Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings its annual light-filled holiday show to Wichita this week
December is finally here, and so are the holiday events. Coming up this week: Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s annual Wichita performance, Victorian Christmas at Old Cowtown Museum and a Wichita Boathouse event that will light up the river.
Following is a list of some of your best entertainment bets for this weekend and the coming week:
Holiday return of TSO
7 p.m. Wednesday, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman
Trans-Siberian Orchestra will make its annual holiday stop in Wichita on Wednesday when it performs at Intrust Bank Arena. The instrumental group will put on its show “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” which follows the story of a runaway who breaks into an abandoned vaudeville theater on Christmas Eve but meets a caretaker – and ghosts and spirits – who change her life. The show also features a laser-lit second half. It starts at 7 p.m., and doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $59-$110 at selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Victorian Christmas
6-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Dec. 8-9, Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 W. Museum Blvd.
Old Cowtown Museum’s annual Victorian Christmas event starts this weekend and will fill the venue with holiday activities, including a re-enactment of the classic “Night Before Christmas” in the schoolhouse, visits with Santa, carolers, hot chocolate and more. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Dec. 8 and 9. Tickets are $10 a person at https://bit.ly/3MKh9Mu or at the door. They’re free for children 4 and under and Cowtown members. For more information, visit oldcowtown.org
Light up the river
4-7 p.m. Sunday, Wichita Boathouse, 515 S. Wichita St.
Lights on the River is a holiday event happening on Sunday at the Wichita Boathouse that will include pictures with Santa, marshmallow roasting, wagon rides, food trucks, music and a lighted “orb release” on the river. The event happens from 4 to 7 p.m., and the orbs – which cost $5 each – will be released on the water at 6:30 p.m. The event is free to attend. Orbs can be purchased in advance at wichitacleanstreams.com/lights-on-the-river
A Country Christmas
5:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 10 and nightly Dec. 15-23, Fulton Valley Farms, 5079 SW Fulton Road, Towanda
Those who don’t mind taking a short drive for a family holiday experience can visit A Country Christmas at Fulton Valley Farms in Towanda. The event, which runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 10 and nightly Dec. 15-23, features more than 1 million lights set up along wooded paths, Clydesdale-led sleigh rides, living nativity performances, visits with live reindeer and more. Tickets are $10 for ages 12 and up, $7 for ages 4-11 and free for 3 and under. For more information and advance tickets, visit fultonvalleyfarms.com
Ricky Skaggs in concert
8 p.m. Friday, TempleLive, 332 E. First St.
Country and bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs, a 15-time Grammy winner whose career has included 12 No. 1 singles, will be in Wichita on Friday performing at TempleLive, the music venue inside the Scottish Rite Temple. Skaggs, 69, is best known for hits like “Crying My Heart out Over You,” “I Don’t Care” and “Country Boy.” He will perform with his band Kentucky Thunder starting at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $39-$69 at www.templelive.com
