Botanica’s Illuminations is an annual tradition in Wichita, which fills the night sky with holiday lights (up to two million of them!) and Christmas music. In addition to the amazing displays, show and carousel rides, Illuminations will have live carolers each night, hot coco and treats, and the opportunity to visit Santa.
Illuminations Dates: November 18 to January 1 (excluding Nov. 25 & 26, Dec. 24 & 25)
The entire community is invited to Illuminations to tour the gardens, enjoy the holiday-themed activities and atmosphere.
Illuminations will be open daily (with the exception of November 25 and 26 and December 24 and 25) from November 18, 2022 to December 21, 2022. Get your Tickets HERE
This year, three new things have been added to Illuminations:
- The Interactive Orb Display will be located on the hill of the Parriott Terrace. Guests are able to use a computer to program their own show and then watch their show in action in real time.
- The second new installation is the light stompers that allow guests of all ages to jump from stone to stone and watch them light up each time they touch a stomper. This installation will be located across from the top of the Grand Lawn in the Koch Carousel Gardens.
- Last, but certainly not least, is the 62 Foot MEGA holiday tree. This is one of the largest programmable branched trees in the Midwest Region. This tree has 80,000 individual light bulbs that will be programmed with holiday graphics and set to music. This incredible display will be located in the center of the Grand Lawn and can be seen from
near and far.
Photo by Rick McPherson
Pre-purchased tickets are required for entry to Illuminations. (Walk-in tickets will not be available.) Choose a time slot between 5:30-8:30 p.m. on the nights when Illuminations is open.
Below, we have information on what you’ll see, how much it costs, and where to park for Illuminations 2022.
Photo by Rick McPherson
Related:
Where to See Christmas Lights in Wichita
Holiday and Christmas Events Wichita, KS
What you can do and see at Botanica Illuminations
Illuminations transforms each garden area inside Botanica into a different themed holiday display or uniquely lit botanical setting. It will be different this year, as it is every year, but the display is a mile long with many lights, pop-up train display, the funky tree, candy cane lane, and more. Illuminations has been a tradition for families in our community for over 30 years, bringing over 135,000 guests to Botanica each year. It started with putting real candles in paper sacks and lining the garden pathways. After several years, it was decided to “electrify” Illuminations and have the luminaries run on electricity. Over the years, the fan-favorite displays were incorporated and Illuminations has been growing ever since.
Refreshments
Hot chocolate and snacks will be for sale; however, cash will not be accepted for these so be sure to bring a debit/credit card.
Joyland Carousel at Illuminations
The Khicha Family Carousel will be open! Ride tickets can be purchased inside the Carousel Pavilion. Each ride is $3.
Visit with Santa at Botanica
Santa visits Illuminations every year because he loves the lights! Kids are encouraged to bring a letter to Santa and drop it off in the oversized mailbox. The opportunity to visit and take pictures with Santa until he goes home on December 23rd for Christmas Eve night.
How much does it cost to go to Botanica’s Illuminations?
Tickets for Illuminations are an affordable $13 for adults and only $9 for members, military & youth. Children ages 2 and under are FREE. But please note:
Tickets are available ONLY in advance this year.
You must pre-purchase your light display tickets online and choose a time slot to attend. You can print your tickets at home or show the barcode on your phone. Your tickets will be scanned at the South Gate entrance across from Cowtown on Museum Blvd. Pre-purchasing with time slots has been helpful with
keeping lines to a manageable level and making sure the experience is the best for their guests
without huge crowds. In addition, it helps with parking too.
Where to park at Illuminations
You will enter Illuminations from the South Gate Entrance on Sim Park Drive across from Old Cowtown Museum. You can park in the Cowtown lot or this year there’s also a NEW River Edge Parking Lot you can use. For more information, visit the Parking page at the Botanica website.
It is also important to note that the ONLY entrance for guests for Illuminations is at our SOUTH
GATE EVENT ENTRANCE across from the older Cowtown parking lot. Parking lots that are
available for parking will be listed on our website each night, with all nights having additional
satellite parking and a shuttle bus. Visit www.botanica.org/Illuminations for parking information.
Illuminations
Have questions? Botanica has answers. Visit the FAQ page at the Illuminations website if you need any more details.
Buy tickets here at the Illuminations website.
Date: November 18 to January 1 (excluding Nov. 25 & 26, Dec. 24 & 25)
Time: 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Location: 701 Amidon, Wichita, KS 67203
Cost: $13 adults ($9 members, military, and youth) Kids 2 and under are FREE
With more than 2 million lights and new themed displays, Illuminations transforms Botanica’s gardens into a vast winter wonderland with themed light displays, electric train, hot cocoa, and live music.
Here is more Holiday Fun for 2022:
2022 Christmas Lights Displays
Fall Bazaars, Craft Shows & Holiday Markets
Watson Park Polar Express Train Ride
A Country Christmas with Live Reindeer at Fulton Valley Farms
Illuminations at Botanica with 2 Million Lights
I believe the Value Mart on Douglas is out of business. When I was by last week, the name was off the building and all the windows were “papered”.
I believe you’re right. I heard something about that recently. 🙁