Christmas lights Wichita KS 2021

A Christmas Story holiday light display. One of my favorites. In the Candy Cane Lane area of west Wichita.

Over the years, readers have asked where they can see Christmas light displays in Wichita, and that’s a great idea for a post because driving around looking at the lights is not only a fun family tradition, it’s also really inexpensive. (Even after you factor in the price of gas.)

This year we’ve put the holiday light displays on a map! Scroll down or click here to get to it.

Several Wichita holiday light displays accept donations for charitable causes, so while they are technically free, it’s polite to donate. Also, several of these are in residential neighborhoods, so of course do your best to be considerate of the neighbors (like not blocking someone’s driveway or being too noisy).

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So here are all the best places we know of where you can take your family to see the Christmas lights in Wichita.

Wichita Christmas Lights 2021

Botanica Wichita Illuminations

Date: November 18 through January 1 (excluding Nov. 24 & 25, and Dec. 24 & 25)
Time: Evenings, 5:30-9:00 p.m. 
Location: 701 Amidon, Wichita, KS 67203
Cost: $13 adults, $9 Botanica members, military, seniors, and youth 12 and under, Ages 2 and under are free; MUST purchase tickets online in advance in 2021

Although this isn’t a traditional “drive around looking at Wichita Christmas lights” activity, and it isn’t free, Illuminations has over two million lights to walk through – as well as activities and appearances by Santa – so it’s an absolute must to mention in a roundup of where to see holiday lights in Wichita. This year, Illuminations will not have a drive-thru option like they did last year. Read more about it here.

Lights at Ability Point (formerly The Arc Lights/Lights on St. Paul)

Photo courtesy of The Arc of Sedgwick County

Dates: Thanksgiving through December 28, 2021 
Time: 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. 
Location: Douglas and St. Paul Street, Wichita, KS 67203
Cost: Admission is generally a $10 donation per carload. Tickets can be purchased in advance at QuikTrip.

Experience this holiday wonderland from the warmth of your car as you drive through more than 1 million lights and displays. The popular Arc Lights (now Lights at Ability Point) drive-through Christmas light display has been a Wichita holiday tradition for decades. It is now known as Lights at Ability Point, and is a fundraiser for the organization. It’s quite stunning; my favorite part is driving through the arch of lights!

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Friends University Clock Tower

These aren’t lights set to music, but they’re stunning nonetheless. Driving past the Friends University Davis Administration building during the holidays definitely makes the season bright. The annual clocktower lighting is on November 21, 2021 this year.

Christmas at the McKinneys’

Location: 1462 N. Coolidge Ave., Wichita, KS 67203
Cost: FREE

Tune your radio to 89.7 FM for music synchronized to the lights display. More info

Christmas On Crestline

Location: 914 N. Crestline Street, Wichita, Kansas 67212
Opens: Friday, November 26, 2021
Cost: FREE

An animated Christmas light show in west Wichita with over 80,000 lights! This residential light display began in 2011 and now has its own YouTube channel. Tune your radios to 100.7 FM. Santa’s workshop sits just off the curb and Santa can be seen inside with his elves preparing for the big night! This season they’ll have a Santa & Elves photo prop. Two blocks north of Central just one block east of Maize. More info

Lights on Texas

Location: 11603 W Texas, Wichita, KS 67209
Dates: Opens Friday, November 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE

Back for 2021! An over-the-top light show with 200,000 Christmas lights. 

Lights on Texas, formerly Lights on Lawrence, is a Griswold-worthy display that started in 2008 and grew each year. At one time they had nearly half a million computer-animated lights on their home! The family scaled back the display after the homeowner lost his dad, the man who inspired it all, and who had been Santa (‘s helper).  More info

Candy Cane Lane, Wichita KS

Photo credit: Emily Schuster

Location: N. Azure Cir. Wichita KS 67235; Deer Glen Addition, 119th and Central (NW side of intersection), 
Dates: Thanksgiving night through New Year’s Eve 2021
Cost: FREE

All 20 houses in the circle have huge candy canes and tons of lights. Be prepared for a traffic jam, because everyone wants to see this neighborhood full of Christmas lights synchronized to music. Thanks to Lori for the tip! On Friday and Saturday nights,  some of the residents of Candy Cane Lane collect non-perishable food and money for the Kansas Food Bank. More info

Lights on Hickory Creek

Location: 1101 N Hickory Creek, Wichita KS 67235
Dates: December 2021
Cost: FREE

Tune the radio to 92.5FM to see the lights move to the music. 🙂 Over in the same general one-mile square as Candy Cane Lane and Reindeer Road. 

