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Make your holiday plans with our guide to festive events

Halloween is history. Starting this week, a parade of holiday events you won’t want to miss begins.

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For many of us, it wouldn’t be the holidays without taking in a production of “The Nutcracker,” or attending a candlelight Christmas concert, or seeing the luminarias at Botanica. This guide to Wichita-area holiday events will help you capture the spirit of the season. The events run the gamut from musical performances to shopping opportunities, from giant light displays to visits from Santa.

Refer to this guide now through December to help plan your holiday outings.

Events

Holiday Tables Preview Party, a view of the tables prior to opening with buffet dinner, drinks and live music, 7-10 p.m. Wed., Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central. Tickets $75. Reservations, Randy Brown, 316-634-2787, ext. 211.

Holiday Tables, exhibit of elaborately decorated tables, plus holiday bake sale and boutique, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 1-4 p.m. Nov. 8, Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central. Tickets $10. Children 8 and older may attend. Tearoom open 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 5-7, 1-4 p.m. Nov. 8 ($7.50). Presented by Designing Women to benefit the center. Information, 316-634-2787.

"Set to Perfection," a festival of tables and Christmas gift market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., McPherson Opera House, 219 S. Main, McPherson. Admission by $5 donation. Information, 620-241-1952.

Holiday Happy Hour for the Hounds, food, drink, poker, prizes, silent auction, 6-9 p.m. Nov. 12, Fox & Hound Pub & Grille, 1421 Waterfront Parkway. A benefit for Big Dogs Huge Paws Rescue. Tickets $10 at K&S Party Store, Derby. Information, 316-210-9507.

"All Things Gingerbread," Gingerbread Village kickoff includes pictures with a life-size gingerbread boy, life-size gingerbread house and cookies available for purchase, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 14, Cambridge Market, 21st and Webb Road. Free. Information, 316-687-5633.

Gingerbread Village Preview Party, food, spirits, entertainment, advance look at the gingerbread village and auction, 6 p.m. Nov. 19, Parish Hall, Church of the Magdalen, 12626 E. 21st St. Tickets $75 by e-mailing alwgingerbread@gmail.com or online at www.assistanceleaguewichita.org. Information, 316-687-5633.

Gingerbread Village, Nov. 20-22, Parish Hall, Church of the Magdalen, 12626 E. 21st St. Advance tickets $5 at Assistance League Thrift Shop, Cambridge Market Shops, Watermark Books, First Place and Capital Federal branches; $7 at the door, children 2- under free. A benefit for Assistance League of Wichita. Information, 316-687-5633.

Horse-drawn Carriage Rides, 6-10 p.m. each Fri.-Sat., Nov. 20-Dec. 19, Bradley Fair, 21st at Rock Road. Free. Information, 316-630-9990.

Senior Wednesday Holiday Party, with special appearance by the Diamond W Wranglers, 10 a.m. Dec. 2, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd. Free. Information, 316-660-0600,

Taste of Christmas, food sampling, live music, door prizes, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 2, Rose Hill United Methodist Church, 19551 SW Butler Road, Rose Hill. Tickets $7 (includes cookbook and all samples). Information, 316-776-2212.

A Night With Santa, city of Wichita's tree-lighting ceremony and visit from Santa, 6 p.m. Dec. 3, Kennedy Plaza at Century II. Carols sung by the Newman Troubadours, fireworks over the Arkansas River, children 5-12 may visit with Santa from 6:30-9 in Exhibition Hall. Admission free but donations of canned food, gloves or mittens encouraged.

Let's Make Merry: A Victorian Christmas At Cowtown, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 11-12, 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. Information, 316-350-3321.

Cocoa, Cookies & Carols, Christmas music, refreshments, craft fair and pictures with Santa, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5, Midtown Community Resource Center, 1150 N. Broadway. Tickets $5 from chorus members or at the door. Information, 316-943-3900.

Festival of the Nativity, 200 nativities on display, children's activities, music, refreshments, sale items, 1:30-6 p.m. Dec. 6, Grandview United Methodist Church, 9044 111th Road, Winfield. Free. Information, 620-221-0715.

"Finding the Joy in Christmas," women's event, 7 p.m. Dec. 7, Westlink Christian Church, 2001 N. Maize Road. Free admission, but bring three dozen cookies for a cookie exchange. Information, 316-722-8020.

Wichita Eagle Holiday Open House, 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, The Wichita Eagle, 825 E. Douglas. Building tours, family photos, visit with Santa, prize giveaways, refreshments and caroling. Free and open to the public. Information, 316-268-6321.

Red Stocking Breakfast, buffet, celebrity servers and drawings, hosted by Mayor Carl Brewer, 6:30-9:30 a.m. Dec. 9, Carlos O'Kelly's East, 7703 E. Douglas. A benefit for Kansas Children's Service League. Advance tickets $12 at www.kcsl.org or by calling 316- 942-4261, ext. 1309; $15 at the door. Children 10-under eat free.

