Discover the festive wonders of Oshkosh with our detailed guide. Whether Oshkosh is your backyard or a new adventure, our guide brings you the best of the holidays.
A highlight of the season is the Oshkosh Celebration of Lights, where dazzling displays illuminate the night and bring a sense of joy to all. In addition, the Celebration of Lights features a charming parade that showcases community spirit and festive creativity. And the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a vibrant array of light displays throughout the city. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Oshkosh
- Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival (Milwaukee)
- Celebration of Lights
- Oshkosh Celebration of Lights
- Old World Christmas Market (Elkhart Lake)
- Christmas Carnival of Lights (Caledonia)
- Green Bay Botanical Garden’s Garden of Lights (Green Bay)
- Henry Vilas Zoo Lights (Madison)
- Enchantment in the Park (West Bend)
- Fox Cities Festival of Lights (Harrison)
- Christmas in the Air at EAA
See these and even more events listed below!
Oshkosh Holiday Light Displays
Oshkosh Celebration of Lights
What to Expect:
Massive holiday light display with Santa visits.
Description:
Over one million twinkling holiday lights illuminate the EAA Grounds, featuring a 100-foot tree, sculptured scenes, and animated light displays. Santa visits are included with admission, and community nights offer free admission with donations.
Where: Oshkosh | More Info: Oshkosh Celebration of Lights
Green Bay Botanical Garden’s Garden of Lights
What to Expect:
Nature-inspired light displays with over 350,000 lights.
Description:
Green Bay Botanical Garden's Garden of Lights features over 350,000 twinkling lights in 40 nature-themed displays, including the Caterpillar, Butterflies in Motion, and Lake of Lights.
Where: Green Bay | More Info: Green Bay Botanical Garden’s Garden of Lights
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays and interactive holiday decorations.
Description:
The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival transforms downtown Milwaukee into a vibrant winter scene with over 500,000 lights, animated displays, and festive decorations in three parks and along Wisconsin Avenue. The event features a kickoff ceremony with live music, dance acts, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
Fox Cities Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Handicap-accessible trails with new and familiar 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 50 displays, including replicas of local landmarks. Visitors can walk through the half-mile trail, enjoy hot chocolate, and see Santa on select nights.
Where: Harrison | More Info: Fox Cities Festival of Lights
Rotary Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with a charitable twist.
Description:
Rotary Winter Wonderland is a spectacular holiday light display at Wildwood Zoo in Marshfield, Wisconsin, featuring over two million LED lights. Since 2006, the event has provided over 900,000 food items to local food pantries, making it a significant community-driven initiative.
Where: Marshfield | More Info: Rotary Winter Wonderland
Enchantment in the Park
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light display with over one million LED lights and festive activities.
Description:
Enchantment in the Park is an interactive holiday light display featuring over one million LED lights, live music, and festive activities. Visitors can drive or walk through Regner Park to experience the dazzling light show, enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, and meet Santa Claus. The event also includes fire pits for marshmallow roasting and concessions supporting local organizations.
Where: West Bend | More Info: Enchantment in the Park
Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Dazzling after-dark walk with over 1.5 million lights.
Description:
The Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show features over 1.5 million lights, themed displays, and animations in a family-friendly outdoor activity. The event is open daily from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm, with last admission at 8:30 pm and lights going dark at 9 pm.
Where: Janesville | More Info: Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show
Henry Vilas Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with lights and carousel rides.
Description:
Henry Vilas Zoo Lights features over one million lights, unlimited carousel rides, and Santa photos until December 23rd, set in a zoo that values wildlife care and preservation.
Where: Madison | More Info: Henry Vilas Zoo Lights
Christmas Carnival of Lights
What to Expect:
Drive-through light show with Santa's GIANT Sleigh and outdoor ice skating.
Description:
Christmas Carnival of Lights features 2 million dazzling lights in a drive-through light show, Santa's GIANT Sleigh, and outdoor ice skating at Jellystone Park in Caledonia, WI.
Where: Caledonia | More Info: Christmas Carnival of Lights
Celebration of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light display with Santa visits.
