HOLIDAY EVENTS

Events

Horse-drawn Carriage Rides, 6-10 p.m. each Fri.-Sat. through Dec. 19, Bradley Fair, 21st at Rock Road. Free. Information, 316-630-9990.

Photos with Santa, during mall hours, through Dec. 24, Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg. Fees required. Information, 316-686-4849.

Village of Trees, decorated trees displayed throughout the buildings, with refreshments, Santa Claus and live entertainment, noon-6 p.m. today, Georgetown Village, 1655 S. Georgetown. Free. Information, Via Christi Senior Services, 316-946-5207.

Festival of Trees, with live entertainment, refreshments and door prizes, noon-8 p.m. today, noon-6 p.m. Sat., Wright Room, Cowley College, Second and Washington, Arkansas City. Tickets $5, $3 for seniors, $2 students, children 5-under free. Information, 620-441-8401 or 620-442-8734.

"A Trip to the North Pole," holiday ice show, 7:30 p.m. today-Sat., 1:30 p.m. Sun., Wichita Ice Center, Maple and Sycamore. Advance tickets $6, $4 for children 12-under and seniors 65-up; $7 and $5 at the door. Sponsored by 97.1 Bob-FM and 100.5 The Wolf. Information, 316-337-9199.

Let's Make Merry: A Victorian Christmas At Cowtown, 5-9 p.m. today-Sat., Old Cowtown Museum, 1871 W. Sim Park Drive. Live performances, historical vignettes and demonstrations of period crafts and cooking. Hot chocolate and warm cider, carolers, kids' crafts, visit from St. Nicholas. Tickets $7.75 adults, children $6. Members free. Admission with dinner $23.95, $12.95 for children under 10; discounts available for members. Dinner reservations required. Information, 316-350-3321.

Christmas at C-Arrow Stables, holiday music, walk-through nativity scene, hayrack ride, pictures with Santa, 5-9 p.m. today-Sat. and Dec. 18-19, C-Arrow Stables, 5911 N. Maize Road. Cost $6. Information, www.carrowstables.com.

The Road to Bethlehem, depiction of the events leading to the birth of Jesus, 6 p.m. today-Sat. and Dec. 18-19, Vineyard Church, 2020 E. Blake. Groups leave every 15 minutes for 35- to 40-minute presentation. Donation $5. Information, Phil Herrington, 877- 500-7445.

Christmas Photo with Santa, benefit breakfast and brunch, 8-10 a.m. Sat., Golden Corral East, 11006 E. Kellogg; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Golden Corral West, 616 S. Ridge Road Court. A benefit for the Salvation Army Sports Center Biddy Basketball Program and the MLK Project Beloved Community Concept. Donation $1. Food for adults available for purchase but children eat free. Information, 316-686-0669 (east), 316-945-5108 (west) or Ernie Barnes, 316-650-3715.

Breakfast With Santa, 8-10:30 a.m. Sat., El Dorado YMCA, 300 N. Main, El Dorado. Cost $5. Information, 316-219-9622, ext. 231.

Breakfast With Santa, 9-11 a.m. Sat., East Branch YMCA, 9333 E. Douglas, and Northwest Branch YMCA, 13838 W. 21st St. Cost $5. Information, 316-219-9622, ext. 231.

Girl Scout Festival of Giving, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., Century II Exhibition Hall. Free. Information, 316-684-6531.

A Kids' Party, Parents' Day Out, children ages 4-12 stay for activities while parents shop, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Murdock Theatre, 20th Century Center, 536 N. Broadway. Includes Christmas crafts, Wii games, pizza lunch, board games and movies "Charlie Brown Christmas" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Cost $25, $15 for additional children in the family. Information, 316-263-1665.

Old Town Holidays, free carriage rides, noon-4 p.m. Sat., Old Town Square, 329 N. Mead. Free.

Gala in the Great Hall, 7 p.m. Sat., Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd. Hosted by Friends of the Wichita Art Museum. Reservation deadline has passed. Information, 316-268-4921.

Breakfast With Santa, 9 a.m. Sat., Old Cowtown Museum, 1871 W. Sim Park Drive. Holiday crafts, hot breakfast, reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas," photos with Santa. Reservations required. Admission $11.95 adults, $6.95 children. No member discounts. Space limited. Information, 316-350-3321.

Holiday Home Tour, homes decorated for the holidays, 1-5 p.m. Sun., at 1503 E. 10th, 1725 Wynd, 1004 Clyde, 209 N. College and 1021 E. Ninth, Winfield. Sponsored by the Winfield Main Street Design Committee. Admission $10 payable at any home (flyer with map provided). Information, 620-221-3796.

"Victorian Christmas," special tour with Joyce Suellentrop, 2 p.m. Sun., Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main. Included with admission. Information, 316-265-9314.

Annual Lighting of the Green, 8 p.m. Sun., Bethel College, 300 E. 27th, North Newton. Free. Information, 316-284-5318.

Arts and crafts

Miniature Christmas Tree Exhibit, handcrafted by Sylvia Jackson, on display through Jan. 9, Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main. Hours 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 1-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Admission $4, $2 children 6-12. Information, 316-265-9314.

