Christmas Tree Lightings and Christmas Parades in Wichita 2025
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 […]
Newton Parade of Lights
The Newton Lions Club will again hold its annual Christmas parade in Newton, Kansas. The Parade of Lights will be happening on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is FREE. Every float in the parade will be illuminated. It should be an awesome sight! The route will follow Main Street through the historic […]
Kids Eat Free at IHop in December
IHOP is bringing back a December favorite this year: Kids Eat Free. If you’re a Wichita family trying to save a little during the Holiday Season like my girls and I are, this deal can stretch your dining budget in a big way. But there’s a catch this year, so here’s what Wichita parents need […]
Gingerbread Village Event at Exploration Place
The annual Gingerbread Village at Exploration Place is back! Gingerbread Village is one of Wichita’s favorite holiday traditions at Exploration Place on December 6 & 7, 2025 This event is one of the best DEALS for the Holiday Season. For the ticket price, you get so much! This event is perfect for families, offering activities for […]
Spirit of the Season FREE Family Concert from Wichita Symphony
The annual Spirit of the Season concert is a gift from the Wichita Symphony Orchestra to the community. Each year, the Symphony invites the community to attend a free concert and enjoy the sounds of the season, featuring Christmas carols and holiday hits. It’s a super-popular annual Christmas event in Wichita! This is one of […]
Metropolitan Ballet Nutcracker performances in Wichita
The Metropolitan Ballet returns to Century II for in-person performances of The Nutcracker Ballet. Tickets start at just $18, and all ages are welcome! Metropolitan Ballet brings you the magic of Christmas in their annual production of “The Nutcracker.” This timeless classic will feature many local dancers and a few exquisite guest artists. Don’t miss […]
Victorian Christmas at Old Cowtown Museum
Celebrate an old-fashioned holiday at Old Cowtown Museum’s Victorian Christmas event this season in Wichita. Stroll along lamp-lit, carol-filled streets, warm up with a cup of hot cocoa, and check out the Victorian dancers in the evenings on two weekends in December. Victorian Christmas has become a family tradition for many in the Wichita area. […]
Winter Wonderland Event at Naftzger Park: Free Event
Winter Wonderland at Naftzger Park is a FREE event courtesy of Wichita Park & Recreation. It is the best FREE event with s’mores, Santa, hot cocoa, holiday lights, and more. This event is crafted to spread holiday joy throughout the community. Wander through the park while enjoying the brilliant lights and whimsical decorations. Immerse yourself […]
USPS Operation Santa: Letters to Santa
The holiday season is around the corner, and the United States Postal Service’s special program called Operation Santa makes it fun and easy for kids to send a letter to Santa and for volunteers to adopt letters and help make someone’s Christmas extra bright. Here’s how families in Wichita (and beyond) can participate, share the […]
Christmas Tree Farms near Wichita 2025
There are many places you can buy a live Christmas tree, but if you want the full traditional Christmas tree experience, you won’t want to pick it up at a store lot. Check out our list of the best Christmas Tree Farms in and around Wichita. Take a page out of Clark Griswold’s book and build […]
Oh what fun – Clydesdale Carriage Rides at Winfield Isle of Lights
Winfield, KS, has a beautiful mile-long Christmas display that’s a must-see for your yearly family tradition! Isle of Lights was formed in 1993 as a not-for-profit organization with the vision to create a Christmas lighting display in Winfield’s beautiful Island Park. Every year since, new displays have been added to the park. Funds for new displays and expenses are […]
Downtown Wichita: Holiday Window Wonderland Free Displays
One of my favorite simple (and free!) ways to enjoy the holidays in Wichita is to wander downtown and check out all the festive window displays. Downtown Wichita’s Holiday Window Decorating Contest is back this year, running from November 28 through January 1, and the public gets to vote for the most creative and cheerful […]
Ice Skating at Chicken N Pickle
