Catch a magical live holiday performance, take the family on a Christmas lights tour or see the Wichita Thunder Hockey or Wichita State basketball teams in action. Along with visits from Santa, Wichita is offering lots of family-friendly activities and Christmas experiences this season. Here’s a list of things to do in December in the Heart of the Country.
Holiday Events
- ongoing through Dec. 4 – Wild Lights at Sedgwick County Zoo
- ongoing through Jan. 8 – Arctic Adventure at Exploration Place
- daily through Dec. 31 – Blow Your Own Ornament at Karg Art Glass
- ongoing through Dec. 23 – “Scrooge You! A Bad Christmas Carol” at Mosley Street Melodrama
- Nov. 18-Dec. 31 – Snowbound: A Merry Ski Lodge holiday pop-up bar at Chicken N Pickle
- ongoing through season – Ice Pond at the Plazzio outdoor skating, hockey and more at Chicken N Pickle
- Nov. 18-Dec. 18 – A Crown Holiday Spectacular at Crown Uptown Theatre
- Nov. 18-Dec. 23 – "Demise at the Department Store" at Prairie Pines Playhouse Mystery Dinner Theatre
- Nov. 18-Dec. 31 – Illuminations at Botanica Wichita
- Nov. 20-Dec. 18 (Sundays only) – Holiday Stroll at Bradley Fair at Bradley Fair
- Nov. 25-Dec. 23 – “A Cabaret Christmas” at Roxy’s Downtown
- Nov. 25-Dec. 24 – A Country Christmas at Fulton Valley Farms
- Nov. 25-Dec. 31 – Holly Jolly Jurassic Holiday at Field Station: Dinosaurs
- Dec. 1-18 – "Elf, The Musical" at The Forum Theatre Company
- Nov. 24-Dec. 27 – Lights at AbilityPoint at The AbilityPoint
- Nov. 25-Dec. 18 – Watson's Christmas Express at O.J. Watson Park
- Nov. 25-Jan. 1 – Safari of Lights at Tanganyika Wildlife Park
- Dec. 2-3 & Dec. 9-10 – Victorian Christmas at Old Cowtown Museum at Old Cowtown Museum
- Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 – A Country Christmas - Christmas Dinner at Fulton Valley Farms
- Dec. 2-4 – Christmas Candlelight concert at Friends University
- Dec. 2-31 – Christmas Photo Areas at The Selfie Spot
- Dec. 3, 10, 17 – Selfies with Santa at The Selfie Spot
- Dec. 3 – Wichita Wurlitzer 50th Anniversary Holiday Concert at Century II
- Dec. 3 – Santa's Pancake Party at Exploration Place
- Dec. 4 – Wichita Symphony Orchestra presents "Christmas Fantasies" at Century II
- Dec. 4 – Friends of the Wichita Art Museum Holiday Open House at Wichita Art Museum
- Dec. 6 – Wichita Symphony's Spirit of the Season Free Family Holiday Concert at Century II
- Dec. 8 – David George Orchestra Rock n Roll Christmas Show at The Cotillion
- Dec. 8-10 – Wichita Children’s Theatre & Dance Center presents "The Gingerbread Man" at Crown Uptown Theatre
- Dec. 9-11 – Music Theatre Wichita presents "Live Holiday Special" at Century II
- Dec. 9 – Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis at Hartman Arena
- Dec. 9 – Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas at Century II
- Dec. 10 – Art Together: Community Holiday Celebration at Mark Arts
- Dec. 10 – Winter Wonderland at Naftzger Park
- Dec. 10 – A Country Christmas - Pancakes with Santa at Fulton Valley Farms
- Dec. 10 – Jim Brickman A Very Merry Christmas Tour at Orpheum Theatre
- Dec. 10-11 – Christmas with C.S. Lewis at Century II
- Dec. 16-18 – Ballet Wichita's "The Nutcracker" at Century II
- Dec. 17 – Holiday Experimental/Ugly Sweater Party at Wichita Brewing Co.
