Celebrate the best of the holidays in Eau Claire with our ultimate guide. From Eau Claire old-timers to fresh faces, this guide ensures a holiday experience to remember.
One popular event to enjoy this season is the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, which transforms the downtown area into a dazzling display of lights and holiday cheer. Another highlight is the Henry Vilas Zoo Lights, where guests can walk through a winter wonderland filled with festive light displays and holiday-themed attractions. And the Holiday Folk Fair International is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing global cultures through food, music, and crafts. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Eau Claire
- Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival (Milwaukee)
- Holiday Folk Fair International (West Allis)
- Henry Vilas Zoo Lights (Madison)
- Wild Lights at Milwaukee County Zoo (Milwaukee)
- Enchantment in the Park (West Bend)
- Garden of Lights at Green Bay Botanical Gardens (Green Bay)
- Winter Wonders at Boerner Botanical Gardens (Hales Corners)
- Home for the Holidays at Old World Wisconsin (Eagle)
- Celebration of Lights (Oshkosh)
- Miracle at Big Rock (St. Croix Falls)
See these and even more events listed below!
Eau Claire Holiday Light Displays
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays and interactive holiday decorations.
Description:
The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival features over 500,000 lights and animated displays transforming three downtown parks into festive winter scenes. It includes an Ornament Trail with hand-painted ornaments, Jingle Bus rides, and Santa's Mailbox. The event also offers live music, dance acts, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
Christmas Carnival of Lights
What to Expect:
Drive-through light show with Santa's GIANT Sleigh and Golf Cart Holiday Train.
Description:
The Christmas Carnival of Lights at Jellystone Park features 2 million dazzling lights, Santa's GIANT Sleigh, and outdoor ice skating. Guests can enjoy specialty items, hot cocoa, and soft serve ice cream while taking in the holiday magic.
Where: Caledonia | More Info: Christmas Carnival of Lights
Fox Cities Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Handicap-accessible trails with new and favorite displays.
Description:
The Fox Cities Festival of Lights is a community-driven holiday light display at Darboy Community Park, featuring over 100,000 lights and custom-designed displays. Visitors can walk through wooded trails to see various holiday characters and iconic Fox Cities landmarks.
Where: Harrison | More Info: Fox Cities Festival of Lights
Henry Vilas Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with interactive light displays and activities.
Description:
Henry Vilas Zoo Lights features over one million lights, unlimited carousel rides, and Santa photos until December 23rd, set against the backdrop of a community-supported zoo dedicated to exceptional animal care and conservation.
Where: Madison | More Info: Henry Vilas Zoo Lights
Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Dazzling after-dark walk with 1.5 million lights.
Description:
The Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show features over 1.5 million twinkling lights, themed light displays, and animations in a family-friendly outdoor setting.
Where: Janesville | More Info: Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show
Winter Wonders at Boerner Botanical Gardens
What to Expect:
Touchless, drive-through holiday light show with over one million LED lights.
Description:
Boerner Botanical Gardens presents Winter Wonders, a 1.4-mile drive-through holiday light show featuring over one million LED lights, set amidst the beautiful botanical gardens and Whitnall Park.
Where: Hales Corners | More Info: Winter Wonders at Boerner Botanical Gardens
Country Christmas
What to Expect:
Spectacular drive-through holiday lights display with animated figures and holiday scenes.
Description:
Country Christmas is a drive-through holiday lights display featuring over a million lights, animated figures, and holiday scenes on 40 wooded acres. The event includes a trip through the Country Christmas Trail and entrances to Christmas Village and The Streets of Bethlehem.
Where: Pewaukee | More Info: Country Christmas
Garden of Lights at Green Bay Botanical Gardens
What to Expect:
Nature-inspired holiday light show with 350,000 lights.
Description:
The WPS Garden of Lights at Green Bay Botanical Gardens features over 350,000 twinkling lights in 40 nature-themed displays, including the caterpillar, butterfly house, and Lake of Lights. Visitors can indulge in cookies and hot beverages, shop for gifts, and enjoy the Green Bay Area Model Railroaders Club display.
Where: Green Bay | More Info: Garden of Lights at Green Bay Botanical Gardens
Rotary Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light display with diverse activities.
Description:
Rotary Lights in La Crosse, Wisconsin, features over 3 million lights illuminating Riverside Park, with activities including a live nativity, carriage rides, and visits with Santa.
Where: La Crosse | More Info: Rotary Lights
Miracle at Big Rock
What to Expect:
Extensive Christmas light display with various activities.
Description:
Miracle at Big Rock is a festive holiday event featuring over 17 million Christmas lights, food trucks, artisans, sledding, s’mores, fireworks, and crafted cocktails. Enjoy walk-through nights on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and drive-through nights on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Where: St. Croix Falls | More Info: Miracle at Big Rock
Enchantment in the Park
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light display with horse-drawn carriage rides and live music.
Description:
Enchantment in the Park is an interactive holiday light display featuring over 1 million LED lights at Regner Park in West Bend, Wisconsin. The event includes horse-drawn carriage rides, fire pits, and live music, with proceeds supporting local organizations and food pantries.
Where: West Bend | More Info: Enchantment in the Park
Celebration of Lights
What to Expect:
Over one million twinkling holiday lights.
Description:
The Oshkosh Celebration of Lights features over one million twinkling holiday lights, a 100-foot tree, sculptured scenes, and animated light displays. Santa visits are included with admission, and community nights offer free admission with a donation. Horse-pulled wagon rides and a gift shop add to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Oshkosh | More Info: Celebration of Lights
Sam’s Christmas Village and Light Tour
What to Expect:
Spectacular light display with festive activities.
Description:
Sam’s Christmas Village and Light Tour in Somerset, Wisconsin, features an extensive display of over 8 million lights, a Christmas market, reindeer farm, and s’mores cabins. The event includes various activities like walking through the village, visiting Santa, and enjoying holiday drinks and treats.
Where: Somerset | More Info: Sam’s Christmas Village and Light Tour
Wild Lights at Milwaukee County Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
The Milwaukee County Zoo transforms into an illuminated destination with hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights, featuring themed areas and special displays.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Wild Lights at Milwaukee County Zoo
Eau Claire Holiday Markets and Shopping
Door County Christkindlmarkt
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local craftsmanship and northern European cuisine in a historic setting.
Description:
The Door County Christkindlmarkt is a holiday market featuring handcrafted goods from local artisans, northern European fare, and a historical setting at the Corner of the Past Museum.
Where: Sister Bay | More Info: Door County Christkindlmarkt
Eau Claire Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Folk Fair International
What to Expect:
Celebrating diverse cultures through traditional music, food, and art.
Description:
The Holiday Folk Fair International is America’s premier multicultural festival, celebrating the cultural heritage of people living in southeastern Wisconsin through music, food, dance, and art.
Where: West Allis | More Info: Holiday Folk Fair International
Home for the Holidays at Old World Wisconsin
What to Expect:
Immersive historical holiday celebration with hands-on activities and traditional crafts.
Description:
Home for the Holidays at Old World Wisconsin features historic buildings adorned with holiday greenery, offering a rich mosaic of ethnic traditions. Visitors can explore Victorian-era Santa's workshop, enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, and participate in various holiday crafts and activities.