THE PARK NEXT DOOR
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Sign up for Updates
  • THE MAGAZINE
  • Celebrating 10 Years
  • Blog
  • Support The Park Next Door
  • Achievements / Press
  • Art for Your Walls & More
  • Special Features
    • What's New
    • For Love Of Lavender
    • Peony Perfection - 2025
    • Nature Is For Every Body
    • Wisconsin Astronomy Observatories
    • 30 Easy, Scenic Nature Walks
    • Gone Fishing
    • Birding Local
    • Sparkle In The Parks & More 2024
    • Fabulous In Fall
    • Hiking Safely During Hunting Season - 2024 Edition
    • Blooms Galore 2024: U-Pick Sunflowers, Cut Flowers and Lavender Fields
    • A Walk On The Beach
    • On The Bookshelf
    • There's A Camera In My Pocket
    • It's Garden Party Time
    • Exploring Door County
    • Tasting Door County
    • Local Waterfalls Are Calling
    • On The Side
    • Beauty On The Escarpment
    • Sacred Ground & Effigy Mounds Of Wisconsin
    • Legacies Of Nature
    • Escape To The Woods
    • Snapshots
    • Migration Song - The Magic of Bird Migration
    • Dog Days In The Park
    • Gift Ideas For The Nature Lover
    • Winter in Wisconsin
  • Let's Explore
    • Nature Trails >
      • 116th Street - Oak Leaf Trail - West Allis, WI
      • Bald Bluff Nature Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Belle Reynolds Nature Trail - Oakfield, WI
      • Black River Trails - Sheboygan, WI
      • Eagle Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Emma Carlin Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Glacial Drumlin State Trail - Lake Mills, WI
      • Ice Age Visitor Center Nature Trail - Campbellsport, WI
      • Kettle Moraine Low Prairie Natural Area - Eagle, WI
      • W. Kinnickinnic River Parkway - Milwaukee, WI
      • Kohl Park Hiking Trail - Milwaukee, WI
      • Paradise Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Rice Lake Nature Trail - Whitewater, WI
      • Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Seminary Woods - St. Francis, WI
      • Stony Ridge Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Stute Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Washington Avenue Nature Trail - Sheboygan, WI
      • White River State Trail - Elkhorn to Dover, WI
      • Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Riverwalk - Delafield, WI
    • Local Parks >
      • Akakawaa Park - Waukesha, WI
      • Alt Bauer Park - Germantown, WI
      • Anclam Park - Baileys Harbor, WI
      • Astico County Park - Columbus, WI
      • Asylum Point Park & Lighthouse - Oshkosh, WI
      • Aurelian Springs Village Park - Palmyra, WI
      • Beckman Mill County Park - Beloit, WI
      • Big Hill Park - Beloit, WI
      • Biwer Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Bluhm Farm Park - Muskego, WI
      • Brown Deer Park - Brown Deer, WI
      • Calhoun Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Carlin-Weld Park - Palmyra, WI
      • Dorothy Carnes Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Carver-Roehl County Park - Clinton, WI
      • Case Eagle Park - Burlington, WI
      • Cave Point County Park - Sturgeon Bay, WI
      • Cherney Maribel Caves County Park - Maribel, WI
      • Cliffside Park - Caledonia, WI
      • Copernicus Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Creekwood Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Cudahy Woods - Cudahy, WI
      • Dave's Falls County Park - Amberg, WI
      • Denoon Park - Muskego, WI
      • Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum - Brookfield, WI
      • Downtown Waupaca Parks - Waupaca, WI
      • Doyne Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Ellison Bay Bluff County Park - Ellison Bay, WI
      • Elm Grove Village Park - Elm Grove, WI
      • Endicott Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Estabrook Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Euclid Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Falk Park - Oak Creek, WI
      • Firefighters Memorial Bluff - West Bend, WI
      • Frame Park - Waukesha, WI
      • Franklin Woods - Franklin, WI
      • Froemming Park - Franklin, WI
      • Frontier Park - Butler, WI
      • George K. Pinney County Park - Sturgeon Bay, WI -
      • Glacier Hills County Park - Hubertus, WI
      • Goodman County Park, Strong Falls - Athelstane, WI Falls -
      • Grant Park - South Milwaukee
      • Greenfield Park - West Allis
      • Grobschmidt Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Hales Corners Park, Ben Hunt Prairie and Cabin, Seneca Hale Summer Kitchen, Cobb Park - Hales Corners, WI
      • Harnischfeger Park - Ixonia, WI
      • Hart Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Hartbrook Park - Hartland, WI
      • Hartung Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Hidden Lake Park - Brookfield, WI
      • High Grove Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Hika Bay Park - Cleveland, WI
      • Hobbs Woods Nature Area - Fond Du Lac, WI
      • Homestead Hollow County Park - Germantown, WI
      • Honey Creek Park - West Allis, WI
      • Hoyt Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Humboldt Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Idle Isle Park - Muskego, WI
      • Indian Mounds County Park - Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds and Trail - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Indianhead Park - Mukwonago, WI
      • Jackson Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Jacobus Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Johnstone Park - Oak Creek, WI
      • Kelly Lake Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Kiekhaefer Park - Fond du Lac, WI
      • Kinsey Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Kocziuszko Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • H.C. Koepp Village Park - Pewaukee, WI
      • Konkel Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Korth Park - Lake Mills, WI
      • Krueger Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Kurth Park - Muskego, WI
      • Alan Kulwicki Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Ledge County Park - Horicon, WI
      • Lime Kiln Park - Grafton, WI
      • Lime Kiln Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Lincoln Park - Glendale, WI
      • Lions Legend Park I & II - Franklin, WI