- Dec. 17 – Santa Claus Breakfast at Stearman Field Bar & Grill
- Dec. 18 – "A Drag Queen Christmas" at Orpheum Theatre
- Dec. 31 – Family ArtVenture: New Year's Cheer at Wichita Art Museum
- Dec. 31 – “Cosmos” New Year’s Eve Celebration at Mark Arts
Other Family Friendly Events
- ongoing through Jan. 8 – Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails at Exploration Place
- Dec. 2-3 & 9-10 – Victorian Christmas at Old Cowtown Museum
- Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 – A Country Christmas - Christmas Dinner at Fulton Valley Farms
- Dec. 2, 9, 16 – Little Aviators at Kansas Aviation Museum
- Dec. 3, 10 & 17 – Selfies with Santa at The Selfie Spot
- Dec. 3 – Kid Paint at The Enchanted Mermaid
- Dec. 4 – Mermaid Photo Minis at The Enchanted Mermaid
- Dec. 4 – Kid's Cookie Decorating at The Enchanted Mermaid
- Dec. 4 – Princess Story Time at The Enchanted Mermaid
- Dec. 10 – Alice In Wonderland Teatime at The Enchanted Mermaid
- Dec. 11 – Wizard of Oz Tea Time at The Enchanted Mermaid
- Dec. 22-23 – Broadway in Wichita presents "Bluey's Big Play" at Century II
Sports
- Dec. 1-3 – Air Capital Hoopfest 2022 at Charles Koch Arena – Wichita State University
- Dec. 3 – Wichita Thunder Hockey vs. Kansas City Mavericks (Teddy Bear Toss) at INTRUST Bank Arena
- Dec. 4 – Wichita Thunder Hockey vs. Kansas City Mavericks (Sunday Funday & Season Ticket Holder Post-Game Skate) at INTRUST Bank Arena
- Dec. 10 – Wichita State University vs. Longwood at Charles Koch Arena
- Dec. 13 – Wichita State University vs. Mississippi Valley St. at Charles Koch Arena
- Dec. 17 – Wichita State vs. Oklahoma State at INTRUST Bank Arena
- Dec. 21 – Wichita Thunder Hockey vs. Rapid City Rush (Winning Wednesdays) at INTRUST Bank Arena
- Dec. 22 – Wichita State University vs. Texas Southern University at Charles Koch Arena
- Dec. 22 – Wichita Thunder Hockey vs. Rapid City Rush (Dream Drive) at INTRUST Bank Arena
- Dec. 23 – Wichita Thunder Hockey vs. Rapid City Rush (Meet Santa & Jump Start Buy In) at INTRUST Bank Arena
- Dec. 28 –Wichita Thunder Hockey vs. Allen Americans (Winning Wednesdays) at INTRUST Bank Arena
- Dec. 31 – Wichita State University vs. East Carolina University at Charles Koch Arena
Markets & More
- Nov. 20-Dec. 10 – 7th annual Holiday Market at Envision Arts Gallery
- Nov. 20-Dec. 18 (Sundays only) – Holiday Stroll at Bradley Fair at Bradley Fair
- Nov. 26, 27 & Dec. 3, 4 – Fresh Evergreen Porch Pot Workshop and Fresh Evergreen Wreath Workshop at Johnson’s Garden Center
- Dec. 2 – First Friday Gallery Crawl at various locations
- Dec. 2 – First Friday Pop Up Market Series at Revolutsia
- Dec. 3, 10, 17 – Old Town Farm & Art Market at Old Town’s Farm & Art Plaza
- Dec. 10, 17 – Kansas Grown Farmers Market Indoor Winter Market at Sedgwick County Extension Office
- Dec. 10 – 2nd Saturday at various locations
Performing Arts
- ongoing through Dec. 23 – “Scrooge You! A Bad Christmas Carol” at Mosley Street Melodrama
- Nov. 18-Dec. 18 – A Crown Holiday Spectacular at Crown Uptown Theatre
- Nov. 18-Dec. 23 – "Demise at the Department Store" at Prairie Pines Playhouse Mystery Dinner Theatre
- Nov. 25-Dec. 23 – “A Cabaret Christmas” at Roxy’s Downtown
- Dec. 1-18 – "Elf, The Musical" at The Forum Theatre Company
- Dec. 2-4 – Christmas Candlelight concert at Friends University
- Dec. 3 – Wichita Wurlitzer 50th Anniversary Holiday Concert at Century II
- Dec. 4 – Wichita Symphony Orchestra presents "Christmas Fantasies" at Century II
- Dec. 6 – Wichita Symphony's Spirit of the Season Free Family Holiday Concert at Century II
