During the darkest time of the year, it’s so powerful to seek out light.
And from winter solstice fires to the candles of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations to the twinkling bulbs on Christmas trees, light plays such beautiful roles so many holiday traditions this time of year.
Another fun way for families to seek out light during December is in the holiday lights shows and displays held across the state. Some have been going on for decades, while others are just joining the tradition.
My family kicked off the holidays this year by visiting the new Noel Light Park & Christmas Market Milwaukee. Held inside the Exposition Center at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, it’s a giant celebration of light.
A big draw for me was that Noel Milwaukee is held indoors, so we wouldn’t have to worry about getting too cold. And while the event is huge — nearly 100,000 square feet — it’s presented in a way that keeps everyone moving.
The first thing that catches your eye is a long tunnel completely bedecked with lights that change in color and pattern. It’s dazzling and immersive to walk through before tucking off to explore the displays — giant illuminated trees and animals and interactive elements like photo frames and children’s swings.
A highlight for my kids was receiving a scavenger hunt card and tracking down four elves hidden among the displays. After finding them all, they were given 3D-style glasses that make lights take the shape of snowflakes — a souvenir that made the drive home much more fun!
The afternoon of our visit, a band playing live holiday music provided a festive background soundtrack. And nearby, a market and concessions stand created opportunities for families to linger.
But my favorite part was an area where long strings of lights hang down from the ceiling like an icy-white jungle. Moving through the strands was delightful, and both kids and adults seemed to enjoy exploring their way through.
Noel Milwaukee is a fun addition to the illuminating holiday options around the state. And here are more than twenty others to consider!
Visit a neighborhood full of holiday spirit in West Allis! A residential area of four by five blocks features homes festively decorated. Explore by car or on foot.
Held in Jellystone Park in Caledonia, Wisconsin, this 1.6-mile drive-through display boasts two million lights! Or reserve a spot on Santa’s Sleigh to see the lights in an extra-festive way.
Part of Chippewa Falls’ holiday celebration is a dazzling lights display.
This mile-long outdoor drive-through lights display at the Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee also features a Streets of Bethlehem display that visitors can walk through and a Christmas Cilalge with model trains.
Held in Regner Park in West Bend, this lights display can be enjoyed by car, by carriage ride or on foot.
Drive through Madison’s Olin Park to enjoy more than fifty light displays, with Lake Monona and the Wisconsin State Capitol as a backdrop.
Wander through the Green Bay Botanical Gardens as lights create twinkling scenes of nature.
Head to Cambridge for this small but mighty half-mile drive-through display of lights.
The beautiful Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville are transformed every year into an illuminated wonderland for exploring on foot.
Held in Manitowoc’s Lincoln Park Zoo, this lights display offers a nightly drive-through option, as well as two family night fun walks.
Rhinelander’s Hodag Park is the setting of this festive lights display, which can be enjoyed by car or on foot.
Magic of Lights at American Family Field
A new drive-through event, this outdoor lights display at the Brewers’ home turf brings holiday scenes and characters to life.
Produced by the Sheboygan Rotary Clubs, this 1.2-mile drive-through lights show takes place in Sheboygan’s Evergreen Park, with more festivities across the street at the Quarryview Center.
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
Check out illuminated displays by foot in Cathedral Square, Zeidler Union Square Pere Marquette Park in downtown Milwaukee. Or pile into the car and enjoy a self-guided Jingle Bus audio tour using the free iHeartRadio app.
Held in Menominee Park in Oshkosh, a 1.2-mile route takes cars and carriages past more than a million twinkling lights in trees, scenes and animated displays, and reflected off of Lake Winnebago.
A beautiful tradition now twenty-seven year’s strong in La Crosse, this lights display can be enjoyed by walking, driving or taking a carriage ride through Riverside Park.
Enjoy this lights display, held within the Wildwood Zoo in Marshfield, by walking, driving or taking a horse-drawn wagon ride.
Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour
A highlight of this holiday event in Somerset is a display boasting more than eight million lights!
Held at the Brown County Fairgrounds in De Pere, this event features more than seven hundred feet of dancing light tunnels, plus other larger-than-life displays.
Wild Lights at the Milwaukee County Zoo
This outdoor experience takes visitors on a mile-long path featuring animal-themed lights displays and decorations.
This drive-through lights display takes you through illuminated forests and fields in the Boerner Arboretum and Whitnall Park over a 1.5-mile route in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
Wonderland of Lights at the Racine Zoo
Drive through a display of illuminated trees, characters and a ninety-six-foot tunnel at the Racine Zoo.
Experience the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison at night, walking through the grounds illuminated by a variety of twinkling displays. Tickets include unlimited rides on the zoo’s carousel.
– Katie Vaughn
Katie Vaughn is the editor and co-founder of Northerly. She is a University of Wisconsin-Madison and Stanford University-trained journalist with experience as a writer, reporter, editor, blogger and author. She lives in Madison with her husband, daughter and son, and is always up for an adventure.