10 holiday lights displays around Wisconsin in 2018

From bright bulbs illuminating Christmas trees to animated figures and dancing’ winter scenes choreographed to holiday music, Wisconsin’s holiday light shows are just warming up.

Now’s that time of year when you can explore twinkling fantasy forests, cascading arches of lights and fairytale magic by foot, car or horse-drawn carriage. Many shows also feature live entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus.

Chances are you’ll find an extravagant light show somewhere near you. That nighttime splendor may cover acres of woodlands, botanical gardens, lake shores or city centers.

Traditionally, holiday light shows begin the day after Thanksgiving. 

Here are a few of the state’s finest and biggest light shows this year.

Country Christmas, Pewaukee

This spectacular show, now in its 23rd year, calls itself the largest drive-through holiday lights display in Wisconsin. More than one million dazzling lights and holiday scenes are showcased on 40 acres of woodsy countryside.

After your drive, and as part of the admission fee, take time to wander along the Country Christmas Trail, Christmas Village and lighted Streets of Bethlehem.

Where: Ingleside Hotel (formerly the Country Springs Hotel), 2810 Golf Road

When: 5-9 p.m., Sunday-Thursday,  5-10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and holidays;  Nov. 23-25 and Nov. 30-Dec. 31.

Cost: $15 per car Sunday-Thursday, $20.00 Friday, Saturday and holidays.

Lakeside Light Show, Fond du lac

Lakeside Park along Lake Winnebago dazzles and hums with lively lights this time of year. Sit back and enjoy the show from your parked car in a lot across the street. Tune your radio to 87.9 FM and watch as the trees in front of you dance to seven songs. The 25-minute show repeats after a short intermission. 

Where: Lakeside Park, N. Main St.

When: 5-11 p.m., Nov. 22–Jan. 1

Cost:  Free, but donations are appreciated.

Making Spirits Bright, Sheboygan

Drive along a 1.1-mile route through forests and a show of festive lights choreographed to holiday music. Tune your car radio to 89.1 FM to get the full sensory experience of this large display. On weekends, enjoy various events across the street, including a visit with Santa.

Where: Evergreen Park, Calumet Drive/Highway 42

When: 5- 9 p.m., Nov. 23-Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 24)

Cost: Free, but food pantry and cash donations are appreciated.

WPS Garden of Lights, Green Bay

The WPS Garden of Lights shows off more than 300,000 twinkling lights this winter. Experience a variety of nature-inspired themes like the icicle forest, colorful butterflies and sparkly flowers.

Have a photo taken with Santa before you walk the 0.8-mile trail or take a horse-drawn wagon ride (subject to availability).

Where: Green Bay Botanical Garden, 2600 Larsen Road

When: 5-9 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Nov 23-Dec. 30; 5-9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Dec. 26-30.

Cost: The walking tour is $10 for adults, $5 for children 3-12 and free for kids 2 and under. Horse-drawn wagon tours are $15 for adults and $10 for children 3-12.

Holiday Lights Festival, Milwaukee

Milwaukee really gets dressed up for the holidays. The city’s six-week Holiday Lights Festival features displays in three parks — Cathedral Square, Pere Marquette and Zeidler Union Square — and a glittering array of lights along Wisconsin Ave. and Mason St. 

Where: Downtown Milwaukee

When: Nov. 15 –Jan. 1

Cost: Free. A $2 Jingle Bus ride will take you to all the sites Thursday through Sunday evenings.

RELATED:Holiday tree lightings and displays in the Milwaukee area

Celebration of Lights, Oshkosh

Sparkly lights glow along 1.2 miles of holiday sights and sounds throughout Menominee Park. There’s a celestial feeling about the scene due to the colorful reflections dancing off Lake Winnebago. More than 100 holiday trees sparkle with lights, plus you’ll see a 100-foot decorated tree and animated displays.

Kids can visit with Santa, and the whole family can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides ($70, by advance reservation only) and special events such as the Race for the Light, an ugly sweater 5K on Dec. 1.

Where: Menominee Park, 520 Pratt Trail

When:  5-9 p.m., Nov. 23 –Dec. 31.

Cost: $10 per carload. Donate a nonperishable food item for $1 off.

Enchantment in the Park, West Bend

This is a crowd-pleaser for the simple reason that the park is lighted with over a half a million holiday lights to get you in the spirit of the season. You can drive, tour by a horse-drawn carriage or walk through a wonderland of sights including a cascading archway of lights.

Since 2009 when the event was first organized by area Rotary clubs, over $150,000 has been raised to help hungry families and local nonprofit organizations.

Where: Regner Park

When: 5-9 p.m. Nov. 23 –Dec. 24 (closed Nov. 26-28).

Cost: Suggested donation of $10 a car or a bag of nonperishable food items.

Holiday Light Show, Janesville

This annual event is packed with glistening holiday scenes among the award-winning, 20 acres of botanical gardens. More than 500,000 twinkling lights transform the gardens into a breathtaking landscape of color, light and design. For ease in getting to the easily walkable light show, hop on the free shuttle service available nightly from Dawson Field.

Where: Rotary Botanical Gardens. 1455 Palmer Drive

When: 4:30 -8:30 p.m. Nov. 23, 25, 30 and Dec. 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-30

Cost: $5 for ages 2 and older.

Fantasy in Lights, Madison

This is the 30th year for this beloved Madison tradition with the backdrop of Lake Monona and the Capitol. Started by The Electric Group in 1989, the light show continues to be a way to showcase the skills of contractors and electricians and provide an annual holiday gift to the Madison community. This year over 50 whimsical and traditional light displays will get you in the mood to celebrate the season.

Where: Olin Park, 1156 Oiln-Turville Court

When: 4-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 1

Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated.

Rotary Lights, La Crosse

Drive, walk or take a carriage ride to see this annual lights display that got its start in 1995 as a gift from area Rotary clubs to the La Crosse area. The widely anticipated annual winter celebration is still going strong and is one of the largest holiday lights events in the state. This year millions of lights will shine across La Crosse’s Riverside Park. Look for a 140-foot Christmas tree, animated displays, a live nativity event and Santa, who will be in the park until Christmas Eve.

Where: Riverside Park, 100 block of State Street.

When: 5-10 p.m. daily, Nov 23 - Dec 31 (5-9 p.m. Christmas Eve/Day, 5 p.m.-1 a.m. New Year's Eve)

Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated. Carriage rides are $20 per couple or $30 per family.

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