Searching for ideas on what to do in Wichita this week? Looking to plan ahead for something in the future? We got you covered with The Best Things To Do In Wichita.
Jump to Section:
Best Things To Do | Sports | Live Music | Performing Arts | Family Fun Series
The Best Things To Do In Wichita is made possible by
Local Gift Cards featuring local restaurants, breweries and venues available now at Dillons Grocery Stores
Learn More Here

SUBMIT AN EVENT
FEATURED EVENT
■ Show Your Love for Autumn | December 12-15
Friends & family of Autumn! Your plans for the week of Dec 12th are made. The businesses below will donate a portion of their sales to Autumn. Choose your favorite local bar and restaurant on their day for Autumn— or do what we would do and visit all 𝟳!
BEST THINGS TO DO!
■ Jason Mraz Live & Acoustic at the Orpheum | December 14
Jason Mraz is a two-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter and Songwriters Hall of Fame Honoree, most famously known by his hits, “I’m Yours” and “I Won’t Give Up.”
■ Barn’rds Fundraiser for Envision’s Heather’s Camp | December 15
Barn’rds Restaurant is hosting a fundraising event next Wednesday, Dec. 15, to honor Heather Muller and support Heather’s Camp for children who are visually impaired. Visit Barn’rds at 3860 N. Maize Rd from 5:00-9:00 pm and 15% of your purchase will go to support Heather’s Camp.
■ 1 Million Cups at Groover Labs | December 15
1 Million Cups is a free, weekly national program designed to educate, engage, and connect entrepreneurs. Every Wednesday morning at 8:45 a.m., one or two early-stage startups present their companies to a diverse audience of their peers, mentors, educators, and advisors.
■ Holly Jolly Jurassic Holiday | December 15-19
Experience the Field Station’s scenic trails in a whole new way – featuring thousands of Christmas lights, festive & funny decorations, and the world’s must unexpected holiday guests – the dinosaurs! Laugh and join in the spirit of the season with T-Rex, Spinosaurus and all your prehistoric favorites as they haul out the ivy, hang up their stockings and jingle all the way in preparation for the holliest, jolliest Jurassic holiday ever! Read our feature about the event.
■ Food Truck Thursdays at Exploration Place | December 16
Thursdays at Exploration Place just got more awesome! Mark your calendars for weekly Food Truck Thursday events continuing into the fall and winter. Chow down with Wichita’s best food trucks, join in on fun activities like trivia or themed events, then end your evening with the Keeper of the Plains 9 p.m. ring of fire lighting. While you’re here, bring the whole family to check out our exhibits at a discounted rate!
■ Apparition Yule Ball | December 16-18
You are invited to represent and prove the worthiness of your House, as well as enjoying an enchanting selection of cocktails crafted and created by the finest alchemists the world has to offer. Please join us at King’s Cross Station, located at 2120 N Woodlawn Blvd next to Headshots Bar & Grill. Cross through platform 9¾ and journey to the school of witchcraft cocktails and wizarding spirits for a night of magic, mayhem and make believe! This pop up bar will be available from 6 PM – 1 AM and be open exclusively at Apparition: Wichita behind Headshots Bar & Grill. Read our feature about the event.
■ “Christkindlmarkt” Market Series @ Revolutsia | December 16-18
Just in time to place those {local} presents under the tree, our little elves have been working hard to bring you a Christmas Evening Market Series, with our dear friends at Prost & Revolutsia! PLUS! We little elf told us Santa is going to make an appearance, live music, local shopping, and festive food & drink!
■ Morris Udeze and Ricky Council IV Meet & Greet | December 17
Meet men’s Shocker basketball players Morris Udeze & Ricky Council IV at the new Normandie Center McDonald’s starting at 4 p.m.
■ Bucky Fowler Family Christmas | December 17
Join the Bucky Fowler Family and Southern Charm for a night of country Christmas music at the beautiful Prairie Rose Chuckwagon! Food is available for purchase before the show starting at 5:00.
