Even though it isn't even Thanksgiving yet, Christmas events are starting to pop up all over town. Celebrate Christmas this weekend with Santa Claus, a Christmas tree lighting, or a holiday wreath festival. Make sure to also burn off some of those holiday calories early with the Turkey Trot Run.
Read on for more information on FetchToto's Top 5 weekend picks. Make sure to also check out other Kansas events on FetchToto’s Events Calendar: http://events.fetchtoto.com/
1) 24th Annual Wreath Festival
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Date: Thursday, November 15 – Friday, November 16
Where: Wichita-Sedgwick Co. Historical Museum, 204 A. Main, Wichita
Cost: $14 (for a lunch ticket)
Info: http://www.wichitahistory.org
Why you should go: Wichita’s Historical Museum will be celebrating the holiday season with their 24th Annual Wreath Festival. The special event will feature decorative holiday wreaths, festive music, and Christmas decorations spread throughout the museum’s various exhibits. A unique selection of holiday decorations, ornaments, stocking stuffers, books and other Christmas accessories will be for sale during the event.
Visitors can also enjoy the eye-catching collection of beautifully handcrafted miniature Christmas trees by Sylvia Jackson during their time at the museum. Along with the Christmas tree display, a Wichita Cottage will be decorated to depict a traditional Victorian Christmas.
Lunch will be served on both days between 11 AM and 1 PM. Reservations for groups of six or more can be made by calling the Museum’s office number at 316-265-9314. Lunch tickets are $14.
PHOTOS: Handcrafted Miniature Christmas Trees by Sylvia Jackson
2) Christmas Tree Lighting
Time: 5:30 PM
Date: Saturday, November 17
Where: Bradley Fair, 2000 N. Rock Rd., Wichita
Cost: FREE
Info: http://www.bradleyfair.com/index.php
Why you should go: Come out for Bradley Fair’s annual tree lighting of their beautiful 35-foot Christmas tree in the Bradley Fair Shopping Center. Also, don’t forget to bring the camera because Santa Claus is coming to town a little early this year.
Following pictures with Santa and the Christmas tree lighting, there will be horse-drawn carriage rides available from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. In between all these Christmas festivities, enjoy some holiday shopping or fine dining in Bradley fairs various shops and restaurants.
3) Santa’s Arrival Event
Date: Saturday, November 17
Time:
9:00 AM - Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg Dr., Wichita
11:00 AM - Towne West Square, 4600 W Kellogg Dr, Wichita
Cost: FREE $5 for breakfast
Info: http://www.simon.com/mall/EventsDetails.aspx?id=177&oid=80060
Why you should go: You better watch out, you better not pout - Santa Claus is making his way to town this weekend. This Saturday, bring the kids out to Towne East Square or Towne West Square to welcome Santa to the mall.
Towne West Square will welcome Santa between Dick's Sporting Goods Court and the Dillards Court at 11 AM. Santa will be joined by the Wichita Children's Theater and the Peabody Burns Marching Band. The event will also include special performances and a holiday parade.
Twone East Square will welcome Santa in the JCPenney Court at 9 AM. A pancake breakfast will be provided for $5, FREE for Simon Kidgits Club Members. The event will include fun crafts, activities, and storytime with Santa.
4) Brandon Marsalis Quartet
Time: 7:30 PM
Date: Friday, November 16
Where: Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway St., Wichita
Cost: $34.50 - $68.50
Info: http://www.wichitaorpheum.com/events/68/branford-marsalis-quintet/
Why you should go: Fans of Jazz won’t want to miss the Orpheum Theatre’s upcoming performance featuring the Brandon Marsalis Quartet.
The band, which has been called one of the finest jazz quartets around today, is led by Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award-winning saxophonist; Brandon Marsalis.
The Brandon Marsalis Quartet recently released the album Four MFs Playin’ Tunes in vinyl in April 2012 and on CD in August 2012. It’s the first recording that Marsalis and his musically talented band members introduced an electrifying new drummer to the group.
The quartet blends the sounds of the saxophone, piano, bass, and drums to create a wide range of moods, from heart-aching to earthshaking, which has given the new album high reviews.
Tickets can be purchased online through Select-A-Seat, by calling (316) 755-7328, or at any Dillons or Plant Employees Clubs.
5) 37th Annual Wichita Turkey Trot (Ten-Mile and Two-Mile Race)
Time: 9:30 AM
Date: Saturday, November 17
Where: Old Cowtown Museum in Sim Park, 1871 W. Sim Park Dr., Wichita
Cost: $35 day of race registration
Info: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4550069380#
Why you should go: Come participate in one of Wichita’s oldest running events this weekend. The 37th Annual Wichita Turkey Trot will begin at Old Cowtown’s Visitor Center and end west of Cowtown. The race will use the same scenic route as last year, taking participants through paths along Exploration Place, Keeper of the Plains, Century II and Waterwalk.
The Turkey Trot race will continue to be a chip race, which provides faster and more accurate results for runners. Both the ten-mile and two-mile race will begin at 9:30 AM.
New to the race this year will be awards for the first three male and first three female runners in the ten-mile race. Those winners will receive gift certificates from GoRun in the amount of 1) $100, 2) $75, and 3) $50.
The first 2,000 people to register for the race will receive an original long-sleeved T-shirt. Participants will also receive refreshments, entertainment, awards, and other door prizes. Don’t forget to bring an 18 oz. jar of peanut butter to give to the Kansas Foodbank (since this is also a holiday food drive).
