If you have an event that is open to the public, let us know at least one week in advance. **Paid promotions** are also available. Contact Susan Thacker at the Great Bend Tribune, 2012 Forest Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530; call 620-792-1211 or email sthacker@gbtribune.com.
ONGOING (Starting Saturday, Nov. 29)
Ice Skating in Jack Kilby Square
Thursdays and Fridays from 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. through Dec. 21.
Golden Belt Model Railroad Display at 1405 Main
Thursdays and Fridays from 4-6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. through Dec. 21.
The Dolly Trolley
Departs from Rosewood Bargain Barn evenings at 6, 7 and 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday until Dec. 30 (excluding holidays).
Santas Around the World at 1223 Main
Thursdays and Fridays from 4-6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-6 p.m., through Dec. 21.
Trail of Lights
Nightly through Dec. 31. Enjoy the Twelve Days of Christmas at Veterans Park, Wild Lights at Brit Spaugh Park and Lafayette Lights at Jack Kilby Square.
SATURDAY, Nov. 29
Great Bend Cookie Contest
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Great Bend. Donated $5 per box and voting bracelet. Stop by Cookie Headquarters at Rosewood Furniture Gallery, 16th and Main to pick up a cookie box and voting bracelet. All votes to be counted must be returned to Cookie Headquarters by 4 p.m.
Home for the Holidays celebration
5:30 p.m. parade in downtown Great Bend, followed by lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree, Santa meet and greet at Santas Around the World, horse and carriage rides, wagon rides, Dolly Trolley, free hot dogs and hot chocolate, Christmas petting zoo, ice skating and more.
MONDAY, Dec. 1
Shafer Gallery Ornament Sale
At Barton Community College’s Shafer Art Gallery. Celebrate the season with the Gallery’s beloved yearly Ornament Sale, featuring a delightful selection of handmade ornaments created by talented local artists. Each piece is unique and crafted with care, making it the perfect addition to your holiday décor or a thoughtful gift. Every purchase supports local creatives and helps fund the Gallery’s exhibitions, educational programs, and community initiatives. The sale runs through Dec. 18.
Great Bend City Council Meeting
6:30 p.m., City Hall, 1209 Williams St. and livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/cityofgreatbend.
TUESDAY, Dec. 2
Giving Tuesday
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
BCC Student Music Recital
4:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Morrison Chapel at Barton Community College. Instrumental and vocal performances by students of the Barton Music Department. Free event.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3
THURSDAY, Dec. 4
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Barton County Historical Society
9 a.m. at 85 South U.S. 281. Program at 9:30.
Larned Chamber Coffee hosted by Farmers Bank & Trust
9:30 a.m. at 102 West 6th St.
Ellinwood Chamber After Hours: Grand Opening of the Americans and the Holocaust Exhibit
5 p.m. in the Ellinwood High School Commons Area. With speaker Rick Reed.
Holiday Concert and Fine and Performing Arts Hall of Fame Inductions
7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium at Barton Community College. Admission is free. Donations accepted. A holiday extravaganza featuring the Barton Concert Choir, Hilltop Singers, JazzCats, and Barton Dance Theatre. The evening will include the induction of faculty and alumni into the second year of Barton’s Fine and Performing Art’s Hall of Fame.
FRIDAY, Dec. 5
Lunch and Learn: Janet Rode - Why Poetry?
Noon at Ida Long Goodman Library, 406 N. Monroe St., St. John. Call and sign up at 620-549-3227. Free lunch and drinks provided. Sponsored by Ida Long Goodman Memorial Library and Stafford County Economic Development.
SATURDAY, Dec. 6
Ellinwood 13th annual Christkindlmarket
9 a.m.-7 p.m. Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m.; Story time, gingerbread house-building, downtown shopping, Children’s living nativity, 5 p.m.; Christmas Music Bingo at American Legion, 7 p.m.
Christmas in Larned
Activities all day beginning with Christmas Craft Fair at 9 a.m.; Kiddie Movie at State Theatre, 2 p.m.; 105th annual Larned Christmas Parade, 5:30 p.m.; Christmas Tree lighting, Santa’s House, Water Tower Crown lighting after parade.
