Last chance to see holiday lights, reserve tickets for New Year’s Eve in Wichita

It’s that weird period between Christmas and New Year’s when lots of people are still off work and not much is going on around town.

But there are ways to still squeeze some last bits of fun out of the holiday season in Wichita. Two of the bigger light events continue through Sunday, and also on Sunday, several local bars and venues will be putting on New Year’s Eve parties.

People also can treat the winter-breaking kids to a special discount day at the zoo or to extended hours at Wichita’s big local arcade.

Here’s a list of some of the fun activities available in Wichita Friday through Jan. 4.

Last chance for lights

Through Sunday at Kansas International Dragway, 7900 W. 41st St. North, and Botanica, 701 Amidon:

Christmas has passed, but Wichita has a few last opportunities to catch some of the big holiday light displays. Magic of Lights at Kansas International Dragway, 7900 W. 61st St. North, is a drive-through light show that runs through Sunday. Hours are 5:30 to 10 p.m. Get tickets at magicoflights.com/events/wichita/ Also, Botanica’s annual walk-through show Illuminations continues through Sunday. Tickets are available from 5:30-9 p.m. but must be reserved in advance at botanica.org/illuminations

New Year’s Eve parties

8:30 p.m., The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg

Lots of local bars and venues are putting on special New Year’s Eve events on Sunday night. Among them is a 1980s-themed event at The Cotillion, which will feature a show by tribute band Paramount. The group is known for playing 1980s anthems by artists like REO Speedwagon, Journey, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and more. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. with opening act Monterey Jack. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the show are $20 in advance at thecotillion.com. Still looking for other fun ideas for New Year’s Eve? See a list of parties at www.kansas.com/entertainment/holidays/

Winter days at the zoo

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

Winter break is coming rapidly to an end, but there’s still time to get in some quality time with the kids before they head back to school. On Wednesday, the Sedgwick County Zoo is putting on its special “Winter Wednesday” event, when people can get $3 discounted admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winter Wednesdays happen only through Feb. 28.

Arcade fun

Extended hours for New Year’s, 906 E. Third

Looking for a unique way to end this year and start next? The Arcade — a big venue featuring retro-style arcade video games and pinball machines — has extended its hours for winter break, and they continue through this weekend. The venue will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; from 11 a.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve (Sunday); and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on New Year’s Day (Monday.) The venue offers unlimited play for $12, $10 for children 10 and under. For more information, visit thearcadewichita.com

Experimental music + art

6:30 p.m. Friday, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 Museum Blvd.

Catch some after-Christmas, pre-New Year’s Eve music at the Wichita Art Museum’s free pop-up concert, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday. The experimental music concert will feature musicians Josue Estrada on trumpet and Kylie Brown on cello. They’ll perform in the exhibition of Barbara Earl Thomas’ “The Illuminated Body,” and the show is part of the museum’s every-Friday WAM Nights lineup, when the museum stays open until 9 p.m. The concert is free, but admission to the museum is $12 for adult non-members at wam.org