■ Improv Show – the Holiday One! | December 17
Live improv with big laughs. This one decks the holidays. Get in here! No reservations / arrive early / $10
■ Yasmin Nur’s Winter Wonderland Punk Prom | December 17
This is gonna be the show of the season yall. Yasmin Nur is having her very first hometown Headline show, with support from Social Cinema and cursetheknife (OKC)! This ripper is located at Odd Fellow Hall, ALL AGES, and only $5!!! Dress to impress because this party is PROM THEMED!!!
■ Adult Skate Night | December 17
Adult Skate Night takes place on Fridays at Carousel Skate Center from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. Must be 21 with a valid ID. $10 includes skate rental. Beer and mixed drinks are available.
■ Christmas @ The Gathering Place | December 18
Come join us for our first holiday shopping expo! Take pics with Santa, hot cocoa bar, raffle, vendors, photo booth and more!
■ Filipino Pinoy Market at Hampton Inn Hotel | December 18
Pinoy Market…….selling delicious Filipino foods. Guest vendors are ” The Lumpia Lady and Noble House Hawaiian food”….. selling their foods inside the Hotel
■ Outdoor Screening of Elf at Naftzger Park | December 18
Get into the holiday spirit by watching a free screening of Elf at Naftzger Park on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Pack your lawn chairs and blankets and bring the entire family to enjoy!
■ A Season of Senseney! | December 18
‘Tis the Season with Senseney! Shop local this holiday season and find fun, lasting holiday gifts for the whole family.
■ Wichita Flea Market | December 18-19
Come walk the aisles at the Kansas Star Casino Arena and shop small through the 200+ booths that include antiques, crafts, vintage items, collectibles, primitives, reclaimed items, comics, artwork, jewelry, toys, and so much more in this monthly flea market operated by a local Wichita Family.
■ Biggin’s Bar Olympics | December 19
The ultimate Sunday fun day @ Biggins West! 7 Games. 7 hours. $600 cash prize. Event for charity sponsored by Red Bull & Una Vida Tequila.
■ A Ponder. This. Kind of Holiday | December 19
A night of spoken word with a splash of tea to debut Planted Tea Shop’s health & wellness teas. Various local vendors to sample and shop for holiday gifts, and over $1000 of gift giveaways throughout the evening.
■ Nightmare Before Christmas Teatime | December 19
“You are cordially invited to tea with Jack, Sally, Santa, and friends. Enjoy sandwiches, bakery treats, refreshments, face paint, art craft, and story time! All tickets must be purchased in advance of 24 hours before the event either online, in store, or over the phone. No same day tickets will be sold.”
■ Snowbound: A Merry Ski Lodge at Chicken N Pickle | All Week Long
Ready to be Snowbound? Reserve your ski passes and get ready to enjoy with family, friends and Mr. Kringle at our spacious venue with summit views. Read our feature about the event.
■ Illuminations at Botanica | All Week Long
Held in the main gardens at Botanica Wichita, Illuminations includes more than 2 million lights along a mile-long pedestrian path. There are three different light displays choreographed to music, a 240-foot-long walk-under tunnel of lights, candy cane lane and tree top forest in the Butterfly House, a funky tree that takes 80 hours to adorn with light sculptures, an underwater scene in the Shakespeare Garden, Santa’s Village and more. Read our feature about the event.
Around The Corner!
■ Bridal Expo | January 8-9
ENJOY YOUR In Person EXPERIENCE – Live Fashion Stage Shows, Tastings, Photo Opportunities, finding that PERFECT Vendor, FUN with your Bride Tribe, family and Fiancee. Excitement!
■ Jeff Dunham at Intrust Bank Arena | January 28
For more than thirteen years, Jeff Dunham and his delightfully irreverent cohorts, Peanut, Walter, José Jalapeño, Bubba J. and Achmed the Dead Terrorist, have filled arenas across the U.S. and the world with their multiple blockbuster tours. And now, after taking the year off that nobody wanted, the comedian/ventriloquist and the little guys in his suitcase are restarting their much-claimed international tour, “JEFF DUNHAM: SERIOUSLY!?.”
