2017 Holiday Events in Wichita
Celebrate the holiday season with these local events!
Fist of Furry Reindeer or Angry santa Claws
A hysterical romp through the worlds of the Old West and action-packed Martial Arts films. You’ll be in stitches all through the audience-interactive comedy, then humming and toe-tapping along during the musical comedy revue that follows. Enjoy dinner and a show, or the show only.
Shows will take place at 7:50 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. and dinner served from 6:15-7:30 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, at 1:50 p.m. with doors opening at noon and lunch served from 12:15-1:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoons and at 6:50 p.m. with doors opening at 5 p.m. and dinner served from 5:15-6:30 p.m. on Sunday evenings.
No shows will be held on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Tickets for both dinner and a show are priced at $30. A special 'Uncensored' version of the show will take place December 27th.
Date: Through Dec. 30
Time: Times Vary
Location: Mosley Street Melodrama
Price: $30
Meet Santa at Towne East and West
It's time for pictures with Santa! The jolly old man himself will visit Wichita's Towne West and Towne East malls this holidays season! Times vary, but a daily schedule is available here. For a Towne West events schedule, click here.
Date: through Dec. 24
Location: Towne East and West Malls
Price: Price Varies
Caring Santa and Sensitive Santa, Dec. 3
Towne East mall will also highlight Caring Santa, which provides a subdued and welcoming environment where children with special needs and their families can come and meet Santa on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Towne West's Sensitive Santa event offers a similar experience with dimmed lights and no music. This event will also be held on Dec. 4, running from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.Time: Times Vary
Location: Towne East and West Malls
Price: Price Varies
Pet Photos With Santa, Dec. 10
You can even bring your pets in to have their photos taken with Santa this year! Pet photos will be available for an additional fee from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Towne East and 7- 9 pm at Town West.Time: 6:30-8 p.m. (Towne East) & 7-9 p.m. (Town West)
Location: Towne East & West Malls
Price: Price Varies
Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 16
Guests at Towne West Mall can enjoy donuts and activities with Santa on Dec. 3 at 10:30 a.m. The event is free, so stop by and check it out.
Date: Dec. 3
Time: 10:30 a.m. - Noon
Location: Towne West Mall
Price: Free (for KidX Members - one can apply for membership at event)
Winter Wednesdays at the Sedgwick County Zoo,
This winter, don't spend all your time at home! If you're looking for a great reason to get out of the house, bring the kids out for a Winter Wednesday at the Sedgwick County Zoo. With just $3 admission each Wednesday from November to February, this is a perfect opportunity to visit your friends at the zoo. The event runs all day, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Date: Wednesdays, through February
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Sedgwick County Zoo
Price: $3
Carriage Rides at Bradley Fair and Old Town Square
A Wichita wintertime staple, free holiday carriage rides are at the top of our to-do list this season. Available at both Bradley Fair and Old Town Square, it's easy to find a time and place that works for you. The carriage rides are free and open to the public. Check out the details below.
Bradley Fair
Bradley Fair carriage riders can enjoy the premiere shopping center's beautiful Christmas decorations as they ride. The circuit starts at the fountain on the North side of Newport Grill in Bradley Fair.
Date: Through Dec. 23
Time: 6-10 p.m.
Location: Bradley Fair
Price: Free
Old Town Square
It's not a Wichita winter without Old Town carriage rides! Available on December 9th from 5-7 pm and December 16th From 125 pm
Date: December 9th and 16th
Time: Times vary
Location: Old Town Square
Price: Free
The Christmas Crisis at The Art Of Escape: ICT
A great outing that's fun for the whole family. The Art of Escape: ICT has put together a special Christmas themed escape room for this holiday season.
Below is a briefing of the room:
It is the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas Eve has come, but something is amiss. Santa's magic comes from a very special Holiday tradition - warm cookies, and Mrs. Claus is feeling a bit under the weather this year, and won't be able to make them!
The time has come for you and your team to enter Mrs. Claus' bakery workshop and find her special recipe book, get the ingredients, and get the cookies made before midnight - you have one hour to save Christmas for the entire world, so let the Christmas Crisis begin!
Pricing is $20 for public bookings and $20-$25 for private booking depending on the size of the group. The room will be available for reservations now through the end of the year
The Arc's Lights
The Arc’s Lights (formerly Lights on St. Paul) has brightened out spirits for 20 years, making it a Wichita tradition. If you're looking for a chance to me the jolly old man himself, this is a great opportunity. A fundraiser for The Arc of Wichita, The Arc's Lights supports children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. In the past, the show has been free with a suggested $10 donation per car. This year, a $10 admission per car will be charged on Friday and Saturday nights only. Sunday through Thursday nights will continue to be free with a suggested donation. Learn more here.
