Bradley Fair is bringing back two favorite Wichita Christmas traditions for 2026! The annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Stroll are great ways to get into the holiday spirit, enjoy festive activities, and make some family memories while staying within your budget.
Located at 21st and Rock Road in east Wichita, Bradley Fair is already a fun shopping and dining destination. During the holidays, it gets even better with Christmas decorations, Santa visits, and a festive train that takes families around the shopping center.
The best part? There’s plenty of holiday fun to enjoy for free, plus a few affordable extras if you want to make your visit special.
Bradley Fair Christmas Tree Lighting 2026
Free Tree Lighting
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
The annual Bradley Fair Christmas Tree Lighting returns, with a free community celebration.
The highlight of the evening is the lighting of the beautiful 35-foot Christmas tree by the Ronald McDonald House Wichita Family of the Year.
But there’s plenty to enjoy before the tree lights up!
FREE Activities at the Bradley Fair Tree Lighting
Families can look forward to:
- Photos with Santa Claus
- Christmas carols performed by the Studio Singers
- Hot chocolate
- Glowing holiday surprises for kids
- Rides on the Bradley Fair Express train
- The lighting of the 35-foot Christmas tree
The event is free to attend, although train rides are a separate ticketed activity.
Bradley Fair Holiday Stroll: Three Sundays of Christmas Fun
The Christmas fun doesn’t stop after the tree lighting!
Bradley Fair’s Holiday Stroll returns for three Sundays in December, giving families another chance to enjoy the holiday atmosphere, visit Santa, and explore the shops.
I love events like this because you can make an afternoon out of it without feeling like you have to pay for every activity.
What to Expect at the Bradley Fair Holiday Stroll
Each Holiday Stroll includes:
- Photos with Santa near Fenway Goods & Gifts
- Hot cocoa from Newport Grill
- Festive surprises from participating shops and restaurants
- Bradley Fair Express holiday train rides
You can stroll through the shopping center, enjoy the decorations, and browse your favorite stores. It’s also a fun opportunity to get a little Christmas shopping done.
Bradley Fair Express: Christmas Train Rides for Just $5
Holiday Train Rides
One of the highlights of the holiday festivities is the Bradley Fair Express!
This all-electric holiday train, powered by Fidelity Bank, takes families on a festive ride through Bradley Fair.
And the ticket prices are pretty reasonable, especially for families with younger kids.
Train Rides Dates 2026
- Sunday, December 6, 2026
- Sunday, December 13, 2026
- Sunday, December 20, 2026
Bradley Fair Express Train Tickets & Savings
- Ages 5 and older: $5 per person
- Children under 5: FREE
- A percentage of ticket proceeds benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities.
- Tickets are available online or on-site the day of the event.
- On-site purchases require digital card payment. No cash is accepted.
- Tickets are nonrefundable.
Purchase Bradley Fair Express tickets here.
My tip: If the train is on your must-do list, purchase tickets in
My Favorite Bradley Fair Lunch Spot (and a Money-Saving Tip!)
Bradley Fair is such a fun shopping experience, and I love stopping at Il Vicino while I’m there.
One of my go-to orders is the #18 Pollo e Pesto sandwich. It’s made with roasted chicken, pesto mayonnaise, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, red onions, and roasted red peppers.
It’s $14.50 and comes with a side salad, but here’s why I love it: the sandwich is so big that I can easily turn it into two meals!
That’s about $7.25 per meal, which is a pretty good deal for eating out.
If you’re visiting Bradley Fair for the holiday festivities, consider making an afternoon of it with some shopping and lunch.
Bradley Fair Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Stroll 2026 Details
Christmas Tree Lighting
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: Activities begin at 4:30 p.m.; festivities begin at 5 p.m.
Location: Bradley Fair, 2000 N. Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67206
Admission: FREE
Official Event: Ronald McDonald House Wichita Tree Lighting
Bradley Fair Holiday Stroll
Dates: Sundays, December 6, 13, and 20, 2026
Time: 2–4 p.m.
Location: Bradley Fair, 2000 N. Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67206
Admission: FREE to stroll; train rides are $5 per person ages 5 and older. Children under 5 ride free.
Official Event: Bradley Fair Holiday Stroll
Train Tickets: Bradley Fair Express on Eventbrite.
Just a Note: Event details, activities, and ticket availability can change. Double-check with Bradley Fair before heading out.
2 Responses
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Bradley Fair’s annual Christmas tree lighting is Saturday, November 24, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
But it’s Sunday, November 24
Oh oops! The 24th IS Sunday – thanks for pointing that out, Andrea. Correcting it now.