Enjoy fall weather while it lasts at outdoor movie nights put on by two big Wichita venues
The list of fun things to do in Wichita this weekend includes several activities designed to let people enjoy the fall weather while it lasts.
Among them is a set of competing outdoor family movie nights, both on Friday. One is at Exploration Place, and the other is at the Bradley Fair shopping center.
Here’s a list of some of the best bets for fun in Wichita this weekend:
Outdoor movie night
Friday evening, Bradley Fair and Exploration Place
Families who want to enjoy the fall weather during outdoor movie nights have two options on Friday. One is Fall Fridays at Bradley Fair, the shopping center at 21st and Rock, which on Friday will play the animated 2019 film “The Addams Family.” Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets to enjoy the movie, which will start at around 7 p.m. in the Bradley Fair Plaza. Snacks and photo-ops will be available starting at 5 p.m. It’s $5 for children, and pre-registration is required at www.eventbrite.com. Also on Friday, Exploration Place will show “Toy Story” at its new amphitheater. The movie will start at 7:30 p.m., but people can show up starting at 6:30 p.m. to enjoy food trucks. Blankets and cushions are encouraged because there’s no room for lawn chairs in the amphitheater bowl. Admission is free. For more information, visit exploration.org/event/riverflix/
Hay, Hooves and Halloween
2 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 W. Museum Blvd.
Wichita’s Old Cowtown Museum is celebrating Halloween with the return of its annual event Hay, Hooves and Halloween. It runs from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and will feature the headless horseman coming to life and riding through Cowtown chasing Ichabod Crane. Visitors also will see zombie cowboys, and the event will include trick-or-treating. Costumes are encouraged. Admission is $5, free for kids ages 4 and under and for members. Cowtown’s usual free Sunday admission policy will not apply for the event.
98 degrees concert
8 p.m. Saturday, Kansas Star Casino Arena, 777 Kansas Star Drive, Mulvane
Boy bands were the thing in the 1990s, and one of the more popular ones will reunite on Saturday to perform at the Kansas Star Arena. The group 98 Degrees, led by brothers Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey, is best known for hits such as “I Do (Cherish You),” “Because of You” and “The Hardest Thing.” The show begins at 8 p.m., and doors open at 7 p.m. tickets are $45-$65 at ticketmaster.com
Haunted Hops
7-10 p.m. Friday, Botanica, 701 N. Amidon
Botanica is bringing its Haunted Hops event back for a second year, and it happens from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday. The event invites people to walk through the Halloween-decorated gardens while enjoying craft beers, cocktails and mocktails, sampling food and listening to live music. Beers will be provided by a long list of local and regional breweries, including Wichita Brewing Co., Red Bud Brewery and Central Standard Brewing, and food will be served by Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Molino’s, Blue Moon Catering and more. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $55 for nonmembers and $50 for members at https://botanica.org/haunted-hops
Art on the Trail
4-7 p.m. Saturday, Great Plains nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. North
The Great Plains Nature Center is again offering its adults-only Art on the Trail event from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Attendees will be able to buy drinks from a mobile bar then walk through the nature trails during the “golden hour,” watching more than 25 different Wichita artists create original art. Admission is free, but the event is open only to ages 21 and older.
Empty bowls
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Woolsey Hall, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita State University
Empty Bowls Wichita, the annual fund-raising chili and soup cookoff that allows participants to keep their hand-made ceramic bowls, returns this weekend. The event happens on Saturday at WSU’s Woolsey Hall. Those who attend will first pick out a bowl then enjoy samples of soup and chili from 18 local restaurants and chefs. This year, visitors also will be able to buy beer from Central Standard Brewing and sangria from Grace Hill Winery. Admission is $35, $15 for students and free for children 5 and younger. Tickets are available in advance at eventbrite.com or at the door starting at 10 a.m.
‘The Greatest Showman,’ orchestra style
3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
Vienna Light Orchestra, a group that includes musicians and vocalists from around the world, will be at Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre for two performances on Saturday. The show will include hits from “The Greatest Showman” and also will include performances of songs from “Anastasia,” “Frozen,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and Phantom of the Opera.” Show times are 3 and 7 p.m., and tickets are $37 to $123 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 October 18, 2024 at 5:02 AM with the headline "Enjoy fall weather while it lasts at outdoor movie nights put on by two big Wichita venues."