Date: through Dec. 28
Time: Opens nightly at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Douglas and St. Paul
Price: $10 or suggested $10 donation
Illuminations at Botanica, through Dec. 31
For more than two decades, Botanica has celebrated the Holiday spirit with Illuminations! The gardens are all lit up for Christmas, and guests are invited to walk through the winter wonderland at their leisure, enjoying snack stations with s'mores and hot chocolate, meeting Santa and more. The event will take place seven days a week with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tickets are available online, at Botanica and at area QuikTrips. Botanica's biggest fundraiser of the year, Illuminations helps maintain programs, exhibits, and activities. Tickets are priced at $7 for children, $7 for adults, and $10 for adult members.
Date: Through Dec. 31 (not open Christmas Eve or Christmas Day)
Time:5:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Botanica
Price: $7-$10
Kansas In Miniature Holiday Show at Exploration Place, through Dec. 31
Exploration Place's permanent Kansas in Miniature will offer a special Holiday Show through Dec. 31. The exhibit, which depicts Kansas in the 1950's, will feature additional, holiday-themed elements, including Christmas music and a holiday parade!
Date: Through Dec. 31
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun.
Location: Exploration Place
Price: Included in general admission, free for members
Elf Interactive screening at the Wichita Art Museum
Once again, the Wichita Art Museum takes guests on a journey through the candy cane forest and through the sea of swirly, twirly gumdrops for an interactive screening of “Elf”. The screening will involve audience participation and each guest will be provided with an activity pack. This event is for ages 21 and older. Learn more here
Date: Dec. 7 & 8
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Wichita Art Museum
Price: $20, $15 for members
The Kyle and Monte Christmas Musical at Roxy's Downtown
Roxy's Downtown highlights the "Kyle and Monte Christmas Musical" this month. Catch two of ICT's favorite personalities in the original, full-length musical comedy. The side-splitting Christmas show features sketches, parodies and the "Kyle and Monte Medleys" for which the pair are known.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with a happy hour until 7pm and dinner served and plated by your server until 7:15 p.m. The show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $30 for premium seating, $27 for standard and $20 for economy. Reservations can be made by phone (316) 265-4400.
Date: Till Christmas Eve
Time: 6:30 p.m. (dinner) 8 p.m. (show)
Location: Roxy's Downtown
Price: $20-$30
Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Ghosts of Christmas Eve at Intrust Bank Arena
Trans-Siberian Orchestra will bring its 20th tour, "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve" to Wichita's Intrust Bank Arena on Dec. 8 at 8:00 p.m. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is known for mixing traditional Christmas music with rock, laying claim to hits like "Wizards in Winter", "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo", "Good King Joy" and many more. Tickets to see the critically-acclaimed and multi-platinum group at Intrust bank arena range in price from $48 to $78 and are available here.
Date: Dec. 8
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: INTRUST Bank Arena
Price: $48-$78
Victorian Christmas at Cowtown
Check out Cowtown's Victorian Christmas to experience an old-fashioned holiday! Visitors will enjoy activities like stringing popcorn, listening to carolers, riding a wagon, making crafts and more. While you're here, don't forget to visit Santa Claus in his Workshop!
Date: Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Old Cowtown Museum
Price: Included in regular admission
Christmas on the Prairie at Prairie Rose Chuckwagon
Prairie Rose Chuckwagon's Christmas on the Prairie offers a Cowboy Christmas Chuckwagon supper, a performance by the Prairie Rose Rangers and more. Guests can take horse-drawn-wagon rides, watch classic cowboy Christmas movies and visit the Silver Screen Cowboy Museum. The gates will open at 5 p.m. and supper is served at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2, 7-10, 14-16 and 21-22. On Dec. 3 and 17, matinees performances will be held, with doors opening at noon and lunch is served at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $35 for adults, $10 for ages 3-12, ages children two and younger get in free. Learn more here.
Date: Dec. 1-2, 8-10, 16-18, 21-22
Time: 6:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. on Sundays
Location: Prairie Rose Chuckwagon, 15231 SW Parallel St., Benton
Price: $10 for children, $35 for adults
Great Santa Run at the Wichita Boathouse
Dec. 3 is a day filled with holiday racing fun! The Great Santa Run will feature a costume contest for participants and finisher’s medals will be awarded. The 5K is slated to begin at 9 a.m., and at 10 a.m. the Little Elves Fun Run for ages 8 and under will take place. The event will be held at the Wichita Boathouse. Registration prices range from $32-$40 and from $12-$15 for the kids' fun run. 515 S. Wichita; $32-$40 for 5K, $12-$15 for kids’ fun run. Details are available here.
Date: Dec. 9
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Wichita Boathouse
Price: $12-$40
Meet Santa at Exploration Place
Santa Claus will be in the main lobby at Exploration Place from noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 16, so come on in and meet him! Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
Date: Dec. 9 and 16
Time: noon-2 p.m.
Location: Exploration Place
Price: Free
“Let it Snow” at Exploration Place
This season, Exploration Place features “Let it Snow", a family-friendly show, in the Boeing Dome Theater. Featuring Christmas music from artists like Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante, Burl Ives, Gene Autry and more, "Let It Snow" combines great music with holiday images and scenes. Admission is priced at $5 for general admission, $4 for seniors, $4 for ages 3-11 and free for ages 2 and under.
