Mad Hatter's Tea Party at the Sioux City Art Center this April!

As the Mad Hatter says, "It's always tea time!" and Sioux City families can celebrate that vibe at a charming Mad Hatter's Tea Party at the Sioux City Art Center on Saturday, April 1st at 11am. Here's what families should know to decide if the Mad Hatter's Tea Party would be a good fit for you:

The night before the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, the Sioux City Art Center is hosting its annual fundraising gala, which this year has a "Through the Looking Glass" theme, inspired by the classic Alice in Wonderland stories by Lewis Carroll. For this gala, the Art Center will be elaborately transformed into Wonderland with whimsical decor and will serve craft cocktails, an elaborate dinner and dessert menu, and feature live entertainment from LAMB Regional Arts Theatre. And instead of taking the decorations all down immediately after the Friday night gala, they're going to leave them up for this magical tea party too! 

Where is the Sioux City Art Center's Mad Hatter's Tea Party?

The Sioux City Art Center's Mad Hatter's Tea Party will be at the Sioux City Art Center at 225 Nebraska Street in downtown Sioux City. There is free parking in the art center's parking lot, and street parking in metered spots on nearby streets is also free on weekends, including during the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. 

What will be served at the Sioux City Art Center's Mad Hatter's Tea Party?

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party starts with a welcome and social time beginning at 11:00 am.
Then, at 11:30 a tea-themed lunch catered by Dashing Dinners will be served, which will include pinwheel sandwiches, fresh fruits and veggies, and a dessert. A vegetarian meal option is available; please contact the art center directly to discuss other dietary needs.

Beverage options will include tea and a kid-friendly tea alternative.

Fun Activities at the Sioux City Art Center's Mad Hatter's Tea Party

After lunch, at about 12:15pm, attendees will be able to make an adorable art project. While the exact project details remain as mysterious as the Cheshire Cat, the art center has hinted that it will include an option to use paint pens or Sharpies and is ideal for adults and for children ages 5+, or younger children with help from an adult. There will also be a character meet & greet and a shrinking room photo station, so be sure to bring your camera or smartphone!

What to wear to the Sioux City Art Center's Mad Hatter's Tea Party

The Sioux City Art Center does not have a recommended dress code for this event so you should wear what makes you feel comfortable and pretty! But here are a few ideas of what I would wear myself and what I would dress my daughter in if I were attending:

• Big hats: channel your inner hatter by wearing your favorite sunhat!
• Floral and fancy dresses: this is a perfect occasion for tea party formal.
• Attire featuring red roses, card suits, white rabbits, chess pieces, keys, mushrooms, or other motifs from the Alice books would be so cute!
• Aprons: there's a reason that girls in Victorian days like Alice used to wear aprons over their pretty dresses all the time, and this would be a charming way to protect party dresses from tea spills and art projects.

Tickets to the Sioux City Art Center's Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Tickets to the Mad Hatter's Tea Party are $20 per person. This is a family-friendly event, and tickets can be purchased for both adults and children and are required for all attendees aged 2 and older. Babies and toddlers under two are welcome to attend and do not need a ticket, but will not receive their own seat, meal, or art project. 

image used with permission from the Sioux City Art Center

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party at the Sioux City Art Center on April 1st, 2023 is sure to be a charming event that kids and adults will remember for years to come. For more information on the Mad Hatter's Tea Party and the Sioux City Art Center's Through the Looking Glass fundraiser and to purchase tickets, visit the Sioux City Art Center's Through the Looking Glass fundraiser website.