Feeling nostalgic for some old-fashioned hometown holiday fun? We’ve rounded up a Santa-pack full of Christmas tree lightings in Wichita and in our neighboring communities. Wichita is surrounded by wonderful small communities that have their own traditions and events for the holiday season. These festive events will have you exploring beyond your immediate neighborhood and enjoying Kansas’ famous small-town hospitality and old-fashioned holiday fun.
Christmas Tree Lighting Events in Wichita 2026
Cabela’s Tree Lighting and Arrival of Santa for Free Photos this Season
Santa’s making an early arrival at Santa’s Wonderland inside Cabela’s Wichita with a magical tree lighting and its the start of the FREE Santa photos all season long.
- Date: November 7, 2026
- Time: 5 p.m.
- Location: 2427 N Greenwich Rd, Wichita, KS 67226
- Cost: FREE
Opening Night Tree Lighting at Isle of Lights
Gather around the 18-foot Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols, drink hot cocoa, eat cookies, and say a blessing. Enjoy this fun and vibrant community as it kicks off its big annual Isle of Lights attraction.
- Date: November 15, 2026
- Time: 5:30 pm
- Location: 200 N. Main Street, Winfield, KS 67156
- Price: FREE
Mulvane Community Tree Lighting
The annual tree lighting at the splash pad! The Mayor will light the tree and enjoy a few carols.
- Date: November 19, 2026
- Time: 6:45 p.m.
- Location: Pix Community Center, 101 E Main St, Mulvane, KS 67110
- Cost: FREE
Free Derby Tree Lighting
Santa photos, hot cocoa, cookies, kettle corn, kids’ crafts, and holiday music all for FREE! Derby’s Christmas Tree Lighting with the Mayor is a fun way to kick off the holiday season without spending a dime!
- Date: November 19, 2026
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Location: Madison Avenue Central Park, 512 E. Madison Ave., Derby, KS 67037
- Cost: FREE
Bradley Fair Annual Tree Lighting
- Date: November 21, 2026
- Time: 4 – 7 pm (tree lighting at 6 pm)
- Location: Bradley Fair Shopping Center, 2000 N. Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67206
- Price: FREE
Friends University Clock Towner Lighting
This event is open to the public with live music, cookies, and more. Be part of the illumination of the historic Davis Clock Tower.
- Date: November 22, 2026
- Time: at 6 p.m.
- Location: Friends University, Rose Window Plaza
- Cost: FREE
Garden Plain Christmas Kickoff
Enjoy a fun holiday tradition in Garden Plain, KS with the annual Christmas Kickoff celebration. It’s FREE and open to the public.
- Date: November 28, 2026
- Time: 4:30 – 7 pm (tree lighting at 6 pm)
- Location: Parish Hall/Beck Field, 600 Block N. Main Street, Garden Plain, KS
- Price: FREE
Free Christmas Parade in Augusta, KS
Augusta’s annual Christmas Parade in the Red Brick District downtown. You’ll see the dazzling Christmas lights on parade, visit with Santa and his reindeer, and enjoy treats like cookies and hot cocoa to keep you warm.
- Date: December 1, 2026
- Time: 6:30 – 8 pm .
- Location: Downtown Augusta
- Cost: FREE
Free Merry & Bright Union Station Holiday Event
This annual holiday lighting event at the historic Union Station in downtown Wichita! Wichita Mayor will do the honor of flipping on the switch to light the Christmas tree.
This completely FREE event in downtown Wichita includes carriage rides, photos with Santa, fireworks, hot cocoa, cookies, and live holiday entertainment.
- Date: December 3, 2026
- Time: from 5:30 -7:30 pm
- Location: Old Town Square, at 2nd & Mead in Wichita
- Price: FREE
Parade of Lights in Newton
Enjoy the parade, hot chocolate and cookies, photos with Santa, and shopping at the downtown businesses
- Date: December 3, 2026
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Newton, KS.
Winter Wonderland in Naftzger Park
Visit Naftzger Park in Downtown Wichita to see the lights and decorations while listening to music and entertainment at the Energy Pavilion.
- Date: December 4, 2026
- Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
- Location: Naftzger Park, 601 East Douglas
- Cost: FREE
Christmas on Main Street in Goddard
In addition to the Goddard Christmas Tree Lighting, there will be a parade, photos with Santa, crafts, vendors & food trucks! They will be busy! Maybe they brought in some of Santa’s elves…
- Date: December 5, 2026
- Time: 4 – 7 p.m.
