If you’re planning on visiting Wisconsin in the next few years, there are plenty of fun things to do. Whether you’re looking to check out a holiday brunch at the Racine Zoo, enjoy some country Christmas at the Ingleside Hotel, or participate in the Noon Year’s Eve celebrations in the Wisconsin Dells, there’s something for everyone.
Country Christmas at the Ingleside Hotel
Country Christmas at the Ingleside Hotel in Wisconsin is a drive-through light display. It’s one of the most elaborate and eye-catching displays in the state. You can expect to see over one million lights on the 40-acre property. Besides the lights, there’s also an assortment of holiday attractions to enjoy.
Among the various attractions, you’ll find a 200-foot tunnel of pulsating lights, a mini-city featuring teddy bears and other cuddly creatures, and a working model train display. Other features include a water park, an activity pool, and an indoor/outdoor hot tub.
A Country Christmas is in its 26th year of operation. Located in Pewaukee, WI, this show is the largest outdoor drive-through lights display in the state. The Ingleside Hotel, which was previously known as the Country Springs Hotel, has undergone a 14-million dollar makeover. If you visit during December, you’ll see nearly life-sized Fontanini nativity figurines in the building that is the end point of the trail.
Besides the lights, there’s also a Luminaria Tour that runs through Old Town. This tour takes around 45 minutes and is a great way to see the city in all its glory.
Jingle & Mingle
Jingle & Mingle is a festive and family-friendly event that takes place downtown during the holidays. The free event features a mix of arts and crafts, food and entertainment. It is a unique opportunity to meet Santa and experience the spirit of the holiday season.
This year’s event will feature over 120 vendors, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, and more. There will also be plenty of holiday treats and activities, such as a massive row of gingerbread house displays, and professional photographers. Kids can also take pictures with Santa and his elves.
For adults, admission is $5. This ticket includes unlimited pictures with Santa, a bouncy house, and a ride on a trolley. Tickets for children under five are $2. In addition to the events, the City will hold its Holiday Open House on select downtown streets. Several local businesses are participating in the event.
Another popular holiday event is the Wisconsin Christmas Market, which offers a wide variety of gifts and items. Visitors can shop for handcrafted, German-style goods. Plus, there will be a heated beer garden and live polka music.
Midnight Magic
It’s a great time of year to visit Wisconsin and there is no shortage of events to help you celebrate. You may also want to take in the state’s natural wonders. In fact, there are several places you can go to experience a true Christmas wonderland.
One of these is the Wisconsin Christmas market. This is a real-deal German Christmas market that boasts all the trimmings, including a heated beer garden, polka music, and a plethora of yuletide trinkets and treats. The aforementioned swank is a big part of why the event has earned the title of Best Wisconsin Christmas Market since its inception in 2006.
The same goes for the Wisconsin Christmas parade, which is one of the most enjoyable ways to celebrate the season. The event is a dazzling display of light, music and acrobatics that showcases the best of the Midwest’s finest, from horse drawn carriages to festive lights and music. There are dozens of vendors and plenty of food and drink to keep you occupied all day.
Cedarburg’s Wintertime in the City
Cedarburg’s Wintertime in the City is a great way to enjoy the winter season. You can take in the twinkling lights, go ice skating, sledding or just have a nice cup of hot cocoa. If you are a sports fan, you can participate in the IceBurg Open Golf Tournament.
While you’re in the area, you might want to check out the National Railroad Museum. This museum is not only fun to look at, but also has some pretty cool exhibits, such as an Aerotrain from the 1950s. There are also outdoor exhibits and a 25-minute movie about steam locomotives.
The city also boasts numerous shops and restaurants. Among them is the Hilgen and Wittenberg Woolen Mill, a converted winery. They are specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that pairs well with a burger.
As for a fun thing to do in Cedarburg, you may want to check out the ice skating rink in Centennial Park. There is also a playground for kids with disabilities, a sledding hill and a public swimming pool.
Waterford’s Holiday Traditions
If you’re looking to celebrate the holidays, Waterford, Wisconsin, has plenty to offer. It is a charming town located in western Racine County. Located about an hour from Madison, this community offers a variety of fun events throughout the winter season. In addition to Christmas, the town also hosts New Year’s Eve fireworks displays.
The community is also home to the infamous Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year’s Ball. This iconic event has been taking place for more than twenty years. During that time, designers have created a signature cut crystal design for each edition. Now, the company is debuting a new design as part of their Greatest Gifts collection.
As the name suggests, this year’s design is the “Gift of Love”. Unlike past designs, which have only been featured once, this one will be shown alongside the previous nine designs in the collection.
Another must-see holiday tradition in the city is the Winter Wonderland Parade. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and includes a visit with Santa. Also, many businesses decorate their floats and play music while marching in the parade.
Milwaukee’s Holiday Traditions
Whether you’re looking for a holiday event for your entire family or something to do with a date, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays in Milwaukee. Here are a few options to get you started.
One of the oldest traditions in the city is the “Nutcracker” ballet, which runs from December 10 to 24. The show features 150 dancers from around the world. The performance is accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.
Another festive event is the Milwaukee Holiday Tree Festival, which is a celebration of Christmas and the holiday season. A variety of local businesses decorate trees for the event. Visitors can participate in tree decorating competitions, and there are also photo opportunities. There is also a chance to win a fully decorated tree.
Other events that celebrate the holidays include the Jingle Bus, which takes passengers on a 40-minute tour of downtown Milwaukee’s lights. For just $2, you can ride the bus to see the most colorful displays and famous Milwaukee landmarks.
In addition, the Pabst Mansion has dazzling holiday decorations. The mansion is open for tours throughout the month of November, but is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year’s, and other holidays.
Racine Zoo Holiday Brunch
There are a variety of family-friendly holiday events taking place in Wisconsin during the next few months. One of the most popular is the Lessons and Carols Concert at the Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin. Featuring traditional readings and song, the concert takes the audience through the creation, prophecy, and the coming of Christ.
Another popular event is the Kiwanis Holiday Lights at the Racine Zoo. This free, drive-through light display is maintained by the local Kiwanis Clubs and has been a family favorite for generations. It features more than 2 million twinkling lights.
In addition to the beautiful light display, visitors can enjoy a number of family-friendly activities. The event includes a Cluck-Cluck door hunt, cookie decorating, and more. Visitors can also join Santa on his visit to the zoo. If you’re a member, you can receive discounted tickets to the event.
Other holiday events in Wisconsin include the Home for the Holidays event at Old World Wisconsin, which features shopping, holiday brass carols, and more. The Franksville Food Truck Fest returns to Franksville after a successful 2018. You can find a variety of food trucks with brunch menu items at the event.
Wisconsin Dells’ Noon Year’s Eve celebrations
Wisconsin Dells is home to a wide variety of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Some events are for guests only while others are open to the public. Many of the best places to celebrate are the big resorts, such as Kalahari Resort, Lake Lawn Resort, and Mt. Olympus Resort. These places have all the bells and whistles to make your holiday extra special.
For a surprisingly affordable amount of money, you can also attend a high-tech New Year’s Eve bash at Wild West Waterpark. This includes a fireworks show at 8 p.m. as well as a 21 and up dance party. In addition, you can expect to see some impressive cuisine from around the world. There are also plenty of activities for kids in the morning.
Other gizmos abound, including the Cherry Drop, a twinkling red cherry on a 7-foot tall tower. The aforementioned cherry drop features a hefty 300 pound cherry. Along with the cherry, you can expect a few other goodies, including a bonfire, live music, and pre-midnight ice skating.https://www.youtube.com/embed/cYEUprVHB3s
