¸£ÀûÉ©

Wichita is where you’ll want to be for unlimited holiday fun, from pop-up bars to annual lighting events, considered the best in the region. 

You can count on annual traditions such as 2 million lights strung throughout 30+ themed gardens at , scheduled for Nov. 29 to Jan. 4; lights, activities, Santa and live registered North American reindeer at  on select days Nov. 29 through Dec. 23;  on Dec. 6-7 & 13-14; and tours while the  is decorated for the holidays.
 

Illuminations at Botanic Wichita - Visit Wichita

There’s also at Sedgwick County Zoo, at the Wichita-Sedgwick Co. Historical Museum, at O.J. Watson Park and the second . Being held this year at Naftzger Park, the market is inspired by the winter holiday markets in Europe. It will be a family-friendly place to shop for artisan gifts from around the globe, taste international holiday foods and enjoy performances inspired by cultures from around the world.

Wild Lights - Jessica DeVader

Wichita is a , and we’ve got just the ticket for you this winter:

 – Cheer on the home team at where the Wichita Thunder Hockey take to the ice in all their ECHL glory. The regular season runs October to April. Opening night in 2024 is Oct. 18.

Wichita is gearing up to host the . For the first time ever, the nation’s top figure skaters will compete right here in Kansas, at INTRUST Bank Arena, Jan. 20-26. Get your tickets so you can see reigning U.S. champions and World medalists compete in Wichita just one year before Team USA heads to Milan, Italy, for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

 – Head to Charles Koch Arena for a home game for Wichita State Shocker athletics. The men’s basketball games draw a loud crowd, making the roundhouse one of the arenas with the best home-court advantage according to ESPN.
 

Charles Koch Arena - Wichita State Athletics

Ready to burn off some energy? Try these options:

•  is an indoor water park just west of Wichita in Goddard. It features a dual surf machine, lazy river, hot tub, swim-up bar, 11 slides, arcade and more.
•  – With auto-belay, the whole family can enjoy this safe, fun, challenging activity together. There is a 38-foot climbing wall and a 15-foot bouldering wall at this state-of-the-art indoor facility.
• Have fun knocking down pins at , or . 
•  is a one-stop shop for everything LEGO® brand in Wichita.
• offers climate-controlled hitting bays for you and your family to take aim and swing at outfield targets. Plus, the entertainment venue has TVs throughout for a sports bar atmosphere.
• Skate indoors with family and friends on Olympic and NHL-regulation ice at the .
•  – Get active at this indoor playground for a variety of sports plus a trampoline park, Aviate.
   

Top Golf Wichita - Kelly Glasscock

Get in touch with your artsy side in Wichita. From visiting The Living Room, a kid-friendly area at the , or taking a class at , learn a new artistic skill and appreciate others’ artistic abilities.

You can also foster your own creativity at places like  or . Learn from a professional and leave with your own masterpiece. Browse the selection or blow your own art glass at  and . Create your own terrarium at .

GROW Giesen Plant Shop - CMYK

Head to an arcade or have a friendly competition at one of these attractions:

•  and  – Swing an ax at targets in a friendly competition with your family or friends. Check each facility’s age restrictions.
•  – Play pickleball, bocce ball, shuffleboard or table tennis while enjoying delicious chicken fare. Enjoy ice skating on the Ice Pond at The Plazzio beginning around Thanksgiving weekend (as weather permits). 
• Find arcades and other indoor games at  and .
• Play more than 1,000 video games and 500 board games at , choose from hundreds of arcade games at , or enjoy nostalgic gaming with dozens of 80s and 90s pinball and arcade games at . 
• Fans of trading cards will find a great selection at , which also has a full menu of food and tea.
   

Chicken N Pickle - Visit Wichita

Wichita is home to many exciting cultural and  and  that have amazing traveling exhibitions alongside their worthwhile permanent exhibits.

The city’s science center, , has a variety of films showing in its such as “T.REX,” traveling exhibits like on display through Jan. 12, along with interactive, permanent exhibitions such as  

Explore through December 2025 at  and enjoy their special holiday exhibits such as and The is featuring “Jerome Tiger” and “We are the Spirit.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the art of a self-taught artist, Robert Peterson, at the . He has quickly risen to prominence, with his works now held in major museums and prominent private collections throughout the country. In his first museum exhibition,   see his portraits that celebrate African American life.

 is running , a display of larger-than-life lighted sculptures, on Wednesday through Sunday evenings through Dec. 22. Plus, each year has a unique theme, so you’ll enjoy new sights when you visit.

Through April 2025, see at . This exhibit is the third part of the Defining Black Wichita series and focuses on African Americans in Wichita from the 1970s to today. 

Find even more to enjoy at Wichita's museums and galleries in this blog post of .

Wichita is a year-round  with big retailers like and Cabela’s and unique boutique shops such as Nifty Nut House and Hatman Jack’s. Plus, the city also has special shopping experiences during the holidays, which include the , Nov. 25-Dec. 9, at Envision Arts Gallery, the on Dec. 1 and many more. Find out more about shopping local for the holidays and year-round online .

Shopping at Bradley Fair - Visit Wichita

Wichita has something happening every night. When booking your winter getaway to Wichita, be sure to visit their  for the latest options, such as and Wichita Symphony Orchestra’s “ a free, family-friendly holiday concert.

Wichita is an affordable destination, but you can stretch your vacation dollars even further by picking up a Visit Wichita Explore Card at their or one of their . Plus, download their fall/winter 2024 for more inspiration and ideas.