The holiday season has arrived in Wichita, and the calendar is full of fun things to do

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, there are plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit this season.

From traditional events like the return of Gingerbread Village to Illuminations at Botanica, which continues to add even more features to an already extensive lighted display, to area Christmas concerts and stage productions that range from the festive to the fun, there are abundant ways to celebrate the season in the Wichita area.

We’ve compiled a list of many of those events to help take the holiday stress out of finding things to do.

Holiday event classics

If you’re looking for ideas for setting your holiday table, stop by Mark Arts for its 55th Holiday Tables event, also going on this weekend. The art center invites area businesses and creative hosts to design what are called tablescapes that tend to include additional décor as well. The event includes additional activities, like an art boutique and even a popular Sunday afternoon holiday tea, which has a Mad Hatter theme this year and is a separate ticketed event. The tables exhibit hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. Recommended for ages 8 and older. More info: 316-634-2787, markartsks.com/holiday-tables

After being on hiatus since 2019, the popular Gingerbread Village has returned to Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd., taking place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. this weekend Nov. 12-13. Each participant gets a gingerbread house kit with precut graham crackers, icing and decorations to build a sweet display. In the past, hardcore decorators have been known to bring additional building supplies, which is allowed. New options this year are the ability to reserve a specific time slot or rent a private room to assemble the kits. Visitors can also see gingerbread displays built by businesses and individuals, peruse a bake sale and explore all of the science center’s exhibitions. Tickets: $12 for ages 12-64, $10 for ages 3-11 and ages 65 and older, $6 for Exploration Place members, free for children under 2. More info: 316-660-0600, exploration.org

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Allen House, 255 N. Roosevelt, will be decorated with vintage 1918 décor from Nov. 12-Dec. 31, just in time for its Holiday Wright Style event noon- 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Imagine you’re guests of the newspaper publisher Henry and Elsie Allen, who commissioned Wright, and take self-guided tours of the home, garden house and garden. There will be live music by The Jazz Cats of Derby and the Sweet Adelines and a hot chocolate bar and other holiday refreshments served on the terrace. Allen House is also offering holiday moonlight tours from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 17 and Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Following the moonlight tours, visitors can enjoy refreshments in the gift shop. Tickets: $25, with online purchases encouraged since walk-ins can’t be guaranteed admission. More info: flwrightwichita.org

The 39th annual Wreath Festival at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main, happens 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17-19. In this free event, the museum features holiday exhibits and expands its gift shop to its second-floor Devore Auditorium to showcase decorated wreaths, décor items, baked goods and other retail items. Usually the festival includes a luncheon served on-site, but this year the luncheon of a cranberry chicken salad over greens, croissant and dessert is a carryout only. Cost is $16, and reservations must be made by Monday, Nov. 14, by calling 316-265-9314 or emailing wschm@wichitahistory.org. More info: wichitahistory.org.

The Midian Shrine Temple, 130 N. Topeka St., is holding its 8th annual Feztival of Trees Nov. 18-22 and 25-27. Hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Fridays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays and 5-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. The event features various decorated and themed trees and offers visitors the chance to win the tree display and all the presents underneath. Raffle tickets are $1 each. Other activities include selfies with Santa, a café and sweets shop, plus vendors. Tickets: $5, free for kids 10 and under.

Bradley Fair, the retail complex at 21st and Rock, kicks off its weekly Holiday Stroll event series on Sunday, Nov. 20. The series will be held 2-7 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 18. The Nov. 20 opening day event includes additional tree-lighting ceremony activities starting at 5 p.m. with the actual tree-lighting at 6 p.m. Holiday Stroll includes horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, crafts for kids, strolling carolers, children’s characters and several activities hosted property-wide. More info: bradleyfair.com/events

Ride the Watson’s Christmas Express at O.J. Watson Park, 3022 S. McLean, 5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, Nov. 25-Dec. 18. This is Wichita’s re-creation of “The Polar Express” book and movie experience, using Watson Park’s miniature train to transport riders to visit Santa at a simulated North Pole station. This year, there are two ticket options: Register in advance for the VIP packages that run every 75 minutes between 5 and 8:15 p.m. and include all activities or purchase general admission tickets at the door on a first-come, first-served basis between the times of 5 and 6:30 p.m. VIP tickets, which includes a book reading, are $18 a person; general admission for the train ride is $12, and $4 for the smores and unlimited hot chocolate add-on option. More info: 316-529-9940, ext. 5, or wichita.gov/ParkandRec/WatsonPark/Pages/Train.aspx

