Worried you missed his annual holiday event? Organizers moved it back a month
December has arrived and brought with it even more holiday events, including the return of Gingerbread Village at Exploration Place, which is just one of many fun events happening this weekend and into next week in Wichita. Here are some of the others:
Return of Gingerbread Village
For years, the annual Gingerbread Village, where kids build gingerbread houses using graham crackers, candy, cereal and icing, happened in early November. This year, though, the event’s organizers at Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean, pushed it back a month. The event returns this weekend for two installments: from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets, which come with a gingerbread house kit, are $12 for adults, $10 for ages 3-11 and ages 65 and older, $8 for Exploration Place members, and free for children 2 and under. A new “Gingerbread Plus” ticket also includes access to the venue’s dome theater and exhibits and is $20 for adults, $15 for children and seniors. Tickets are available at exploration.org/event/gingerbread-village.
Nate Bargatze show
Grammy-nominated “clean” comedian Nate Bargatze is bringing his “Big Dumb Eyes” world tour to Wichita on Wednesday. Dubbed “the nicest man in stand-up,” his show will start at 7 p.m. at Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman, and doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets to the show are still available and range from $38 to $302 and are available at selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Time for ‘Nutcracker’ at Century II
Metropolitan Ballet’s annual “Nutcracker” performances start this weekend at Century II. with shows at 7 p.m. on Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the 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 $18 to $53 at selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Century II box office.
It’s First Friday
First Friday is already back, and as usual, Wichita will be filled with art events at galleries across town. One of Friday’s is titled “Black Light Christmas,” and it will last from 5 to 9 p.m. at Vertigo 232 Art Gallery, 232 N. Market. The show will feature black light art work from various artists. At 7 p.m., musician Mark Walker will use guitar effects and a theremin to create sound to accompany the 1920 silent horror movie “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.” For a complete list of Final Friday shows, visit downtownwichita.org/discover/things-to-see-and-do/first-friday
Victorian Christmas
Old Cowtown Museum’s annual Victorian Christmas event starts this weekend and will fill the venue with holiday activities, including visits with Santa, carolers and hot chocolate. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Dec. 12 and 13. Admission at the door is $15 for nonmembers, $5 for members, free for children 4 and under. For more information, visit oldcowtown.org
MTW’s ‘Holiday Extravaganza’
Music Theatre Wichita’s “Holiday Extravaganza,” an original show created by artistic director Brian J. Marcum, will be staged multiple times this weekend at Century II’s Mary Jane Teall Theater, 225 W. Douglas. The show, which will feature an on-stage 12-piece orchestra, will include a mix of holiday and non-holiday songs and will star in-demand actors Injoy Fountain, Roy Moye III, Karen Robu and Tim Robu. Showtimes are 8 p.m. tonight; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $42-$83 at mtwichita.org, at the Century II box office and by phone at 316-265-3107.
Winter Wonderland at Naftzger Park
Wichita Park & Recreation’s Winter Wonderland event happens from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas, and will include the lighting of a big Christmas tree, s’mores making at fire pits, hot cocoa, holiday music, photo stations and appearances by The Grinch as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will also be live music and vendors. Admission is free.
Art showcase at Friends
Friends University is hosting a visual-arts student showcase at 5 p.m. on Monday in the Riney Fine Arts Center and Sebits Fine Arts Addition. The event will feature work from all students enrolled in a Friends art or graphic design course, highlighting the range of creative talent on campus, from drawing and photography to design projects and digital storytelling.