      • Lion's Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Lisbon Community Park - Hartland, WI
      • Lyons Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Magnolia Bluff County Park - Evansville, WI
      • Malone Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Manchester Hill Park - Muskego, WI
      • Mangan Woods - Greendale, WI
      • Mary Knoll Park - Brookfield, WI
      • McCarty Park - West Allis, WI
      • Menominee River Park - Wausaukee, WI
      • Mitchell Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Monarch Trail / County Grounds Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Moorewood Park - Waukesha, WI
      • Moorland Park - Muskego, WI
      • Mound Zion Park - Brookfield, WI
      • John Muir Memorial County Park - Town of Buffalo, WI
      • Mukwonago Park - Mukwonago, WI
      • Mush Ko Se Day Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Muskego Boardwalk Nature Trail - Muskego, WI
      • Muskego Park - Muskego, WI
      • Nashotah Park - Nashotah, WI
      • Natureland County Park - Whitewater, WI
      • New Berlin Historical Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Nitschke Mounds County Park - Burnett, WI
      • Nixon Park - Hartland, WI
      • North Point Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Oerding Park - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Petrifying Springs Park - Kenosha, WI
      • Picnic Point Park - Oshkosh, WI
      • Pleasant Valley Parks & Trails - Town of Cedarburg, WI
      • Pondview Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Prairie Springs Park - Pleasant Prairie, WI
      • ProHealth Care Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Pulaski Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Regner Park - West Bend, WI
      • Richfield Historical Park - Richfield, WI
      • Ridge Run Park - West Bend, WI
      • Rivers Edge Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Riverside Park - Watertown, WI
      • Riverside Park - West Bend, WI
      • Rock River Heritage County Park - Janesville, WI
      • Rolling Meadows Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Rotary Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Sandy Knoll County Park - Town of Trenton, WI
      • Saveland Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Schoen Laufen Park - Germantown, WI
      • Schoetz Park - Village of Hales Corners, WI
      • Schoolhouse Beach - Washington Island, WI
      • Scout Lake Park - Greendale, WI
      • Sheboygan Indian Mound Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Simmons Woods Park - Pewaukee, WI
      • South Shore Park - Bayview, WI
      • Spassland Park - Germantown, WI
      • Springs Park - Delavan, WI
      • Sunset Beach County Park - Sturgeon Bay, WI
      • Swan Park - Beaver Dam, WI
      • Three Bridges Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Thunder Mountain Overlook Park - Crivitz, WI
      • Turtle Creek Parkway / Tiffany Bridge - Clinton, WI
      • Tyranena Park - Lake Mills, WI
      • Valley View Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Veterans Memorial Park - Grafton, WI
      • Viking County Park - Stoughton, WI
      • Virmond Park - Mequon, WI
      • Warnimont Park - Cudahy, WI
      • Washington Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Weatherstone Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Wequiock Falls Park - Green Bay, WI
      • Weston Antique Apple Orchard & Isabelle Weston Memorial Trail - New Berlin, WI
      • White River County Park - Walworth County
      • Whitnall Park - Franklin, WI
      • Wilson Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Wind Point Lighthouse - Racine, WI
      • Ken Windl Park - Franklin, WI
      • Wirth Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Xenobia Springs Park - Palmyra, WI
    • Nature Preserves >
      • Adam Birding Conservancy - Whitewater, WI
      • Badertscher Preserve - Muskego, WI
      • Joyce M. Baer & George J. Socha Conservancy - Marshall, WI
      • Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary - Green Bay, WI
      • Beulah Bluff Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Beulah Bog - East Troy, WI
      • Blue Heron Wildlife Sanctuary - Saukville, WI
      • Bratt Woods - Grafton, WI
      • Burlington School Forest - Burlington, WI
      • Calhoun Creek Prairie - New Berlin, WI
      • Cedarburg Bog - Saukville, WI
      • Chiwaukee Prairie - Kenosha, WI
      • Conservancy For Healing And Heritage - Franklin, WI
      • Robert O Cook Arboretum - Janesville, WI
      • Crooked Creek Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Crossroads At Big Creek - Sturgeon Bay
      • Deer Creek Sanctuary - New Berlin, WI
      • Delavan Memorial Arboretum - Delavan, WI
      • Donges Bay Gorge - Mequon, WI
      • Emerald Preserve - Oak Creek, WI
      • Engel Conservation Area - Muskego, WI
      • Faville Grove Sanctuary - Lake Mills, WI
      • Fellenz Woods - West Bend, WI
      • Flowing Well - Whitewater, WI
      • Forest Beach Migratory Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Forest Exploration Center - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Fox River Sanctuary - Waukesha, WI
      • John S. Garman Nature Preserve - Waterloo, WI
      • Garrison's Glen - Mequon, WI
      • Genesee Oak Opening and Fen - Mukwonago, North Prairie WI
      • Gordon Tabor Memorial Woods - Caledonia, WI
      • Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum - Fond du Lac, WI
      • Grasslyn Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Greenway Arboretum - Fond du Lac, WI
      • Grootemaat Nature Preserve - Greendale, WI
      • Hartland Marsh Preserve - Village of Hartland, WI
      • Hawthorn Glen - Milwaukee, WI
      • Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum - Kenosha, WI
      • Heckrodt Wetland Reserve - Menasha, WI
      • Hermansen Woods - Lake Geneva, WI
      • Highland Woods - Mequon, WI
      • Hildebrand Nature Conservancy - Village of Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, WI
      • Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Horicon, WI
      • Huiras Lake Natural Area - Fredonia, WI
      • Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy - Williams Bay, WI
