Many of Wichita’s favorite holiday events get underway this weekend
It’s Thanksgiving weekend, and as soon as the turkey is put away, Christmas starts — at least in Wichita. Several of the city’s most beloved annual holiday events, from Botanica’s Illuminations to Metropolitan Ballet’s “Nutcracker” to O.J. Watson Park’s Christmas Express — kick off this weekend.
Following is a list detailing some of those events plus other ideas for how to pass Thanksgiving weekend.
Illuminations kickoff
Friday-Dec. 30, Botanica, 701 Amidon
Illuminations, the annual holiday lights show that this year will fill Botanica with more than 2 million holiday lights, opens on Friday and will include a 62-foot tree, a lighted walk-through gingerbread house, photos with Santa and all the usual attractions, including the “funky tree,” the meadow of dancing lights and more. Illuminations runs through Dec. 30, and tickets must be purchased in advance. They are $16, $13 for members, military members and seniors, $10 for children ages 3-12 and free for children 2 and younger at botanica.org/illuminations. Timed admissions start at 5:30 p.m. and continue every hour through 8:30 p.m. Entry is through the southeast gate at 1912 W. Sim Park Drive.
‘Nutcracker’ at Century II
7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Century II Concert Hall, 225 W. Douglas
“Nutcracker” season is underway in Wichita, and next up is Metropolitan Ballet’s 26th annual performance of the classic holiday ballet at Century II. The company is putting on two performances this weekend: at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Century II Concert Hall. The cast, as always, is made up of local dancers and guest artists, and the performances are suitable for the whole family. Tickets are $15 to $45 at selectaseat.com
Christmas Express
Friday-Dec. 23, O.J. Watson Park, 3022 S. McLean Blvd.
This weekend will mark the start of Watson’s Christmas Express, an event put on every year at O.J. Watson Park, 3022 S McLean Blvd. The event, which opens Friday and runs Fridays and Saturdays (plus Sundays Dec. 10 and Dec. 17) through Dec. 23, includes readings of Chris Van Allsburg’s “The Polar Express” followed by crafts and a train ride that will take visitors to see Santa at a simulated North Pole station. It also offers s’mores and unlimited hot chocolate at a campfire circle. Visitors can choose between two ticket options: They must register in advance for a VIP package that runs every 75 minutes between 5 and 8:15 p.m. and includes all activities. Or, they can opt to buy general admission tickets at the door on a first-come, first-served basis between 5 and 6:30 p.m. VIP tickets are $18 a person; general admission for the train ride is $12, and the s’mores hot chocolate add-on is $4. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit wichita.gov/ParkandRec/WatsonPark/Pages/Train.aspx
Frozen Sing-Along
6 p.m. select Thursdays, 3 p.m. select Sundays through Jan. 7, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean
Does your kid never stop singing songs from “Frozen?” If so, he or she can join other Elsa and Anna enthusiasts at a “Frozen” sing-along at Exploration Place. The event includes a screening of the 2013 movie and invites them to sing along. Throughout the film, fans will be treated to surprises, interactive cues and an appearance by Olaf. The sing-alongs happen at 6 p.m. Thursdays through Jan. 4 (except Thanksgiving day) and at 3 p.m. Sundays Dec. 3, 10 and 17 and Jan. 7 in Exploration Place’s Kemper Theater. All ages are welcome, and tickets are $18, $15 for members. Get them at exploration.org/event/frozen-sing-along/
Holly Jolly Jurassic Holiday
Friday through Dec. 31, Field Station: Dinosaurs, 2999 N. Rock Road, Derby,
If the family would prefer a prehistoric holiday, they can start it at Holly Jolly Jurassic Holiday, which opens on Friday at Field Station: Dinosaurs in Derby. The event features 40 life-sized animatronic replicas of dinosaurs on display among 10 acres of holiday lights. The event also will include holiday activities like sledding and snowman cornhole. The event runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 17 and Dec. 20-23 and from 1 to 9 p.m. Dec. 26-31. It’s closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $10 for ages 2 and older, free for members and children under 2. Tickets are available at the gate or online at kansasdinos.com/holiday
Bluesy holiday weekend
8 p.m. Saturday, The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg
The Danielle Nicole Band, a blues act from Kansas City, will perform over Thanksgiving weekend at the Cotillion along with opening act Katy Guillen & The Drive. The group’s leader, Danielle Nicole Schnebelen – a singer and bassist – was one of the founding members of the sibling band Trampled Under Foot but has been performing on her own since 2015 and now travels with her six-piece band. The show starts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, and doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $22 at thecotillion.com
