Searching for ideas on what to do in Wichita this week or what’s ahead? We got you covered with What’s Happening This Week In Wichita.
What’s Happening This Week In Wichita is made possible by
the Wichita Event Calendar
FEATURED EVENTS
■ Pints for Pencils, a Project Teacher Event | Nov. 21
Where: Nortons Brewing Company
HEY! You DESERVE a BREAK! We are partnering with Project Teacher for our Pints for Pencils event! Join us Tuesday, November 21st for great beers and amazing food. Bring your friends and support local teachers in our community, all by buying a beer or our special logo pint glass! Proceeds from every beer and Pint Glass sold will go to help support the mission of Project Teacher. There will be special giveaways and prizes for teachers all night long so join us early after work, come for dinner, or make it a late night and unwind. We can’t wait to see you here!
BEST THINGS TO DO
■ The Hip Hop Nutcracker | Nov. 21
Where: Century II
A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns for another spectacular tour. Directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event. The Hip Hop Nutcracker is brought to life by a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set.
■ Bites, Beats & Brews – Karaoke Night | Nov. 22
Where: Wichita Brewing Company Event Venue
Join us for another installment of Bites, Beats & Brews, where we feature local talent, food and host some awesome beer and drink specials! This time the local talent could be YOU. We will feature food from Criminal Rolls and also have Jumbos Beef & Brew’s food truck on site! Beer & Bomb specials at the bar!
■ Wild Lights | Nov. 22-26
Where: Sedgwick County Zoo
Wild Lights is back with ALL NEW light displays and this year’s theme will leave you smiling like the Cheshire Cat. Wichita’s most unique fall event will return with larger-than-life Asian Lantern sculptures illuminating the Zoo with dazzling scenes of glowing wildlife, beautiful scenery, and Alice in Wonderland themed displays.
■ 1 Million Cups | Nov. 22
Where: Groover Labs
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.
■ Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night | Nov. 22
Where: Headshots Bar & Grill
Geeks Who Drink is an authentic homegrown trivia quiz. It’s a great way to drink with friends, without burning brain cells. And it’s where useless knowledge means everything. Our quizzes cover everything from Hungary to The Hunger Games, from science to sports, from the Billboard Hot 100 to Better Call Saul. Each quiz consists of seven rounds of eight questions each, in a variety of formats, including audio and visual rounds. Teams can be up to six players, so bring your smartest friends —or come solo. We can always help you join a team! No reservations needed! Winning teams get bar cash and other prizes.
■ Wichita’s Funniest Person Contest – FINALS | Nov. 22
Where: TempleLive Wichita
Come see the 12 funniest people that the Wichita comedy scene has to offer as they compete for a $1000 cash prize and title of Wichita’s Funniest Person 2023. One winner will be chosen by a qualified judging panel and will be given a cash prize, and other prizes TBD. Tickets on sale now. This show will sell-out.
■ AbilityPoint’s Lights Launch Day | Nov. 23
Where: AbilityPoint
A regional Holiday tradition that grows in popularity each year, attracting more than 100,000 visitors. Same holiday tradition, but newly named. Now known as AbilityPoint! Drive through 1.5 million dazzling lights and displays, including a brand new, state-of-the-art tunnel, as well as long-time favorites too, in our magical, holiday wonderland! Proceeds provide year-round unique educational and social opportunities for individuals, of all ages living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families that promote self-advocacy, physical and mental health, inclusion, respite, and socialization.
■ 2023 Christmas Open House | Nov. 24-25
Where: Dutch’s Greenhouse
We will have a large selection of beautiful poinsettias on display in our warm greenhouse for you to choose from. Poinsettias from Dutch’s Greenhouse come in a wide variety of colors and sizes and we will be happy to wrap them in your choice of foil and ribbon color. Poinsettias are a beautiful gift to have delivered to friends, coworkers, neighbors, and loved ones. They also add beauty and a touch of the holiday spirit to your home or office and will last for months if taken care of properly.
■ Improv Show at Flying Pig Improv | Nov. 24-25
Where: Flying Pig Improv
REALLY?! An improv show right after Thanksgiving?! Yup. We think you’ll need to entertain the visiting relatives. Or escape them. Or maybe you couldn’t get out of town and feel stuck. Or you just like live comedy and this is all the excuse you need. Whatever. Get in here! Improv is live, unscripted shenanigans – games like you see on TV or scenes like you’ve never seen on TV – which are inspired by suggestions from you in the audience. It’s easy (no reservations), it’s cheap ($15), and it’s something to talk about on Monday besides Aunt Helen’s annoying habits.
■ Illuminations Begins | Nov. 24
Where: Botanica
Bundle up and take the family through an enchanted Christmas forest, where more than 2 million lights are strung atop trees in more than 30 themed gardens. Illuminations is Wichita’s premier Christmas light display and one of the best places in Wichita to see Christmas lights. Don’t miss the choreographed light shows, hot chocolate and cookies, and a visit with Santa. Botanica Wichita’s Illuminations is open every evening from November 24th through December 30th.
■ Adult Skate Night | Nov. 24
Where: Carousel Skate Center
Join us for Adult Night every Friday! Must be 21 with a Valid ID. $10 Cover (skates included). Beer & mixed drinks available. Check out our feature at what to expect here.
