Five holiday events for the Newton community
Five holiday events for the Newton community
These events help students get in the holiday season while they ride out the finals season.
The holiday season is officially here, now that December has begun. Families traveling to spend the holiday season together, parents are frantically wrapping presents, and children are anticipating Christmas day with all sorts of advent calendars.
Where does this leave college students? Bethel students cannot return home until finals have finished. That should not mean, however, that students must be entirely devoid of cozy holiday cheer. The Newton and Wichita areas are hosting a wide variety of events to help their community get into the holiday spirit. Below is a sequential list of upcoming holiday events.
Five Places of Christmas
On Saturday, Newton-area museums opened to welcome the public to Five Places of Christmas. This was “an annual holiday open house at Carriage Factory Art Gallery, Harvey County Historical Museum, Kauffman Museum, Warkentin House and Bethel College Women’s Association,” according to Newton’s city website. Best of all: admission was free and most venues offered complimentary refreshments and activities.
Christmas Light Tours
Driving around looking at Christmas lights is a classic holiday tradition. On Dec. 5, 6, 12, and 13, “the Newton Recreation Commission's NRC Express will be decked out in Christmas lights and the music will be festive for the special Christmas Light Tour,” says the Newton city website. “The driver knows the best places in Wichita to visit for a magical evening filled with millions of twinkling lights.” The tour is roughly three hours long and will begin at the Newton Recreation Center.
Spirit of the Season Family Concert
Dec. 6 at Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center there will be a free Christmas concert by the Wichita Symphony. “Grab your loved ones and take a sleigh ride down to Century II Convention Hall for the return of Spirit of the Season,” writes Visit Wichita. “This concert is the Wichita Symphony's gift to the community.” The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m and be roughly one hour long.
Winter Wonderland
On Dec. 10 at Naftzger Park in downtown Wichita visitors can “take in the lights and decorations while listening to music and entertainment at the Energy Pavilion,” writes Visit Wichita. Attendees can enjoy the atmosphere of Christmas, take advantage of downtown’s thriving business district, visit with Santa Claus, and participate in a Christmas tree lighting. These events begin at 5:00 p.m.
Ballet Wichita's The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker uniquely caters to most ages and is a pinnacle holiday event. Audience members will be transported “into a magical world of dancing dolls, mischievous mice and sparkling snowflakes,” writes Visit Wichita. Ballet Wichita will be performing their Nutcracker production from Dec. 16-18 at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center.
There are plentiful opportunities to bask in the seasonal holiday cheer for students and community members alike. More information can be found about aforementioned events through the links below.
Event List View | City of Newton, KS (newtonkansas.com)
Events in Wichita - Wichita Events Calendar (visitwichita.com)