After surviving Black Friday and Thanksgiving with the in-laws, you deserve a stress-free weekend. Usher in the winter holiday season by attending a tree-themed festival, holiday shopping event, or boat parade full of festive lights. You certainly have plenty of event options for the first weekend in December!
Read on for more information on FetchToto’s top 5 weekend picks. Make sure to also check out other Kansas events on FetchToto’s Events Calendar: http://events.fetchtoto.com/
1) 2012 Festival of Trees
Date & Time:
Thurs, Nov. 29 – 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Silver Bells Sneak Peek Day)
Fri, Nov. 30 – 6:00 PM (Starlight Gala & Tree Auction)
Sat, Dec. 1 – 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Public Viewing)
Sun, Dec. 2 – 1:00 – 4:00 PM (Public Viewing)
Where: Century II Exhibition Hall Balcony
Cost: Thurs. $2, Fri. $75, Sat. & Sun. $5
Info: www.wichitatix.com/
Why you should go: Get into the holiday spirit this weekend by coming out to Goodwill’s 20th Annual Festival of Trees at Century II. This year’s festival includes over 90 beautifully decorated, full size themed trees, holiday wreaths and centerpieces decorated by local celebrities, designers and business owners.
The four-day festival will include plenty of other activities and entertainment, including pictures with Santa, lessons on how to decorate for the holidays, carnival games, face painting, cookie decorating, live music and entertainment.
Schedule of Events:
Silver Bells Sneak Peek Day (Thursday, November 29th)
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Admission: $2 per person
Info: Get a sneak peek inside the festival before anyone else by coming to the Silver Bells Sneak Peek Day. There will be live entertainment and refreshments provided throughout the day. Also, make sure to vote for your favorite tree and stop by the sweet shop before you leave.
Starlight Gala & Tree Auction (Friday, November 30th)
Time: 6:00 PM
Admission: $75 per person
Info: Enjoy an evening of excellent food, drinks, entertainment and fun at the Starlight Gala & Tree Auction. Christmas trees decorated by local celebrities, businesses and designers will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in a live auction. A silent auction will also include holiday items, wreaths and gifts.
Public Viewing (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM - Sat, Dec. 1, 1:00 – 4:00 PM – Sun, Dec. 2)
Admission: $5 for everyone (over 12 months old)
Info: Public gets to browse through the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and center pieces. Entertainment will also be provided.
2) Chris Isaak
Time: 7:00 PM
Date: Sunday, December 2
Where: Orpheum Performing Arts Center, 200 N. Broadway St., Ste. 102, Wichita
Cost: $47 - $67
Info: http://www.wichitaorpheum.com/events/71/chris-isaak/
Why you should go: American rock singer Chris Isaak will bring his “Beyond the Sun” tour on Sunday, Dec. 2 at Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre. The tour features the singer’s newest hits of his newest album, Beyond the Sun, released Oct. 18, 2012.
Isaak’s album and tour honors artists who emerged in the 1950s and recorded at Sam Phillips’ infamous Sun Records label in Memphis, TN. The play list includes hits from Elvis Presley (Can’t Help Falling in Love, It’s Now or Never), Johnny Cash (Ring of Fire, I Walk the Line), Jerry Lee (Great Balls of Fire), Roy Orbinson (Pretty Woman, So Long I’m Gone), Carl Lee Perkins (Dixie Fried), and many others.
Chris Isaak is a recording artist that rose to fame in the ‘80s with his breakthrough album “Heart Shaped World” and the single “Wicked Games.” Tickets can be purchased on Select-A-Seat by calling (316) 755-7328, online at www.selectaseat.com, or at any Dillons Superstores, and Plant Employee Clubs. Ticket prices range from: $67 Orchestra, $57 Lower Balcony, and $47 Balcony.
3) Christmas in Delano
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Date: Saturday, December 1
Where: Historic Delano District, 905 W. Douglas, Wichita
Cost: FREE
Info: http://www.historicdelano.com/Christmas/
Why you should go: Christmas in Delano is a special one-day event that encourages shoppers to shop locally in support of local merchants. There are over 100 locally owned restaurants and specialty shops in Historic Delano, providing a great one-stop shopping spot for every person on your Christmas shopping list. Additional events (provided below) are free, but donations will be accepted.
Schedule of Events:
SANTA PAWS (10:00 AM—12:00 PM)
- Opportunity to have your pet’s photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus
- Only dogs and cats allowed, no exotic pets
- Refreshments available will include sweet breads, sweet rolls, coffee and hot chocolate.
AIR CAPITAL CHORUS CHRISTMAS (2:00 - 3:00 PM)
- An acapella choir will serenade audience with sounds of the season
- Seasonal treats will include cookies, nuts, pretzels, petit fours, iced tea and hot cider
4) Jingle Bell Run
Time: 8:30 AM
Date: Saturday, December 1
Where: Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd., Wichita
Cost: Adult: $40 Race Day; Youth (6-17): $25 Race Day; Tots (5 & under): $10
Info: http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1024759
Why you should go: You may hear the jingle and jangle of bells in downtown Wichita this weekend as runners participate in the 25th Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk. The annual holiday run benefits the Arthritis Foundation, one of the largest national nonprofit organizations dedicated solely to preventing, controlling and curing arthritis.
Participants can choose to run or walk a 4-mile or 1-mile route, which begin and end at Exploration Place (300 N. McLean Blvd., Wichita). Runners are encouraged to come dressed in holiday-themed costumes and tie jingle bells on their shoelaces in celebration of the Christmas season.
Schedule of Events:
8:30 AM – Breakfast (Registration Begins)
9:30 AM – Start of 4-Mile Run/Walk
10:15 AM – Brunch (Wagon Master Burger Burn)
10:15 AM – Costume Judging
10:40 AM – Start of 1-Mile Walk/Run
10:55 AM – Race Celebration & Award Presentation
5) Lights on the River
Time: 6:00 PM Fireworks Show, 6:30 PM Parade of Boats
Date: Saturday, December 1
Where: Downtown on the Arkansas River
Cost: FREE
Info: http://lightsontheriverwichita.com/
Why you should go: What makes this event great is that it’s FREE and is a family-friendly event that all ages can enjoy! Lights on the River celebrates the holiday season by utilizing on of Wichita’s greatest natural assets – the Arkansas River.
The annual river parade will begin at 6:30 PM near the Kellogg Bridge and will feature a variety of boats decorated with festive holiday lights. During the parade, spectators will enjoy live holiday music, warm beverages and food. The parade will conclude with a stunning firework display and a special appearance by Santa.
The special holiday attraction is expected to draw as many as 5,000 visitors, so make sure to grab a good spot!
Event Schedule:
2:00 – 4:00 PM
- Parade Participants Boat Decorating
5:00 PM
- Festivities Begin Near the Wichita Boathouse
- S’mores Stations (@ Boathouse)
- Face Painting (@ Boathouse)
- Winter Wagon Rides
5:30 PM
- Waltzing Waters Fountain Display
6:15 PM
- Spectacular Fireworks Show (Lawrence Dumont Stadium)
6:30 PM
- Parade of Boats
- Special appearance by Santa
