It’s officially the holiday season! That means the light displays are up and shining bright. Load up your crew, grab some snacks, and turn on the Christmas music. Keep your holidays merry and bright with some Christmas light displays worth the drive from Manhattan.
Christmas at the Stables
Experience Christmas magic at Rainbow Meadows Equine Rescue and Retirement, Inc. With a $30 donation per vehicle, you can walk through the stables and meet the horses! The horses are dressed to impress, and the stables are decorated with lots of fun lights. Give the horses a treat during your tour to enjoy right away or leave it in their cute little stockings for Christmas Day. There are some fun activities, treats, and take-home crafts provided at the end of the walk through. Visit the stables from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night November 30, December 7, 14, and 21.
Hometown Christmas
Head to Junction City on December 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a winter wonderland on Main Street with holiday lights, festive decorations, live music, and carolers. Take a ride on the horse-drawn carriage for a cozy stroll under the twinkling lights, or stop by to meet Santa!
Seelye in Lights
Take a drive out to Abilene on December 7th, 14th, and 21st from 5pm-7pm and experience Christmas at Seelye Mansion. See over 65 decorated Christmas trees, 100 poinsettias, and hundreds of nutcrackers throughout the home. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 16 and under.
Clay Center Christmas festival
Enjoy a small-town Christmas celebration in Clay Center. You will be able to watch Santa fly into the Clay Center Municipal Airport, see almost 100 lighted Christmas trees on the Courthouse Square, and enjoy the light display at the zoo. On select days (Thursdays and Saturdays from November 29th through January 5th) you can even visit Santa at his workshop.
Season of lights
Load up your crew, grab a hot drink at Paramour Coffee, and drive around downtown Wamego to enjoy the festive light displays. The displays are up Thanksgiving Day through the Christmas season. My boys’ favorite display is the big Santa, sleigh, and reindeer over the lake.
Winter Wonderland (a benefit for TARC)
Winter Wonderland, a 2-mile drive-thru light display at the Lake Shawnee campground, is the largest fundraiser for TARC, Inc. You can learn more about their background and mission here. The funds raised from this event help TARC to continue providing support and advocacy to children, families, and adults in Topeka & Shawnee County with developmental, intellectual, and related disabilities. There is a suggested donation of $10 per vehicle, and the display runs November 27th through December 31st. Come see the lights 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Topeka Zoo Lights
We love seeing the Christmas lights at the Sunset Zoo for Santa’s Luminary Trail, but have you ever experienced the Zoo Lights at the Topeka Zoo? Stroll around the zoo and experience twinkling lights and dazzling displays November 22 through December 28. Check out our guide here.
Gary’s Berries Santa’s Acres
Experience Christmas Magic for the entire family at Gary’s Farm, located off Hwy 24 between Topeka and Lawrence, from December 7th through 30th from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Your crew will love seeing the 32-foot animated Christmas tree and decorated buildings as the lights are choreographed to music. Be sure to check the calendar to see what nights Santa and The Grinch are visiting the farm! Tickets are available here.
Mom tip: if you are really up for a drive or taking a fun weekend trip, experience lots of holiday cheer in Kansas City.
