Illuminations, a Christmas train and more: Holiday events in Wichita area this weekend

Thanksgiving is over, and Wichita is turning its full attention to Christmas with the return of many popular holiday events. Among them is perhaps the most popular: Illuminations at Botanica. It opens on Friday and will again fill the grounds with more than two million lights and a new butterfly installation.

The event is just one of several fun holiday happenings happening around town as November turns into December. Here’s a guide to some of the others:

Illuminations returns

Friday-Jan. 4, Botanica, 701 Amidon

Illuminations, the annual holiday lights show that this year will fill Botanica with more than 2 million holiday lights, opens on Friday and will include a 62-foot tree, carolers, photos with Santa and all the usual attractions, including the “funky tree” and a meadow of dancing lights. New this year: a vibrant butterfly installation in the Butterfly House. Illuminations runs through Jan. 4, and tickets must be purchased online in advance. They are $16, $13 for members, $10 for children ages 3-11 and free for children 2 and younger at botanica.org/illuminations. Timed admissions start at 5:30 p.m. and continue every hour through 8:30 p.m. Entry is through the southeast gate at 1912 W. Sim Park Drive.

‘Nutcracker’ at Century II

7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Century II Concert Hall, 225 W. Douglas

“Nutcracker” season is underway in Wichita, and this weekend Metropolitan Ballet will put on its annual performance of the classic holiday ballet at Century II. The company is putting on two performances this weekend: at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Century II Concert Hall. The cast, as always, is made up of local dancers and guest artists, and the performances are suitable for the whole family. Tickets are $15 to $45 at selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Century II box office.

Christmas Express

Saturday-Dec. 22, O.J. Watson Park, 3022 S. McLean Blvd.

This weekend will mark the start of Watson’s Christmas Express, an event put on every year at O.J. Watson Park, 3022 S. McLean Blvd. The event, which opens Saturday and runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22, includes readings of Chris Van Allsburg’s “The Polar Express” followed by crafts and a train ride that will take visitors to see Santa at a simulated North Pole station. It also offers s’mores and unlimited hot chocolate at a campfire circle. Visitors can choose between two ticket options: They can register in advance for a $20 VIP package that includes all activities — or they can opt to buy general admission tickets at the door on a first-come, first-served basis between 5 and 6:30 p.m. General admission for the train ride is $15, and a s’mores and hot chocolate add-on is $5. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.wichita.gov/656/Watsons-Christmas-Express

Jim Brickman Christmas show

8 p.m. Saturday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway

Grammy-nominated songwriter and pianist Jim Brickman will return to Wichita on Saturday with his “Comfort & Joy” tour. His show, which starts at 7 p.m., will feature the piano man playing holiday classics plus many of his hits, including “The Gift, “Love of my Life,” “Destiny” and “Valentine.” The show will start with performances by Anne Cochran, John Trones and Young Original. Tickets are $43-$65 at selectaseat.com, by calling 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office at Intrust Bank Arena.

John Denver Christmas

3 p.m. Sunday, Century II, 225 W. Douglas

“A John Denver Christmas” is a holiday concert by tribute band Rocky Mountain High Experience that promises to take its audience back to the 1970s, when Denver was at his height of popularity. The show, which happens Sunday afternoon at Century II, will include hits like “Rocky Mountain High,” “Sunshine on My Shoulder” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” It also includes many of the holiday classics Denver once performed on television specials, such as “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night” and “Aspenglow.” Tickets are $64 to $80 at selectaseat.com, by calling 316-755-7328, in person at the Century II box office or at the the Select-a-Seat box office at Intrust Bank Arena.

Throwback at The Cotillion

8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg

Two throwback bands from two different genres and two different decades will be performing at The Cotillion later this week. One is W.A.S.P., a glam metal band from the 1980s that will bring its “Album One Alive World Tour 24” to the Cotillion stage at 8 p.m. on Wednesday with opening act Armored Saint. Tickets to that show are $32.20- $39.50. Then, on Thursday, 1990s hip-hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, best known for the hit “Tha Crossroads,” will perform starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40. Get tickets to both shows at thecotillion.com