The Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation is keeping communities merry and bright by supporting holiday light displays across northeast and north central Wisconsin. Whether they’re family traditions or new experiences, here’s everything you need to know before you “glow” to see these beautiful sights.
Garden of Lights presented by WPS Foundation — Green Bay Botanical Garden
Dates: Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 28-Dec. 21; Dec. 22-23; Dec. 26-30
Hours: 4:30-9 p.m.
Admission: $14-$22 for adults; $0-$13 for children based on event date and options selected.
Tickets: https://www.gbbg.org/explore/events-exhibits/garden-of-lights/
WPS is proudly helping the Garden of Lights presented by WPS Foundation shine bright once again at the Green Bay Botanical Garden. Garden of Lights features more than 40 nature-themed light displays, from a giant glowing caterpillar to a one-of-a-kind vegetable garden. Add to the fun by trying out several interactive displays, taking in the new Aurora in Bloom laser light show or visiting during “Bright Nights,” a brand-new series of themed event nights.
Guests can see the glittering sights by walking through each display or by taking a horse-drawn wagon ride through the lower portion of the show. There are also refreshments for sale at the WPS Foundation Plaza, a spot to write letters to Santa and the option to take pictures with him on select nights.
Lights of the Northwoods — Hodag Park in Rhinelander
Dates: Dec. 1-Jan. 1
Hours: 5-9 p.m. nightly
Admission: Free; nonperishable food item donations are encouraged.
The Lights of the Northwoods transforms Rhinelander’s Hodag Park into a winter wonderland that glows with holiday cheer. Visitors can walk or drive through more than 1 million lights arranged in colorful displays throughout the park. Santa will be on hand for photos and to hear wish lists on select weekends. The event ends with a bang with a fireworks display on New Year’s Day night.
The WPS Foundation is glad to support Lights of the Northwoods, which collects food and monetary donations to support food pantries in Rhinelander, Elcho and Tomahawk. WPS lineworkers even pitched in to deck the halls by hanging lights on the park’s trees.
Oshkosh Celebration of Lights — EAA grounds in Oshkosh
Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 31
Hours: 5:30-9 p.m. nightly
Admission: $20 per vehicle, $15 with a donation of a sealed hygiene product or nonperishable food item
The Oshkosh Celebration of Lights will draw “oohs” and “ahhs” from around northeast Wisconsin by covering the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) grounds with dazzling displays. Visitors can drive or take a horse-drawn wagon through more than 1 million lights including animated displays, Santa’s North Pole Airport and a 100-foot illuminated tree.
The WPS Foundation is among the sponsors of this Fox Valley holiday tradition, which collects food, hygiene items and monetary donations to support community and nonprofit organizations.
Delightfully Calumet — Calumet County Fairgrounds in Chilton
Dates: Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 4-28
Hours: 5-9 p.m.
Admission: Free with a canned food item donation for local food pantries
Delightfully Calumet, sponsored by the WPS Foundation, is back to make spirits bright for its guests and those in need in Calumet County this holiday season. Visitors drive through more than 150,000 lights arranged across the Calumet County Fairgrounds and Hobart Park. Make sure to crank up the radio, as each display is synchronized to holiday music.
Making Spirits Bright — Evergreen Park in Sheboygan
Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 31
Hours: 5-9 p.m.
Admission: Free; nonperishable food item donations are encouraged
Making Spirits Bright returns to create holiday memories for families, friends and visitors to Sheboygan. This holiday tradition makes Evergreen Park shine bright with more than 1,000 dazzling displays synchronized to music. Guests can drive through the show or experience the nostalgia of an old-fashioned trolley ride on Friday and Saturday nights.
The WPS Foundation sponsors Making Spirits Bright to help bring good tidings to visitors and those in need. The event collects food and monetary donations to support the Sheboygan County Food Bank.
Brighten your home this holiday
Winter wonderland sights aren’t limited to large events. Whether you’ve got the brightest house on the block or are adding a few festive accents, check out these holiday lighting tips. They will help keep homes glowing efficiently throughout the most wonderful time of the year.