Reindeer Road

Photo by Emily Schuster

Location: Firefly St., Firefly Lane and Firefly Circle Wichita, KS
Cost: FREE

Just down the road (one block west) from Candy Cane Lane is Reindeer Road! They have several handmade reindeer cutouts that are 8-feet and 16-feet tall. Firefly Circle is a cul-de-sac; directly across the road is Firefly St. which turns into Firefly Lane. Thanks, Emily!

Christmas at the Titus’s Lights on Battin

Dates: Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day
Times: 5:30-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings; 5:30-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday evenings
Location: 1844-1850 S. Battin 
Cost: FREE

Tune your vehicle radio to 104.1 to listen to the music. This beautiful light display was submitted by the daughter-in-law of the homeowner. Now in its 12th year, this Wichita Christmas light display has over 70,000 lights programmed to music. There’s also a 20-foot Christmas tree, a talking Rudolph, and 5 lighted arches!

Each show lasts approximately 20 minutes and changes nightly. 

Lights on Ocieo

Dates: November 24, 2021 to January 1, 2022
Times: 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Location: 6726 W. Ocieo St., Wichita, KS 67205
Cost: FREE

Tune your radio to FM 106.9 to watch thousands of lights dancing to 11 different musical sequences. Displays include lighted canopy of trees, nativity scene, Santa sleigh and reindeer on the roof plus four RGB singing trees, star bursts, and more! Lights will be running from 5:30 pm to 7:00 am through January 1.

Carols on the Court

Photo courtesy of Carols on the Court

Dates: Nov. 27 through Dec. 31, 2021
Times: Sun-Thurs 5:30-10 p.m. and Fri-Sat 5:30-10 p.m.
Location: 1358 N Aksarben Ct, Wichita, KS 67235
Cost: FREE

A 4000-light RGB show that can be controlled via the website. Tune in to 100.5 FM to hear the music synced to the holiday light show. You can control the lights when you’re at the show by using controls at the Carols on the Court website here. Learn more about the show on the family’s Facebook page here.

Lights on 45th Street

Photo: Don

Dates: Daily from Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Day
Times: 6 p.m. to midnight
Location: 1802 E 45Th ST S, Wichita 67216
Cost: FREE

Lights on 45th St, This is a somewhat new Christmas light show in Wichita. The house can be found on 45th st, close to 47th and Hydraulic. Tune in to 89.5 FM to watch the lights dance to the music.Thanks Stephanie!

Lights on Longview

Dates: Opens Thanksgiving day; lights on through New Year’s Eve
Location: 3805 Longview Lane, Wichita, KS (near Kellogg and Hillside)
Cost: FREE

This one is a favorite of lots of Wichitans. Opens Thanksgiving night in 2021. They have 50,000 LED lights programmed to musical remixes of Christmas themed music. Tune your radio to the station given on the yard sign. More info  Thanks, Deborah!

Lights on Brummet

Dates: The homeowner is “hopeful for a traditional Thanksgiving evening opening” in 2021.
Location: 3721 Brummet, Wichita, KS
Cost: FREE

In southwest Wichita. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sun- Thurs and 5:30- 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Tune in to 101.7FM to listen while you watch.  More info Thanks, Brian!

Magic of Christmas

Dates: Thanksgiving (Nov 25) through December 26, 2021
Time: Daily 6-10 pm, weather permitting.
Admission: Free

Location: Located in Goddard Kansas, 5 minutes West of Wichita. Turn South from highway 54 at the Pizza Hut, which is Cedar Street, go south two blocks. The display is located at 143 E 4th.

The “Magic of Christmas” is a computerized light display synchronized to music and broadcast on 98.5 FM. Thousands of lights, animated train, animated drumming soldiers, animated 3 piece band, animated children with bells, 25ft mega tree, snowmen, leaping arches, lighted trees, strobes and more. Family friendly, kids love it and parents do too!

Lights on Sunnyslope

Location: 2602 E Sunnyslope St., Park City KS
Dates: Opens Thanksgiving night
Cost: FREE

Lights on Sunnyslope is located in Park City, KS at 2602 E Sunnyslope St. Tune to 88.1 FM to see the 26,000 lights dance to music. Sunday-Thursday 5:45 pm to 10:30 pm and Friday-Saturday 5:45 pm to 11:00 pm. More info. (Thanks for telling us about this one Jeff!) 