HOLIDAY EVENTS
For all the holiday events going on including visiting Santa Clause, seeing Christmas lights, holiday shopping, and other holiday fun, click the link below.
If you love the free content that consistently highlights Wichita and find value in the free service we provide to the community, perhaps consider a donation to help keep the site running.
SPORTS
Wichita State Men’s Basketball
■ Dec. 14 ‣ 7 p.m. | vs Alcorn St
■ Dec. 18 ‣ 3 p.m. | vs North Texas
■ Dec. 22 ‣ 6 p.m. | vs Prairie View A&M
■ Dec. 29 ‣ 6 p.m. | at East Carolina
■ Jan. 1 ‣ 11 a.m. | vs Memphis
Wichita State Women’s Basketball
■ Dec. 17 ‣ 7 p.m. | at North Texas
■ Dec. 21 ‣ 6 p.m. | vs Kansas
■ Dec. 29 ‣ 6 p.m. | at Oklahoma
■ Jan. 5 ‣ 6 p.m. | vs. Houston
Wichita Thunder
■ Dec. 15 ‣ 8:10 p.m. | at Utah Grizzlies
■ Dec. 17 ‣ 8:10 p.m. | at Utah Grizzlies
■ Dec. 18 ‣ 8:10 p.m. | vs Utah Grizzlies
■ Dec. 19 ‣ 2:10 p.m. | vs Utah Grizzlies
■ Dec. 26 ‣ 6:05 p.m. | vs Tulsa Oilers
Wichita Wings
■ Dec. 18 ‣ 7 p.m. | vs. Amarillo Bombers
■ Jan. 2 ‣ 4 p.m. | vs. Omaha Kings FC
■ Jan. 8 ‣ 7 p.m. | vs. Colorado Inferno FC
Lamb Team Real Estate – Keller Williams Hometown Partners
A local husband/wife real estate team with more than 15 years experience working in the Wichita community. To see how they can help you, call 316-259-1187 or visit their website or Facebook.
LIVE MUSIC
Tuesday, Dec. 14
■ Consligio & Co. | Mort’s Martini Bar | 5 p.m.
■ Patz | Chicken N Pickle | 5:45 p.m.
■ Pretend Friend | Central Standard Brewing | 6:30 p.m.
■ Jazz Play | Mort’s Martini Bar | 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 15
■ Ben Fuchs | Chicken N Pickle | 5:45 p.m.
■ Patz | The Artichoke | 7:30 p.m
■ Phil Bollig | Mort’s Martini Bar | 8 p.m.
■ The Jennifer Byers Projects | The Cowboy Inn Saloon | 8:30 p.m.
■ Emo Night | Wave | 9 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 16
■ The Fiddler w/ The New Time Bards | Third Place Brewing | 4:30 p.m
■ J. Michael | Margarita’s Cantina | 5 p.m.
■ Harrison Steele | Chicken N Pickle | 5:45 p.m.
■ Just The Worm | Mort’s Martini Bar | 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 17
■ Whitnie Means | Mort’s Martini Bar | 4 p.m.
■ JJ Vega | Old School Taphouse | 7 p.m
■ Tom Page Trio | The Artichoke | 7:30 p.m
■ KVN Harrington | Mort’s Martini Bar | 8 p.m.
■ Groove 42 | Vorshay’s Cocktail Lounge | 9 p.m.
■ Dirty Gentlemen | The Shamrock | 9 p.m.
■ The Echos | Jerry’s Bar & Grill | 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 18
■ Patz | The Cowboy Inn Saloon | 1 p.m.
■ Jordan Summerville | Mort’s Martini Bar | 3 p.m.
■ Dangie | The Cowboy Inn Saloon | 1 p.m.
■ JunkMale | The Artichoke | 7:30 p.m
■ Candice & The Business Casual | Mort’s Martini Bar | 8 p.m.
■ Nest Fest 2021 | TempleLive | 8 p.m.
■ Prairie Smoke | Wichita Union Stockyards | 8 p.m.
■ Agenda | Mortdecai’s Tavern & Eatery | 8 p.m.