Holiday Open House, includes glassblowing demonstrations by Scott Hartley and studio tours, 1-8 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat., Infinity Art Glass Studio & Gallery, 120 N. Main, Benton. Free. Information, 316-778-2115 or www.infinityartglass.com.

Holiday on the Plazas, outdoor arts and crafts fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today-Sun. and Dec. 18-20, Old Town Square, Second and Mead, and Farm & Art Market Plaza, First and Mosley. Free admission. Information, 316-462-2787, ext. 742.

2009 Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, more than 120 booths, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun., Cessna Activity Center, 2744 George Washington Blvd. Admission $2, children under 12 free.

Night at the Museum — Christmas Style, arts, crafts, music, miniature handmade building display, 1930s Christmas decorations, 4-6:30 p.m. Sat., Butler County History Center, 383 E. Central, El Dorado. Admission $2, children 10-under free. Information, 316-321-1485.

Shopping events

Holiday Boutique 2009, to benefit the Kyrie Foundation, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., Sedgwick County Extension Center, 21st and Ridge Road. Free admission.

Holiday Open House, live entertainment, drawings, refreshments, 6-8 p.m. Thu., downtown Halstead. Free admission. Information, Halstead Chamber of Commerce, 316-217-4996.

Stage and theater

Baldknobbers' 50th Anniversary Christmas Show, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wed., Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway. Tickets $17 and $22 at Select-A-Seat outlets. Charge by phone, 316-755-SEAT. Information, 316-263-0884.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," by Wichita Children's Theatre & Dance Center, for ages 5-up, today-Mon., Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central. Tickets $5.50. Reservations, 316-262-2282.

"Christmas Belles," Southern farce, through Dec. 20, Wichita Community Theatre, 258 N. Fountain. Tickets $12 adults, $10 seniors/students /military; available at door or call 316-686-1282.

"A Christmas Carol," by Wichita Children's Theatre & Dance Center, musical for ages 10-up, Sun., Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central. Tickets $5.50. Reservations, 316-262-2282.

"A Crown Uptown Christmas," holiday musical-comedy and buffet, through December, Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas. Tickets $26.95-$33.95, $14.95 for children 12-under. Information, 316-681-1566, online at www.crownuptown.com.

"The Mystery at Snowy Point," interactive musical mystery, nightly through Dec. 23, Prairie Pines, 4055 N. Tyler Road. Tickets $32 for meal/show (no children 's tickets, no children under 5). Call 316-303-2037.

"The Nutcracker," Friends University Ballet and Ballet Theatre and guest artists, 7:30 p.m. today-Sat. and Dec. 18-19, 2 p.m. Sun. and Dec. 20, Sebits Auditorium, Riney Fine Arts Center, Friends University. Tickets $15, $12 for seniors and students. Information, 316-295-5537.

"The Nutcracker," by Ballet Wichita, 8 p.m. Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., Century II Concert Hall. Tickets $12.50-$37.50 at www.wichitatix.com, or by calling 316-219-4849.

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Show!," original holiday musical-comedy revue, each Wed-Sun., through Dec. 22, Cabaret OldTown, 412 1/2 E. Douglas. Dinner and show $36, show only $21. Information, 316-265-4400.

"The Runaway Snowman," Once Upon a Time show for the 2- to 8-year-old audience, through Dec. 19, Wichita Children's Theatre & Dance Center, 201 Lulu. Tickets $5.50 (pizza $1.50). Reservations, 316-262-2282.

"Santa's Toyland," children's holiday musical-comedy, through Dec. 19, Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas. Tickets $8.95 (includes lunch). Information, 316-681-1566, online at www.crownuptown.com.

"The Tinsel Tale of Tori," premiere of an original holiday melodrama followed by musical-comedy revue, through Dec. 30, Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley in Old Town. Tickets (includes dinner): $26, $22 seniors 60 and over, $20 children under 12; show only: $16. Call 316-263-0222.

Music

"It's Christmas With the Diamond W Wranglers," holiday dinner-show, through Dec. 19, Empire House Theater, Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 Museum Blvd. Show schedule available at www.diamondwwranglers.com. Tickets $30, $20 for children 12-under, at wichitatix.com or by calling 866-830-8283.

Christmas on the Prairie, live entertainment, food, horse-drawn wagon rides, old cowboy movies, 6:30 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1:30 p.m. Sun., through December, Prairie Rose Chuck Wagon, 15231 SW Parallel Road, Benton. Tickets $30, $10 for children 6-12, $5 for children 3-5. Reservations, 316-778-2121.

Tommy Overstreet, dinner 6:30 p.m. today-Sat., country Christmas show at 7:30, Old Mill Theater, 111 Old Mill Lane, Buhler. Doors open at 5:30. Tickets $45. Reservations, 620-960-6455.

Annual "Messiah" Sing, 11 a.m. today, Bethel College Mennonite Church, 300 E. 27th, North Newton. Free. Information, 316-284-5281.

