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■ Lynn Avants Live at The Cowboy Inn Saloon | December 29
The Cowboy Inn presents an evening with songwriter Lynn Avants. Come on by and have a few drinks while enjoying the music!
BEST THINGS TO DO!
■ Holly Jolly Jurassic Holiday | December 28-31
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.
■ 1 Million Cups at Groover Labs | December 29
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.
■ Food Truck Thursdays at Exploration Place | December 30
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 30-January 1
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.
■ A Family New Year’s Eve at Field Station | December 31
Forget Times Square! Join the fun as Field Station: Dinosaurs rings in the New Year with a day long celebration of dinosaurs from around the world! We’ll be chasing midnight from Algiers to Newfoundland and popping the cork every time 2020 starts in another dinosaur’s time zone. Meet cool dinosaurs from the far reaches of the globe and learn about them with games, hands-on activities and music.
■ NYE Dinner, Drinks & Jazz at Public | December 31
Ring in the new year with our tasting menu or choose from our dinner specials. Make your reservation today. Tasting Menu + Dinner Specials Available. Jazz Starts at 7:30 pm. Drink Pairings available
■ Adult Skate Night | December 31 *Canceled*
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. Read our feature about the event.
■ New Year’s Eve Around the World | December 31
Celebrate New Year’s around the world with Exploration Place! We will be ringing in the New Year all day as countries around the world hit midnight. There will be countdowns, bubbles and lights, party hats and horns, music and more!
■ Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at Derby Rec | December 31
Ring in the NOON year at this family friendly event! Games, snacks, party hats, whistles, and a photo booth will be provided. All ages can enjoy a noon countdown and balloon drop at this new Year’s Eve celebration. Ages 12 and under are $5/each. Pre-registration is encouraged.
■ Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at MyGym | December 31
Celebrate the New Year at My Gym! We will have snacks, games and a balloon drop at NOON! Book now as it sells out quickly.
■ New Year’s Float at Old Cowtown Museum | January 1
Come celebrate the New Year with a fun, FREE, and festive float! Bring your kayaks or canoes . . . decorate them with flags and colorful items . . . but, most important, dress yourself with colorful clothing, hats and gloves!
■ Wichita State Shockers Mens Basketball vs. Memphis | January 1
The Wichita State University Men’s basketball team face off against the Memphis Tigers at Charles Koch Arena. Plus, it’s Black & Yellow Stripe game!
■ 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!
■ Minds Against Humanity | January 14
The Two Beyond presents “Minds Against Humanity,” an interactive, hilarious evening of magic and mind-reading based on the popular party game “Cards Against Humanity,” Friday, January 14th at the Flying Pig Improv. Master of deception Heather Jay teams up with her life companion, the hilariously deadpan Nicholas. This dastardly duo is sure you make you say “WTF!” while laughing in amazement with their unique blend of comedy and mind-reading.
■ 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!?.”
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES
For all the big New Year’s Eve parties going on, click the link below.
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SPORTS
Wichita State Men’s Basketball
■ Dec. 29 ‣ 6 p.m. | at East Carolina
■ Jan. 1 ‣ 11 a.m. | vs Memphis
■ Jan. 8 ‣ 11 a.m. | at Houston
■ Jan. 12 ‣ 7 p.m. | vs Tulane
Wichita State Women’s Basketball
■ Dec. 29 ‣ 6 p.m. | at Oklahoma
■ Jan. 5 ‣ 6 p.m. | vs. Houston
■ Jan. 9 ‣ 11 a.m. | at South Florida
■ Jan. 13 ‣ 6 p.m. | at Cincinnati
■ Jan. 16 ‣ 3 p.m. | vs Memphis
Wichita Thunder
■ Dec. 29 ‣ 7:05 p.m. | vs Allen Americans
■ Dec. 31 ‣ 7:05 p.m. | at Kansas City Mavericks
■ Jan. 1 ‣ 7:05 p.m. | vs Kansas City Mavericks
■ Jan. 7 ‣ 7:05 p.m. | at Kansas City Mavericks
■ Jan. 8 ‣ 7:05 p.m. | at Kansas City Mavericks
■ Jan. 11 ‣ 7:05 p.m. | at Kansas City Mavericks
Wichita Wings
■ Jan. 2 ‣ 4 p.m. | vs. Omaha Kings FC
■ Jan. 8 ‣ 7 p.m. | vs. Colorado Inferno FC
■ Jan. 9 ‣ 5 p.m. | vs. Colorado Inferno FC
■ Jan. 15 ‣ 7 p.m. | vs. New Mexico Runners
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. 28
■ 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.