■ Jared Brown and the Dirt Road Misfits | Margarita’s Cantina | 9 p.m.
■ Just The Worm | The Cowboy Inn Saloon | 9 p.m.
■ Annie Up | Vorshay’s Cocktail Lounge | 9 p.m.
■ Whitnie Means Band | Jerry’s Bar & Grill | 9 p.m.
■ Sleepy Truckers | The Shamrock | 9 p.m.
■ Heather & High Frequency | Public at the Brickyard | 9 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 19
■ Joe Emery | Mort’s Martini Bar | 2:30 p.m.
■ Joe Stumpe | Mort’s Martini Bar | 6:30 p.m.
Upcoming Noteworthy Concerts
■ 1/15/22 Casey Donahew Band | The Cotillion | 8 p.m.
■ 1/21/22 Wade Bowen | The Cotillion | 8 p.m.
■ 1/22/22 Paramount | The Cotillion | 8 p.m.
Have a live concert, you’d like to have listed?
SUBMIT AN EVENT
We have an open ad spot available. If you’d like to advertise here at an affordable rate that reaches over 100,000 readers, please email wichitabyeb@gmail.com
PERFORMING ARTS
Century II Performing Arts Center
■ Dec. 14-16 | Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Broadway in Wichita)
■ Dec. 15-18 | The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Wichita Children’s Theatre & Dance Center)
■ Dec. 18-19 | The Nutcracker (Metropolitan Ballet Wichita)
Crown Uptown Theatre
■ Dec. 3-19 | Inverno: The Great Holiday Circus
■ Jan. 8 | Elvis Birthday Bash
The Forum Theatre
■ Nov. 27-Dec. 19 | Cool Yule
Friends University Division of Fine Arts
■ Jan. 21 | Toni Libhart Mallet Percussion Recital
Kechi Playhouse
■ Dec. 1-19 | A Tuna Christmas
The Looney Bin
■ Dec. 16-18 | Kristin Key
■ Dec. 23 | Sam Norton
■ Dec. 30-Jan. 2 | John Wesley Austin
Mosley Street Melodrama
■ Nov. 12-Dec. 25 | The Hallmork Channel Christmas Melodrama
Prairie Pines Playhouse
■ Nov. 19-Dec. 23 | Peril at the North Pole: Yule Die Laughing
Roxy’s Downtown
■ Nov. 18-Dec. 19 | Away in the Basement: a Church Basement Ladies Musical
■ Jan. 6-23 | Five Course Love
Wichita Center for Performing Arts
No upcoming events
Wichita Orpheum Theatre
■ Dec. 14 | Jason Mraz
■ Dec. 16 | A Drag Queen Christmas
■ Dec. 18 | Lindsey Buckingham
Wichita State School of Performing Arts
■ Feb. 24-26 | Wichita Contemporary Theatre Spring Dance Concert
Have a show you’d like to have listed?
SUBMIT AN EVENT
With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Hagan Construction provides construction services in the residential and commercial markets. In need of a new kitchen, deck, windows or any other remodeling services? Look no further!
FAMILY FUN SERIES!
Seeking something to do with the family but can’t commit to a particular day? Browse our family fun series which highlights various family activities:
■ Axe To Grind
■ Berry Picking at Elderslie Farm
■ Bingo Casino
■ Bliss Climbing and Fitness
■ Botanica, The Wichita Garden
■ Carousel Skate Center
■ The Cosmosphere
■ Exploration Place
■ Karg Art
■ O.J. Watson Park
■ Old Cowtown Museum
■ Sedgwick County Park – Boundless Playground
■ Sedgwick County Zoo
■ Seneca Bowl
■ Splash Aqua Park
■ West Acres Bowling Center
Want your business listed in the Family Fun Series?
CONTACT US
Have an event in Wichita you’d like to have considered for The Best Things To Do In Wichita, please visit this form to submit your event. To be considered, your submission must take place by Sunday of the upcoming week.
Did you love the article and want to help the continuing free content at Wichita By E.B.? You can help keep our site going with a simple one-time or recurring donation. Your contribution is appreciated.