Finding The Festive In The Parks & More

11/28/2022

Celebrate the winter holiday season with festive light displays in our parks and beyond.

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.

Holiday lights illuminate the darkness of winter this December.

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.

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!

Winter Wonders alight at Whitnall Park this holiday.

Winter Wonders - Whitnall Park/Boerner Botanical Gardens

This holiday event is back for year three, with new displays, concert lighting, and a whopping one million lights. Features new dramatic lighting techniques and displays set throughout the 1.4 mile-long drive-through route at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park.

Open Nightly, with special sponsor events and giveaways each weekend. Check the schedule for details. Recommended to purchase tickets online. Peak wait times on Fridays, Saturdays, and holiday weeks. For lower wait times, visit Sunday-Thursday evenings after 7:30 pm.

Open 5-pm to 10-pm every night through January 1, including holidays. This is a drive-thru only display. Admission packages vary. Visit the tickets page for more details.

Wild Lights at The Milwaukee County Zoo

If a stroll through twinkling displays is more your style, you'll want to check out this year's animal themed holiday light show at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Millions of glittering lights will illuminate the forest and pathways. Sparkling sculptures feature the shapes of a gorilla, peacock, gazelle, rhino, and zebras. Perfect photo ops abound!

The event runs from December 1 - 31, with the exception of: Dec. 5, 6, 12,13, 24, 25 Evenings: 5:30 - 9:00pm

Rates vary depending on membership status, etc., however, Parking Is Included. Visit the ticket site for more details.

Enjoy the Wild Lights at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival - Admission is Free. The displays run through January 1.

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival

Downtown Milwaukee at: Cathedral Square Park, Pere Marquette Park, and Zeidler Union Square

This perennial holiday light display in downtown Milwaukee is a perfect way to lift your holiday spirits. 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.

Milwaukee Domes Holiday Show: Calm & Bright

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 1, 2023.

Hours: Wed-Friday 9am - 5pm; Sat-Sun 9am - 4pm
Tickets can be purchased at the door. Admission Fees between $5-$8 depending on age, and county of residence. Children under 2 yrs old admitted free of charge.

Holidays are Calm & Bright at the Milwaukee Domes.

Enjoy a festive annual light display in the Candy Cane Lane neighborhoods of West Allis.

Candy Cane Lane - West Allis

This annual event of neighborhood light displays takes donations for the MACC Fund, and has set a goal this year of $150,000 for the fight against childhood cancer.

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.

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 runs through December 24, and is open from 5-pm to 9-pm daily. See the event calendar for special features and events.

Find enchantment through the holidays at Regner Park in West Bend.

The holiday light show at Rotary Botanical Gardens does not disappoint.

Holiday Light Show - Rotary Botanical Gardens, Janesville

Back for the 26th 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. Be sure to check their schedule for details on purchasing tickets in advance to secure a time spot for your visit. Tickets prices: Free for 2 and under. $5 for children 3-12, $12 for those 13 and up.

Dates: Dec. 1-4, Dec. 8-11, Dec. 15-23, Dec. 26-30. Evenings: 4:30-pm to 9-pm.
Reservations/Tickets required purchase in advance.