A big-time boy band will make its first-ever stop in Wichita this week
It’s Jonas Brothers week in Wichita! It’s Jonas Brothers week in Wichita!
Yes, Thanksgiving is over, and holiday events are filling up the entertainment calendar. But the big news this week is the arrival of Jonas Brothers in Wichita for the first time ever. The trio will perform a concert at Intrust Bank Arena on Wednesday evening.
If you’re not a “Sucker” for the brothers, though, you’ll be able to find plenty of other ways to stay entertained this weekend and into next week. Following are some ideas:
Jonas Brothers in Wichita
It’s finally Jonas Brothers week in Wichita. The pop group, known for hits such as “Sucker,” will bring its “JONAS20: Greetings From Your Hometown” tour to Wichita on Wednesday. Their concert at Intrust Bank Arena will start at 7:30 pm. and will feature opening acts Jesse McCartney and Franklin Jonas & Deleasa. Tickets are $39 to $356 and are available at www.selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328, or in person at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at the arena. This will mark the group’s first performance in Wichita.
Christmas Express
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. 21, 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 ($25 for non-Wichita residents) 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 7:30 p.m. General admission for the train ride is $15, and a s’mores and hot chocolate add-on is $5. The event is for ages 2 and over. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.wichita.gov/656/Watsons-Christmas-Express
Christmas with the Rat Pack
If you close your eyes, you’ll feel like you’re spending Christmas in 1960s Las Vegas. On Thursday, a concert called “Christmas with the Rat Pack” will take the stage at Century II’s Concert Hall and will feature impersonators portraying Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Accompanied by a live swing band, they’ll perform hits such as “My Way,” “Mr. Bojangles” “New York, New York” and “Fly Me to the Moon.” The concert will also include Christmas classics like “Jingle Bells” and “White Christmas.” It starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $54 to $79 at www.selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Century II Box Office or the Select-a-Seat Box Office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Somewhere in Winter festival
The new Somewhere in Winter festival opened on Thursday in downtown Wichita and will continue through Jan. 4. The event, set up in the Coleman lot at 250 N. St. Francis in downtown Wichita, includes hot chocolate and s’mores, access to food trucks, visits with Santa and outdoor igloos to rent. It also will include a 60 x 90 foot ice skating rink and a weekly market put on in conjunction with the Old Town Farm and Art Market. The first market will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. After that, the markets will happen from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays: Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. Admission to the activities is free, but tickets for ice skating will cost $10. The rink will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; from noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Ice skate rentals will be an additional $3 a person. For tickets, visit somewhere-fest.com/pages/somewhere-in-winter
ICT Artisan Expo
The annual ICT Artisan Expo, which describes itself as “a celebration of small businesses and artisans,” returns this weekend. It will take place at the Wichita Sports Forum, 2668 N. Greenwich, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Vendors will be selling things such as handmade soaps, candles, jewelry, art, decor and clothing. Admission is $1 for adults, but kids get in free and will be able to meet Santa and The Grinch, drop off a wish list at a letter station, and play in a kids zone. The event also will include food trucks and drinks for sale.