Holiday-themed events top list of things to do this weekend

If you’re not already in the holiday spirit, many event organizers are hoping to get you there with holiday-themed events for the first weekend of December.

Friday, Dec. 6

• Ronald McDonald House Bake Sale
  • The Ronald McDonald House is having its annual Cookie Walk & Holiday Bake Sale from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 825 SW Buchanan St. in Topeka.
• SLI Festival of Trees
  • A silent auction, live auction, performances and more are part of this year’s Festival of Trees to benefit SLI.
  • This will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ag Hall of the Stormont Vail Events Center in Topeka.

• Nativities & Noels
  • The 8th annual Nativities & Noels will feature over 900 nativities from around the world and live musical performances.
  • This runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2401 SW Kingsrow Rd. in Topeka.
• FEMA Public Meeting
  • FEMA is holding a public meeting to discuss a nuclear power plant exercise at the Wolf Creek Generating Station located near Burlington.
  • The meeting will start at 11 a.m. at the Coffey County Library at 410 Juanita St. in Burlington.
• KU Track & Field’s Bob Timmons Challenge
  • The Jayhawks kick off their indoor season at 1 p.m. with the Bob Timmons Challenge in Anshutz Pavilion in Lawrence.
• Polar Express Train Ride
  • Midland Railway Historical Association is helping The Polar Express come to life with a one-hour round-trip journey from Baldwin City to the North Pole.
  • The rides start at 4 p.m.
  • Tickets start at $35 for kids and $75 for adults.
  • More information can be found HERE.
• Fort Leavenworth Tree Ceremony
  • The Fort Leavenworth Tree Lighting Ceremony starts at 4 p.m. in Zais Park.
  • The lights turn on at 5:45 p.m.
  • There will be carriage rides, music, Santa and more.
• Manhattan Mayor’s Spirit of the Holidays Parade
  • The Mayor’s Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. in Manhattan.
  • The parade will travel west on Poyntz Avenue through downtown and will end in City Park.
• Topeka Pilots
  • The Pilots return home to face the Springfield Jr. Blues at 7:05 p.m. at the Stormont Vail Events Center.
• NOTO First Friday
  • The NOTO Arts District in Topeka will have several things for you to do for its First Friday art walk. More information can be found HERE.
• Mulvane Art Museum First Friday
  • Enjoy extended hours at the Mulvane Art Museum from 5-7 p.m. at 1700 SW College Ave. in Topeka.
• TARC’s Winter Wonderland
  • Drive through a 2-mile drive-through holiday light display and support TARC of Topeka.
  • You can drive through between 6-10 p.m. up until Dec. 31.
  • This is at Lake Shawnee’s campground at 3535 SE East Edge Rd.

• Christmas Handbell Concert
  • The Laudate Ringers of Countryside United Methodist Church will present a Christmas handbell concert at 7:30 p.m. at 3221 SW Burlingame Rd. in Topeka.

Saturday, Dec. 7

• Emporia Red Stocking Breakfast
  • Kansas Children’s Service League is holding its annual Red Stocking Breakfast to support child abuse prevention efforts and education programs.
  • The breakfast will be from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at Pizza Ranch, 3000 W. 18th Ave. in Emporia.
  • Tickets are $15 at the door. Kids 10 and under eat free.
• TDC Breakfast With Santa
  • TDC Learning Center is holding its 3rd Annual Breakfast with Santa event from 8-11 a.m. at the VFW on 3110 SW Huntoon St. in Topeka.
  • Kids can get their pictures taken with Santa, eat breakfast, make reindeer food and more.
  • Tickets at the door are $8 for adults, $5 for children. Kids 3 and under eat free.
• Leavenworth Breakfast With Santa
  • Join Santa Claus for pancakes and pictures at the Riverfront Community Center in Leavenworth.
  • This will be from 8-11 a.m. at 123 S. Esplanade St.
  • Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for kids.
• SLI Festival of Trees
  • A silent auction, live auction, performances and more are part of this year’s Festival of Trees to benefit SLI.
  • This will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ag Hall of the Stormont Vail Events Center in Topeka.
• Manhattan County Christmas & Christkindlmarkt
  • The free 5th annual event features holiday vendors, German food, Santa Claus and more.
  • This runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lazy T Ranch at 2103 Zeandale Rd. in Manhattan.
• WinterFest Topeka
  • Get started on your holiday shopping in downtown Topeka along with carriage rides, performances and more.
  • This will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Topeka.
• Santa Claws at the Topeka Zoo
  • Kids can get their picture taken with Santa and a live animal at the Topeka Zoo.
  • This will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Big Gage Shelter House next to the zoo’s parking lot.
  • The cost is $5 per person who sits with Santa.