Romp with a Santa-saurus Rex, ride a luge and play snowman cornhole at the Holly Jolly Jurassic Holiday at Field Station: Dinosaurs, 2999 N. Rock Road in Derby. This outdoors event, which features 10 acres of lights and other holiday-themed activities, happens from 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 25-27, 30; Dec. 1-4, 7-11, 14-18. Tickets: $10 for ages 2 and older, free for those younger than 2 and members. Purchase at the door or online. More info: kansasdinos.com/holiday

Go back in time to celebrate a Victorian Christmas at Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 Museum Blvd, from 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Dec. 2, 3, 9 & 10. Watch a re-enactment of ”The Night Before Christmas” in the old schoolhouse, visit with Santa, hear carolers as they stroll the lamp-lit dirt streets of the recreated Wild West town and shop for simple gifts and sweet treats. Tickets: $8 per person; free for kids 4 and under and Cowtown members. More info: 316-350-3323, oldcowtown.org

Visit with Santa and his Glitter Elf and enjoy refreshments and musical and dance entertainment during Wichita Art Museum’s Holiday Open House, 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Free admission. More info: 316-268-4921, wichitaartmuseum.org

Light it up

Two new interactive displays and a new 62-foot mega Christmas tree have been added to the always brilliant Illuminations at Botanica, 701 N. Amidon. The event happens from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 18-Dec. 31, closed Nov. 23 and 25 and Dec. 24 and 25. A new interactive orb display will be located at the hill of the Parriott Terrace, where visitors can use a computer to program their own show and then watch the show in real time. The second interactive display is light-up stepping stones near the Koch Carousel Gardens. The new tree display has 80,000 light bulbs, making it one of the largest programmable branched trees in the Midwest, according to Botanica officials. The mega tree takes center stage on the Grand Lawn. Santa will be on-site at Botanica’s Illuminations until Dec. 23. Two things to note if you go: The only entrance is at the south gate entrance, and all timed tickets must be purchased online since walk-in tickets are not available. Satellite parking lots and shuttle buses are available, with maps of the lots available online. Tickets: $13, $9 for children ages 12 and under and members, free for children 2 and younger. More info: 316-264-0448, botanica.org/illuminations

The annual Lights at Ability Point, formerly known as The Arc’s Lights, is an annual drive-through display at 2919 W. Second St. that’s made up of more than 1.5 million lights, features a rainbow tunnel, a nativity scene, a fire-breathing dragon and some new displays for 2022. It opens on Thanksgiving Day, and its hours will be 5:30-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5:30 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 27. (It’s open until 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve.) Tickets are $10 a carload at local QuikTrip stores, and cash also is accepted at the door. Tickets also are for sale online at https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/TheARCofSedgwickCounty/TheLightsAdmission.html

While the Bradley Fair tree is lit for the season at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, another lighting ceremony happens across town at that same time: the Ceremony of Lights at Friends University, when the Davis Administration tower will be lit. Enjoy additional ceremony festivities on the Rose Window Plaza, where the Singing Quakers and the university band will provide music, cookies will be served, and Santa will be available for photos. More info: friends.edu/ceremony-of-lights

If you’re looking for live reindeer among the lights, visit Towanda’s Fulton Valley Farms at 5079 SW Fulton Road. Its Country Christmas event starts Nov. 25 and will be open 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sundays through Dec. 16, then nightly until Dec. 23. It features more than 800,000 lights in its lighted woods. Other activities include a living nativity vignette performed at 7:30 p.m. nightly, a new Santa Station this year, a sleigh for photo ops, and a children’s hay maze, in addition to the live reindeer. Tickets: $10 ages 12 and up, $7 ages 4-11, free ages 3 and under. More info: 316-775-1894, fultonvalleyfarms.com

The city of Wichita will light its tree for the season at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, in Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas.

Picture perfect

If you’ve ever wanted to picture yourself inside a snow globe, be sure to check out the new Arctic Adventure exhibit at Exploration Place. The immersive snow globe is just one of the several interactive activities in the exhibit, which also features more than 40 brightly lit Christmas trees (another great photo backdrop) and a simulated ice rink where you skate in your socks. Tickets: $12 for ages 12-64, $10 for ages 3-11 and 65 and older, free for members. Discounts also for military, AAA members and those with EBT cards. More info: 316-660-0600, exploration.org

While spots like Illuminations at Botanica, Fulton Valley Farms or carriage rides at Bradley Fair offer great photo opportunities, The Selfie Spot on Douglas, 1811 E. Douglas, offers a fun indoor location to grab some festive shots in its 14 holiday-decorated selfie booths from Dec. 2-31. It’s highly recommended to book your one-hour slots online. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and 11-6 p.m. Sundays. Cost: $15 for ages 13 and older, $10 ages 5-12, free for ages 4 and under with an adult admission. RSVP: theselfiespotondouglas.com

Taking center stage

There’s no shortage of holiday-themed stage productions in Wichita, ranging from two different “Nutcracker” stagings to melodramas to fun takes on some classics.

