What to do in Wichita this weekend: Gingerbread Village, Holiday Tables, concerts, more

Whether you’re ready to start celebrating the holidays by building a gingerbread house or just want to hear some heavy metal or folk music, the Wichita entertainment calendar can meet your needs this weekend.

Here’s a list of some of the fun things happening in town.

Return of Gingerbread Village

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean

The much-loved Gingerbread Village event — which invites families to construct candy-covered gingerbread houses using pre-cut graham crackers and extra-sticky frosting — hasn’t happened in-person since 2019, when the Assistance League of Wichita put on its 25th annual event. This year, though, it’s back and will happen from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Exploration Place. A few things will be different this year: Because of the Arctic Adventure exhibit at the museum, the event will have fewer seats. But people who want to make sure they get one can get tickets for designated time slots — a first. Tickets, which are available at exploration.org/event/gingerbread-village, are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and children and $6 for members and include a gingerbread house-making kit for each person. Visitors also have the option this year of reserving a private decorating room for up to 30 people. They’re $275 and can be reserved by calling 316-660-0600. The event will also include a bake sale. Participants are allowed to bring their own decorating materials.

Singing Quakers Alumni Choir Concert

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N. Webb Rd

The Singing Quakers Alumni Choir from Friends University will perform a fall concert called “Cry Out and Shout” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. The choir is made up of around 60 members who represent more than five decades of Singing Quaker Alumni. This year’s guest conductor is Steven Zielke, a former Singing Quaker who graduated from Friends in 1988 and who now works as the voice of the OSU Marching Band and the Director of Music at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Corvallis, Oregon. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors 60 and older and will be available at the door.

Holiday Tables

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Mark Arts, 1307 N. Rock Road

The 55th Holiday Tables event, which features decorated holiday tables on display plus an art boutique and a Sunday-afternoon holiday tea, happens this weekend at Mark Arts. The event, which is appropriate for ages 8 and up, happens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 a person. The holiday tea, which is from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, requires a separate ticket of $50 for adults, $25 for children ages 3 to 17. The theme is “Mad Hatter Wonderland.” Get tickets at markartsks.com/holiday-tables/

Country music on a Saturday night

9 p.m. Saturday, Wichita Union Stockyards, 6425 W. MacArthur Road

Wichita Union Stockyards will be the site this weekend of a concert by Jared Brown and the Dirt Road Misfits, a country band whose lead singer has a gospel background and whose repertoire includes 70s rock, red dirt country and more. Doors for the show open at 7 p.m., and the band will take the stage at 9 p.m. Admission is $10 a person.

Heavy Metal show

8 p.m. Saturday, Hartman Arena, 8151 N. Hartman Arena Drive, Park City

Two metal bands from the 1970 and 1980s — headliners Judas Priest with opening act Queensryche — will perform a Saturday concert called “50 Heavy Metal Years” at Hartman Arena in Park City. Judas Priest is known for hits like “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” The concert starts at 8 p.m., and doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $46-$62 at ticketmaster.com

Diwali 2022

5-9:30 p.m. Sunday, Century II Exhibition Hall and Mary Jane Teall Theater

The Cultural Association of India-Wichita is putting on Diwali 2022, a family-friendly event that will include an Indian dinner and cultural performances. The event happens from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday at Century II. Passes are $29.95 for adults ages 15 and older, $11.85 for ages 6 to 14 and $4.85 for ages 2 to 5 and are available at diwali-2022.ticketleap.com. Diwali is a Hindu celebration known as the Festival of Lights.

Indigo Girls

7 p.m. Sunday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway

The Indigo Girls show that was previously scheduled for May of this year is happening on Wednesday at Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre. The duo, known for hits such as “Closer to Fine” and “Hammer and Nail,” will take the stage at 7 p.m. Sunday. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $39.50-$59.50 at selectaseat.com, by calling 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office at Intrust Bank Arena. All tickets for the original performance also will be honored.

Concerts announced this week

Wichita’s many music venues have been busy booking shows lately. Here’s a look at the most recent additions made to Wichita’s concert calendar:

The Bellamy Brothers, Dec. 10, Wichita Union Stockyards, tickets on sale at www.kwlsradio.com

Wade Bowen, Jan. 20, The Cotillion, tickets on sale at at thecotillion.com

For King + Country, April 28, Hartman Arena, tickets on sale at ticketmaster.com

Foreigner, April 30, Hartman Arena, ticket on sale at 10 a.m. Friday ticketmaster.com