The holidays are here and the lights are up, Santa has visited, and the tree is trimmed. Don’t miss all of the fun things to do in Wichita in December! See our ultimate guide to all things Christmas and Holiday for even more fun this month.
We are thrilled to bring this resource in collaboration with some of our favorite community partners: Botanica and Sedgwick County Zoo! To make planning easy, we are excited to highlight their December events below (bolded items are WMB picks for Mom Faves!):
Botanica
Illuminations
Nov. 23-Dec. 31, 5:30 – 8:30pm, $10 for adults/$7 for members, military and youth, 2 and under free. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Illuminations is Wichita’s premier light display taking place every year at Botanica. With more than two million lights, the community can tour themed gardens, hear live music and visit with Santa.
Illuminations transforms each garden area into a different holiday themed display or uniquely lit botanical
setting. While you’re here, find the Elf on the Shelf, Eddie, as he travels through the gardens to a new
location each night.
VIP Santa Visit
Dec. 3-5, 17-19, 5:00pm, $20 per person. Skip the line to see Santa and join his one-of-a-kind VIP list! This year during Illuminations, Santa will be making special visits to see all the children on the extra nice list! Tickets include premier parking in our main lot, early access to see Santa, hot cocoa, a special gift from Santa and admission to Illuminations
Fireside Storytime
Dec. 6 and 20, 10:30 – 11:30am, included in admission. Join us in the Weidenbach Room for two special Story Time events in December! We will snuggle up next to the fire to read some favorite holiday stories, sip hot cocoa and enjoy fingerplays, music, special appearances by Frosty and Rudolph, and a holiday craft to take home!
Gift Making for Kids
Dec. 15, 2:00-5:00pm, $45 members, $50 non-members. Ages 6 and over. Children will make different gifts for their family or friends with gift-wrapping included. Holiday snacks provided. During the workshop, parents are welcome to go and get their own gift shopping done! For more information contact Kristina Niles at 316-264-0448 ext. 112 or kniles@botanica.org.
>>Click HERE for a list of all Botanica events in December<<
Sedgwick County Zoo
Adult Adventures: Wild Wines
December 8, 6:00-8:00pm. $35 for members/$40 for non-members. Ages 21 and over. Do you miss the animals when it is cold? We have you covered. Come join us in the Cargill Learning Center Rotunda for a more upscale, and warm, evening of wine and hors-d’oeuvres. Find out about animal-and nature-themed wines from Glazer’s very own sommelier while learning about nature from our expert educators. Hors-d’oeuvres will be prepared by our phenomenal Beastro.
Winter Wednesdays
Every Wednesday Nov.-Feb. General admission tickets are only $3 per person. Migrate to the Zoo for Winter Wednesdays!
Creature Campouts Indoors
December 30, 5:30pm – 9:30am. $30 for members/$35 for non-members. Join us for an overnight adventure! We’ll be around when the rest of the Zoo is closed so we will see who may be awake! All campers need to bring their own tents and sleeping bags. The adventure includes pizza from the Beastro, a guided tour, activities, an animal encounter, and a bedtime snack. The theme for 2018 is “Zoo Families.” In the morning, the adventure continues with continental breakfast and an optional 9:30 a.m. tram ride. We welcome individuals, families, and friends to attend the Creature Campout.
>>Click HERE for a list of all Zoo events in December<<
December 2018 Events in Wichita
WEEKEND November 30-December 2
Nov 30: Santa! I know him! WAM presents an interactive screening of Elf you won’t want to miss.
Nov 29-Dec 15: Watch The Runaway Snowman and enjoy pizza with your child-friendly music theater.
Dec 1: There’s room for kid fun AND adult fun at Family Fun Day.
Dec 1: Your kids can find their zen with a Polar Express themed yoga class.
Dec 1: The Grinch is visiting storytime at Watermark.
Dec 1: The Little Miss in your life may enjoy this tea party and fashion show.
Dec 2: Preschoolers are thrilled when Sesame Street Live! comes to town.
Week:: December 2-8
Dec 3: Bring your littles (3 and under) to Mommy and Me book club.
Dec 3: December’s Creature Feature is all about Camouflage and Mimicry.
Dec 3-5: Head to Illuminations a little early for a VIP visit with Santa!
Dec 4: Teens can watch Black Panther with snacks and a themed craft.
Dec 5: Bring the family for a singalong benefitting Operation Holiday.
Dec 5: Winter Wednesdays at the zoo means reduced admission for enjoying all the exhibits.