Wichita Community Children's Choir Winter Concerts, with pianist James Knight and conductor Mark Bartel, 7:30 p.m. today, First Baptist Church, 216 E. Second St.; 4 p.m. Sun., First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Tickets $5. Information, 316- 295-5570.

Bethel College Jazz Ensembles' Christmas Gala Concert, 8 p.m. today, Krehbiel Auditorium, Bethel College, 300 E. 27th, North Newton. Free. Information, 316-284-5281.

Cowboy Christmas Ball, with Les Gilliam & the Silverlake Band, 6 p.m. Sat., Quail Valley Fun Barn, 9313 194th Drive, Winfield. Advance tickets $25 (dinner and appetizers), $30 at the door. Reservations, 620-221-0052 or 620-222-2154.

"Let Holidays Ring," Heart of America Men's Chorus concert, 7 p.m. Sat., 4 p.m. Sun., Orpheum, 200 N. Broadway. Advance tickets $18, $15 for children available at www.hoamc.org or 316-708-4837; $20 and $17 at the door.

A Cowboy Christmas, 7:30 p.m. Sat., Iron Horse Concert Hall, 315 S. Main, El Dorado. Tickets $12. Information, 316-321-6348.

December Winter Ball, studio party, 7:30-10 p.m. Sat., Old Town Ballroom Studio, 630 E. Douglas, Suite 200. Cost $10 (food, drinks and dance included). Information, Josiah, 316-833-8052.

"Sounding Joy — A Christmas Retrospective," Wichita Chamber Chorale, 7:30 p.m. Sat., West Heights United Methodist Church, 745 N. Westlink; 4 p.m. Sun., Plymouth Congregational Church, 202 N. Clifton. Tickets $15, $12 for seniors, $8 students, available at Senseney Music, at the door, www.wichitachamberchorale.com or by calling 316-267-2796.

Annual Christmas Vespers Concert, 4 p.m. Sun., Administration Building Chapel, Bethel College Community College, 300 E. 27th, North Newton. Presented by the student chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Free. Information, 316-284-5281.

Wichita Swing Dance Society Christmas Party, with music by the Dave Stephens Swing Orchestra, 6:30 p.m. Sun., Harry Reese Dance Studio, 1628 George Washington Blvd. Cost $10, members free. Information, 316-305-5699.

Christmas Band Concert, Senseney Music Community Band, 7 p.m. Tue., Lifepoint Assembly of God, 400 S. Abilene, Valley Center. Free. Information, 316-262-1487 or 800-362-1060.

Memories From the Heart, holiday concert, 10 a.m. Wed., Heartspring Conference Center auditorium, 8700 E. 29th St. North. Free. Information, 316-634-8821.

Jingle Ball, including Sean Kingston, Cascada, We the Kings, Jessie James, Bowling for Soup, Jason Castro and Jay Sean, 6:30 p.m. Thu., Hartman Arena, 8151 N. Hartman Arena Drive, Park City. Advance tickets $17 at the Hartman Arena box office, online at www.stage1tickets.com, or by calling 888-755-2583; $21 day of show.

Lights and displays

Illuminations _ Botanica's Festival of Lights, 5:30-8:30 p.m. today-Sun., Botanica, 701 Amidon. Tickets $7, $3 for youth ages 2-12 available at the door and QuikTrip stores; children under 2 free. Information, 316-264-0448 or www.botanica.org.

Lights on the Lake drive-through display, daily through Dec. 25, Heartspring, 8700 E. 29th St. North. Thousands of holiday lights, hundreds of lit candy canes, more than 70 displays and 40-foot tree. Hours 6-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu. and 6-10 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Photos with Santa ($5 donation) and refreshments 6-9 p.m. Fri.-Sun. through Dec. 20, inside Heartspring Conference Center. Admission free; donations encouraged. Proceeds go to Heartspring. Information, 316-634-8761.

Lights on St. Paul, drive-through holiday lights, through Dec. 27, on St. Paul from Douglas to Second Street. Hours 5:30-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 5:30-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., and 5:30-11:30 p.m. Dec. 24, Photos with Santa $4 Fri.-Sun. Admission free but donations accepted. Proceeds benefit The Arc of Sedgwick County, serving people with developmental disabilities Information, 316-943-1191.

Luminary Walks, 5:30-8 p.m. today-Sat., Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, 177 W. Hickory, Hesston. Cost $5, $3 students, $2.50 children, ages 4-under free. Chestnut Taster's Ticket (today-Sat.), $2. A portion of proceeds benefit the Harvey County Homeless Shelter. Information, 620-327-8127 or www.dyckarboretum.org.

Christmas Lights Trolley Tour, presented by the College Hill Neighborhood Association, 5:30-9 p.m. Sun., East Heights United Methodist Church, Crestway and Douglas. Tickets $6 at Traditions, children 2-under free. Any remaining tickets available at the church from 9 a.m. to noon the day of the tour.

Film

"It's a Wonderful Life," holiday film, 10 a.m. Sat., Warren Oldtown, 329 N. Mead. Free.

"A Christmas Story," 7 p.m. Thu., the Orpheum, 200 N. Broadway. Tickets $5 (discounts available). Information, 316-263-0884.