What to do in Wichita this weekend: Art shows, skating and last chance for lights

The holidays are winding down, and that’s so sad. But if you don’t want to let them go just yet, you don’t have to. Several marquee events are hanging on for a few more days. Here’s a guide to some of the fun things to do over New Year’s weekend that aren’t New Year’s parties.

Last chance for Illuminations

5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Botanica, 701 Amidon

Illuminations is Wichita’s big Christmas event, and the holiday light show that fills Botanica every year isn’t quite over: It runs through Saturday. Tickets must be reserved in advance at botanica.org/illuminations and they’re $13, $9 for children ages 12 and under and members, free for children 2 and younger. No tickets are available at the door. Reserved time slots are available on the hour from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The show closes at 9:30 p.m. each night.

Dino Holidays winding down

1-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2999 n. Rock Road, Derby

Another holiday attraction that has a few days left is Holly Jolly Jurassic Holiday at Field Station: Dinosaurs, 2999 N. Rock Road in Derby. It features 10 acres of lights and other holiday-themed activities and runs from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10 for ages 2 and older, free for those younger than 2 and for members. Visitors can purchase tickets at the door or online at kansasdinos.com/holiday

Drive-through lights at Tanganyika

6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Tanganyika Wildlife Park, 1000 S Hawkins Ln, Goddard

Tanganyika Wildlife Park’s second annual Safari of Lights drive-through holiday light show also is winding down: It’s last day is Sunday, and it won’t be open on Saturday. But there are still a couple of chances to visit the event, which will open at 6 p.m. on Friday and Sunday. Admission costs $15 a carload on Friday and $10 a carload on Sunday. The show starts at 6 p.m. Reserve tickets at twpark.com/safarioflights/

Lace up those skates

Daily, Chicken N Pickle, 1240 N. Greenwich

Those too busy to ice skate during the holidays can get some exercise and decompress at Chicken N Pickle, the Wichita entertainment venue that has its own outdoor ice skating rink. It’s open daily depending on the weather, and hours are 11 a.m.-close Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to close Saturdays and Sundays (excluding holidays.) Skating passes are $11 and skate rentals are $4. Children 3 and under skate for free. The pond will remain open until Feb. 15.

Everything’s closed but the zoo

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd.

Not many Wichita attractions will be open on New Year’s Day, but the Sedgwick County Zoo will be, and people can bundle up and visit the animals from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Buy tickets online in advance and they’re $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and children ages 3 to 11. (Tickets are $2 more at the gate.) Those who want to wait until Wednesday can take advantage of special Winter Wednesdays pricing, when visitors get in for $3.

African-American art show

Now through Feb. 28, Kansas African American Museum, 601 N. Water

A special exhibition at The Kansas African American Museum, “A Tribute to Samella Lewis,” is now up and will remain on display through the end of February. It includes a portion of a private art collection from Dr. Samella Lewis, who was a supporter and benefactor of the museum and gifted some of her collection of paintings and sculptures by leading African American artists. Some of her own work also is included. The exhibit can be seen from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays at the museum. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children in grades 6-12 and $3 for children in grades K-5.

Exhibit opening

6 p.m. Thursday, Mark Arts, 1307 N. Rock Road

Mark Arts is opening a new exhibit on Thursday called “Universal Frontier.” It’s a solo exhibit featuring work by John Newsom, a renowned artist from New York (formerly of Hutchinson) who specializes in paintings of winged creatures like owls, dragonflies and birds. The exhibit will be on display through March 31 in the Gladys and Karl T. Wiedemann Gallery. Admission is free. An opening reception will last from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday. Register for the reception at markartsks.com

This story was originally published December 30, 2022 at 5:37 AM.