      • Kurtz Woods State Natural Area - Grafton, WI
      • Lac Lawrann Conservancy - West Bend, WI
      • Lakeshore Nature Preserve - Madison, WI
      • Ledge View Nature Center - Chilton, WI
      • Lion's Den Nature Preserve - Grafton, WI
      • Lois Jensen Nature Preserve - Delafield, WI
      • Lulu Lake Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • John Margis Jr. Wildlife Area - Burlington, WI
      • Maywood Environmental Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Jean McGraw Memorial Nature Preserve - Kenosha, WI
      • Mequon Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Mill House Native Plant Preserve - Village of Fontana, WI-
      • Moely Prairie - Prairie Du Sac, WI
      • Nature Hill Nature Center - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Ned Hollister Wetlands Conservancy - Delavan, WI
      • Newell and Ann Meyer Nature Preserve - Eagle, WI
      • Nicholson Wildlife Refuge - Franksville, WI
      • Oakfield Ledge State Natural Area - Oakfield, WI
      • Oconomowoc River Conservancy Park - Merton, WI
      • Parry Spring - Dousman, WI
      • Pavcek Preserve - Hartford, WI
      • Petersen Island Woods Preserve - Elkhorn, WI
      • Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy - Middleton, WI
      • Pickerel Lake Fen Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Pope Farm Conservancy - Verona, WI
      • Price Park Conservancy - Elkhorn, WI
      • Pukaite Woods Nature Preserve / Mequon Rotary Park - Mequon, WI
      • Retzer Nature Center - Waukesha, WI
      • The Ridges Sanctuary - Baileys Harbor, WI
      • River Bend Nature Center - Racine, WI
      • Riveredge Nature Center - Saukville, WI
      • Helen Rohner Children's Fishing Park - Williams Bay, WI-
      • Saller Woods - Rochester, WI
      • Sanctuary Woods - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Sauk Creek Nature Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Schlitz Audubon Nature Center - Milwaukee, WI
      • Schmeekle Reserve - Stevens Point, WI
      • Seno Woodland Center - Burlington, WI
      • Spirit Lake Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Spruce Lake Bog - Campbellsport, WI
      • Stigler Nature Preserve - New Berlin, WI
      • Towering Woods Nature Area - Greenfield, WI
      • Trinity Creek Wetland Habitat - Mequon, WI
      • UW-Waukesha Field Station - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Van der Brohe Arboretum - Two Rivers, WI
      • Vernon Marsh Wildlife Area - Mukwonago, WI
      • Vernon Wildlife Area - Waterford, WI
      • Wadewitz Nature Camp - Village of Rochester, WI
      • Wehmhoff Woodland Preserve - Burlington, WI
      • Wehr Nature Center - Franklin, WI
      • Whitnall School Forest - Greenfield, WI
      • Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve - Two Rivers, WI
      • Zeloski Marsh - Cambridge, WI
    • State Parks >
      • Aztalan State Park - Aztalan, WI
      • Baxter's Hollow State Natural Area - Sauk City, WI
      • Big Foot Beach State Park - Lake Geneva, WI
      • Bong State Recreation Area - Kansasville, WI
      • C. D. Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area - Kewaunee, WI
      • Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area - New Glarus, WI
      • Copper Culture State Park - Oconto, WI
      • Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI
      • Harrington Beach State Park - Belgium, WI
      • Hartman Creek State Park - Waupaca, WI
      • Havenwoods State Forest - Milwaukee, WI
      • High Cliff State Park - Sherwood, WI
      • Kohler-Andrae State Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • La Budde State Natural Area - Ice Age Trail Segment - Plymouth, WI
      • Lake Kegonsa State Park - Stoughton, WI
      • Lakeshore State Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Lapham Peak State Park - Delafield, WI
      • Lizard Mound State Park - Farmington, WI
      • Mauthe Lake State Recreation Area - Campbellsport, WI
      • Mukwonago River Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Mukwonago, WI
      • Natural Bridge State Park - North Freedom, WI
      • Newport State Park - Ellison Bay, WI
      • Peninsula State Park - Fish Creek, WI
      • Pike Lake State Park - Hartford, WI
      • Point Beach State Forest - Two Rivers, WI
      • Potawatomi State Park - Sturgeon Bay, WI
    • Sculpture Gardens, Conservancies & Observatories >
      • Bobrowitz Sculpture Garden - Colgate, WI
      • Boerner Botanical Gardens - Hales Corners, WI
      • Nick Engelbert's Grandview - Hollandale, WI
      • Franconia Sculpture Park - Shafer, MN
      • The Garden Door - Sturgeon Bay, WI
      • Greendale Children's Garden - Greendale, WI
      • Harmony Arboretum & Gardens - Peshtigo, WI
      • Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture - West Bend, WI
      • Margie's Garden - Hales Corners, WI
      • Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservancy - Milwaukee, WI
      • Modine-Benstead Observatory - Union Grove, WI
      • New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm - Baraboo, WI
      • Olbrich Botanical Gardens - Madison, WI
      • M. Schettl Sales - Sculpture and Oddities
      • Rotary Botanical Gardens - Janesville, WI
      • Sisson's Peony Garden - Rosendale, WI
      • Stavkirke - Washington Island, WI
      • Stevens Point Sculpture Park - Stevens Point, WI
      • James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden - Town of Wilson, WI
      • West Of The Lake Gardens - Manitowoc, WI
      • Yerkes Observatory - Williams Bay, WI
    • Cemeteries >
      • Calvary Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Forest Home Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Highland Memorial Park Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • La Belle Cemetery - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Mount Olivet Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • New Berlin Center Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • Oak Hill Cemetery - Lake Geneva, WI
      • Riverside Cemetery - Oshkosh, WI
      • St. Adalbert Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
  • Gardening for Wildlife
    • The Eco-Friendly Lawn
    • Welcome to the Firefly Show
    • Birdbaths in the Habitat
  • Detours, Links & More
Picture

