Two Christmas light displays in and around Wichita have 2026 dates: both walk-throughs. One is free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 7:30 p.m. at Merry & Bright: Union Station Lighting. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.
Last checked · How we choose
Tap a filter to narrow it down. Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.
Sedgwick County Zoo · 5555 W. Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
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Union Station Plaza · 701 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS
Little-kid take: Free, so it’s an easy one to try for a short visit.
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
Report a problemIn early December the sun sets around 5:10 p.m. in Wichita (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.
7:30 p.m. start · plan about an hour
5:30–7:30pm
9 p.m. start · plan about an hour
6–9pm
No drive-thru with 2026 dates in town yet.
Picks: Wild Lights at Sedgwick County Zoo, Merry & Bright: Union Station Lighting
Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.
PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.
| Display | Price | Little kids | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Lights at Sedgwick County Zoo | $19 online, $21 gate (Thu–Sun); $16 Wednesdays; 2 and under free | 2 and under free | Walk-through |
| Merry & Bright: Union Station Lighting | Free | See the venue | Walk-through |
See all 4 Santa outings in and around Wichita: breakfasts, photo spots and evening visits, with 2026 prices.
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Yes. Merry & Bright: Union Station Lighting is free in 2026.
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: Wild Lights at Sedgwick County Zoo ($19 online, $21 gate (Thu–Sun); $16 Wednesdays; 2 and under free). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (two here) are better for kids who want to run around.
The earliest evening starts: Merry & Bright: Union Station Lighting at 7:30 p.m. and Wild Lights at Sedgwick County Zoo at 9 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.
Little ones get in free at Wild Lights at Sedgwick County Zoo (2 and under free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.
Keep planning: This week in Wichita · Wichita city guide · Visiting Wichita
One short email every Friday morning with what works for ages 0–6 in Wichita that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.