■ 10th Annual Feast of Friends | Nov. 24
Where: Shamrock Lounge
Moonlight Drive – The Ultimate Doors Experience – is proud to announce the 10th Annual Feast of Friends! Joining Moonlight Drive will be musical guests from around the world!!
■ The Nutcracker at Century II | Nov. 25-26
Where: Century II
Metropolitan Ballet brings to you the magic of Christmas to Century II Performing Arts Center in its production of The Nutcracker! A timeless classic for the entire family to enjoy and is brought to you by many local dancers and a few exquisite guest artists.
■ MAC Gun and Knife Show | Nov. 25-26
Where: Century II
If you are a hunter, sport shooter, an outdoors lover, MAC’s Gun and Knife Show is for you. Like all gun shows, this show requires all participants to observe both federal and state gun laws.
■ Museum of World Treasures – Black Friday Weekend – 35% Off Memberships and Merchandise | Nov. 25-26
Where: Museum of World Treasures
We are celebrating Black Friday (November 24), Small Business Saturday (November 25), AND Museum Store Sunday (November 26) with one big sale! 35% OFF MUSEUM MEMBERSHIPS AND ALL MUSEUM STORE MERCHANDISE! Get ready for extraordinary Black Friday savings at the Museum of World Treasures from November 24 to 26!
■ Bringing It Black Small Business Saturday! | Nov. 25
Where: Candela at the LUX
Bringing It Black Small Business Saturday! Shop the annual Bringing It Black Small Business Saturday. This is a vendor market event that highlights minority owned business. Everyone is invited to shop and engage in our growing small business community! Join us at Candela at The LUX, 120 E First St N, Wichita, KS, for an unforgettable experience this Saturday, November 25th. Savor the moment with bold flavors from our incredible food vendor, Traces of Flavor (while supplies last). Enjoy specialty cocktails from Sippy’s Mobile Bar, and let the enchanting Kimberly Paige fill the air with holiday and R&B favorites!
■ The Dinner Detective – Wichita | Nov. 25
Where: Wichita Marriott
America’s largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theatre show is now playing! Solve a hilarious mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it! Join us for an event that is very different from a traditional murder mystery dinner show. Our actors are not dressed in costume and are hidden in the audience! This results in a fun, social and interactive evening suitable for all adults. Each ticket includes our signature award-winning murder mystery dinner theatre show, along with a full plated dinner, waitstaff gratuity, and plenty of surprises during the show.
■ Wichita State Men’s Basketball 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Toss | Nov. 25
Where: Charles Koch Arena
Wichita State Men’s Basketball hosts their 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Toss at the game vs Norfolk State this Saturday, Nov. 25. Tip-off is at 6pm. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used stuffed animals to throw onto the court at halftime following The Shocker Sound Machine’s performance. All stuffed animals collected will be donated to Shocker Neighborhood Schools through our partnership with Wichita State University’s Office of Engagement.
View All Events On Our Calendar
What are this month’s happy hours and restaurant specials? We’ve got you covered here!
AROUND THE CORNER
■ Frozen Sing-Along and Meet & Greet | Nov. 30
Where: Exploration Place
Step into the enchanting world of Arendelle and join us for an experience filled with music, laughter and the heartwarming tale of sisters Elsa and Anna as we watch the beloved film Frozen on the big screen in Kemper theater at Exploration Place. Throughout the movie there will be fun surprises, interactive cues, a special appearance by Olaf and vocal performances by Elsa and Anna themselves.
■ 12 Drinks of Christmas | Dec. 1
Where: Exploration Place
Merry, merry! Take a trip around the world with us, enjoying 12 different traditional holiday drinks. Guests will receive a passport to enjoy a special tasting from around the globe. Enjoy all the museum’s exhibits, including Arctic Adventure, a new polar playground with Crystal Castle, a sock skating rink, outdoor display and more. This event is for adults 21+.
■ The Nutcracker featuring The Ballet Wichita Symphony | Dec. 15-17
Where: Century II
This December, Ballet Wichita is set to whisk Wichita away on an enchanting journey into a mesmerizing world inhabited by dancing dolls that come to life, mischievous mice that dare to tango, and snowflakes that glisten like a million stars. Get ready for the most anticipated event of the holiday season – the Nutcracker Ballet!
■ Wichita State Mens BBall vs. Richmond | Nov. 29
Where: Charles Koch Arena
LIVE MUSIC
Visit this week and the schedule for the weeks ahead at our Live Music Calendar.
PERFORMING ARTS
Century II Performing Arts Center
■ November 21 | The Hip Hop Nutcracker
■ November 25-26 | The Nutcracker
Crown Uptown Theatre
■ November 29 – December 2 | Junie B In Jingle Bells, Batman Smells
Kechi Playhouse
■ TBD
Mosley Street Melodrama
■ Nov. 10 – Dec. 23. | Derbysville: Town of Misfit Toys
Prairie Pines Playhouse
■ November 17 – December 23 | Holiday Show 2023!
Roxy’s Downtown
■ November 24 – December 23 | A Cabaret Christmas
Wichita Orpheum Theatre
■ December 3 | Chris Isaak
FOOD TRUCKS
Did you know the food truck schedule is back? Check out this weekend’s list of food trucks right here!
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For a Complete Schedule of What’s Going on in Wichita, visit our Event Calendar