THE BLOG @ THE PARK NEXT DOOR

Finding The Festive In The Parks & More

11/28/2022

1 Comment

 
Picture
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.  
Picture
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!

PictureWinter 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.
Picture
Enjoy the Wild Lights at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Picture
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.
Picture
Holidays are Calm & Bright at the Milwaukee Domes.

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

Picture
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.

19 more holiday light events across the state
​

​Making Spirits Bright - Sheboygan

Beaver Dam Rotary Lights - Swan City Park
​

Illuminate Ozaukee - Cedarburg

Winter Picnic in a Snowglobe - Racine Zoo
​

Garden of Lights - Green Bay

Miller Holiday Lites Drive-thru Light Show - Miller Valley, Milwaukee
​

Holiday Fantasy in Lights - Madison

Celebration of Lights - Oshkosh
​La Crosse Rotary Lights - La Crosse
​

Marshfield Rotary Winter Wonderland - Marshfield
​
Picture
Holiday cheer is found throughout Wisconsin.
Picture
Country Christmas - Pewaukee

Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights - Jellystone Park, Caledonia

Kids2Kids Christmas Wonderland - Grafton

East Troy Lights - East Troy

Lake Ripley Holiday Lights - Cambridge

Lights in Lincoln Park - Manitowoc
​

Light the Square - Oak Creek
​

Sam's Christmas Village & Light Tour - Somerset
​

Christmas Village at Irvine Park - Chippewa Falls
​

Lakeside Park Holiday Light Show - Fond du Lac​

1 Comment
Michelle
11/29/2022 07:35:32 am

WOW! Such a detailed list. We’ll definitely be hitting a few of them. Thanks!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    A nature lover, bird watcher, wildlife fan,  amateur  photographer,   humane gardener,   traveler, and singer of songs. I've been keeping closer to home these days, and truly discovering the beauty that lies in TheParkNextDoor.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    July 2019
    June 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    December 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture

All photos, blog posts, and content are
copyright (c) 2014-2024 Kimberly Mackowski,
​unless otherwise noted.

