It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in the Sunflower State, so why not get out and make this the best holiday season ever? To do this, just grab your friends and family, print the following holiday bucket list, and do these 10 enchanting things:
1. Take in the Festival of Lights in Downtown Manhattan.
There is nothing quite as magical this time of year as a dazzling light display, which the City of Manhattan has perfected. Since you're out and about anyway, you should also take our...
2. Kansas Christmas Lights Road Trip
3. Pet a reindeer.
How many reindeer have you had the opportunity to pet? Zero? Same here... let's change that by visiting the City of Shawnee's Christmas Around Town on December 3rd.
4. Experience a new culture.
In Sweden, Christmas is celebrated with different traditions like Lucia Day (featuring the crowning of the Lucia and refreshments) and Julotta (an early Christmas morning church service). Experience these for yourself at Little Sweden, USA (AKA, Lindsborg).
5. Attend a Parade of Lights.
No matter your whereabouts, you are guaranteed to be close to a fun and festive Parade of Lights -- check with your local Chamber of Commerce for times and dates. (Pictured is FrostFest in Hays.)
6. Take a ride with Santa.
What could be more fun this time of year than riding the Santa Express (via Baldwin City's Midland Railway) WITH Santa himself? Answer: Nothing.
7. Travel back in time.
Sharon Springs is your ticket to the past with their annual Victorian Holiday Celebration, which runs December 9th through the 11th.
8. See the Nutcracker live.
Ballet Wichita is performing the iconic Nutcracker Ballet December 16th through the 18th... need I say more?
9. Visit WaKeeney.
If you think this picture of the "Christmas City of the High Plains" is beautiful, wait until you experience its 6 blocks worth of impressive lights for yourself!
10. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown.
Take your family on a horse-drawn carriage ride around Downtown Emporia on December 1, 8, 15, and 22 beginning at 4:30 each afternoon. (Rides are free but a $5 donation is suggested.)
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