By Katie Smith, A&E Editor
The most wonderful time of the year is here again. If you can’t wait to cuddle up and watch Hallmark Channel for the next 20 days or drag all of your friends along to do something holly-jolly, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some ideas of things to do around the Wichita area to celebrate the holiday season:
LIGHT DISPLAYS
Illuminations
701 Amidon
Illuminations at Botanica features more than two million lights, food trucks, hot cocoa, s’mores, and a cash bar. The botanical gardens will be lit up starting at 5:30 every day until Jan. 4, excluding Christmas Eve and Day.
Candy Cane Lane
1021 Azure Circle
If you happen to load up the car to drive around and look at Christmas lights, don’t forget to visit Candy Cane Lane. Located in west Wichita, every home in this cul-de-sac decorates their entire lot with a variety of light displays and blow up characters.
The Arc’s Lights
2919 W. 2nd St. N.
This light display is sure to bring you holiday cheer. Admission into the display is $10 a carload. The Arc holds this fundraiser every year to provide programs for individuals with developmental disabilities in the community. This light show opens at 5:30 nightly and runs through Dec. 28.
SHOPPING
Shop Small in ICT
Century II
Support your local businesses this weekend by taking a trip down to Century II. There will be hundreds of vendors, classes, demonstrations and a cash bar. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free.
HoliDAZE Pop Up Market
125 N. St. Francis
For more shopping check out the HoliDAZE Pop Up Market located in Norton’s Brewing Company. Shop tons of unique and local vendors 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday to finish up your Christmas list.
ACTIVITIES
Christmas Bar Crawl
117 N. Mosley
For those 21 and older, a bar crawl might be a good holiday scene. From 4 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 14, Heroes Sports Bar and Grill is hosting a costume contest and exclusive deals on both drinks and food. Tickets are $20 a person. They include two complimentary drinks, exclusive access to their crawl map, and professional photographs.
Ugly Sweater Pickleball Tournament
1240 N. Greenwich
Get a group of friends together and head to Chicken N Pickle for a pickleball tournament. From 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Dec. 21, groups can spend $60 to compete in this tournament and receive an exclusive Chicken N Pickle ugly sweatshirt. Teams can find the sign up link on the venue’s Facebook page. Don’t forget to test out the new ice rink while there.
Office Trivia Bar Crawl Christmas Edition
Old Town
Register to test you and your friends’ knowledge of the Christmas episodes of “The Office.” This trivia bar crawl will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 14. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through Facebook. Sign up at welovepubcrawls.com
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
2000 N. Rock Road
Ever wanted to go on a horse drawn carriage ride but never wanted to pay for it? Look no further then Bradley Fair. Every Sunday before Christmas, Bradley Fair is offering complimentary carriage rides from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The ride will take you on a six mile trail to enjoy the holiday lights. Rides are on a first come, first served basis.
PHOTO: Courtesy Photo, botanica.org