  • Home
    • Contact
    • Sign up for Updates
  • THE MAGAZINE
  • Celebrating 10 Years
  • Blog
  • Support The Park Next Door
  • Achievements / Press
  • Art for Your Walls & More
  • Special Features
    • What's New
    • For Love Of Lavender
    • Peony Perfection - 2025
    • Nature Is For Every Body
    • Wisconsin Astronomy Observatories
    • 30 Easy, Scenic Nature Walks
    • Gone Fishing
    • Birding Local
    • Sparkle In The Parks & More 2024
    • Fabulous In Fall
    • Hiking Safely During Hunting Season - 2024 Edition
    • Blooms Galore 2024: U-Pick Sunflowers, Cut Flowers and Lavender Fields
    • A Walk On The Beach
    • On The Bookshelf
    • There's A Camera In My Pocket
    • It's Garden Party Time
    • Exploring Door County
    • Tasting Door County
    • Local Waterfalls Are Calling
    • On The Side
    • Beauty On The Escarpment
    • Sacred Ground & Effigy Mounds Of Wisconsin
    • Legacies Of Nature
    • Escape To The Woods
    • Snapshots
    • Migration Song - The Magic of Bird Migration
    • Dog Days In The Park
    • Gift Ideas For The Nature Lover
    • Winter in Wisconsin
  • Let's Explore
    • Nature Trails >
      • 116th Street - Oak Leaf Trail - West Allis, WI
      • Bald Bluff Nature Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Belle Reynolds Nature Trail - Oakfield, WI
      • Black River Trails - Sheboygan, WI
      • Eagle Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Emma Carlin Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Glacial Drumlin State Trail - Lake Mills, WI
      • Ice Age Visitor Center Nature Trail - Campbellsport, WI
      • Kettle Moraine Low Prairie Natural Area - Eagle, WI
      • W. Kinnickinnic River Parkway - Milwaukee, WI
      • Kohl Park Hiking Trail - Milwaukee, WI
      • Paradise Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Rice Lake Nature Trail - Whitewater, WI
      • Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Seminary Woods - St. Francis, WI
      • Stony Ridge Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Stute Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Washington Avenue Nature Trail - Sheboygan, WI
      • White River State Trail - Elkhorn to Dover, WI
      • Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Riverwalk - Delafield, WI
    • Local Parks >
      • Akakawaa Park - Waukesha, WI
      • Alt Bauer Park - Germantown, WI
      • Anclam Park - Baileys Harbor, WI
      • Astico County Park - Columbus, WI
      • Asylum Point Park & Lighthouse - Oshkosh, WI
      • Aurelian Springs Village Park - Palmyra, WI
      • Beckman Mill County Park - Beloit, WI
      • Big Hill Park - Beloit, WI
      • Biwer Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Bluhm Farm Park - Muskego, WI
      • Brown Deer Park - Brown Deer, WI
      • Calhoun Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Carlin-Weld Park - Palmyra, WI
      • Dorothy Carnes Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Carver-Roehl County Park - Clinton, WI
      • Case Eagle Park - Burlington, WI
      • Cave Point County Park - Sturgeon Bay, WI
      • Cherney Maribel Caves County Park - Maribel, WI
      • Cliffside Park - Caledonia, WI
      • Copernicus Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Creekwood Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Cudahy Woods - Cudahy, WI
      • Dave's Falls County Park - Amberg, WI
      • Denoon Park - Muskego, WI
      • Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum - Brookfield, WI
      • Downtown Waupaca Parks - Waupaca, WI
      • Doyne Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Ellison Bay Bluff County Park - Ellison Bay, WI
      • Elm Grove Village Park - Elm Grove, WI
      • Endicott Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Estabrook Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Euclid Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Falk Park - Oak Creek, WI
      • Firefighters Memorial Bluff - West Bend, WI
      • Frame Park - Waukesha, WI
      • Franklin Woods - Franklin, WI
      • Froemming Park - Franklin, WI
      • Frontier Park - Butler, WI
      • George K. Pinney County Park - Sturgeon Bay, WI -
      • Glacier Hills County Park - Hubertus, WI
      • Goodman County Park, Strong Falls - Athelstane, WI Falls -
      • Grant Park - South Milwaukee
      • Greenfield Park - West Allis
      • Grobschmidt Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Hales Corners Park, Ben Hunt Prairie and Cabin, Seneca Hale Summer Kitchen, Cobb Park - Hales Corners, WI
      • Harnischfeger Park - Ixonia, WI
      • Hart Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Hartbrook Park - Hartland, WI