Girl Scout Festival of Giving, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 12, Century II Exhibition Hall. Free. Information, 316-684-6531.

Gala in the Great Hall, 7 p.m. Dec. 12, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd. Hosted by Friends of the Wichita Art Museum. Tickets $110. Reservations required by Dec. 5 by calling 316-268-4921.

Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m. Dec. 12, 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. Dec. 13, 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.

Visit with Santa, noon-2 p.m. Dec. 19, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd. Free. Information, 316-268-4921.

Chocolate Treat Workshop, 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 20, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd. Learn to paint with chocolate and make an edible chocolate ornament. All ages. Call for workshop prices, 316-263-3373.

Arts and crafts

Holiday Open House, includes glassblowing demonstrations by Scott Hartley and studio tours, 1-8 p.m. Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Infinity Art Glass Studio & Gallery, 120 N. Main, Benton. Free. Information, 316-778-2115 or www.infinityartglass.com.

Shopping events

Kansas Christian Home Auxiliary Holiday Bazaar, homemade Christmas gifts and other items for purchase, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 6, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 7, First Christian Church, Main and First, Newton. Free admission. Information, 316-293-2924.

Holy Cross Holiday Shopping Bazaar, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 7, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 600 N. Greenwich Road. Free admission. Information, 684-5201.

34th Annual Clearwater Christmas Fair, antiques, collectibles, crafts, decorated wreath contest, cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 14, Clearwater Middle School, 140 S. Fourth, Clearwater. Sponsored by the Xi Zeta Sigma and Sigma Tau sororities of Beta Sigma Phi. Free admission. Information, 620- 584-6884.

Holiday Bazaar, gifts, crafts, vendors, silent auction, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 14, Rose Hill United Methodist Church, 19551 SW Butler Road. A benefit for church missions. Information, 316-776-2212.

Holiday Wreath Festival, sale of holiday gifts, decorations and baked goods to benefit the museum, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 19-20, Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main. Free admission. Lunch ($12) served 11 a.m.-1 p.m. daily. Reservations for groups of six or more, 316-265-9314.

25th Annual Christmas Crafts Expo, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 27, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 28, Century II Expo Hall. Admission $5. Free shuttle from Lawrence-Dumont Stadium parking lot. Information, Pride of the Plains Productions, 316-729-9443 or www.pridecraftshows.com.

Explore Store open house and discount week, Dec. 1-7, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd. Holiday shopping event for EP members only; 25 percent off purchases. Private shopping event 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1. Giveaways, free gift wrap and refreshments. Information, 316-263-3373.

23rd Annual Christmas Cookie Festival, sale of a large assortment of cookies, bread, bars, candy and holiday treats, 9 a.m. Dec. 5, Grace Lutheran Church, 3310 E. Pawnee. Free admission. Information, 316-685-6781.

Stage and theater

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Show!", original holiday musical-comedy revue, Cabaret OldTown, 412 1/2 E. Douglas. Runs Nov. 13-Dec. 22. Shows Wednesday-Sunday after Thanksgiving. Tickets $18. Information, 316-265-4400.

"The Tinsel Tale of Tori," premiere of an original holiday melodrama followed by musical-comedy revue, Nov. 13-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.

"A Crown Uptown Christmas," holiday musical-comedy, Nov. 19-Dec. 31, Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas. Buffet 6 p.m. Thu.-Sat., doors open at 5:45; buffet 4:15 p.m. Sun., doors open at 4. Tickets $26.95-$33.95, $14.95 for children 12-under. Information, 316-681-1566, online at www.crownuptown.com.

"Santa's Toyland," children's holiday musical-comedy, Nov. 20-Dec. 19, Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas. Buffet 11:15 a.m. Fri.-Sat., doors open at 11. Tickets $8.95 (includes lunch). Information, 316-681-1566, online at www.crownuptown.com.

"The Mystery at Snowy Point," interactive musical mystery, Nov. 20-21, then every night except Mondays from Nov. 27-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.

"Amahl and the Night Visitors," WSU Opera and Musical Theatre and Opera Kansas, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28, 3 p.m. Nov. 29, Miller Concert Hall, Wichita State University. Tickets $12 adults, $7 children, 316-978-3233.

"The Runaway Snowman," Once Upon a Time show for the 2- to 8-year-old audience, 11:30 a.m. Dec. 1; 10 and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 2; 10 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Dec. 3; 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. Dec. 4; 10 and 11:30 a.m. Dec. 5; 6:15 p.m. Dec. 18; 11:30 a.m. Dec. 19, Wichita Children's Theatre & Dance Center, 201 Lulu. Tickets $5.50 (pizza $1.50). Reservations, 316-262-2282.

"Christmas Belles," Southern farce, Dec. 3-20, Wichita Community Theatre, 258 N. Fountain. Tickets $12 adults, $10 seniors/students /military; available at door or call 316-686-1282.

"Celebrate!" by Music Theatre for Young People, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Mary Jane Teall Theater, Century II. Tickets $10 at wichitatix.com or by calling 316-219-4TIX.

