What to do in Wichita this weekend: Holiday concerts, movies, shows, parties and more

It’ll be hard to choose a holiday activity this weekend. In addition to all the ongoing events like Illuminations at Botanica, this weekend will be filled with special Christmas concerts, parties and shows.

Here’s a look at some of the events going on:

MTW Holiday special

Friday-Sunday, Century II Concert Hall, 225 W. Douglas

Music Theatre Wichita is trying to start a new holiday tradition with a new Live Holiday Special that will include Broadway veterans, members of the resident ensemble, local singers, youth performers and even former MTW director Wayne Bryan singing and dancing along to holiday classics with the help of a 24-piece live orchestra. The shows happen at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Century II Concert Hall. Tickets are $25-$72 and available at mtwichita.org/

Bellamy Brothers in concert

7 p.m. Saturday, Wichita Union Stockyards, 6251 W. MacArthur Road

The Bellamy Brothers, a Florida-based country duo made up of brothers David and Homer Bellamy, will perform at the Wichita Union Stockyards at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The act found fame in the 1970s and 1980s with songs “Let Your Love Flow” and “If I Said You Have a Beautiful Body Would You Hold it Against Me.” Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets are $35 for general admission, $50 for VIP. They’ve available at kwlsradio.com or by phone at 316-945-1079.

Last chance for the drive-in

Friday and Saturday, Starlite Drive-In, 3900 S. Hydraulic

This weekend is your final opportunity this year to enjoy the Starlite Drive-In, which is about to close for the season and won’t reopen until spring. The drive-in will open at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday this weekend, and admission will be $10 a carload. Attendees will get a 2022 souvenir cup while supplies last. On Screen 1, the Starlite is showing “Violent Night:” (rated R) at 7:15 p.m. followed by “Krampus” (rated PG-13) at 9:10 p.m. On Screen 2, it’s showing “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (rated PG) at 7:25 p.m. followed by “The Grinch” (rated PG-13) at 9:15 p.m.

Two holiday tribute shows

Friday-Sunday, Mary Jane Teall Theater, Century II, 225 W. Douglas

Century II’s Mary Jane Teall Theater will be home this weekend to two different Christmas shows. One is the “Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas,” which concludes its two-night run with a Friday night show. It stars John Denver tribute artist Rick Shuler. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show is at 7:30 p.m. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, a show called “Christmas with C.S. Lewis” will move into the theater. The show will feature an actor portraying the famous British author as he hosts a group of Americans for a holiday in England. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $60 for each of the shows and are available at selectaseat.com

Jim Brickman Christmas show

8 p.m. Saturday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway

Grammy-nominated songwriter and famed pianist Jim Brickman will return to Wichita on Saturday with his holiday show “A Very Merry Christmas.” The show, which starts at 8 p.m., will feature Brickman playing many of his hits, including “The Gift,” and also will include performances by father-daughter duo Mat & Savanna Shaw. Tickets are $43-$65 at selectaseat.com, by calling 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office at Intrust Bank Arena.

Winter Wonderland

5-7 p.m. Saturday, Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas

Wichita Park & Recreation is putting on an event on Saturday at Naftzger Park called “Winter Wonderland.” It lasts from 5 to 7 p.m. and will include lights, decorations, music and entertainment at the park’s Evergy Pavilion. It will also include s’more roasting at fire pits, photo ops with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa and candy canes. Admission is free.

A Switchfoot Christmas

8 p.m. Saturday, the Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg

Switchfoot, a San Diego-based group known for hits like “Dare You to Move” and “Meant to Live,” will bring its “This is Our Christmas Tour” to the Cotillion at 8 p.m. on Saturday. The show will feature holiday songs from the group’s newly released “This is Our Christmas Album.” Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25-$59.50 and are available at thecotillion.com.