- Dec. 8-10 – Wichita Children’s Theatre & Dance Center presents "The Gingerbread Man" at Crown Uptown Theatre
- Dec. 9-11 – Music Theatre Wichita presents "Live Holiday Special" at Century II
- Dec. 9 – Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis at Hartman Arena
- Dec. 10-11 – Christmas with C.S. Lewis at Century II
- Dec. 16 – “Hairon” starring R&B singer Cherrelle at Orpheum Theatre
- Dec. 16-18 – Ballet Wichita's "The Nutcracker" at Century II
Live Music & Comedy
- Dec. 2 – Kolby Cooper at The Cotillion
- Dec. 2 – Hembree at TempleLive
- Dec. 3 – Clint Black featuring Lisa Hartman Black at Orpheum Theatre
- Dec. 3 – William Clark Green at TempleLive
- Dec. 7 – Rome & Duddy at TempleLive
- Dec. 8 – David George Orchestra Rock n Roll Christmas Show at The Cotillion
- Dec. 8-10 – Shaun Jones at The Loony Bin
- Dec. 9 – Throes of Rejection with Witch Cradle and Hollow Age at TempleLive
- Dec. 9 – Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas at Century II
- Dec. 9 – Comedian DC Young Fly at Orpheum Theatre
- Dec. 10 – Switchfoot: This is Our Christmas Tour at The Cotillion
- Dec. 10 – Jim Brickman A Very Merry Christmas Tour at Orpheum Theatre
- Dec. 15 – Comedian Chris Porter at Vorshay's Cocktail Lounge
- Dec. 15-17 – Andy Woodhull at The Loony Bin
- Dec. 16 – Insider: A Tribute to Tom Petty at The Cotillion
- Dec. 16 – The Iron Maidens at TempleLive
- Dec. 17 – Machine Head Electric Happy Hour Live at WAVE
- Dec. 18 – Katy Guillen & The Drive with The Travel Guide at WAVE
- Dec. 21 – Diamond Rio at TempleLive
- Dec. 29 – Broadway in Wichita Presents "The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA" at Century II
- Dec. 29-31 – Janet Williams at The Loony Bin
- Dec. 31 – Paramount: 80's Rock Night NYE at The Cotillion
Arts & Culture
- ongoing through Dec. 8 – National Watercolor Exhibition at Mark Arts
- ongoing through Dec. 31 – “Power to the People: Mexican Prints From the Great War to the Cold War" exhibition at Wichita Art Museum
- ongoing through Jan. 22 – "Paper Dreams: Alfred Maurer and American Masterpieces" at Wichita Art Museum
- ongoing through March 5 – "Kaleidoscope" exhibition at Wichita Art Museum
- ongoing through April 16 – "The Expansive Sky: Recent Acquisitions by Keith Jacobshagen" at Wichita Art Museum
- Dec. 2 – First Friday Gallery Crawl at various locations
- Dec. 10 – Art Together: Community Holiday Celebration at Mark Arts
Film Screenings
- Dec. 15 – "Miracle on 34th Street" film screening at Orpheum Theatre
- Dec. 17 – “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” film screening at Orpheum Theatre
- ongoing – "Kansas: An Immersive Dome Experience" at Exploration Place
- ongoing – “Superpower Dogs” in the Dome Theater at Exploration Place
- ongoing – "Serengeti" in the Dome Theater at Exploration Place
Adult-focused Events
- Nov. 18-Dec.31 – Snowbound: A Merry Ski Lodge holiday pop-up bar at Chicken N Pickle
- Dec. 2 – 12 Drinks of Christmas at Exploration Place
- Dec. 6 – Guided Wine Tasting at Jenny Dawn Cellars
- Dec. 7 – Moonlight Mermaids at The Enchanted Mermaid
- Dec. 7 – Senior Wednesday: Holly Jolly Holiday at Wichita Art Museum
- Dec. 9 – Thirsty Mermaid Paint Night at The Enchanted Mermaid
- Dec. 13 – Tasting Tuesday with Ad Astra Selections at Alzavino Wine Tavern
- Dec. 16 – Date Night Gun Fight at Rainier Arms Firearms Academy
- Dec. 16 – Paint Pour at The Enchanted Mermaid
- Dec. 17 – Holiday Experimental/Ugly Sweater Party at Wichita Brewing Co.
- Dec. 20 – December Wineucation at Jenny Dawn Cellars
For the latest list of events and experiences, check out the Visit Wichita calendar of events.
