Wichita weekend guide: Gilley’s, Wild Lights and Nutcracker

Opening weekend for Gilley’s, a massive new entertainment complex in Park City, is here. The venue, which officially opened on Monday, will have live music from country/rap star Colt Ford this weekend.

A trip to Gilley’s is just one of the several entertainment options available in the Wichita area this weekend — the last weekend before Christmas.

Here are details:

Colt Ford at Gilley’s

Gilley’s, the new entertainment complex at 1500 E. 77th St. North in Park City, opened on Monday and is about to have its first weekend in business. It features bars, a saloon, a barbecue restaurant, gambling, dancing and live music. On stage this weekend will be country/rap artist Colt Ford, best known for hits like “Chicken and Biscuits” and “Drivin’ Around Song.” Tickets to the show are $84.55 at ticketmaster.com. Ford will perform at 9 p.m. both Friday and Saturday nights. The show is open to ages 21 and over.

Last chance for Wild Lights

Time is almost up to catch this year’s installment of Wild Lights, the big Asian-lantern display at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Sunday is the last day for the display, which features larger-than-life, glowing lanterns stationed throughout the zoo. Ticket prices have been reduced for the event’s final week: Those who visit from 6 to 9 p.m. today through Sunday will get tickets for $16 (nonmembers) and $14 (members.) Get tickets at scz.org/event/wild-lights

Flea Market weekend

The final Wichita Flea Market of the year will be at Century II’s Exhibition Hall, 225 W. Douglas, will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. It will feature more than 300 vendors selling items like crafts, antiques, jewelry, clothing and home decor. Admission is $4 for a one-day pass and $5 for a two-day pass. Children 12 and under will be admitted at no charge. Tickets are available at the door or at www.century2.com/

Christmas bells are ringing

The annual Christmas Bloomfield Carillon Concert at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main, happens from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, and it’s free to hear the bells. The carillon is on the fifth floor of the museum’s clock tower, and people can best hear the show in Heritage Square, just outside of the museum. (Access to the square is through the museum.) The concert will be played by retired Wichita State University music professor Dean Roush.

Solstice Spirit Fair

The annual Solstice Spirit Fair returns to Wichita this weekend. It’s a “holistic and metaphysical event” that lasts from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 10 to 6 p.m. Sunday at The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg. Open to all ages, the fair will include vendors, gift-buying opportunities, healers, spiritual advisers and holistic health advisers. Tickets are $14.68 for a two-day pass, $11.22 for a one-day ticket. Children ages 10 and under get in free with paid adult admission. Get tickets at thecotillion.com

Ballet Wichita’s ‘The Nutcracker’

Ballet Wichita’s 51st annual performance of the holiday ballet “The Nutcracker” will be staged at the Century II Concert Hall, 225 W. Douglas, this weekend. Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. The performances will feature a live orchestra and local ballet students. Doors will open one hour prior to showtime. Tickets are $30-$68 at selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328, or in person at the Century II Box Office or at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.