Chicken N Pickle ice skating rink in Wichita is now open! Grab your skates (or rent them there) and take a few turns around the pond. Don’t forget to bundle up with a warm coat, thick socks, and gloves! The Igloos are back! Two cozy igloos near the ice rink provide the perfect spot to […]
Where to see Santa in Wichita 2025
He’s a busy guy, but Santa still always makes time to visit Wichita every year. See the full schedule of his stops below! He loves our city because the people are great, there isn’t a lot of traffic, and we have so many affordable things to do. But best of all, of course, is the […]
Christmas Pop-up Bars and Holiday Igloos in Wichita 2025
Have you checked out a pop-up bar or Igloo in Wichita this holiday season? There are many new options to help you get into a festive mood this Christmas. Pop-up bars and holiday igloos often offer unique, festive experiences, which contribute to their popularity. During holidays, these venues often feature festive decorations, lighting, and music […]
Black Friday Deals at Local Salon Brands 2025
Salon Brands is making it easier than ever to shop locally while saving big. Whether in-store or online, these Black Friday deals are the perfect way to check off your holiday shopping list. The local store is offering its biggest savings of the season through Cyber Monday. The local beauty retailer is pulling out all […]
Free carriage rides in Old Town again!
Yippee! Bring the family to Old Town this season for a little local shopping and dining, plus FREE horse-drawn carriage rides on November 28 & 29, 2025! That’s right! They are back. Woo-hoo. Carriage rides will be available on those two evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. You’ll catch the carriage in Old Town […]
Krispy Kreme Thanksgiving Deal
Krispy Kreme’s Thanksgiving deal is back, and it’s one of the best offers they run all year. If your family loves a good doughnut deal as much as mine, this one is worth marking on your calendar. From November 25–27, 2025, you can buy any dozen doughnuts and snag a dozen Original Glazed for just […]
Christmas in the Garden
If you’re looking for a peaceful and Free Christmas outing in Wichita, the Prayer Garden Walk at Calvary’s Rock Church is a beautiful way to celebrate the season. Taking place December 15–21, 2025, this free event gives families a chance to slow down, enjoy the lights, and experience the story of Jesus Christ from prophecy […]
Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids and Families
Fun, unforgettable gifts for kids that aren’t toys. We <3 them!
Village Christmas: Tree lighting and holiday fun in Haysville KS
Haysville, KS will kick off the holiday season with Village Christmas – a festive event that includes a tree lighting, photos with Santa, warm food, fun activities, live music, a vendor market, and more. Village Christmas is scheduled for December 6, and the festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. with a soup & chili feed ($9) […]
City of Derby Christmas Tree Lighting
Within Wichita, we have the Bradley Fair tree lighting and the City of Wichita tree lighting. But our friends to the south will be lighting their city tree soon as well. The City of Derby tree lighting will take place on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 6 p.m. What fun! The mayor will kick off […]
Friends University Christmas Clock Tower Lighting 2025
Friends University illuminates the historic Davis clock tower on November 23, 2025, at 6 p.m. This time-honored tradition on the Friends University campus at Rose Window Plaza is a symbol of the start of the holiday season for the campus and the Wichita community. Whether you attend Friends University or just live in Wichita, you […]
Merry & Bright: Wichita Mayor’s Tree Lighting at Union Station
The Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting will be at Union Station 2025, and it’s called Merry & Bright. This is a completely FREE event in Wichita, and there will be lots of holiday activities to get you into the Holiday Spirit! Union Station’s Merry & Bright event and Christmas tree lighting has become one of my […]
Ballet of Wichita Presents The Nutcracker at Century II
This December, Ballet Wichita will host another production of The Nutcracker. Embark on a captivating journey into a spellbinding realm inhabited by animated dancing dolls, playful mice engaging in daring tangos, and snowflakes that sparkle like a million stars. Brace yourself for the holiday season’s most eagerly anticipated event – the Nutcracker Ballet! Guided by […]