Wednesday, Dec. 29
■ Ben Fuchs | Chicken N Pickle | 5:45 p.m.
■ Randy Williams | The Artichoke | 7:30 p.m
■ Dangie | Mort’s Martini Bar | 8 p.m.
■ Lynn Avants | The Cowboy Inn Saloon | 8:30 p.m.
■ Emo Night | Wave | 9 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 30
■ 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.
■ Matthew Ebberwein | The Artichoke | 7:30 p.m
■ Ginger & Lanky | Mort’s Martini Bar | 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 31
■ Grant & Pauly | Mort’s Martini Bar | 4 p.m.
■ Lisa Hittle’s Jazz Plus | Larkspur Bistro & Bar | 7 p.m.
■ JunkMale | Old School Tap House | 7 p.m.
■ Sunshine The Bunny | Mort’s Martini Bar | 8 p.m.
■ Tiffani Renee Acoustic Project | The Keg | 8 p.m.
■ Paul Bogart | Wichita Union Stockyards | 8 p.m.
■ Agenda | Mortdecai’s Tavern & Eatery | 8:30 p.m.
■ Pretend Friend | Central Standard Brewing | 8:30 p.m.
■ The Source | Margarita’s Cantina | 9 p.m.
■ Chronic Audio | Vorshay’s Cocktail Lounge | 9 p.m.
■ Tequila Ridge | The Shamrock | 9 p.m.
■ Suite 68 | Jerry’s Bar & Grill | 9 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 1
■ Will & Jen | The Cowboy Inn Saloon | 8 p.m.
■ George Sanders Band | The Shamrock | 9 p.m.
■ Jukebox 45 | Shenanigans | 9 p.m.
■ Dirty Gentlemen | Jerry’s Bar & Grill | 9 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 2
■ Blue Grass Jam | Damm Music Center | 1 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.
■ 2/11/22 That Arena Rock Show | TempleLive | 8 p.m.
Have a live concert, you’d like to have listed?
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PERFORMING ARTS
Century II Performing Arts Center
■ Feb. 5 | Movie Musical (Wichita Symphony Orchestra)
Crown Uptown Theatre
■ Jan. 8 | Elvis Birthday Bash
The Forum Theatre
■ Jan. 15-16 | Very Superstitious: The Words & Music of Stevie Wonder
■ Feb. 17-March 6 | Ghost: The Musical
Friends University Division of Fine Arts
■ Jan. 21 | Toni Libhart Mallet Percussion Recital
Kechi Playhouse
■ no shows scheduled
The Looney Bin
■ Dec. 30-Jan. 2 | John Wesley Austin
■ Jan. 6-8 | Vince Morris
■ Jan. 13-15 | CJ Starr
Mosley Street Melodrama
■ Dec. 31 | Mosley’s Rockin’ & Ringin’ New Year’s Eve Spectacular
Prairie Pines Playhouse
■ May-June 2022 | Lost To Space
Roxy’s Downtown
■ Jan. 6-23 | Five Course Love
Wichita Center for Performing Arts
No upcoming events
Wichita Orpheum Theatre
■ Jan. 19-20 | Nate Bargatze
■ Jan. 30 | Disney Princess: The Concert
■ Feb. 4 | Bert Kreischer
■ Feb. 5 | Jo Koy
■ Feb. 6 | Trey Kennedy
Wichita State School of Performing Arts
■ Feb. 24-26 | Wichita Contemporary Theatre Spring Dance Concert
Have a show you’d like to have listed?
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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.
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