Nothing says holidays more than the cheer of carefully strung or hastily thrown lights and glitter. And let’s be honest, both have their charm. But when you have finished admiring (or envying) the neighborhood array of lights, where can you head for that awe-inspiring moment of “Wow! The holidays really are here!”
Holiday Lights in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival – Downtown
November 21, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Mark your calendars to explore the lights and sights around Downtown Milwaukee. With sparkling interactive displays at Pere Marquette Park, Zeidler Union Square and Cathedral Square, it’s the perfect chance to capture a memory that ignites joy for everyone, no matter their age.
Winter Wonders – Boerner Botanical Gardens
TBD, check Facebook page for updates
Enter at: Whitnall Park Golf Course, 6751 S. 92nd St., Franklin
Gather family and friends for a spectacular drive-through holiday lights with over a million lights! Enjoy a variety of light displays throughout Whitnall Park from the comfort of your car as you drive alongside magnificent forest scenes and whimsical holiday fun.
Wild Lights at The Milwaukee County Zoo – Milwaukee County Zoo
Nov. 30, Dec. 1-31; except closed Dec. 2, 9, 16, 24, and 25.
Location: 10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI
The Zoo will transform into an illuminated destination with millions (even more than 2023!) of glittering lights throughout the forests and pathways, letting guests enjoy an enchanted evening under the stars. Stroll along a 1-mile path glowing with animal-themed light displays.
SnowGlobe Holiday Festival – Franklin Field
November 22, 2024 – December 30, 2024
Location: 7035 S Ballpark Dr., Franklin, WI 53132
is a captivating holiday experience that brings all the enchantment of a grand Christmas festival into a beautifully contained story-propelled holiday light maze experience. Featuring stunning larger-than-life light sculptures, unique ice skating and snow tubing experiences, and countless other festive attractions. Every detail is designed to evoke wonder and joy, creating unforgettable memories for all who visit.
Holiday Show: Calm & Bright – The Mitchell Park Domes
Nov. 23, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025
Location: 524 S. Layton Blvd – Milwaukee
This year join us at The Domes in an expanded celebration of the season’s holidays, both religious and secular. Advent, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are all represented in “The Domes Holiday Parade”. This multicultural display of stationary floats depicts revered holiday traditions and is set amid a spectacular bed of poinsettias, the most popular holiday bloom. Encounter colorful poinsettia varieties including ‘Red Ribbon’, ‘Polar Bear’, and ‘Candy Wintergreen’. Celebrate our vibrant communities at The Domes this holiday season!
Miller Valley Holiday Lites – Miller Valley
TBD
Location: Miller Valley, 3897 W State St, Milwaukee, WI
Notes: Free. Kid-friendly lights show!
Candy Cane Lane in West Allis
TBD
Location: West Allis between 92nd-96th St. and between Montana Avenue and Oklahoma Avenue.
Bundle the kids in their jammies and let them sip cocoa while driving through an amazing spectacle of light. Donations are accepted and benefit the MACC Fund.
Jellystone Park’s Christmas Carnival of Lights – Caledonia
Nov. 23, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024
Location: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park; 8425 WI-38, Caledonia
A Milwaukee holiday light experience at Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Caledonia, just 20 minutes south of Milwaukee, that stretches for more than a mile and features more than two million sparkling holiday lights sure to delight kids and adults of all ages. Santa’s giant sleigh, which seats 43 guests in tiered and comfortable seating, will also travel through the light show and allow families to experience the show in a whole new way. Reservations to ride on the sleigh may be here.
Lights on Glen Cove – Glen Cove Ct, Muskego
When: The lights will normally be on from 5 pm to 9 pm Sunday thru Thursday. On Friday and Saturday from 5 pm to 10:00. Please check the Lights on Glen Cove Facebook Page for more specific information, as the weather does affect the display conditions. These Milwaukee holiday lights are run in a residential neighborhood in Muskego with over 30,000 LED lights synchronized to music broadcasted on 87.9 FM
Food and monetary donations accepted for the Muskego Food Pantry. The bins are located at the front of the property. Mr. Stark, who puts on the show, asked us to remind everyone that since the show is in a residential neighborhood, please be respectful of the neighbors, be patient if there is a line, and bring non-perishable food items for the food pantry.
Country Christmas – Ingleside Hotel
2024 Holiday Dates: Nov. 15 – 17 & 22 – 24 (walking); Nov. 26 – 27 (biking); Nov. 29 – Dec. 3, & Dec 5 – Jan.1, 2025 (driving); Dec. 1 – 3 & 5, Dec. 8 – 12, Dec. 15 – 19, 2024 (wagon rides)
Where: Pewaukee, 2810 Golf Rd – Pewaukee, tickets required.
Each year, The Ingleside Hotel is transformed into a winter wonderland called Country Christmas. Admission to Wisconsin’s largest drive through Christmas lights display includes a trip through the Country Christmas Trail and entrance to two buildings located at the end of the trail, Christmas Village and The Streets of Bethlehem. The Country Christmas Trail features over a million holiday lights festively displayed on a mile-long trail. As you drive through the wooded countryside, you’ll experience enchanting animated figures and holiday scenes at every turn.
Making Spirits Bright – Sheboygan
Nightly – Nov. 29th – Dec. 31st , 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. (Closed Dec 24)
Location: Evergreen Park in Sheboygan, off Hwy 42
Admission to the park remains free of charge. However, donations to the Sheboygan County Food Bank are highly encouraged.
Enchantment in the Park – Regner Park
November 29th through December 24th, 2024
Location: 800 N. Main Street, West Bend
Enjoy live music, take a horse and carriage ride, or enjoy marshmallows by the fire pit on Friday and Saturday nights. Santa is available December 2, 9, 16 and 23 at Regner Park from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Dates and times are subject to change. To ensure a visit with Santa, it’s encouraged to arrive earlier in the evening.
Shalom Wildlife Holiday Drive-Thru – Shalom Wildlife West Bend
November 23rd thru December 31st, Open Daily from 9 am to 3:30 pm (last car admitted at 3:00 pm), Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Location: 1901 Shalom Drive, West Bend
Illuminate Ozaukee – Herman A. Zeunert Park
Hours: Dec 6th-Dec 21st on Fridays & Saturdays 5:00pm – 8:00pm. Plus 2 additional days on Dec 22nd and Dec 23rd 5:00pm-8:00pm. Walk-Through event on Saturday November 30th from 6:00pm-8:00pm.
Santa will be joining us again this year to say hello each night. Bring your letters to Santa to drop in his mailbox! Each plot was decorated by a local nonprofit or area business. They put a lot of hard work into each of their displays! Upon entry to the display, you will receive a guide to vote for your favorite plot. These organizations are competing, so you may only select one.
Location: N25 W5598 Taft St, Cedarburg