Santa Claus at the Hoisington Library
10 a.m. at 169 South Walnut St. See Santa and take a photo. Enjoy a create-your-own ornament craft.
Heartland Farm’s annual free Holiday Open House
1-4 p.m. at Heartland Farm, 1049 CR 390, Pawnee Rock. Enjoy refreshments and Christmas cheer while visiting one of central Kansas’ most unique destinations.
Community Music School Recital
1 p.m. in the Dorothy Morrison Chapel at Barton Community College. End of the semester student recital for children enrolled in Community Music School for the fall 2025 semester. Free event.
St. John Christmas event
5-7 p.m., at city square. $5 soup supper, pictures with Santa, crafts for kids, vendors and at 6:30 p.m., Christmas lighting ceremony.
Christmas Caroling Party
7-8:30 p.m. in the Dining Room of the Great Bend Dominican Motherhouse, 3600 Broadway Ave. The community is invited to this party that wraps up The Heartland Center for Spirituality’s 40th anniversary year. Guests are encouraged to come and share the holiday spirit through traditional carols, laughter, and fellowship. Warm cocoa and festive snacks will be served, and admission is free.
SUNDAY, Dec. 7
Claflin Community Center Christmas
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Live holiday music, breakfast and lunch concessions, 30-plus vendors; “Sweets by the Pound” Independent Township Library fundraiser; Clydesdale-pulled wagon rides, noon-3 p.m.; Visit with Santa, 3 p.m. Raffle drawing, 3:30 p.m.
Rozel Christmas celebration
In Rozel, events all day with raffles, lunch, parade at 1 p.m.; bingo and games and Santa visit from 2-3 p.m.
Stan Kenton Christmas Brass Concert
1-2:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2701 24th St. Musicians from across Kansas will perform Christmas carols in the Stan Kenton Big Band Style.
Holiday Home Tour
1-4 p.m. at locations to be announced. Hosted by the Barton County Fair. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at any featured home on the day of the event.
Downtown Hoisington Christmas
2:30-5:30 p.m. Live music, treats and activities, with visit from Santa and downtown Christmas lighting.
MONDAY, Dec. 8
First day of finals
At Barton Community College.
Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting
5 p.m. at the District Education Center, 1809 24th St.
Santa’s Workshop
6-8 p.m. at the Great Bend City Auditorium, 1214 Stone St. (south entrance). Free event for children from preschool age through sixth grade. Younger children or those who don’t care for crowds can join the mini-workshop in the Great Bend Recreation Commission’s Burnside Room at 1214 Stone St. (west entrance).
Central Kansas Community Choir Concert
7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 2123 Forest Ave., Great Bend. The Central Kansas Community Choir will perform its holiday concert featuring sacred and secular choral music to kick off the holiday season. Admission is free.
TUESDAY, Dec. 9
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 10
Wheatland Electric Cooperative Holiday Open House
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 200 10th St. in Great Bend.
GBHS Orchestra Winter Concert
7 p.m. at the Great Bend High School Auditorium.
THURSDAY, Dec. 11
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Heart of Kansas Family Health
9 a.m. at 1905 19th St. Program at 9:30.
FRIDAY, Dec. 12
Dancing with the Cougars Tango Class Fundraiser
6:30 p.m. at Studio 34, Barton Community College. Learn to dance the tango from Barton Dance Instructor Danika Bielek. Cost is $15 per person or $20 for two people. Individuals and couples are welcome. Proceeds will benefit the Barton Dance Theatre’s tour to dance in New York City in January. Contact: Danika Bielek, 620-792-9253.
SATURDAY, Dec. 13
**Second Saturday Sale **
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Forest Avenue Antiques, 2025 Forest Ave. Storewide sales!
FCC Family Craft & Cookie Fair
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at First Christian Church, 5230 Broadway Ave.
KWEC Holiday Open House
9 a.m. to noon at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156, Ellinwood.
Santa at the Zoo
1-3 p.m. at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo.
MONDAY, Dec. 15
Tile Time Scrabble Social
6:30 p.m. at Ida Long Goodman Library, 406 N. Monroe St., St. John. Free Scrabble games and fun challenges, cappuccino and hot chocolate bar and festive snacks. Call and sign up at 620-549-3227.