• Nativities & Noels
  • The 8th annual Nativities & Noels will feature over 900 nativities from around the world and live musical performances.
  • This runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2401 SW Kingsrow Rd. in Topeka.
• KCDC Physics of Football
  • Join Washburn football players at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center to learn the physics behind the game.
  • This will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at 4400 SW 10th Ave. in Topeka.
  • Regular admission applies.
• Wing Fling
  • The 5th Annual Wing Fling allows you to eat as mind wings as you desire, enjoy live music, watch sports on the big screen and more.
  • This will be from 2-5 p.m. in Exhibition Hall at the Stormont Vail Events Center.
  • You can get more information and buy your tickets HERE.

• Polar Express Train Ride
  • Midland Railway Historical Association is helping The Polar Express come to life with a one-hour round-trip journey from Baldwin City to the North Pole.
  • The rides start at 4 p.m.
  • Tickets start at $35 for kids and $75 for adults.
  • More information can be found HERE.
• K-State Men’s Basketball
  • K-State hosts Marquette at 8 p.m. in Bramlage Coliseum for the Big East/Big 12 Battle.
• Emporia State Basketball
  • Women’s game
    • The Emporia State women’s basketball team hosts Fort Hays State at 1:30 p.m. in White Auditorium.
  • Men’s game
    • The men’s game against Fort Hays State will immediately follow at approximately 3:30 p.m.
• Holton Christmas Parade
  • The 20th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights gets started at 5:30 in Holton Town Square.
• KU Men’s Basketball
  • KU will host Colorado at 6 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse.
• TARC’s Winter Wonderland
  • Drive through a 2-mile drive-through holiday light display and support TARC of Topeka.
  • You can drive through between 6-10 p.m. up until Dec. 31.
  • This is at Lake Shawnee’s campground at 3535 SE East Edge Rd.
• A Big Band Christmas
  • Enjoy a night of swing dancing presented by Topeka Swing Dance and the Jayhawk Theatre.
  • Beginner dance lessons start at 7 p.m. and the live swing music starts from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
  • Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
• Topeka Pilots
  • The Pilots continue its homestand to face the Springfield Jr. Blues at 7:05 p.m. at the Stormont Vail Events Center.

Sunday, Dec. 8

• Nativities & Noels
  • The 8th annual Nativities & Noels will feature over 900 nativities from around the world and live musical performances.
  • This runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2401 SW Kingsrow Rd. in Topeka.

• Leavenworth Vintage Homes Tour
  • Tour the Carroll Mansion Museum and six vintage homes in Leavenworth.
  • The tours run from 1-6 p.m. starting at the Leavenworth County Historical Society.
  • Tickets and more information can be found HERE.
• KU Women’s Basketball
  • The KU women’s basketball team hosts Florida at 2 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse.
• Polar Express Train Ride
  • Midland Railway Historical Association is helping The Polar Express come to life with a one-hour round-trip journey from Baldwin City to the North Pole.
  • The rides start at 4 p.m.
  • Tickets start at $35 for kids and $75 for adults.
  • More information can be found HERE.
• Wamego Season of Lights
  • The annual Season of Lights will be held from 4-7 p.m. in downtown Wamego and Wamego City Park.
• TARC’s Winter Wonderland
  • Drive through a 2-mile drive-through holiday light display and support TARC of Topeka.
  • You can drive through between 6-10 p.m. up until Dec. 31.
  • This is at Lake Shawnee’s campground at 3535 SE East Edge Rd.