What to do this weekend, into next next week: Wild Lights; Woofstock; Holiday Galleria
Three of Wichita’s biggest annual events return this weekend. One will fill the Sedgwick County Zoo with a glowing “Alice in Wonderland”-themed lantern display. One will fill the Sedgwick County Park with Wichita dogs and their people. And one will fill Century II’s Expo Hall with eager holiday shoppers.
Here’s a look at some of the best things happening in Wichita over the weekend.
The return of Wild Lights
6-9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, Oct. 11-Dec. 17, Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd.
The big Asian lantern display at the Sedgwick County Zoo — called Wild Lights - is returning for its third consecutive year and opens on Wednesday with all-new displays. This year, the lights will have an “Alice in Wonderland” theme and will bring to life glowing characters from author Lewis Carroll’s beloved book, including the Cheshire Cat and the White Rabbit. The after-hours event will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays starting on Wednesday, Oct. 11, and ending on Dec. 17. Tickets are $15 in advance, $17 at the gate for zoo members and $17 online, $19 at the gate for non-members. Tickets for children ages 3-11 are $15, and they’re free for children 2 and under. They’re on sale at scz.org
Holiday Galleria
Friday-Saturday, Century II Expo Hall, 225 W. Douglas
Holiday Galleria, The Junior League’s annual shopping event, returns this weekend and will feature 120 regional and national vendors set up in the Century II Expo Hall. This year marks 18 years for the fundraising event, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, when admission is $15. There’s also a Girls Night Out event from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, which will include music, drinks and hors d’oeuvres and requires a $40 ticket. Tickets are available at selectaseat.com or at 316-755-SEAT. They’re also available at the door.
Woofstock 2023
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sedgwick County Park, 6501 W. 21st St.
An event that bills itself as the biggest dog festival in the Midwest returns this weekend to the Sedgwick County Park. Woofstock, a fundraiser for the Kansas Humane Society, happens from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday will include an agility course, a dog costume contest, pet-friendly vendors, a pet photo booth, a beer garden and live music. Tickets are $15, $5 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under. A $30 VIP ticket includes a T-shirt, event bag and doggy bandanna, and a $40 ticket includes access to a 9 a.m. walk and breakfast for people and dogs. All tickets are available at kshumane.org
John Michael Montgomery in Goddard
9 p.m. Saturday, West Linear Park, 108 N. Main St., Goddard
Country legend John Michael Montgomery, known for hits like “Sold” and “Life’s a Dance,” will headline Goddard’s Fall Festival, which runs all day Saturday along Goddard’s Main Street and in Linear Park. The event, which this year will have a “Back to the Future” theme, will include a parade, vendor booths, food, contests, a petting zoo, even a Back to the Future retro arcade. Montgomery performs at 9 p.m., on Saturday, but the concert starts at 5 p.m. at the West Linear Park concert stage with opening acts Jared Brown & the Dirt Road Misfits and The 99. Admission to the concert is s $50 button, which is available at goddardfallfestival.com
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13-14, Botanica, 701 N. Amidon
Botanica’s big Halloween event, which fills the gardens with more than 1,000 jack-o-lanterns, happens from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. this weekend and next and will also include aerial acrobatic performances, a petting zoo, music and a haunted woodland walk. Admission is $15 for ages 12 and older, $12 for members, $10 for ages 3-11, and free for ages 2 and under. For more information and tickets, visit botanica.org/jackolantern-spectacular
First Friday art show
6-8 p.m., Harvester Arts, 215 N. Washington
Friday is First Friday in Wichita, and several galleries around town will be launching new shows and putting on events and receptions. Among them is Harvester Arts, which will put on an event from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday for the student winners of last fall’s Dada Ball 3-D Wearable Art Competition. People can also visit from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Admission on Friday is free. For a guide to First Friday events around town, visit www.facebook.com/FirstFridayICT
Recent concert announcements
Here’s a look at the recent additions made to Wichita’s concert calendar:
Kathleen Madigan, Jan. 12, Orpheum Theatre, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at selectaseat.com
Mania: The ABBA Tribute, Jan. 27, Orpheum Theatre, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at selectaseat.com
Black Violin, Feb. 6, Orpheum Theatre, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at selectaseat.com
That Arena Rock Show, Feb. 16, TempleLive, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at wichita.templelive.com
Killer Queen — A Tribute to Queen, Feb. 29, Stiefel Theatre, Salina, tickets on sale at noon Friday at www.stiefeltheatre.org
