The holiday season sparkles with special displays and events in our local parks and preserves.
Sparkle In The Parks & More 2024
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December is upon us again. Darkness descends early, and the nights seem so much longer. Fortunately, the advent of holiday light displays brings a bit of brightness and cheer to cold winter nights.
No matter where you live, chances are there is a local, county or city park nearby that offers a holiday light display. Some are drive-thru only, some are walking tours. And, if all else fails, just take an evening stroll through your neighborhood, or a drive through your local area, and enjoy the displays of family, friends and neighbors. |
Festive holiday light displays add some sparkle to dark winter nights.
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Several of the annual Milwaukee area favorites are back again this year, with plenty of other festive displays throughout the state. Be sure to watch your local news sources for information on festivities in your area as well. Here's wishing you a cheerful holiday season!
Wild Lights at The Milwaukee County Zoo now offers options for a walking or drive-thru tour.
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Wild Lights 2024 at The Milwaukee County Zoo
Bring the family and stroll through twinkling light displays at the Milwaukee County Zoo. This year's presentations will be even bigger and brighter than ever! Several of the animal buildings will be open for visiting guests on select nights, as well. The event runs from November 30 to December 31, (closed on Dec. 2, 9, 16, 24 and 25). Evenings: 5:30 - 9:00pm (Admission gate close at 8:15pm) Tickets can be purchased online (special values available), or at the entrance gate. There will be a variety of special event nights as well. Check out the event roster for a complete listing. Rates vary depending on membership status, etc., however, Parking Is Included. Visit the ticket site for more details. |
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Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival - Peace, Love & Lights
Downtown Milwaukee shines again as it celebrates the holiday season this year. Twinkling lights and sculptures aglow with seasonal cheer are available to all at Cathedral Square Park, Pere Marquette Park, and Zeidler Union Square. The festival begins November 21, and runs through January 1, 2025. You can walk or drive-thru to experience the festive displays of over 500,000 lights as animated sculptures, interactive displays, and twinkling street decorations boost your holiday mood. Or purchase tickets in advance and grab a ride on the Jingle Bus for a 40-minute tour of all the lights and sights Thursday through Sunday nights. Tickets for the Jingle Bus are $5 per person, and must be purchased in advance. The Ornament Trail is back this year, which includes 15 larger than life artful adornments along Wisconsin Avenue, select locations on Water Street, and in the Third Ward. Businesses along the route will offer specials throughout the season, as well. Check out the seasonal brochure for a wide array of festive events and activities for revelers of all ages. For a complete listing of events, pricing, and other details, you can download the festival brochure here. |
Have a seat amidst the sparkle of Downtown Milwaukee's Holiday Lights Festival.
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Bright red poinsettias and festively decorated trees will be on display at The Domes Show Dome this holiday.
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Milwaukee Domes Holiday Show: A Holiday Parade
Visiting the Milwaukee Domes is always an event, but the holiday show is a perennial favorite. Enjoy hundreds of beautiful pointsettias on display among festive twinkling trees and lights. The display is currently open and runs through January 5, 2025. This year is five times as festive as "The Domes Holiday Parade" features multicultural holiday displays in celebration of Advent, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Regular Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm. Saturday/Sunday, 9am-4pm. Special late night at the domes events (Open until 8pm) will be held on November 29, December 10, 17, and 27. For a complete list of holiday hours, click here. Story telling events will be held on November 30, December 1, 7, and 15. On December 14 and 22, David HB Drake will present a music show. On December 27th, a special dance presentation will be performed by the Ko-Thi Dance Company. For more event details, visit their website. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Admission Fees between $6-$9 depending on age, and county of residence. Children under 2 yrs old admitted free of charge. |
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Candy Cane Lane - West Allis
This annual event of neighborhood light displays takes donations for the MACC Fund, for the fight against childhood cancer. Last year they raised $194,000 over the season! These festive displays, all created by community residents, will cheer you and yours. The neighborhood parameters are: 96th Street to 92nd Street, from Montana Avenue to Oklahoma Avenue. Drive or walk through this holiday season, the event runs through December 25. See their website for specific hours and more detail. |
You can walk or drive through the abundantly festive annual Candy Cane Lane holiday light displays in West Allis.
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There's plenty of enchantment along the way at West Bend's annual holiday light displays in Regner Park.
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Enchantment in the Park - West Bend
This holiday light treat in Regner Park, in West Bend, has been an annual event since 2009. The displays offer both a walk-thru and drive-thru experience. Your choice. Sponsored by the local Washington County area Rotary Clubs, this festive display is a fundraiser for local food banks. Admission is a suggested $10 donation, or non-perishable food items (no glass containers, please). In addition to the holiday light displays, there will be musical entertainment, along with food and drink concessions. The festival opens November 29, and runs through December 24. It is open from 5-pm to 9-pm daily. See the event calendar for special features and events. |
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Holiday Light Show - Rotary Botanical Gardens, Janesville
Back for the 28th year, this brilliant holiday event is held on the grounds of the Janesville Rotary Gardens. Themed light displays, animations, and twinkling walkways will lift your holiday spirits with over one-million holiday lights. We attended this event a few years back, and it was well worth the drive to Janesville. However, it's a very well attended event. Tickets must be purchased/reserved in advance. Tickets are purchased online. Tickets prices: Free for 2 and under. $5 for children 3-12, $20 for those 13 and up. Dates: Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 5-8, Dec. 12-23, Dec. 26-30, January 2-4. Evenings: 4:30-pm to 9-pm. (Last admission at 8:30pm, lights go dark at 9pm) Reservations/Tickets required purchase online in advance. |
Festive reflections at Janesville Rotary Gardens Holiday Light Show.
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Festive and jolly with a stage full of lit up trees and cheerful seasonal music at Swan Park in Beaver Dam.
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Beaver Dam Rotary Lights - Swan City Park, Beaver Dam
This charming holiday light display marks the 8th year of cheer sponsored by the Rotary Club of Beaver Dam. The park square, located in the heart of Beaver Dam, features a walkways of Christmas trees decorated with seasonal flair by local businesses and organizations. The bandshell has an orchestra of lit of trees accompanied by holiday music. Lights go on at 4:45pm each day, and remain lit until midnight. Plenty of time to take a stroll through solo, or with friends and family in tow. Admission is free, however, donations are being accepted to raise funds for restoration of the Historic Springhouse structure in the park. The event runs November 29, 2024 to January 1, 2025 Parking spots are located along the street surrounding the square. |
22 MORE HOLIDAY LIGHT EVENTS ACROSS THE STATE
Find a bit of holiday magic and whimsy in parks near and far.
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All photos, blog posts, and content are copyright (c) 2014-2024 Kimberly Mackowski, unless otherwise noted. |
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