Winfield Isle of Lights

Dates: November 21 until December 30, 2021
Times:6-10 p.m.
Location: 200 N. Main St., Winfield, KS 67156
Admission: FREE, but donations are greatly appreciated

In Island Park on the north end of Winfield, KS Over a million lights. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated for this all-volunteer project. Thanks to Carol, who mentioned this one in the comments! More info

Mason Family Christmas

Location: 1316 E Hurley, Haysville, KS

Christmas lights in Haysville, KS. The Mason Family Christmas lights feature Nutmeg, the 16 foot reindeer and a giant selfie bench. (Thanks for letting us know about this one, Price!)

Tanganyika Safari of Lights

Dates: December 4, 2021 through January 2, 2022 (Closed Dec. 16, 24, 25)
Times: 5:30-8:30 p.m. daily with extended hours Friday & Saturday
Location: 1000 S. Hawkins Ln, Goddard, KS
Admission: $20 per carload Sunday-Thursday; $25 per carload Friday-Saturday

A drive through light display at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, KS. This is the first year for the lighted event, which the organization says will be “the longest, tallest, most sophisticated light show that Wichita has ever experienced.”

Lights on 24th in Hutchinson

Date: Sunday, November 28, 2021
Location: 800 West 24th, Hutchinson, KS

Animated light display featuring singing Christmas trees at 800 West 24th, Hutchinson, KS. Show runs nightly 5:30-10 p.m. beginning Thankgiving night. More info

Griswold House of Rose Hill

Dates: Scheduled to light up Saturday, November 27, 2021
Location: 1610 Tanglewood Road, Rose Hill Ks
Cost: FREE

It looks like the Griswolds of Rose Hill have Clark beat! See the YouTube video. 1610 Tanglewood Road, Rose Hill Ks

Lights in Central Park

Dates: begins December 1, 2021
Times: 6-9 p.m. nightly
Location: Andover Central Park, 1607 E Central Ave, Andover, KS 67002
Cost: FREE 

Tune your radio to 101.5FM to enjoy the light show set to music at the Capitol Federal Amphitheater and around the rest of the park. 

Lights on Tawakoni

Just 4 miles East of Andover is Lights on Tawakoni. They have nearly 80,00 lights on 5 acres. Head east on Kellogg/54 towards Andover. Continue east on 54, past Andover for 3 miles. At Tawakoni turn south. (Tawakoni is the road immediately west of Parks Motors) Go 3/4 of a mile south on Tawakoni, you won’t miss it. (Thanks Crystal for sharing this with us!)

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Readers Recommend these lights:

There are some lights across from El Dorado high school that Tierra shared with us on Facebook.

Kassy told us about 1521 E. 59th St So, Wichita, Ks 67216 and said it is an awesome display of 30 inflatables and other lights.

Price let us know about the Mason Family Christmas at 1316 E. Hurley in Haysville. They have Nutmeg the 16-foot reindeer and a giant selfie photo bench, all homemade and giant size. 

Bickel Family Christmas, 9106 W. Meadow Knoll St. in Wichita. (Thanks, Kayla!)

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Wichita KS Christmas Lights Map

We have not yet confirmed these holiday light displays, but they were on the list last year. We will update them as we hear about them.

The Marshall Family Christmas Lights

Dates: Plans are to have some lights operational by Thanksgiving (November 26), and then officially run from November 29, 2020 through January 6, 2021
Times: School nights 5:30-10 p.m. and other nights 5:30-11 p.m.
Location: 620 N. Stratford, Wichita KS 67206 (Woodlawn and Central)
Cost: FREE

Opens November 29. Tune your radio to 91.7 FM for music synchronized to the lights. The show will be available on school nights from 5:30PM -10PM and other nights from 5:30PM- 11PM.  Family residence. More info

Many Christmas light shows in Wichita are free, but they often accept donations to give to charitable causes.

College Hill Christmas Lights

This Wichita neighborhood is usually an awesome place to go to look at terrific holiday decorations adorning beautiful and stately historic homes. If you aren’t familiar with the area, College Hill is generally south of Central Avenue, between Hillside and Oliver streets.

Lights in the Valley

35,000 Christmas lights synchronized to music at 210 Southwind Dr. in Valley Center. Tune in to 88.1 FM. The plan is to run the light show the day after Thanksgiving through the end of the year. More info.

9th Street Lights

3821 W. 9th, Wichita KS 67203 Tune your radio to 101.7 FM. Residential neighborhood; please avoid blocking neighbors’ driveways. No show during rain or wet conditions. Starts Thanksgiving night. More info

Lights of Matthew 5:16

Location: 835 Longbranch Circle, Maize, KS
Tune your radio to 96.7 for lights synchronized to music Sunday-Thursday, 6-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 6-11 p.m. More info.

