Feel the magic of the season and make memories during Christmas time in Wichita. We have a sleigh full of holiday events, from live performances for a friend’s night out to hands-on family-friendly activities.

We have compiled this list of some of our favorite holiday events in Wichita this year. Be sure to check with each venue for ticketing and full details.

Children play in the snow indoors at the Arctic Adventure exhibit at Exploration Place

Holiday Experiences

  • Wild Lights at Sedgwick County Zoo – ongoing through Dec. 17
  • Ice Pond at Chicken N Pickle – ongoing through mid-Feb (weather permitting)
  • Arctic Adventure at Exploration Place – Nov. 10-Jan. 7, 2024
  • Santa's Wonderland at Cabela's - Nov. 4-Dec. 24
  • Magic of Lights at Kansas International Speedway – Nov. 17-Dec. 31
  • Illuminations 2023 at Botanica Wichita – Nov. 24-Dec. 30
  • Holly Jolly Jurassic Holiday at Field Station: Dinosaurs – Nov. 24-Dec. 31 (days vary)
  • Lights at AbilityPoint at The Arc - Nov. 23-Dec. 28
  • Johnson's Garden Center Holiday Wreath Workshop – Nov. 24-26 and Dec. 2-3
  • Johnson's Garden Center Holiday Porch Pot Workshop – Nov. 24-26 and Dec. 2, 3 & 16
  • A Country Christmas at Fulton Valley Farms – Nov. 25-Dec. 24
  • Ice Pond at the Plazzio at Chicken N Pickle – opens around Thanksgiving weekend (depending on weather conditions)
  • Watson's Christmas Express at O.J. Watson Park – Nov. 24-25, Dec. 1-2, Dec. 8-10, Dec. 15-17 and Dec. 22-23
  • Victorian Christmas at Old Cowtown Museum – Dec. 1-2 & 8-9Storytime: “Dream Snow” by Eric Carle at Wichita Art Museum – Dec. 1
  • Helicopter Holiday Lights Tour – Dec. 1-28 at DWTA Helicopters
  • Wichita Tamale Christmas Crawl – Beginning at Emerson Biggins in Old Town – Dec. 2
  • Wichita Jeeples/Jeepers of the Plains Toy Run at Jimmie's Diner – Dec. 2
  • Breakfast With Santa at Eberly Farm – Dec. 2
  • Family ArtVenture: Holiday Open House at Wichita Art Museum – Dec. 2
  • Lights on the River at Wichita Boathouse – Dec. 3
  • Holiday Cookie Decorating - National Cookie Day at Siena Tuscan Steakhouse – Dec. 4
  • Kansas Global Holiday Market at Riverfront Stadium – Dec. 8-10
  • Art Together: Holidays Around the World at Mark Arts – Dec. 9
  • Winter Wonderland at Naftzger Park – Dec. 9
  • Jingle Bell Run at Botanica Wichita – Dec. 9
  • Blow Your Own Ornament at Karg Art Glass – Call to make an appointment (316-744-2442)
  • "The Holiday" film screening at Crown Uptown Theatre  – Dec. 14
  • "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" film screening at Orpheum Theatre – Dec. 15
  • "Home Alone" film screening at Crown Uptown Theatre – Dec. 17
  • A Day with The Grinch at Kansas Aviation Museum – Dec. 19
  • Cocoa and Cookies with Santa at Kansas Aviation Museum – Dec. 20
  • "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" film screening at Crown Uptown Theatre  – Dec. 21
  • Cookie Decorating Party at Exploration Place – Dec. 21

