Big events in Wichita happening in December

Posted: Nov. 16, 2022

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.

Cast members are dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Holiday Special production by Music Theatre Wichita

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.

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