Wichita-area garden venues in lights, ‘Bringing in the Greens’ at Nature Center

Two area garden venues – Botanica in Wichita and Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston – are lighted for the holidays.

Illuminations at Botanica runs from 5:30 to 8:30 nightly through Dec. 31 (excluding Dec. 24 and 25). Tickets are $8, $7 for members, $6 for ages 3 to 12, under 3 free. Advance tickets at Botanica, 701 N. Amidon, or QuikTrip stores. Information: 316-264-0448; botanica.org.

The Luminary Walk at Dyck Arboretum will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, at 177 W. Hickory St. in Hesston. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for members, senior citizens and college students; and $2 for ages 3 to 15. Information: dyckarboretum.org.

In color at Botanica

Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica “Blue Ice”), near the Gene E. Spear Train Garden.

‘Bringing in the Greens’

The Great Plains Nature Center will have what it’s calling an old-fashioned prairie holiday celebration from 6 to 8 p.m Friday. The free event will include refreshments; music by vocal and children’s hand bell choirs, folk singers and instrument groups; and activities including making reindeer ornaments from tree rings, decorating an Easter red cedar as settlers might have done, having photos with Santa and decorating cookies.

Each child will receive a free copy of “Kansas Critters Wet ’n’ Wild,” written and illustrated by Kansas schoolchildren. The center is at 6232 E. 29th St.

Nativity display

An exhibit of Nativity scenes, live music, a children’s Nativity and activities will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 7834 W. 29th St. It’s free. Information: . 316-773-1136; www.wichitanativity.com.

Marion house tour

The Marion city library will wrap up its celebration of the 75th anniversary of “Wizard of Oz” at the annual Christmas homes tour from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 in Marion. Four houses will be on the tour; tickets are $5, available during the tour at the library at 101 Library St. in Marion. Refreshments will be served. For more information call the library at 620-382-2442.

This story was originally published November 26, 2014 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Wichita-area garden venues in lights, ‘Bringing in the Greens’ at Nature Center."