Date: Thorugh Sunday Dcember 31st.
Time: Times Vary
Location: Exploration Place
Price: $3-$5
Polar Express at OJ Watson Park,
If you're a fan of Chris Van Allsburg's Polar Express, you're in luck! OJ Watson Park's Polar Express will begin with a reading of the popular Chrismas book, followed by a craft and a ride on a miniature train! There will also be milk and cookies and a trip to the North Pole to see Santa!
To register by phone, call (316) 529-9940.
Date: December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23
Time: Times Vary
Location: OJ Watson Park
Price: $15
Friends of the Wichita Art Museum Holiday Open House
The Wichita Art Museum offers an afternoon filled with musical performances, Christmas cookies and a visit with Santa in celebration of the holiday season. This event is for all ages and it's free to attend.
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Location: Wichita Art Museum
Price: Free
Mayor's Tree lighting
The Annual Mayor's Tree lighting will be held on Dec. 3 in Old Towne Square. Accompanied by A Night With Santa, a kids event taking place inside of Century II, the festivities will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Come out and watch the lighting of the Christmas tree, play a few carnival games, watch fireworks, make crafts and more.
Fireworks will be at the Wichita Boathouse - Shuttles will be available to ride between Old Town and the River
Date: Dec. 3
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Old Town Square
Price: Free
Tommy Emmanuel CGP Christmas & Classics Tour
This one-night-only engagement is a spin-off of Emmanuel’s 2016 release, Christmas Memories and his 2011 release All I Want For Christmas. Taking the Orpheum stage on Dec. 8. Each show will feature two sets of music: the first will be solo, and will consist of Emmanuel playing fan favorite material, along with selections from his brand new album, Live! At The Ryman. In the second set, Emmanuel will be performing Christmas classics with his friends Pat Bergeson, John Knowles CGP, and Annie Sellick.
Date: Dec. 8
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Orpheum
Price: $39.50-$49.50
A Cirque de la Symphonie Holiday Spectacular!
Presented by the Wichita Symphony. Packed with fun for the whole family, the WSO welcomes Cirque de la Symphonie for a holiday spectacular complete with aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, and more!
Date: Dec. 2-3
Time: 8pm Dec 2nd, 3pm Dec 3rd
Location: Century II
Price: $25+
College Hill Holiday Lights Trolley
If you're looking for a great excuse to get out and see some of Wichita's most beautiful Christmas lights, check out the College Hill Holiday Lights Trolley Tour. Taking place on Dec. 4 from 5:30-8:45 p.m., the tours leave from East Heights United Methodist Church. Admission is priced at $8 per person and children under age two will be admitted for free.
Date: Dec. 4
Time: 5:30-8:45 p.m.
Location: Leaves from East Heights Methodist Church, 4407 E. Douglas
Price: $8
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. with food trucks, games, props, and prizes. Costumes and ugly sweaters encouraged!
It’s Christmas and the Griswold family is preparing for a seasonal celebration, but things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen, and their two kids. Clark’s continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going on knowing that his holiday bonus is due soon. Chevy Chase returns in this blockbuster comedy as Clark Griswold, America’s best-intentioned walking disaster area, who is determined to create a fun-filled, old-fashioned Christmas. Deck the halls with laughter at the escapades of the Griswold family.
Date: Dec. 9
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Orpheum
Price: $8 per ticket
The Nutcracker Ballet at Century II
Do you have visions of sugarplums dancing in your head? If you don't already, you will soon! Ballet Wichita highlights a performance of the holiday classic "The Nutcracker" this month! If you aren't familiar with the ballet, it takes the audience on a journey through a little girls fantasies of fairies, toy soldiers, princes and an army of mice. Tickets range in price from $25 up and are available here.
Date: Dec. 15-17
Time: 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 2 p.m. on Dec. 18 (Sunday)
Location: Century II
Price: $25+
Breakfast with Santa at Cowtown, Dec. 16
Old Cowtown Museum invites guests to come out and enjoy a special holiday breakfast with Santa on Dec. 16. Santa will arrive by stagecoach and guests can make Christmas crafts and even send a personalized telegram to the North Pole. Breakfast will include pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and fruit salad. This year's information is still TBA, last years tickets wer priced at $7.95 for children ages 4-15 and $12.95 for adults. Tickets must be bought in advance. Visit Cowtowns website for more information.
Date: Dec. 16
Time: TBA
Location: Old Cowtown Museum
Price: $7.95-$12.95(2016 prices, 2017 is TBA)
Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street is a 1947 Christmas comedy-drama film written and directed by George Seaton and based on a story by Valentine Davies. It stars Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn. The story takes place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in New York City, and focuses on the impact of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa. The film has become a perennial Christmas favorite.
Date: Dec. 21
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Orpheum
Price:$5
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