WISCONSIN — It has been a long and rocky year. Luckily though, holiday cheer is here and it brought millions of Christmas lights along with it!
Due to the pandemic, Wisconsinites haven't been able to do some of the things they love like going out to eat, getting together with friends and family, and hosting parties for birthdays, graduations, and other celebrations.
But nothing is going to stop local organizations from hosting their annual drive-through light shows! We have compiled a list, and created an interactive map, of holiday light shows that you can check out this year.
Hopefully, these events will make things feel normal for at least a little while.
1. Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
Celebrate 22 years of the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival! At this event, you can experience the beauty of over 500,000 lights throughout downtown Milwaukee's parks and streets. You can choose to walk through the lights, while social distancing of course, or drive around downtown and see them from the safety of your own vehicle.
2. Boerner Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show
Boerner Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show is made up of one million lights and will run every night, from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., Nov. 20 through Jan. 3. There will be a mini drive-in theater, new displays and concert lighting, and a brand new holiday design.
3. Candy Cane Lane
This year is the 35th year Candy Cane Lane has taken over West Allis, turning one neighborhood into a winter wonderland. Candy Cane Lane stretches from Oklahoma and Montana Avenues and 92nd to 96th Street. You can drive through and check out the lights Nov. 27 through Dec. 27 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 6 p.m. until10 p.m. on Fridays, 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Saturdays, and 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sundays.
4. Country Christmas
Country Christmas is Wisconsin's largest outdoor drive-through display and it's open Nov. 27 through Jan. 2. You can drive through the light show between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday through Fridays, and 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays at the Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee.
5. Enchantment in the Park
Enchantment in the Park is once again taking over Washington County. From Nov 27 through Dec. 24 you can check out the holiday lights and even take a horse and carriage ride on Friday and Saturday nights. The show is open daily from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
6. Kapco Kids 2 Kids
Kapco Metal Stamping is putting together quite the Christmas event this year called Kapco Kids 2 Kids. You can check out this ultimate Christmas experience from the comfort of your own car between Nov. 27 and Dec. 31. There will be millions of lights, three light tunnels, hundreds of inflatables and holiday décor pieces, lighted water features, a live nativity scene, Santa’s Workshop with live reindeer, and a Christmas Village.
7. Christmas at Kemper
Tour the Durkee Mansion all decorated for the holidays during this year's Christmas at Kemper. Because of the pandemic, Christmas at Kemper is only offering private tours for families by appointment on weekdays starting Nov. 30 through Jan. 10.
8. Making Spirits Bright
Making Spirits Bright runs daily from Nov. 27 through Dec. 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Sheboygan. The event looks a little different due to the pandemic, but visitors can still drive through and check out the light show. Admission is free, but food donations are encouraged for the Sheboygan County Food Bank.
9. Miller Valley's Holiday Lites
Miller Valley's drive-through Holiday Lites show begins Wednesday and will run through Dec. 27.The show will run from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. every night through Dec. 27. However, due to COVID-19, there will be no brewery tours or tastings this year.
10. The Mitchell Park Domes Holiday Show
The Mitchell Park Domes Holiday Show will feature Poinsettias like you've never seen before. The show runs Nov. 21 through Jan. 8 and reservations to required. Entry times are available Wednesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
11. Rotary Botanical Gardens' Holiday Light Show
Janesville's Rotary Botanical Gardens is hosting a holiday light show this year, now through Dec. 30! You can visit the display between 4:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
12. The Story of Love
This mile-long drive-thru experience will be open on select days between Dec. 3 through Dec. 19. Visitors will journey back in time to the night of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem.
13. Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights
Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights is taking over Jellystone Park™ Campground & Resort in Caledonia. The show will be open from Nov. 28 through Dec. 31 but will be closed on Christmas day. Their hours are Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.