holiday events 2021_ballet wichita

Live Music & Entertainment

  • Frozen Sing Along at Exploration Place – Nov. 16, 19 & 30; Dec. 3, 7, 10, 12, 17, 21 & 28; Jan. 4 & 7, 2024
  • “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center – Nov. 21
  • “A Cabaret Christmas” at Roxy’s Downtown – Nov. 24-Dec. 23
  • Chris Isaak It's Almost Christmas Tour at Orpheum Theatre – Dec. 3
  • Tran-Siberian Orchestra at INTRUST Bank Arena – Dec. 6
  • “Elf the Musical” at The Forum Theatre – Dec. 7-10, Dec. 14-17 and Dec. 21-23
  • Spirit of the Season Free Family Holiday Concert at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center – Dec. 12
  • Ballet Wichita’s The Nutcracker at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center – Dec. 15-17
  • Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center – Dec. 18
  • Pentatonix at INTRUST Bank Arena – Dec. 19
  • "Die Hard" film screening at Orpheum Theatre – Dec. 21

Four women hold up cocktails and smile with Christmas lights and decor in the background

Adult Festivities 

  • Holiday Hideaway at Chicken N Pickle – Beginning Nov. 18
  • 2nd Annual Drinksgiving at Rock Island Live – Nov. 23 
  • SnowGlobe ICT at River City Brewing Co. – Nov. 20-Dec. 31
  • The Jingle Holiday Pop-Up Bar at Public – Nov. 22-Dec. 31
  • 12 Drinks of Christmas at Exploration Place – Dec. 1
  • Interactive Screening of “Elf” (21+ event) at Wichita Art Museum – Dec. 1
  • Holiday Date Night Experience at GROW Giesen Plant Shop/Botanic – Dec. 2
  • Ugly Sweater Party at Dockum – Dec. 8
  • Ugly Sweater Experimental Beer Fest at Wichita Brewing Co. – Dec. 16
  • Festivus at the Gnome at Hopping Gnome Brewing Company – Dec. 23

Winter garden igloos are also popular in Wichita. Find them at Nortons Brewing Co., Chicken N Pickle and Ziggy's Pizza (Auburn HillsClifton SquareNortheast and West). 

Two women shop for Christmas ornaments at an ourdoor market

Holiday Shopping Events

  • First Friday Gallery Crawl in Downtown Wichita – Nov. 3 & Dec. 1
  • Plantsgiving! at GROW Giesen Plant Shop/Botanic – Nov. 22
  • Black Friday Getaway at GROW Giesen Plant Shop/Botanic – Nov. 24
  • Bringing It Black Small Business Saturday at Candela at The Lux – Nov. 25
  • Small Business Saturday Pop Up Market at Hopping Gnome Brewing Company - Nov. 25
  • Small Business Saturday at GROW Giesen Plant Shop/Botanic – Nov. 25
  • Craftsmas at GROW at GROW Giesen Plant Shop/Botanic – Dec. 2
  • Holidays in Delano in Historic Delano District – Dec. 2-10
  • Sunday Sip & Shop at Alzavino Wine Tavern – Dec. 3
  • HoliDAZE Annual Pop Up Market at Brick & Mortar - Dec. 3
  • 2nd Saturday at various locations – Nov. 11 & Dec. 9
  • Let it GROW at GROW Giesen Plant Shop/Botanic – Dec. 9
  • Kansas Grown Farmers Market Indoor Winter Market at Sedgwick County Extension Office – Nov. 18, Dec. 9 & 16
  • Shop & Grub at Exploration Place Festival Plaza – Nov. 19
  • Holiday Tables at Mark Arts – Nov. 9-12
  • Small Business Saturday at various locations – Nov. 25
  • 8th Annual Holiday Market at the Envision Arts Gallery - Nov. 25-Dec. 9
  • Museum Store Sunday at Wichita Art Museum – Nov. 26
  • Kansas Global Holiday Market at Riverfront Stadium – Dec. 8-10
  • Holiday Makers Market at Johnson's Garden Center – Dec. 16

There is no shortage of things to do during the holidays. Visit our webpage devoted to helping you find ways to spend your holidays in Wichita, from wonderful places to shop and pick up treats to additional blog posts that give you more ways to enjoy the season.