“Rockers Around the Christmas Tree (or There’s No Place Like the Old Folk’s Home for the Holidays)” by the Empire House Players at Empire House, Old Cowtown, 1865 Museum Blvd., 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. This 1950s-themed melodrama features characters with names like Hope and Grace Fullheart, Nick Saint, Nurse Paine and more and is set in the Gingerbread House “old folks home” that might not be the sweetest abode. Tickets: $10, $5 ages 12 and under. More info: 316-350-3323, facebook.com/events/467876358482171/532575072012299

“Scrooge You: A Bad Christmas Carol” at Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley, Nov. 11-Dec. 23 with some shows already sold out. November show runs are Friday through Sunday, with added Wednesday and Thursday shows in December. It’s a retelling of the Charles Dickens classic filled with holiday hijinks. Tickets start at $29 for show only with dinner and seat option upgrades. More info: 316-263-0333, mosleystreet.com

“A Crown Holiday Spectacular” at the Crown Uptown, 3207 E. Douglas, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays Nov. 18-Dec. 18. Madi White and Max Wilson emcee this Rockettes-inspired Christmas show featuring a seven-piece band and singing, dancing and comedic acts. Tickets: $40-45 with discounts for seniors, military and students. More info: 316-612-7696, crownuptown.com

“A Cabaret Christmas” at Roxy’s Downtown, 412 ½ E. Douglas. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday performances and 2 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 25-Dec. 23. In cabaret style, this show offers seasonal sketch and musical comedy acts created by Wichitans Christi Moore and Patsy Reeder. Tickets: $36.35. More info: 316-265-4400, roxysdowntown.com/

“The Nutcracker” by Metropolitan Ballet at Century II Concert Hall, 225 W. Douglas, 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27. The traditional ballet that follows Clara and her Nutcracker Prince will be performed by local and regional dancers under the direction of artistic director Jill Landrith, who is marking her 25th year of bringing this holiday classic to life for audiences in Wichita. Guest Artists Ingrid Silva and Dylan Santos from the Dance Theatre of Harlem will appear in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier, respectively. Tickets: $15-$45 and available through Select-A-Seat, selectaseat.com

“Elf-The Musical” by the Forum Theatre in Wilke Center, First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Dec. 1-18. It’s a musical stage production of this holiday classic film about a fish – or would that be elf – out of water when a human thinks he’s one of Santa’s elves. Tickets: $28 for Thursday and Sunday performances, $30 for Friday and Saturday productions; opening night is $22. More info: 316-618-0444 or forumwichita.com

“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” by Wichita Community Theatre, 258 N. Fountain St., Dec. 1-11. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays. This is a sequel to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” that is set two years after the novel ends. The play continues the story, only this time is focused on the bookish middle-sister Mary, who is growing tired of being the dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings’ romantic escapades. Tickets: $11 Thursdays; other show are $15, $13 for students, military and those older than 60. Reservations: 316-686-1282, wichitact.org/shows/current-season

“A Christmas Carol” by Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center, 201 Lulu. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Recommended for ages 10 and up. After a long break, Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center is bringing back this production. Tickets: $9. More info: 316-262-2282, wctdc.org/shows-events

“The Gingerbread Man” by Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center at the Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas., 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7; 10 a.m. and noon Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 8-10, This is a participatory 45-minute show for ages 2 and older. The giant gingerbread cookie has absconded from a Christmas party and party goers try to get him to come back. Tickets start at $9 and are sold through WCTDC. The noon show has an add-on option of pizza, More info: 316-262-2282, wctdc.org/shows-events

“Short and Suite Nutcracker” by Dance Mechanix at the Wichita Center for the Performing Arts, 9112 E. Central. Show times are 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3; 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. This abbreviated, 75-minute show based on the ubiquitous Christmas ballet is choreographed by longtime Wichita ballet legend Stan Rogers and Jana Owen. Tickets: $25 for ages 17 and older, $15 for youth. More info: dancemechanix.biz/nutcracker

Christmas with C.S. Lewis, Century II Mary Jane Teall Theatre, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. This is a traveling production centered on British author C.S. Lewis of “Chronicles of Narnia” fame who is hosting a group of American writers who have come to hear him speak about the people and events that shaped his life. The setting is his home outside Oxford at Christmastime, 1962. Tickets: $60; available through Select-A-Seat, selectaseat.com

“The Nutcracker” by Ballet Wichita, Century II Concert Hall, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16 and 17, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. This is the 48th annual production by Ballet Wichita of this classic ballet. Tickets start at $25, available through Select-A-Seat, selectaseat.com

““The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center at Century II Mary Jane Teall Theater, 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 15 and 16. This production has become an annual WCTDC offering and is about an outrageous family of children who learn the Christmas Story and try to have everyone else rediscover the meaning. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Tickets: $9, available through Select-A-Seat, selectaseat.com

Drag Queen Christmas, 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway. While this is billed as all ages, expect adult comedy during this touring drag queen show. Tickets: start at $41.75 with VIP options. More info: 316-263-0844, wichitaorpheum.com

Holiday notes

From touring concerts to those produced by local universities and area organizations, there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season through song and music.