Description:
The Oshkosh Celebration of Lights features over one million twinkling holiday lights, including a 100-foot tree, sculptured scenes, and animated light displays. Santa is available for visits, and community nights offer free admission with donations.
Where: Oshkosh | More Info: Celebration of Lights
Sam’s Christmas Village and Light Tour
What to Expect:
Spectacular light display with festive activities and holiday market.
Description:
Sam's Christmas Village and Light Tour in Somerset, Wisconsin, features over 12 million lights, a Christmas market, reindeer farm, and s'mores cabins. The event includes a drive-thru and walk-thru tour with festive music and holiday activities.
Where: Somerset | More Info: Sam’s Christmas Village and Light Tour
Lights in Lincoln Park
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Lights in Lincoln Park features over 70 wild animal light displays, drive-thru light tunnels, and other spectacular lighting effects. This event supports the Zoological Society and offers a unique experience with Santa visits and Family Fun Walks.
Where: Manitowoc | More Info: Lights in Lincoln Park
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 pathways and forested areas specially adorned with twinkling lights and decorative displays.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Wild Lights at Milwaukee County Zoo
Oshkosh Holiday Markets and Shopping
Door County Christkindlmarkt
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local artisans and northern European cuisine.
Description:
The Door County Christkindlmarkt is a holiday market hosted by the Sister Bay Historical Society, featuring vendors selling handcrafted Door County goods and northern European fare. The event is held at the Corner of the Past Museum, a beautiful recreation of a pioneer homestead from the late 19th century, and includes a variety of artisans such as weavers, potters, photographers, painters, woodworkers, furniture makers, jewelers, candlemakers, and glass artists.
Where: Sister Bay | More Info: Door County Christkindlmarkt
Old World Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday market with international artisans and German cuisine.
Description:
The Old World Christmas Market at The Osthoff Resort is a traditional holiday event reminiscent of Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt. Guests can browse unique items from international and regional artisans, enjoy delectable German fare, and participate in various holiday activities.
Where: Elkhart Lake | More Info: Old World Christmas Market
Twinkle Light Village Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Crafty twist on traditional holiday market with community activities.
Description:
Twinkle Light Village Christmas Market offers a unique blend of vendors, sleigh rides, mulled wine, kids' crafts, and festive food in a charming winter setting.
Where: Viroqua | More Info: Twinkle Light Village Christmas Market
Oshkosh Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Nutcracker in the Castle at The Paine
What to Expect:
Elaborately decorated rooms with over 70 Christmas trees and live performances.
Description:
Explore the Nutcracker fairytale at The Paine, where each elaborately decorated room of the historic mansion reveals a new chapter of the story. Follow Clara and the Nutcracker Prince through settings like the opening party scene with a giant Christmas tree and the Land of Sweets. Visit the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cupcake Café for a scrumptious treat.
Where: Oshkosh | More Info: Nutcracker in the Castle at The Paine
Oshkosh Other Holiday Activities
Christmas in the Air at EAA
What to Expect:
Santa Claus arrives by helicopter for visits and photos.
Description:
Celebrate the holidays at EAA's Christmas in the Air, a free community event featuring holiday decorations, activities like writing letters to Santa, visiting the Sweet Shoppe, and local dance and music performances. Santa Claus arrives by helicopter at noon for visits and photos.
Where: Oshkosh | More Info: Christmas in the Air at EAA
Holiday Folk Fair International
What to Expect:
Celebrating over 50 ethnic groups with diverse music, food, and art.
Description:
The Holiday Folk Fair International is a premier multicultural festival celebrating the cultural heritage of southeastern Wisconsin through music, food, dance, and art.
Where: West Allis | More Info: Holiday Folk Fair International
Winter Wonders at Boerner Botanical Gardens
What to Expect:
Guided winter walks and live music in a serene botanical garden setting.
Description:
Explore Boerner Botanical Gardens during Winter Wonders, featuring guided winter walks, indoor activities, and live music. Enjoy the serene beauty of the gardens while experiencing a variety of events.