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
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.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 10
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, 1905 19th St.
9 a.m. at 1905 19th St. Program at 9:30.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee hosted by Wilson State Bank
9:30 a.m. at 201 N. Main.
Adults Night Out Craft - Coffee Filter Angels
6 p.m. at the Great Bend Public Library.
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!
Burdett Christmas Celebration
All day. Lunch and activities in Burdett.
Christmas market in Stafford
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free kids Movie; $5 film screening of “Sod and Stubble” at the Ritz Theatre.
FCC Family Craft & Cookie Fair
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at First Christian Church, 5230 Broadway Ave. Visit Santa (10 a.m. to noon); turkey noodle luncheon 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
KWEC Holiday Open House
9 a.m. to noon at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156, Ellinwood.
Crèche Nativity Experience
Noon to 8 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 5851 Eisenhower Ave., Great Bend.
Fort Larned Christmas Open House
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fort Larned National Historic Site, six miles west of Larned on K-156. Old-fashioned Christmas on the post, circa 1860s.
Oxford House Alumni host Chili Feed Raffle
7 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, 4811 Broadway Ave. Guest speakers and raffle prizes. Dinner and dessert will be served at $5 per plate.
SUNDAY, Dec. 14
Crèche Nativity Experience
Noon to 6 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 5851 Eisenhower Ave., Great Bend.
Ghosts of Christmas Past Open House
1-5 p.m. at the Barton County Historical Society Village and Museum, 85 South U.S. 281, just south of the Arkansas River Bridge in Great Bend.
Vespers Concert/Great Bend Youth Choir
2 p.m. (Vespers) in the Great Bend High School Auditorium, followed by the Great Bend Youth Choir at 3:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Ballet’s Nutcracker
2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium at Barton Community College. Barton’s Dance Department hosts Metropolitan Ballet from Wichita as they perform the holiday classic “The Nutcracker.” Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door. Visit shows.bartonccc.edu for more information.
MONDAY, Dec. 15
Christmas Bird Count
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 K-156, Ellinwood. Participation for at least half a day is recommended. Preregistration is required. Lunch will be provided. Call 877-243-9268 for more information.
Christmas in Narnia
6:30-8 p.m. at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St.
Great Bend City Council Meeting
6:30 p.m., City Hall, 1209 Williams St. and livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/cityofgreatbend.
GBHS Vocal Music Concert
7:30 p.m. in the Great Bend High School Auditorium.
TUESDAY, Dec. 16
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 17
GBHS Band Holiday Concert
7 p.m. in the Great Bend High School Auditorium.
THURSDAY, Dec. 18
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Golden Belt Community Foundation
9 a.m. at the Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4100 Broadway Ave. Program at 9:30 a.m. to celebrate the Great Charity Give Back and announce results of the Giving Tuesday campaign.
Larned Chamber Coffee hosted by United Way of Central Kansas Christmas Basket
9:30 a.m. at Carr Auction & Real Estate, 909 Auction Ave.
FRIDAY, Dec. 19
BCC Christmas/New Year Break
Barton Community College campus closed through Jan. 1, 2026.
SATURDAY, Dec. 20
Great Bend Laundry Love
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Discount Laundry, 924 Jefferson St. Wash up to five loads of laundry for free. Sponsored by United Way of Central Kansas.
SUNDAY, Dec. 21
MONDAY, Dec. 22
Red Cross Blood Drive
12:30-6:30 p.m. at the Hoisington Activity Center, 1200 Susank Road.
TUESDAY, Dec. 23
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 24
THURSDAY, Dec. 25
FRIDAY, Dec. 26
Winter Wonders of the Wetlands Drop-In STEM activities
1-4 p.m. at the Kansas Wetlands Activities Center, 592 K-156, Ellinwood. Drop in any time; no registration required.
SATURDAY, Dec. 27
SUNDAY, Dec. 28
MONDAY, Dec. 29
TUESDAY, Dec. 30
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 31
