A sign the holidays are getting closer: It’s Gingerbread Village time at Exploration Place
The march toward the holidays continues with the return of another popular annual Wichita event: Gingerbread Village, a tradition with many families who like to gather at Exploration Place to make, decorate (and sometimes eat) gingerbread houses.
Also happening in Wichita: It’s Flea Market weekend again, there will be concerts by some classic country stars, and a celebration of Diwali — the Hindu “Festival of Lights” — also is on the calendar.
Return of Gingerbread Village
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean
The annual Gingerbread Village, where kids build gingerbread houses using graham crackers, candy, cereal and icing, happens on Saturday and 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 with a paid adult. They’re available at exploration.org/event/gingerbread-village.
Clint Black concert
8 p.m. Saturday, Crown Uptown, 3207 E. Douglas
Country star Clint Black will perform a concert at Wichita’s Crown Uptown Venue on Saturday night along with opening act Jake Matthew. Black, known for hits like “Killin’ Time” and “A Better Man,” will take the stage at 8:50 p.m., and Matthew will go on at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Only a few tickets remain, and they are $105 to $130 at www.ticketmaster.com
Air Capital Comic Con
4 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Farha Sports Center, 3405 S. Meridian
Air Capital Comic Con, an annual Wichita convention dedicated to “comic book culture and all things geek,” is back this weekend but will have a new home: Farha Sports Center at the South YMCA. The event will include comic book vendors, clothing vendors, comic book writers and artists, authors and cosplayers. It’s from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $15 for a two-day pass, $5 for Friday only and $10 for Saturday only and can be purchased in advance at aircapcomiccon.com/tickets or at the door.
Flea Market time
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Wichita Sports Forum, 2668 N. Greenwich
It’s Wichita Flea Market weekend again, and this time, the monthly market will be set up at the Wichita Sports Forum. The event will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. To 4 p.m. on Sunday. The market will feature vendors selling things like antiques, crafts, collectibles, reclaimed items, comics, artwork, jewelry and toys. The market also will feature a scavenger hunt where visitors will hunt for 20 pumpkins hidden throughout the building. Santa and Marshall from “Paw Patrol” will visit on Saturday, and Santa and Dorthy from “The Wizard of Oz” will be there on Sunday. Admission is $3 for a one-day pass, $5 for a two-day pass. Children 12 and under get in free.
Country music on a Saturday night
8 p.m. Saturday, Wichita Union Stockyards, 6425 W. MacArthur Road
Wichita Union Stockyards will be the site this weekend of a concert by country star Neal McCoy, known for hits such as “The Shake,” “No Doubt About It” and “Wink.” Doors open at 7 p.m., and opening act CW with Twenty Hands High, a Southern rock group, will perform at 8 p.m. McCoy will take the stage at 9 p.m. General admission tickets are $40 and are available at www.kwlsradio.com
Diwali 2024
5-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Century II Convention Hall
The Cultural Association of India-Wichita is putting on Diwali 2024, a family-friendly event that will include an Indian buffet and cultural performances. The event happens from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Century II. Passes are $30 for adults ages, $11.85 for ages 6 and up and free for ages 5 and under and are available at www.zeffy.com. Diwali is a Hindu celebration known as the “Festival of Lights.”