Lights in Andover, KS

This year, many folks from Andover competed in a light show contest! There are many different displays you can drive by. Here’s a list of all the places that competed: Hometown Christmas Holiday Light Contest. Thanks Katie for letting us know about these!

Fulton Valley Farms Christmas Lights

Readers told me about this very special Christmas lights attraction just 15 minutes east of Wichita near Towanda, Kansas. Fulton Valley Farms Country Christmas has over 1 million lights set to music, as well as visits with Santa’s reindeer! Admission per person is $5.

• Lights on Golden Hills – We have not yet confirmed this for 2020. Jennifer commented that, “Lights on Golden Hills is an incredible light show set to music! I believe there are over 50,000 lights on this home. It’s the 700 block of N Golden Hills which is near 119th and Central.” Thanks, Jennifer!
• 11th Street Lights – We have not confirmed that this will be available in 2020. Faron commented: “We have a very good display that you should check out we put a lot of work into it it’s at 5306 West 11th Street North.” Thanks, Faron!
• Park City Lights – We have not confirmed this light show for 2020. Jason recommended in the comment section: “Check out 1310 E Charleston Dr in Park City. Take 61st east to W Parkview left go 3 blocks to Charleston turn right cant miss it.” Thanks, Jason!
• Lights in Mulvane – We have not yet confirmed this for 2020. 3 Willowdell Drive in Mulvane. A large light display with trains in motion and Star Wars, Frozen, and Pixar themed decor. Weekdays until 7:30 p.m. and weekends until 10 p.m. Just off of K-15.
• Light Show in Udall – We have not yet confirmed this for 2020. 106 N. East Street, Udall, Kansas Over 8,000 lights dancing to some of your favorite Christmas tunes. In progress: an old west Udall town-front! This home is just south of K-15 by three blocks, and they accept donations for the Udall Angel Tree charity. The lights in the Udall city park are also very nice, according to reader Kenneth!
• City of Cheney Singing Trees – We have not yet confirmed this for 2020. Tune in to 99.3 fm to listen to the tunes the Christmas trees are singing at the corner of 6th and Main in Cheney, KS.
• Lights on Rosewood in Hesston, Kansas – We have not confirmed this for 2020. Pull into the neighborhood located on Rosewood Court in Hesston to see the display of nearly 60,000 lights programmed to music. Tune your radio to 98.9 to hear what’s playing. Here’s an awesome YouTube video of this street’s Christmas lights!

Light displays that won’t be happening this year

Griswold-worthy Christmas light display at Lights on Texas

2021

Lights on David, 409 N David St., Wichita KS 67212 is only taking a year off. They plan to be back and better than ever in 2022!

2020

Lights on Gold – Unfortunately, Lights on Gold will not have a display this year. 5336 S. Gold, Wichita, KS 67217Tune your radio to 99.5 FM for music synchronized to the lights on display.  Family residence. Christmas light display with 13k lights! More info

Honn Family Christmas – Unfortunately, Honn Family Christmas will not have a display this year. 5501 N. Porter Ave., Wichita, Kansas More info

Visiting Santa Claus at this residential home in Wichita had become a holiday tradition. This year the family is scaling back the display after the homeowner’s dad – who had been a driving force behind the elaborate light decorations – passed away.

Don’t miss related articles to help you enjoy the holidays on a budget:

• Christmas/Holiday Events in Wichita
  
• Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides in Wichita
• Where to See Santa

Your guide to Wichita holidays on the cheap!

Free or cheap things to do this week in Wichita

Special Holiday Events:

• Day-by-day guide to Christmas and holiday events in and near Wichita
• Horse-drawn Carriage Rides
• Where to Visit Santa around Wichita
• Christmas Craft Shows and Holiday Markets

Holiday Gift-Giving:

• How to make the holidays special when you can't afford big presents
• Non-Toy Gift Ideas
• Find Unique Gifts at these Local Wichita Shops
• Great Local Gifts Under $20

Christmas Attractions: 

• Wichita Christmas Light Displays
• Botanica Illuminations
• Fulton Valley Farms A Country Christmas
• Christmas Tree Farms 

Upcoming Holiday Events in Wichita

Unconfirmed for 2021

Riverside Castle

Dates: Usually right after Thanksgiving
Time: Evenings
Location: 1155 N. River Blvd., Wichita, Kansas
Cost: Free

Most years, the lights on the Campbell Castle in Riverside are on display every evening after Thanksgiving throughout the holiday season. It isn’t just the castle that looks great; the lights all along the street reflect in the river, and are just a real pleasure to see. This is a drive worth making even if they don’t light up the castle.