      • Hartung Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Hidden Lake Park - Brookfield, WI
      • High Grove Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Hika Bay Park - Cleveland, WI
      • Hobbs Woods Nature Area - Fond Du Lac, WI
      • Homestead Hollow County Park - Germantown, WI
      • Honey Creek Park - West Allis, WI
      • Hoyt Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Humboldt Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Idle Isle Park - Muskego, WI
      • Indian Mounds County Park - Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds and Trail - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Indianhead Park - Mukwonago, WI
      • Jackson Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Jacobus Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Johnstone Park - Oak Creek, WI
      • Kelly Lake Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Kiekhaefer Park - Fond du Lac, WI
      • Kinsey Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Kocziuszko Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • H.C. Koepp Village Park - Pewaukee, WI
      • Konkel Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Korth Park - Lake Mills, WI
      • Krueger Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Kurth Park - Muskego, WI
      • Alan Kulwicki Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Ledge County Park - Horicon, WI
      • Lime Kiln Park - Grafton, WI
      • Lime Kiln Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Lincoln Park - Glendale, WI
      • Lions Legend Park I & II - Franklin, WI
      • Lion's Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Lisbon Community Park - Hartland, WI
      • Lyons Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Magnolia Bluff County Park - Evansville, WI
      • Malone Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Manchester Hill Park - Muskego, WI
      • Mangan Woods - Greendale, WI
      • Mary Knoll Park - Brookfield, WI
      • McCarty Park - West Allis, WI
      • Menominee River Park - Wausaukee, WI
      • Mitchell Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Monarch Trail / County Grounds Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Moorewood Park - Waukesha, WI
      • Moorland Park - Muskego, WI
      • Mound Zion Park - Brookfield, WI
      • John Muir Memorial County Park - Town of Buffalo, WI
      • Mukwonago Park - Mukwonago, WI
      • Mush Ko Se Day Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Muskego Boardwalk Nature Trail - Muskego, WI
      • Muskego Park - Muskego, WI
      • Nashotah Park - Nashotah, WI
      • Natureland County Park - Whitewater, WI
      • New Berlin Historical Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Nitschke Mounds County Park - Burnett, WI
      • Nixon Park - Hartland, WI
      • North Point Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Oerding Park - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Petrifying Springs Park - Kenosha, WI
      • Picnic Point Park - Oshkosh, WI
      • Pleasant Valley Parks & Trails - Town of Cedarburg, WI
      • Pondview Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Prairie Springs Park - Pleasant Prairie, WI
      • ProHealth Care Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Pulaski Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Regner Park - West Bend, WI
      • Richfield Historical Park - Richfield, WI
      • Ridge Run Park - West Bend, WI
      • Rivers Edge Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Riverside Park - Watertown, WI
      • Riverside Park - West Bend, WI
      • Rock River Heritage County Park - Janesville, WI
      • Rolling Meadows Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Rotary Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Sandy Knoll County Park - Town of Trenton, WI
      • Saveland Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Schoen Laufen Park - Germantown, WI
      • Schoetz Park - Village of Hales Corners, WI
      • Schoolhouse Beach - Washington Island, WI
      • Scout Lake Park - Greendale, WI
      • Sheboygan Indian Mound Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Simmons Woods Park - Pewaukee, WI
      • South Shore Park - Bayview, WI
      • Spassland Park - Germantown, WI
      • Springs Park - Delavan, WI
      • Sunset Beach County Park - Sturgeon Bay, WI
      • Swan Park - Beaver Dam, WI
      • Three Bridges Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Thunder Mountain Overlook Park - Crivitz, WI
      • Turtle Creek Parkway / Tiffany Bridge - Clinton, WI
      • Tyranena Park - Lake Mills, WI
      • Valley View Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Veterans Memorial Park - Grafton, WI
