Two days. Millions of twinkling lights. One city that knows how to celebrate the season.

Looking for a Midwest holiday getaway? Wichita, Kansas' largest city, makes it easy to turn a weekend into a festive escape filled with dazzling light displays, one-of-a-kind shopping, seasonal experiences, and plenty of good food.

From strolling through gardens illuminated by more than 2 million lights to skating outdoors, shopping local to find unique gifts, and sipping festive drinks in a holiday pop-up, Wichita has a few surprises waiting.

Pack an overnight bag, bring your favorite people, and use this itinerary to plan 48 hours of holiday fun in the Air Capital of the World.

Wild Lights - Sedgwick County Zoo
Credit: Visit Wichita

Friday: Check in and follow the holiday lights

Start your getaway by checking into one of Wichita's many hotels, then head out for dinner. Historic Old Town is a great place to begin, with locally owned restaurants, entertainment and plenty of Wichita personality. Grab a table at Public for locally inspired dishes or make dinner an experience of its own by reserving a heated outdoor igloo at Chicken N Pickle or Ziggy's Pizza (Auburn Hills, Clifton Square, Northeast and West).

Then, it's time to get festive.

For an evening filled with larger-than-life displays, visit Wild Lights at Sedgwick County Zoo. This nighttime experience transforms the zoo into a glowing wonderland of colorful Asian lantern sculptures and illuminated scenes. It's a completely different way to experience one of the state's most popular attractions.

Traveling with kids? Consider Watson's Christmas Express at O.J. Watson Park, where families can enjoy a holiday train experience, with special VIP options that include a Santa visit, crafts and treats around the campfire.

Or step back into the 1800s during Victorian Christmas at Old Cowtown Museum, where historic buildings, costumed interpreters, and traditional holiday festivities offer a glimpse of Christmas past.

Travel tip: These experiences take place on different dates, so check the event schedules before choosing your weekend. 

Prefer a countryside Christmas experience? Head to nearby Towanda for A Country Christmas at Fulton Valley Farms, featuring a musical light show, Santa visits, and live reindeer.

River City Brewing
Credit: James Kellerman - Visit Wichita

Saturday morning: Shop small, snack often

Start with breakfast at HomeGrown (Downtown, East and West) or Doo-Dah Diner, two local favorites known for making the first meal of the day worth getting out of bed for.

Then explore some of Wichita's distinctive shopping destinations. At The Spice Merchant, browse specialty coffees, teas, spices and gifts for the food lovers on your list. Just down the road, Nifty Nut House is packed with candy, chocolates, nuts and nostalgic treats. Consider it your official stocking-stuffer headquarters.

Then, make your way to Bradley Fair, an open-air shopping district with boutiques, sweet shops like Cocoa Dolce, restaurants and seasonal festivities. Depending on your travel dates, you might even catch one of its special holiday shopping events.

Chicken N Pickle Ice Rink
Credit: Visit Wichita

Saturday afternoon: Make some holiday memories

Ready to give the shopping bags a break? Wichita has plenty of ways to keep the afternoon interesting.

Lace up your skates at the Ice Pond at Chicken N Pickle, where outdoor skating adds a little winter fun to your weekend.

For a hands-on holiday activity, check the schedule for Gingerbread Village at Exploration Place. Offered on select December Saturdays, this family-friendly experience lets visitors create their own gingerbread masterpieces without worrying about cleaning up the kitchen afterward.

Or keep things simple with a leisurely lunch, a warm drink and another stop at the shops you didn't quite finish exploring.
 

Illuminations at Botanica
Credit: Visit Wichita

Saturday night: Wichita turns up the wattage

Save Saturday evening for one of Wichita's signature holiday traditions: Illuminations at Botanica, the Wichita Gardens. More than 2 million lights transform the gardens into a sparkling holiday destination, with illuminated pathways, themed displays and festive scenes around nearly every turn.

It's no wonder Illuminations has earned recognition from USA TODAY's 10Best among the nation's top botanical garden holiday light displays for seven consecutive years.

Prefer a countryside Christmas experience? Head to nearby Towanda for A Country Christmas at Fulton Valley Farms, featuring a musical light show, Santa visits, and live reindeer.
 

River City Brewing
Credit: James Kellerman - Visit Wichita

Keep the celebration going

Not ready to call it a night? Wichita's seasonal pop-up experiences bring extra holiday personality to local restaurants and bars.

Public, Nortons Brewing Co. and River City Brewing Co. offer family-friendly holiday pop-ups, while adults can explore festive experiences at Hopping Gnome Brewing Company, Chicken N Pickle and Mort's Martini & Cigar Bar.

Expect themed decorations, seasonal drinks, and plenty of opportunities for a holiday photo or two. Explore Wichita's holiday pop-up bars for locations and details, and check individual businesses for current dates, reservations, and age requirements.
 

HomeGrown Restaurant - A Daytime Eatery
Credit: Darrin Hackney

Sunday: One last stop before heading home

There's no need to rush out of town. Start Sunday with brunch, then squeeze in one more Wichita experience before hitting the road.

Maybe it's a final shopping stop at Bradley Fair, a stroll through Historic Delano or a return trip to a favorite local shop for road-trip treats. Just check Sunday hours before heading out.

Or simply linger over coffee and talk about which holiday experiences you'll come back for next year.

Chicken N Pickle Ice Rink
Credit: Visit Wichita

Plan your holiday getaway to Wichita

The holiday season in Wichita typically brings a variety of events from late November through December, including light displays, seasonal performances, festive shopping and family-friendly activities.

Because dates, hours and ticket requirements vary, it's best to choose your must-do experiences first and plan the rest of your weekend around them.

Explore Visit Wichita’s calendar of events or list of winter events and festivals for seasonal happenings and browse their Visitor Guide for places to stay, restaurants and more ideas to complete your trip.