Stretch your wallet further with free and cheap holiday events

Here at The Eagle, we know what you really want for the holidays.

You want free and cheap stuff, as do I.

Around this time of year, money can get pretty tight and bank accounts can be stretched awfully thin, but fear not – that doesn’t mean your festive fun has to be cut short.

There are plenty of holiday events in Wichita that won’t break the bank.

Try some of these on for size.

Free holiday events

Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 23: Bradley Fair carriage rides, 6-10 p.m. Horse-drawn carriage rides through miles of crystal lights in Bradley Fair, originating at the fountain at Bradley Fair Plaza, 21st and Rock Road. www.bradleyfair.com, 316-630-9990

Saturday and Dec. 17: Old Town Square carriage rides, noon-4 p.m. Horse-drawn carriage rides through Old Town, originating in front of the Warren Theatre Old Town, 353 N. Mead.

Nightly through Dec. 28: The Arc’s Lights, 5:30-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 5:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30-11:30 p.m. Christmas Eve. The drive-through light display with 1.9 million lights starts at Douglas and St. Paul. There is a $10-per-carload suggested donation every night, but on Fridays and Saturdays, you must pay $10 per car. www.arc-sedgwickcounty.org, 316-943-1191

Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 24: A Country Christmas at Fulton Valley Farms, 6-9 p.m. Walk through thousands of lights, a live Nativity vignette every night at 7:45 p.m., live reindeer on exhibit (you can see them for a small fee) and hot drinks/snacks for sale. Fulton Valley Farms, 5079 SW Fulton Road, Towanda. Free-will offerings accepted. www.fultonvalleyfarms.com, 316-775-1894

Thursday, Dec. 8: Carillon Christmas Concert, noon-1 p.m. Stand outside and listen to the historic downtown carillon play Christmas tunes outside the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main. www.wichitahistory.org, 316-265-9314

Thursday, Dec. 8: A Night With Santa, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sponsored by the city of Wichita’s Park and Recreation Department. Enjoy carnival games, a cake walk, bingo and crafts. Century II Exhibition and Convention halls, 225 W. Douglas.

Friday, Dec. 9: Community Carol Sing, 7-8:30 p.m. Holiday carol singing with a performance of Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols” and a reading of “The Tale of Three Trees,” presented by Music on Site; Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, 3700 E. Mt. Vernon. 316-683-7535

Friday-Saturday, Dec. 9-10: “A Christmas Carol ... Scrooge,” 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday. Musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” put on by Central Community Church and StageDoor43 Productions. Free tickets available at the church office, 6100 W. Maple. www.centralcommunity.church, 316-943-1800

Friday-Saturday, Dec. 9-10: A Night in Bethlehem, 6-9 p.m. Outdoor event that re-creates the streets of Bethlehem, with shops, displays and re-enactments. First Christian Church, 1600 State St., Augusta. Admission is a nonperishable food item or $1. 316-775-6317

Friday-Sunday, Dec. 9-11: Drive-Through Christmas, 6-9 p.m. Drive through light displays and narrated scenes from the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. Countryside Christian Church, 1919 S. Rock. Donations and canned food accepted to benefit the 184th Family Support Organization at McConnell Air Force Base. 316-686-7206

Saturday, Dec. 10: Meet Santa at Exploration Place, noon-2 p.m. Santa visits Exploration Place. Will take place in the main lobby, so museum admission is not required. Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd. www.exploration.org, 316-660-0620

Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 10-11: “Almost There: A Christmas Cantata,” 7 p.m. Saturday, 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Music presented by the Country Acres Baptist Church Choir, 8810 W. 10th St. 316-722-1239

Sunday-Monday, Dec. 11-12: The Good News: A Celebration of Christ Through Music, 9:30, 11 a.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Monday. Christmas music from Eastminster Presbyterian Church’s Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, orchestra, organ and piano. Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N. Webb. www.eastminster.org, 316-634-0337

Sunday, Dec. 11: A Cappella Christmas, 2-4 p.m. Concert by the Emerald City Chorus to benefit Operation Holiday. Southwest Presbyterian Church, 1511 W. 29th St. South. Donations and nonperishable food items and clothing accepted. 316-773-9300

Sunday, Dec. 11: Holiday lights by bike, 6 p.m. Bike/Walk Wichita is sponsoring an all-ages hourlong bike ride through College Hill to look at holiday lights. Bring your own bike. Lights required and helmets recommended. Parking lot behind Il Vicino, 4817 E. Douglas. 316-530-2990

Sunday, Dec. 11: Living Nativity, 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30 p.m. Living Nativity, plus display of Advent symbols, children’s and family activities, toys made by the Sunflower Woodworkers Guild for the needy, a coffee bar and demonstrations by organist David Cason. East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E. Douglas. Takes place during the College Hill Holiday Lights Tour.

