What to do in Wichita this weekend: Get in the Christmas spirit, take in a concert

The Wichita calendar is full of post-Thanksgiving musical and holiday fun.

Here’s a look at some of the events happening around town this weekend and into next week.

Little Feat at The Cotillion

Rock band Little Feat is coming to Wichita as a part of its “Waiting for Columbus Tour.” The band, formed by Lowell George and Bill Payne in 1969, is best known for songs like “Willin,’” “Dixie Chicken,” “Spanish Moon” and several others. Little Feat will be performing at The Cotillion at 8 p.m. on Monday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $44 to $119 and can be purchased at etix.com. Several VIP packages are also available for purchase. All ages welcome.

Arena rock at TempleLive

Theatrical rock n’ roll tribute band That Arena Rock Show is coming to Wichita to perform this weekend. The band will perform well known rock anthems from the 70s and 80s from artists like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC and more. That Arena Rock Show will be joined by the bands Bootleg Mercy and A Band in Kansas. The concert is at TempleLive at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $29 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. All ages welcome.

Handel’s Messiah

The Wichita Choral Society, continuing its long tradition of Messiah concerts, will perform select movements from Handel’s Messiah to kick off the holiday season. The group, under the direction of Shawn Chastain, will perform Sunday at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway in Wichita. Tickets are $10.

Christmas Express

This weekend will mark the start of the “Watson’s Christmas Express,” an event put on by O.J. Watson Park, 3022 S McLean Blvd., every year. There will be readings of Chris Van Allsburg’s “The Polar Express” followed by crafts and a train ride that will take riders to visit Santa at a simulated North Pole station. There are two ticket options this year. Guests can register in advance for the VIP packages that include all activities. The packages will run every 75 minutes between 5 and 8:15 p.m. Guests can also purchase general admission tickets at the door between 5 and 6:30 p.m. There are also VIP tickets that include a book reading and cost $18 a person. General admission for the train ride is $12 with a s’mores and unlimited hot chocolate add-on option for $4. For more information call 316-529-9940 or visit wichita.gov/ParkandRec/WatsonPark/Pages/Train.aspx.

“Elf” screening

The Wichita Art Museum’s interactive screening of the popular Christmas comedy “Elf” is back again this holiday season. Emcees Kara Hunt and Andy McFayden will host the festivities. There will be a cash bar and boxed bites for guests to enjoy. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the screening will start at 7 p.m. on Friday in the S. Jim and Darla Great Hall. Tickets are $15 for Wichita Art Museum members and $25 for the general public and can be purchased at wichitaartmuseum.org/elf. Each ticket comes with a goodie bag filled with instructions as well as the “Elf” essentials guests will need to watch the film. Attendees must be 21 years or older.

Christmas as Prairie Pines

This Christmas season, Prairie Pines, 4055 N. Tyler, is once again putting on its Old Fashioned Christmas experience. Guests will be able to choose and cut their own pine trees or pick a pre-cut tree to take home. They can also visit the Old Barn Christmas Shop and choose from over 1,000 ornaments and other Christmas decorations. There will also be horse-drawn or tractor-drawn wagon rides, a children’s train ride and visits to Santa (both on select weekend hours.) Also included in the Old Fashioned Christmas experience is a mystery dinner theatre offered for five nights of the holiday season. Visit PrairiePinesPlayhouse.com for tickets. Students from Maize High School will also be there serving hot chocolate, cider, donuts and cookies to raise money for their choral music department. The opening day is this Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit prairiepines.com to check times and for other information. Some activities will cost money, and some will be free.

Concert at WSU

Wichita State Symphony Orchestra and organ professor Lynne Davis will be performing in Wichita State University’s Wiedemann Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Tickets are $16, with discounts for seniors, military, WSU faculty and staff, students and children available. For more information call 316-978-3233.