- Location: Linear Park, 139 E. Santa Fe, Goddard, KS 67052
Christmas in Bel Aire
Christmas in Bel Aire is a free, family-friendly way to kick off the season at Bel Aire City Hall. Families can meet Santa, make simple holiday crafts, decorate cookies, and enjoy festive treats. The afternoon wraps up with a cheerful holiday light show that brings City Hall to life. It’s an easy, memorable holiday outing for Wichita families looking to celebrate without spending a lot.
- Date: December 5, 2026
- Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
- Location: 7651 E. Central Park Ave.
Light Up Hutch Downtown Christmas Parade
A day filled with fun and shopping, then the parade in the evening. You can also enjoy food vendors, performances and Santa!
- Date: December 5, 2026
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Hutchinson, KS from Ave A to 7th St.
Eldorado, KS Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
The tree lighting is just one fun event in the El Dorado, Kansas, Old Fashioned Christmas event.
- Date: December 5, 2026
- Time: 5 pm
- Location: 205 W. Central Ave, El Dorado, KS 67042
- Price: FREE
Village Christmas in Haysville, KS
Get pics with Santa, enjoy a soup & chili feed, live music, Christmas caroling, silent auction, wagonette rides, arts & crafts, and more festive activities.
- Date: December 5, 2026
- Time: 5-7:30 (tree lighting at 5:00 p.m.)
- Location: Pride Park, 102 N Main St, Haysville, KS 67060
- Price: FREE
Maize Whoville & Christmas Tree Lighting
Christmas tree lighting, selfies with Santa, sweet treats, hot drinks, live entertainment, shopping, and more. Info
- Date: December 6, 2026
- Time: 5-7 p.m.
- Location: Maize Claire Donnelly Amphitheater, 401 S. Khedive St., Maize, KS
- Cost: FREE
City of Andover Tree Lighting
This is a family favorite of ours because my girls love the hay rack rides and of course the smores with first responses.
- Date: December 10, 2026
- Time: 4:30 – 8 p.m.
- Location: 1607 E. Central Ave., Andover, KS
- Cost: FREE to attend
Rose Hill Hometown Christmas Parade
This is a fun free thing to do! You can enjoy a holiday parade, see Santa, petting zoo, crafts, smores and more.
- Date: December 12, 2026
- Time: 3 pm
- Location: Parade begins and ends at the football stadium parking lot
- Price: FREE
Wichita Calendar of Tree Lightings and Christmas Parades
Dates Coming Soon …
Valley Center Christmas, Hometown Christmas, and Tree Lighting
- Date: December (coming soon)
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location:100 block of West Main Street in Valley Center, KS.
- Cost: FREE to attend
- Christmas brass & jazz ensemble, VCHS Madrigals, hot chocolate and cookies, plus a special visitor from the North Pole (shh!). More info.
City of Sedgwick Community Christmas
- Date: December (coming soon)
- Time: 5:15-8:30 p.m.
- Location: 520 N. Commercial Ave, Sedgwick, KS 67135
- A fun-filled evening of cheer, including the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa’s arrival, crafts and activities for kids, sweet treats & hot chocolate, and live Christmas music. Info
Colwich Christmas Festival
- Date: December (coming soon)
- Time: 5-6:30 p.m.
- Location: Veterans Park & CES North Gym
- Price: FREE
- Candy cane hunt in the park at 5 p.m., games, crafts, treats and more to follow at the gym. Visit with Santa from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Source info
Lights on the River Holiday Celebration – Cancelled
The water levels are too low for this year.
- Date:
- Time:
- NEW location: Douglas & McClean Blvd.
- Cost: FREE to attend
- River conditions will preclude launching the lighted orbs, but you can purchase glow sticks to light alongside the Arkansas River instead.
- There will also be horse-drawn wagon rides, a primitive stroll along the river, s’mores, Santa visits and photos, and more. Proceeds from the lights go to Ark River water quality improvements. Find out more from their Facebook page HERE
Here is more Holiday Fun for:
Where to See Christmas Lights in Wichita
Fall Bazaars, Craft Shows & Holiday Markets
Watson Park Polar Express Train Ride
A Country Christmas with Live Reindeer at Fulton Valley Farms