Dec 6: Head to Botanica for a Fireside Storytime.
Dec 6: Minnie and Moo the cows are going to save the night before Christmas.
WEEKEND December 7-9
Dec 7: Enjoy a Mom’s Day Out after dropping the kids off for a day of play at the Y.
Dec 8: The library is combining snowflakes and slime for the perfect seasonal craft.
Dec 8: Listen to the Wizard of Oz as never before with the symphony playing the score.
Dec 8: Eat, drink and be merry at Wild Wines.
Dec 9: For shorter attention spans, try the Short and “Suite” Nutcracker.
Week:: December 9-15
Dec 10-15: If you haven’t made it to the Arc’s Holiday lights yet this season, what are you waiting for?
Dec 10: If your pet is an important member of the family, get a Pet Portrait with Rudolph.
Dec 11: You and your big kids may enjoy Grinch-themed cookie decorating.
Dec 12: Winter Wednesdays at the zoo means reduced admission for enjoying all the exhibits.
Dec 13-16: The Marvelous Wonderettes are going to save Christmas.
WEEKEND December 14-16
Dec 14: The 3rd Annual Girl Boss Pop-Up Shop had great, local, and creative gift ideas.
Dec 15: Let the elementary kids get some practice and confidence by reading to the animals at the shelter.
Dec 15: It’s a Super Saturday at Great Plains Nature Center!
Dec 15: Your children can make their own gifts to give this season at this workshop.
Dec 15: The Orpheum is screening the first Christmas Carol movie.
Dec 15-16: The Central Kansas Reptile Expo has all the reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates you can handle!
Week:: December 16-22
Dec 17: Register for a free gingerbread house workshop.
Dec 19: The Winter Carnival is a great time for elementary kids.
Dec 19: Winter Wednesdays at the zoo means reduced admission for enjoying all the exhibits.
Dec 20: Head to Botanica for a Fireside Storytime.
Dec 20: Escape rooms can be fun for younger kids too!
Dec 20: EP21 is the perfect date night amidst all the hustle and bustle.
WEEKEND December 21-23
Dec 21: Sign your kids up for camp with the Humane Society or CityArts.
Week:: December 23-29
Dec 26: Let your imagination and creativity run wild with Perler Bead Bonanza.
Dec 26: Winter Wednesdays at the zoo means reduced admission for enjoying all the exhibits.
Dec 26-28: Get a jump start on piano lessons for your child.
Dec 27: Four different Star Wars movies are playing, marathon style, at the Valley Center library.
Dec 27-28: WAM hosts Winter Art Mania for families to experience.
WEEKEND December 28-30
Dec 30: All of your child’s favorite princesses will be at the Winter Princess Ball – don’t miss it.
Dec 30: Creature Campouts are the best way to experience the zoo after hours.
::New Year’s Eve::
Check out our celebrations around town here, and celebrate Noon Year’s Eve with the littles!
More events will be added as the month goes on – check back soon!
Our WMB calendar for the month (here) has all this and MORE. If you have an event to add, you can do that here.
WMB Neighborhood Group Meet-Ups
Wichita Neighborhood Mom Groups are having all kids of activities in your neighborhood and connecting online to share recommendations and advice. Click here to join your Neighborhood Group, and see below for what’s going on near you this month.
North Wichita/Bel Aire Group is meeting up at Chickfila for storytime on December 13..
Regularly Scheduled Programming
Many local places have recurring events that are great for moms and families, and you can find them here:
- Aviate has Junior Jump Monday through Friday for the younger crowd.
- Botanica has a Garden Storytime every Thursday morning, in the Children’s Library or weather permitting in the gardens.
- Sensory Friendly play at Exploration Place on the second Sunday of every month
- Urban Air has Jumparoo Toddler Jump every Tuesday and Friday.
- Home Depot has a free Kids’ DIY workshop on the first Saturday of every month.
- Family Night at Museum of World Treasures is the first Thursday of the month.
- Every Friday the Kansas Aviation Museum has a special ticket price for families.
- Make ICT has free access to their makerspace every other Monday.
- Kansas Children’s Service League has a support group for Parents of Special Needs Children on the third Monday of every month.
- Moxi Junction hosts story and craft time every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:30am.
- Local libraries have story times almost every day: check out our Guide to Wichita Story Times.
Other Resources for Things to Do with Kids
Top 10 Things for Wichita Kids & Parents to Do in ICT
Fun Stuff to Do in West Wichita
Where Kids Eat Cheap or Free in Wichita
Guide to Wichita: Everything You Need to Know
