Wichita can fill the weekend with holiday fun that includes lights, music, food
Christmas is almost here, and so is Hanukkah. Wichitans will celebrate with parties, concerts and events scheduled for this weekend and into next week.
Here’s a guide to some of the fun holiday activities lined up:
Wichita Chanukah party
The Chabad of Wichita will celebrate Chanukah with its Night of Light celebration, scheduled for Sunday at Bradley Fair Plaza, 1900 N. Rock Road. The free event, which is open to anyone, will include a menorah lighting, traditional food samplings, face paint, a giant gum ball menorah and gelt dropped from a fire truck. The program starts at 5 p.m., but organizers encourage people to show up early at 4:30 p.m. They’re asking for RSVPs at https://www.eventbrite.com.
Another Wichita ‘Nutcracker’
Another holiday weekend, another presentation of “The Nutcracker” holiday ballet in Wichita. This weekend, it’s the eighth annual presentation of “Short and Suite Nutcracker” by Midwest Dance Mechanix. The show will be put on at the Wichita Center for the Performing Arts, 9112 E. Central at 6:30 p.m. Friday; at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday; and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The show is a shorter, 90-minute version of the original and stars dancers ages 6-18. Santa will be accepting visitors 45 minutes before each show. Tickets are $29 for ages 17 and older, $17 for youth. Get them at dancemechanix.biz/nutcracker.
‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’
Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center’s annual performances of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” are about to happen. Tickets are still available for shows scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday as well as 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19 and 11 a.m. Dec. 20 at Newman University’s DeMattias Performance Hall, 3100 McCormick St. The show is about an outrageous family of children who learn the Christmas story and is suitable for ages 5 and up. Tickets are $9. Get more information at wctdc.org.
Holiday a cappella concert
Wichita Grand Opera will put on a concert called “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” at Newman University this weekend. Shows will be performed in the DeMattias Performance Hall, 3100 McCormick Ave. It’s an a cappella performance based on writings from the diaries of soldiers on opposing sides of World War I who famously came together in song. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and at 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for students ages 18 and under at wichitagrandopera.org.
Red Stocking Breakfast
The annual Red Stocking Breakfast, a fundraiser by the Kansas Children’s Service League, happens from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Wichita State University’s Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 East 29th Street North. The event is a come-and-go breakfast served by local celebrities and volunteers, and it features family activities and photos with Santa. Admission to the breakfast is $17.85 if purchased online by Friday, $20 at the door and free for ages 10 and younger. The breakfast raises money for child abuse prevention programs in Sedgwick, Sumner and Butler counties. Visit https://www.kcsl.org/events/red-stocking-breakfasts/ for more information.
Holiday lights stroll
Bike Walk Wichita is inviting people to layer up and join in its free annual Christmas Lights walk through College Hill. The walk is set for 5:15 p.m. Sunday. Those interested will meet at the Lincoln Heights Village parking lot at Douglas and Oliver and begin walking in groups . People of all ages and abilities are invited. A walk leader will provide a map. People are encouraged to wear reflective clothing. The group also will put on a Holiday Lights bike ride Dec. 14. For more information on both events, visit bikewalkwichita.org/events/.
This story was originally published December 12, 2025 at 5:15 AM.
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