Gingerbread Village, a beloved (and early) Wichita holiday tradition, returns this weekend

Halloween is over, which means that the holiday season is officially underway in Wichita. It will start this weekend with a beloved local tradition: Gingerbread Village, which allows families to gather at Exploration Place and build edible “gingerbread” houses using graham crackers, candy and extra-sticky frosting.

That’s not all that’s happening over the first weekend of November, either. People also can admire fall color in Belle Plaine, celebrate the Day of the Dead, cheer on wrestling stars and more.

Here are some of the best bets for fun in Wichita this weekend:

Return of Gingerbread Village

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean

It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is already starting in Wichita, but one of the area’s annually anticipated events happens this weekend. Gingerbread Village, which invites visitors to build gingerbread houses using graham crackers, candy, cereal and icing, happens on Sunday at Exploration Place. Tickets, which come with a gingerbread house kit and access to Exploration Place exhibits, are $12 for ages 12-64, $10 for ages 3-11 and ages 65 and older, $6 for Exploration Place members, and free for children under 2. They’re available at exploration.org/event/gingerbread-village. Money raised benefits the Assistance League.

Dia de los Muertos 2023

11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Nomar Plaza, 204 E. 21st St.

A big Dia de los Muertos event, planned for 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Nomar Plaza in Wichita, will feature traditional Mexican dancers, vendors, contests, food and music. The event, put on by several local organizations including the Wichita Hispanic Business Community, is open to all and will feature information about the Dia De Los Muertos traditions, a display of traditional altars and a silent walk in memory of family and friends. Admission is free.

Family fun at The Ulrich

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Ulrich Museum of Art, 1845 Fairmount St.

Wichita State University’s Ulrich Museum is putting on a Family Fun Day, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event, which is open to all ages, will feature hands-on art projects, refreshments, entertainment and exhibitions. Activities will happen both inside the museum and outside, and visitors also will be able to explore the Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection, which is just outside the museum. Admission to the event is free.

American Elite Wrestling live

6:30 p.m. Saturday, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman

“AEW Collision,” a TNT network wrestling show that features stars like MJF, Orange Cassidy, Miro, FTR, House of Black, Thunder Rosa, Samoa Joe and more, will air live on Saturday night from Wichita’s Intrust Bank Arena. This is the first time the show will be in Wichita, and the event will start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 to $90 at www.selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.

Fall color and a concert

9 a.m. until dusk, Sunday, Bartlett Arboretum, 301 N Line Street, Belle Plaine

Sunday is the annual TreeFest at Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, where visitors will be able to soak in fall color, visit with tree professionals and take “Tall Tree Tales” tours at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Little Big Twang will perform at 4 p.m., and the event will also include a homemade potato soup supper that costs $5. Attendees also can shop for arb-grown produce, including potatoes and sweet potatoes. Admission is $10, free for children in the company of adults.

Long Island Medium

3 p.m. Sunday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway

Theresa Caputo, best known for her TLC show “The Long Island Medium,” will return to Wichita on Sunday for a show called “Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience.” Caputo, who says she can communicate with the dead and deliver “healing messages directly to audience members,” will appear starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday at The Orpheum. Tickets are $48.75-$75 and are available at www.selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.

This story was originally published November 2, 2023 at 5:03 AM.