Christmas and the City of Great Bend’s annual Home for the Holidays Festival and Parade are fast approaching, and plans are already underway, Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said.

“It’s right upon us,” she said, noting plans are already well in place.

The festival, the city’s holiday kickoff event, is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, in downtown Great Bend. The theme pays homage to the city’s 150th anniversary this year – “150 Years of Celebration” with former City Attorney Bob Suelter serving as grand marshal.

“It’s Great Bend’s way of inviting Santa to town and kicking off our Christmas season.” Hayes said.

However, this is by no means the first Yuletide celebration of the year, she said. Activities actually start this Saturday with first of the four Explore Great Bend themed Saturdays – Mingling and Mimosas.

Below is a brief rundown of the festivities provided by the city. 

For more details, visit greatbendks.net/455/Events.  

November

• 5 Explore Great Bend: Mingling and Mimosas Day, participating stores.

• 9 Great Bend High School Vocal Music Showcase and Coffee: GBHS gym.

• 9 Barton Community College Student Recital: BCC, Morrison Chapel, 4 p.m.

• 11 Veterans Day.  

• 11 GBHS band Veterans Day Performances: Various locations, during school.

• 11-13 GBHS Fall Play: GBHS auditorium, 11th and 12th at 7 p.m., 13th at 2 p.m.

• 12 Explore Great Bend: Open Houses, participating stores.

• 17 Thanksgiving Dinner: Great Bend Senior Center, noon.

• 17 BCC Instrumental Concert: BCC Fine Arts Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

• 17-19 Great Bend Community Theatre: ”Four Old Broads on the High Seas,” 7 p.m.

• 18 Adaptive Thanksgiving Dance: Great Bend Recreation Commission Activity Center, 7:30-9 p.m.

• 19 Waters Hardware Holiday Open House: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• 19 Explore Great Bend: Find the Turkey Day, participating stores.

• 20 Great Bend Community Theatre: “Four Old Broads on the High Seas,” 2 p.m.

• 21 Christmas Window Decoration Contest: Various store fronts downtown.

• 25 Explore Great Bend: Shop Local Black Friday, participating stores.

• 25 Christmas Open House: Refined Medley, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

• 25-30 Wheatland Electric Christmas Light Contest: Various homes in town.

• 26-30 Rosewood Golden Tickets: Santa’s Around the World - Lakin and Main.

• 26 Dog’s Day Out: Humane Society Fundraiser, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Jack Kilby Square.

• 26 Explore Great Bend: Small Business Saturday, participating stores.

• 26 Home for the Holidays Festival and Parade: (downtown Great Bend).

• 26 Creative and Unique Craft Fair: River of Life Church, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• 26 Dilly and Doc: Pop-up Market: Dilly and Doc and Bingo Hall, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• 26 Great Bend Cookie Contest: various participating stores.

• 27-30 Santas Around the World: 1223 Main St.- Thursday and Friday, 4-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1-6 p.m.

• 29 Giving Tuesday - Support local charities www.goldenbeltgives.org.

• 30 BCC History of Dance Presentation: Barton County Historical Society Museum, 7 p.m.

December

• 1-18 Wheatland Electric Christmas Light Contest: Various homes in town.

• 1-16 Rosewood Golden Ticket: Santas Around the World - Lakin and Main.

• 1-23 Santas Around the World: 1223 Main St. - Thursday and Friday, 4-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1-6 p.m.

• 2 BCC Holiday Concert: Fine Arts Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

• 3 Dilly and Doc Santa’s Workshop: 10 a.m.-noon.

• 5 Santa’s Workshop: City Auditorium, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

• 6 Barton Bards Play: BCC, Fine Arts Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

• 7 GBRC Santa’s Elves: GBRC Event, Must Pre-enroll. Check out on website.

• 8 Holiday Band Concert: GBHS, 7 p.m.

• 10 Central Kansas Community Choir Concert: First Methodist Church, 7:30 p.m.

• 11 Vespers- Acapella Concert: GBHS auditorium, 2 p.m.

• 12 Choir and Madrigal Concert: GBHS auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

• 13 GBRC Santa’s Elves: GBRC Event, Must pre-enroll. Check out on website.

• 14 Orchestra Concert: GBHS, 7 p.m.

• 15 Christmas Dinner and Open House: Great Bend Senior Center, 12 p.m.

• 16 Adaptive Christmas Dance: GBRC Activity Center, 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 26, in detail:

• 8 a.m.-noon: The last day to participate in the $1,000 to Explore Great Bend.

• 9 -4 p.m.: Creative and Unique Craft Fair: River of Life Church.

• 10-2 p.m.: Dog Day Out - Enjoy sloppy joes and walk a shelter dog, Jack Kilby Square.

• 10-4 p.m.: Dilly and Doc: Pop-up Market, Dilly and Doc and Bingo Hall.

• 10-4 p.m.: Great Bend Cookie Contest: Stop in Rosewood Furniture Gallery, 1607 Main.

• 5:30 p.m.: Home for the Holidays Lighted Parade, Main Street.

• 6:30 p.m.: Light the Square - all in Jack Kilby Square.

• Annual Lighting of the Mayors Tree - Mayor Cody Schmidt.

• Ice Sculpting Performance by Reverend Butter.

• Fire Bending Performance by Phlox Fire. 

It was noted that because of the ice sculpting and fire show, the city’s ice skating rink will likely not open that night. It may not be available until the following week.

• Announcement of Cookie Contest, Parade and Explore Great Bend Winners.

• Visit Santa’s Around the World.

• Pick up Rosewood Golden Ticket at the Trail of Lights.

• Horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides provided by Rosewood Services.

• Free train rides provided by the City of Great Bend.

• Free hot dogs, hot chocolate, funnel cakes, cider, cookies and more.