"Where the Heart Is: An Advent Musical About the Homeless," staged by the Woodlawn Players, 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. Dec. 6, Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 431 S. Woodlawn, Derby. Free. Information, 316-788-1507.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," for ages 5-up, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 7-8; 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 11; 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 2; 2 p.m. Dec. 13; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 14, Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central. Tickets $5.50. Reservations, 316-262-2282.

"A Christmas Carol," musical for ages 10-up, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 13, Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central. Tickets $5.50. Reservations, 316-262-2282.

"The Nutcracker," holiday ballet, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12 and Dec. 18-19, 2 p.m. Dec. 13 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. Dec. 12, 3 p.m. Dec. 13, Century II Concert Hall. Tickets $12.50-$37.50 at www.wichitatix.com, or by calling 316-219-4849.

Baldknobbers' 50th Anniversary Christmas Show, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway. Tickets $17 and $22 at Select-A-Seat outlets. Charge by phone, 316-755-SEAT. Information, 316-263-0884.

Music

Rhythm & Blues for Christmas, benefit auction and music by The Macy Brothers and RKO, 5:45 p.m. Nov. 22, Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley. Doors open at 5. Benefits Maude Carpenter Children's Home and Henlock Price Boys Ranch. Admission $8 at the door or by calling Donna Davis, 316-264-9660. Food and drink available for purchase.

Jim Brickman — Beautiful World Tour, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, Century II Concert Hall. Tickets $39, $49 at www.wichitatix.com, 316-219-4TIX. Information, 316-264-9121.

Holly Days Kick-off Party, with open mike and munchies, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28, Iron Horse Concert Hall, 315 S. Main, El Dorado. Tickets $12. Information, 316-321-6348.

Christmas Express — A Rockin' Holiday Show, a benefit for the Shriners Hospitals' transportation fund with music by 3 Ring Circus, The Good Guys and The Santa Cats featuring Karl Berkebile, 8 p.m. Nov. 28, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway. Tickets $20 at Select-A-Seat outlets. Charge by phone, 316- 755-SEAT. Information, 316-263-0884.

Candlelight Concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3-5, 3 p.m. Dec. 6, Sebits Auditorium, Riney Fine Arts Center, Friends University. Tickets $15, $12 for seniors and students. Information, 316-295-5537.

Bowfire: Holiday Heart Strings, 8 p.m. Dec. 5, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway. Reserved tickets $18-$43 at Select-A-Seat outlets. Charge by phone, 316-755-SEAT. Information, 316-263-0884.

"The Spirit of Christmas," Wichita Symphony Orchestra Family Holiday Concert with vocalist Karen Robu and the Butler Community College Choir, conducted by Jay Decker, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Century II Convention Hall. Doors open at 6:30. Free ticket request forms available in upcoming editions of The Wichita Eagle and online at www.wso.org. Information, 316-267-7658.

Wichita Community Children's Choir Winter Concerts, with pianist James Knight and conductor Mark Bartel, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, First Baptist Church, 216 E. Second St.; 4 p.m. Dec. 13, First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Tickets $5. Information, 316-295-5570.

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

"Sounding Joy — A Christmas Retrospective," Wichita Chamber Chorale, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, West Heights United Methodist Church, 745 N. Westlink; 4 p.m. Dec. 13, 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.

"Let Holidays Ring," Heart of America Men's Chorus concert, 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 4 p.m. Dec. 13, 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.

Jingle Ball, Sean Kingston, All Time Low, Cascada, We the Kings, Jessie James and others, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 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

Bradley Fair Christmas Tree Lighting, 35-foot tree, Santa Claus, Ronald McDonald, horse-drawn carriage rides, 5:30-6 p.m. Nov. 21, Bradley Fair, 21st at Rock Road. Free. A benefit for Ronald McDonald House. Information, 316-630-9990.

Lights on the Lake Preview Party, food and drink, live entertainment, silent auction and lighting ceremony, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21, Heartspring Conference Center, 8700 E. 29th St. North. Tickets $50, or $400 for 10. Information, 316-634-8761 or www.lightsonthelake.org.

Lights on the Lake drive-through display, 6-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu. and 6-10 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Nov. 26-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. Photos with Santa ($5 donation) and refreshments 6-9 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Nov. 27-Dec. 20, inside Heartspring Conference Center. Admission free; donations encouraged. Proceeds go to Heartspring. Information, 316-634-8761.

Illuminations -- Botanica's Festival of Lights, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6 and 10-13, 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 St. Paul, drive-through holiday lights, Nov. 26-Dec. 27, 6-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 6-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., and 6-11:55 p.m. Dec. 24, on St. Paul from Douglas to Second Street. 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.

Film

"A Christmas Carol," 7 p.m. Nov. 19, the Orpheum, 200 N. Broadway. Tickets $5 (discounts available). Information, 316-263-0884.

"A Christmas Story," 7 p.m. Dec. 17, the Orpheum, 200 N. Broadway. Tickets $5 (discounts available). Information, 316-263-0884.

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