The Ghosts of Christmas Eve by Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Intrust Bank Arena, 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17. Ticket: $49 to 90, available through Select-A-Seat, selectaseat.com

“Christmas in Wiedemann,” Wichita State University’s Wiedemann Hall, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28. This concert features organ professor Lynne Davis and the WSU Symphony Orchestra. Tickets: $16, with discounts for seniors, military, WSU faculty and staff, students and children. More info: 316-978-3233

WSU’s 59th annual Candlelight Choir Concert, Wiedemann Hall, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Groups from the WSU choral department: Madrigal Singers, Concert Chorale, ShockerChoir and WuChoir will perform. Tickets: $12 with discounts for seniors, military, WSU faculty and staff, students and children; free to WSU students. More info: 316-978-3233

Friends University’s Candlelight Concert, Sebits Auditorium in the Riney Fine Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. The concerts feature the university’s Singing Quakers, a performance group that is coming up on its 100th year, and the Concert Choir. Ticket prices: $16 for adults and $12 for students and seniors (55+); available by calling the Fine Arts Box Office at 316-295-5677 or friends.edu/fineartstickets

Newman University’s Christmas Concert, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, De Mattias Performance Hall. The Newman troubadours and chorale groups, both directed by Deanne Zogleman, will perform. Tickets: $10, $5 for college and other students.

Concerts at Century 11 — all tickets available through Select-A-Seat, selectaseat.com

• Wichita Wurlitzer 50th anniversary holiday concert, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, Exhibition Hall. Tickets: $15 ages 11 and older, $5 ages 10 and under, $50 VIP

• Wichita Symphony’s “Christmas Fantasies,” 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, Concert Hall. Features music from Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel,” the score for the Oscar-nominated “The Snowman,” the overture and complete act two of “The Nutcracker.” Tickets start at $30.

• Wichita Symphony’s Spirit of The Season concert, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, Convention Hall. Also features Butler Community College Concert Choir and the symphony’s youth orchestra ensemble. Free.

• Rocky Mountain High Experience: John Denver Christmas, 7:30 .m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 8 and 9, Mary Jane Theatre. Tickets: $60

• Music Theatre Wichita Holiday Special, Concert Hall, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 10, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11. Tickets: $25-72

Concerts at Orpheum — more info: 316-263-0844, wichitaorpheum.com

• Michael Martin Murphey Cowboy Christmas, 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. Tickets start at $34.

• Jim Brickman’s A Very Merry Christmas, 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1. Tickets start at $43.

Dining with Santa

Judging by Santa’s belly, he likes to eat, and there are opportunities to join him at a few upcoming meals with breakfast options being the most plentiful.

Fulton Valley Farms at 5079 SW Fulton Road, Towanda, offers three meal options: Suppers with Santa from 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25; Christmas dinners from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays Dec. 2-23; and Pancakes with Santa, 9-11:30 a.m. Saturdays, Dec. 10, 17 and 24. Supper prices are $18 ages 12 and up, $13 ages 4-11. Tickets for the traditional dinners are $48 for ages 12 and up, $19.50 for ages 4-11. Breakfast prices are $12 ages 12 and up, $10 ages 4-11. Children ages 3 and younger are free for all options. More info: 316-775-1894, fultonvalleyfarms.com

Breakfast with Santa at Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 Museum Blvd., 9-11 a.m. Saturdays, Dec. 3 and 10. Besides having breakfasts, guests can make crafts and listen to a story with Santa. Tickets: $15 per person. More info: 316-350-3323, oldcowtown.org

Join Santa’s Pancake Party at Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd, on Saturday, Dec. 3. Seating times are 8, 9 and 10 a.m. Other activities include photos, coloring and exploring the museum and its exhibits. Limited space, reservations required. Tickets: $18, children 1 and younger free. More info: 316-660-0600, exploration.org

Movie classics

The Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadways, is showing two Christmas classics: “Miracle on 34th Street,” made 75 years ago, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, and a Griswold family holiday original, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Tickets for “Miracle on 34th Street” are $8, with $1 discounts for military, seniors, students and large groups. Tickets for “Christmas Vacation: are $10 in advance, $12 on the day of the event. More info: 316-263-0844, wichitaorpheum.com