      • Viking County Park - Stoughton, WI
      • Virmond Park - Mequon, WI
      • Warnimont Park - Cudahy, WI
      • Washington Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Weatherstone Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Wequiock Falls Park - Green Bay, WI
      • Weston Antique Apple Orchard & Isabelle Weston Memorial Trail - New Berlin, WI
      • White River County Park - Walworth County
      • Whitnall Park - Franklin, WI
      • Wilson Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Wind Point Lighthouse - Racine, WI
      • Ken Windl Park - Franklin, WI
      • Wirth Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Xenobia Springs Park - Palmyra, WI
    • Nature Preserves >
      • Adam Birding Conservancy - Whitewater, WI
      • Badertscher Preserve - Muskego, WI
      • Joyce M. Baer & George J. Socha Conservancy - Marshall, WI
      • Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary - Green Bay, WI
      • Beulah Bluff Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Beulah Bog - East Troy, WI
      • Blue Heron Wildlife Sanctuary - Saukville, WI
      • Bratt Woods - Grafton, WI
      • Burlington School Forest - Burlington, WI
      • Calhoun Creek Prairie - New Berlin, WI
      • Cedarburg Bog - Saukville, WI
      • Chiwaukee Prairie - Kenosha, WI
      • Conservancy For Healing And Heritage - Franklin, WI
      • Robert O Cook Arboretum - Janesville, WI
      • Crooked Creek Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Crossroads At Big Creek - Sturgeon Bay
      • Deer Creek Sanctuary - New Berlin, WI
      • Delavan Memorial Arboretum - Delavan, WI
      • Donges Bay Gorge - Mequon, WI
      • Emerald Preserve - Oak Creek, WI
      • Engel Conservation Area - Muskego, WI
      • Faville Grove Sanctuary - Lake Mills, WI
      • Fellenz Woods - West Bend, WI
      • Flowing Well - Whitewater, WI
      • Forest Beach Migratory Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Forest Exploration Center - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Fox River Sanctuary - Waukesha, WI
      • John S. Garman Nature Preserve - Waterloo, WI
      • Garrison's Glen - Mequon, WI
      • Genesee Oak Opening and Fen - Mukwonago, North Prairie WI
      • Gordon Tabor Memorial Woods - Caledonia, WI
      • Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum - Fond du Lac, WI
      • Grasslyn Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Greenway Arboretum - Fond du Lac, WI
      • Grootemaat Nature Preserve - Greendale, WI
      • Hartland Marsh Preserve - Village of Hartland, WI
      • Hawthorn Glen - Milwaukee, WI
      • Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum - Kenosha, WI
      • Heckrodt Wetland Reserve - Menasha, WI
      • Hermansen Woods - Lake Geneva, WI
      • Highland Woods - Mequon, WI
      • Hildebrand Nature Conservancy - Village of Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, WI
      • Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Horicon, WI
      • Huiras Lake Natural Area - Fredonia, WI
      • Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy - Williams Bay, WI
      • Kurtz Woods State Natural Area - Grafton, WI
      • Lac Lawrann Conservancy - West Bend, WI
      • Lakeshore Nature Preserve - Madison, WI
      • Ledge View Nature Center - Chilton, WI
      • Lion's Den Nature Preserve - Grafton, WI
      • Lois Jensen Nature Preserve - Delafield, WI
      • Lulu Lake Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • John Margis Jr. Wildlife Area - Burlington, WI
      • Maywood Environmental Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Jean McGraw Memorial Nature Preserve - Kenosha, WI
      • Mequon Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Mill House Native Plant Preserve - Village of Fontana, WI-
      • Moely Prairie - Prairie Du Sac, WI
      • Nature Hill Nature Center - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Ned Hollister Wetlands Conservancy - Delavan, WI
      • Newell and Ann Meyer Nature Preserve - Eagle, WI
      • Nicholson Wildlife Refuge - Franksville, WI
      • Oakfield Ledge State Natural Area - Oakfield, WI
      • Oconomowoc River Conservancy Park - Merton, WI
      • Parry Spring - Dousman, WI
      • Pavcek Preserve - Hartford, WI
      • Petersen Island Woods Preserve - Elkhorn, WI
      • Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy - Middleton, WI
      • Pickerel Lake Fen Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Pope Farm Conservancy - Verona, WI
      • Price Park Conservancy - Elkhorn, WI
      • Pukaite Woods Nature Preserve / Mequon Rotary Park - Mequon, WI
      • Retzer Nature Center - Waukesha, WI
      • The Ridges Sanctuary - Baileys Harbor, WI
