Holiday tree-lighting season starts Saturday at Bradley Fair

Yeah, yeah. It’s not Thanksgiving yet.

But the Christmas trees are going up anyway. Just go with it.

Wichita’s first big tree lighting happens this weekend at Bradley Fair, the holiday shopping hub at 21st and Rock Road.

The lighting always happens the Saturday before Thanksgiving and helps get customers in the holiday mood in advance of Black Friday, said Jessica Dunbar, marketing and property administrator at Bradley Fair.

“It’s a 35-foot live tree, and Treetop Nursery hand-selects it from the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico,” she said.

The tree is always cloaked in glowing lights and decorations, and the celebration surrounding its lighting will include carols by the Collegiate Madrigal Choir, an appearance by a live reindeer, photos with Santa and free carriage rides. The rides will continue from 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 23.

The party starts at 5:30 p.m., and the switch will be flipped on the tree at 5:45 p.m. The event doubles as a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House.

This is the 14th year for the event, which draws between 1,000 and 2,000 people to the shopping center, depending on the weather. This Saturday, Dunbar points out, is forecast to bring a high in the low 50s: cold enough to feel like the holidays but not so cold it’s uncomfortable.

Saturday, though, is just the start of the season of glowing.

Several more lighting events are planned for the coming weeks.

▪ The Arc’s Lights, Nov. 24-Dec. 28, Douglas and St. Paul: This drive-through light display, formerly known as Lights on St. Paul, starts at 5:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. The display includes 1.9 million lights, and people can stop for a picture with Santa. This year, organizers are asking people to pay $10 a carload to drive through the event. Santa photos will be available from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and Dec. 19-22. Photos are $5. For more information, visit www.arc-sedgwickcounty.org or call 316-943-1191.

▪ Illuminations, Nov. 25-Dec. 31, Botanica, 701 N. Amidon: This is one of Wichita’s most cherished Christmas traditions, and it fills the gardens with Christmas trees, lights and music. Santa appears each night, and hot drinks and snacks are for sale. It opens the day after Thanksgiving, and hours are 5:30-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 31, though it’s closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission is $8, $7 for Botanica members and $6 for ages 3-12. Children under 3 get in free. Advance tickets are available at Botanica or QuikTrip stores, by calling 316-264-0448 or at botanica.org.

▪ Mayor’s Tree Lighting, A Night With Santa, 6 p.m. Dec. 8, Kennedy Plaza outside Century II: This is the city’s big Christmas event and features the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree, a big fireworks show, carnival games, a cake walk, bingo, crafts and more. The event continues until 8:30 p.m. inside the Century II Exhibition and Convention halls, 225 W. Douglas. Admission is free. (UPDATE, 12/2/16: The mayor will light the tree on Sunday, Dec. 4; Night With Santa is still scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 8.)

This story was originally published November 18, 2016 at 1:40 PM with the headline "Holiday tree-lighting season starts Saturday at Bradley Fair."