Tuesday, Dec. 13: Air Capital Chorus Christmas Radio Hour, 7 p.m. Old-time-style radio comedy featuring local celebrities and singing groups that will be recorded and played back on KNSS 1330 AM at 8 a.m. Christmas Eve. Scottish Rite Center, 332 E. First St. Admission is a nonperishable food item or monetary donation for the Kansas Food Bank. 316-776-2121

Dec. 15-17: Journey to Bethlehem, 6:30-9 p.m. Outdoor event and live Nativity that re-creates Bethlehem, with indoor activities and games. Rose Hill Christian Church, 314 N. Rose Hill Road, Rose Hill. 316-776-0844

Dec. 16-18: Nativities from Around the World, noon-8 p.m. More than 600 painted, ornate nativities on display. Refreshments served, sponsored by Trinity United Christian Church. Sedgwick County Fairgrounds, 229 E. South Ave., Cheney. Admission is a free-will offering. 316-312-4809

Dec. 17: Breakfast With Santa, 9-11 a.m. Stearman Field will serve a breakfast buffet, attended by Santa himself. His reindeer Dasher has also confirmed he will be in attendance. Stearman Field, 14789 SW 30th St., Benton. www.stearmanbarandgrill.com, 316-778-1612

Dec. 18: Handel’s “Messiah,” 7 p.m. Performance at First Mennonite Church, 429 E. First St., Newton. 316-283-0273

Dec. 22: Brett Valliant Advent Concert, 7:30 p.m. Christmas carols played on a 5,000-pipe organ by organist Brett Valliant. First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Donations accepted for the maintenance of the organ. 316-267-6244

Dec. 24: Live Nativity and choral cantata, 7 p.m. Re-enactment of the Nativity story with live animals set to the choral cantata “Noel.” Hillside Christian Church, 8330 E. Douglas. 316-683-6577

Dec. 27-29: Winter Art Mania, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission to the Wichita Art Museum, with movies, art-making activities, gallery explorations and more. Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd. www.wichitaartmuseum.org, 316-268-4921

Cheap holiday events

Nightly through Dec. 31 (except Dec. 24-25): Illuminations, 5:30-8:30 p.m. $8, $7 members, $6 ages 3-12, under 3 get in free; advance tickets at Botanica or QuikTrip stores. Light displays throughout the gardens of Botanica, music, nightly Santa appearances, hot drinks and food for sale, including burgers, brats, funnel cakes and lighter snacks. Botanica, 701 N. Amidon. www.botanica.org, 316-264-0448

Friday-Saturday, Dec. 9-10: Victorian Christmas, 6-9 p.m. $7.75 for ages 18-61, $6.50 for agess 62+, $6 for ages 12-17, $5.50 for ages 4-11, free for those under 4 and Cowtown members. Traditional holiday event at Old Cowtown Museum featuring period decorations, wagon rides, carolers, crafts and activities, cookies, cocoa and Christmas gifts for sale. Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 W. Museum Blvd. www.oldcowtown.org, 316-350-3323

Thursday, Dec. 8, and Dec. 15, 17, 22: McPherson Holiday Lights Tour, 6, 7, and 8 p.m. $5. Holiday light tour setting out from the McPherson Museum, featuring trolley trivia and prizes. 1111 E. Kansas, McPherson. www.mcphersonmuseum.com, 620-241-8464

Friday-Sunday, Dec. 9-11: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” 6:30 p.m. Friday, 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $7. Play presented by Wichita Children’s Theatre & Dance Center for 33rd year. Mark Arts, 9112 E. Central. www.wctdc.com, 316-262-2282

Saturday, Dec. 10: Christmas at the Riverside Castle, 6-9 p.m. $10. Riverside’s Campbell Castle, decorated for the holidays, will open for public tours, with live music. 1155 N. River Blvd.

Saturday, Dec. 10: Season’s Treatings, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $14.95 ages 12-61, $9.95 ages 3-11, $11.95 ages 62+. Zoo animals receiving holiday treats. Check www.scz.org for scheduled times. Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd. www.scz.org, 316-660-9453

Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 10-11, and Dec. 16-31: Holiday Dome Show: “Let it Snow,” $5, $4 seniors, $3 ages 3-11, free ages 2 and under. Family-friendly show with holiday images and scenes set to favorite Christmas songs from Frank Sinatra, the Muppets and more. Show times posted at www.exploration.org. Exploration Place Boeing Dome Theater and Planetarium, 300 N. McLean Blvd. 316-660-0600

Sunday, Dec. 11: College Hill Holiday Lights Trolley Tour, 5:30-9:30 p.m. $8. Trolley tour of College Hill holiday lights, setting out from East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E. Douglas. Buy tickets for specific tour times at Traditions, 3220 E. Douglas. If tickets remain, they will be sold at the church during the event. 316-685-0745

Dec. 15: “It’s a Wonderful Life,” 7 p.m. $5, $4 students, seniors, military. 70th anniversary screening of the classic holiday film. Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway. www.wichitaorpheum.com, 316-263-0844

Dec. 16-17: “Junie B in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells,” 10 a.m., 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16, noon Dec. 17. $8.50 for show and pizza, $7 for show only. Play presented by Wichita Children’s Theatre & Dance Center. Pizza available before select showings. Wichita Children’s Theatre & Dance Center, 201 S. Lulu. www.wctdc.com, 316-262-2282

Dec. 17: Children’s Farms Festival: Holiday in the Barn, 1-4 p.m. $14.95 ages 12-61, $9.95 ages 3-11, $11.95 ages 62+. Visit with Santa, play with farm toys and watch animal demonstrations including animals found in a manger. Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd. www.scz.org, 316-660-9453

This story was originally published December 8, 2016 at 1:43 PM with the headline "Stretch your wallet further with free and cheap holiday events."