      • River Bend Nature Center - Racine, WI
      • Riveredge Nature Center - Saukville, WI
      • Helen Rohner Children's Fishing Park - Williams Bay, WI-
      • Saller Woods - Rochester, WI
      • Sanctuary Woods - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Sauk Creek Nature Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Schlitz Audubon Nature Center - Milwaukee, WI
      • Schmeekle Reserve - Stevens Point, WI
      • Seno Woodland Center - Burlington, WI
      • Spirit Lake Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Spruce Lake Bog - Campbellsport, WI
      • Stigler Nature Preserve - New Berlin, WI
      • Towering Woods Nature Area - Greenfield, WI
      • Trinity Creek Wetland Habitat - Mequon, WI
      • UW-Waukesha Field Station - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Van der Brohe Arboretum - Two Rivers, WI
      • Vernon Marsh Wildlife Area - Mukwonago, WI
      • Vernon Wildlife Area - Waterford, WI
      • Wadewitz Nature Camp - Village of Rochester, WI
      • Wehmhoff Woodland Preserve - Burlington, WI
      • Wehr Nature Center - Franklin, WI
      • Whitnall School Forest - Greenfield, WI
      • Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve - Two Rivers, WI
      • Zeloski Marsh - Cambridge, WI
    • State Parks >
      • Aztalan State Park - Aztalan, WI
      • Baxter's Hollow State Natural Area - Sauk City, WI
      • Big Foot Beach State Park - Lake Geneva, WI
      • Bong State Recreation Area - Kansasville, WI
      • C. D. Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area - Kewaunee, WI
      • Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area - New Glarus, WI
      • Copper Culture State Park - Oconto, WI
      • Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI
      • Harrington Beach State Park - Belgium, WI
      • Hartman Creek State Park - Waupaca, WI
      • Havenwoods State Forest - Milwaukee, WI
      • High Cliff State Park - Sherwood, WI
      • Kohler-Andrae State Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • La Budde State Natural Area - Ice Age Trail Segment - Plymouth, WI
      • Lake Kegonsa State Park - Stoughton, WI
      • Lakeshore State Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Lapham Peak State Park - Delafield, WI
      • Lizard Mound State Park - Farmington, WI
      • Mauthe Lake State Recreation Area - Campbellsport, WI
      • Mukwonago River Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Mukwonago, WI
      • Natural Bridge State Park - North Freedom, WI
      • Newport State Park - Ellison Bay, WI
      • Peninsula State Park - Fish Creek, WI
      • Pike Lake State Park - Hartford, WI
      • Point Beach State Forest - Two Rivers, WI
      • Potawatomi State Park - Sturgeon Bay, WI
    • Sculpture Gardens, Conservancies & Observatories >
      • Bobrowitz Sculpture Garden - Colgate, WI
      • Boerner Botanical Gardens - Hales Corners, WI
      • Nick Engelbert's Grandview - Hollandale, WI
      • Franconia Sculpture Park - Shafer, MN
      • The Garden Door - Sturgeon Bay, WI
      • Greendale Children's Garden - Greendale, WI
      • Harmony Arboretum & Gardens - Peshtigo, WI
      • Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture - West Bend, WI
      • Margie's Garden - Hales Corners, WI
      • Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservancy - Milwaukee, WI
      • Modine-Benstead Observatory - Union Grove, WI
      • New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm - Baraboo, WI
      • Olbrich Botanical Gardens - Madison, WI
      • M. Schettl Sales - Sculpture and Oddities
      • Rotary Botanical Gardens - Janesville, WI
      • Sisson's Peony Garden - Rosendale, WI
      • Stavkirke - Washington Island, WI
      • Stevens Point Sculpture Park - Stevens Point, WI
      • James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden - Town of Wilson, WI
      • West Of The Lake Gardens - Manitowoc, WI
      • Yerkes Observatory - Williams Bay, WI
    • Cemeteries >
      • Calvary Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Forest Home Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Highland Memorial Park Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • La Belle Cemetery - Oconomowoc, WI
      • Mount Olivet Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • New Berlin Center Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • Oak Hill Cemetery - Lake Geneva, WI
      • Riverside Cemetery - Oshkosh, WI
      • St. Adalbert Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
  • Gardening for Wildlife
    • The Eco-Friendly Lawn
    • Welcome to the Firefly Show
    • Birdbaths in the Habitat
  • Detours, Links & More