Coming off what some are calling a Hallmark-worthy holiday contest, Downtown Wichita is buzzing with excitement for 2025! This year brings even more opportunities to connect with downtown businesses, residents and stakeholders.
In 2024, the team launched the first Downtown Wichita Window Wonderland contest. The seasonal window-decorating contest brought the holiday spirit to life, with 20 downtown businesses turning their storefronts into dazzling displays of creativity.
The entries were as fun as they were festive, ranging from whimsical snow scenes to new takes on Santa and his reindeer and even donut-inspired Christmas trees!
More than 1,000 votes were cast, and The Leprechaun’s Lab took home the $500 top prize, with IMA Financial Group and the Kansas Leadership Center placing second and third.
“We had so much fun and loved the support we got through our decorated window!” shared Pat and Kacee Root of The Leprechaun's Lab. “We are so extremely excited and humbled to be the winner of it. Thank you again for this fantastic opportunity and the support we receive from Downtown Wichita!”
“We really enjoyed this contest and hope you do it again in the future. It was so fun seeing downtown Wichita feel like a scene from a Hallmark movie!” said Shannon Pope, director of facilities and people operations at the Kansas Leadership Center.
Festive fun runs all year long in downtown Wichita! The holidays may be over, but exciting new events are on the horizon. Downtown businesses, employees, residents, and visitors are encouraged to join in!
Wichita is hosting the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships First and Second Rounds, and we’re celebrating with a slam dunk art event! “Bouncing Through Downtown: Art & Basketball” will feature three basketball-themed art installations created by talented local artists in downtown storefronts. Each artist will receive 25 recycled basketballs to repurpose within their artwork. Click here for more information!
You don’t have to be a professional artist to get involved: Downtown Wichita is inviting businesses and property owners to join the fun, too! Whether it’s window art, chalk masterpieces, or festive decorations, this is an opportunity to make downtown Wichita even more vibrant and welcoming for visitors and residents during the tournament
Please let the Downtown Wichita team know if your business is planning any basketball-themed watch parties, entrees, drinks, etc. We would love to share them on our socials!
Ready to roll up your sleeves and meet some new downtown neighbors? The Downtown Wichita Clean-Up event is a fantastic opportunity to unite and make downtown shine. Close to 200 volunteers tackle everything from painting and landscaping to graffiti removal and trash pick-up.
Multiple branded sponsorship opportunities are available for this event; to inquire about Downtown Clean-Up sponsorship, please email heather@downtownwichita.org.
Yes, it’s back! The Downtown Wichita Window Wonderland will return for another round of magical displays and friendly competition. Business and property owners will transform their storefronts into holiday displays, with the top winners taking home cash prizes.
Contest details will be announced in the fall of 2025, so stay tuned!
Year-Round
Looking for the best events and activities downtown? Sign up for our weekly emails and texts to stay in the loop, and follow us on social media
