickets range in price from $36-$76, and are available at Selectaseat.com.

Visit Exploration Place between Dec. 26 and Jan. 02, for a very special Winter Break Live Science Show! Featuring snowflakes, frozen bubbles and flash-freezing food, this event allows guests to experience the effect of liquid nitrogen on various objects. The Event will be held in the Kemper Creative Learning Studio.