Home for the holidays, and there’s so much to explore! 

From sparkling light displays and visits with Santa to holiday spectaculars and celebrations, there are plenty of ways to experience the joy and wonder of the season together in the Fox Valley and beyond.

Plan an evening out with the family, or visit a neighboring community. Better yet, make the day of it and wander through local shops for gift ideas, grab a bite to eat and take in the sights along the way. You may even discover a new favorite place or a tradition you’ll look forward to returning to each year.

However you choose to celebrate, we hope the holiday happenings in our 2026 Northeast Wisconsin Holiday Events Guide will bring you a little closer to the people you love and give you plenty of reasons to laugh, explore and enjoy the season.

2026 Northeast Wisconsin Holiday Events Guide

NOVEMBER

November 13-January 2

Timber Rattlers Holiday Lights // Neuroscience Group Field, Appleton

Walk-through holiday light display at Neuroscience Group Field, featuring more than a million lights, train rides, fire pits, and s'mores.

November 14

Christmas Festival // Firemen’s Park, Germantown

9:00 AM-5:00 PM / Jingle Bell Dash, 5K Candy Cane Run/Walk, Christmas Festival Parade, Christmas in the Park

November 19

Downtown Oshkosh Holiday Parade // Oshkosh

Annual downtown holiday parade featuring festive floats, music, and community celebrations.

November 19-December 19 

Christkindlmarket on Broadway // Green Bay

German-inspired outdoor holiday market with vendors, shopping, seasonal treats, and entertainment.

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (excluding Thanksgiving).

November 21 

Green Bay Holiday Parade // Downtown Green Bay

10:00 AM / Downtown parade featuring festive floats, music, Santa, and a tropical holiday theme.

November 22

Lights in Lincoln Park Family Fun Walk // Manitowoc

$10 per family, $5 per adult.

November 23-January 1 

Tannenbaum Trail // Firemen’s Park, Germantown

Walk through decorated Christmas Trees in Firemen’s Park

November 24 

Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade // Appleton

7:00 PM / Annual nighttime parade along College Avenue with illuminated floats, marching bands, and Santa.

November 27-28

Lights in Lincoln Park // Manitowoc

5:00-8:00 PM / Visit with Santa, 70+ wild animal light displays, drive-thru light tunnels. 

November 27-December 31

Oshkosh Celebration of Lights // EAA Grounds, Oshkosh

5:30–9:00 PM / Drive-through holiday light display at the EAA grounds. Santa visits nightly through December 23.

November 27-December 31

Holiday Lights on the Fox // Brown County Fairgrounds, De Pere

Drive through a mile of lights, listen to classic holiday music.

November 27-29 

Fox Cities Festival of Lights // Darboy Community Park, Appleton

5:00-9:00 PM (weather permitting) / Free scenic walk through a lighted trail, just over half a mile long. Santa’s Workshop (5:00-8:00 PM), take pictures with Santa, hot beverages and cookies for purchase.

November 29 

Christmas at the Pond // Memorial Park, Kimberly

5:00-7:00 PM / Annual lighting event, Letters to Santa.

November 30 

Little Chute Kiwanis Christmas Parade // Little Chute

6:30 PM / Christmas parade along Main Street, from Cypress to Monroe, with Santa arriving on the final float.

DECEMBER

December 1

Electric City Christmas Parade // Kaukauna

6:00–8:00 PM / Annual community Christmas parade.

December 2 

Little Chute Community Band Christmas Concert // Little Chute

7:00 PM / Holiday music, hot cocoa, treats, and a visit from Santa at Little Chute High School.

December 3 

Gather ‘Round // Curtis Reed Square, Menasha

5:00-6:30 PM / Tree lighting at 5:30 PM, festivities, live music and holiday spirit.

December 3-5

Lights in Lincoln Park // Manitowoc

5:00-8:00 PM / Visit with Santa (Dec. 4-5), 70+ wild animal light displays, drive-thru light tunnels. 

December 3-6

Christmas Stars // Xavier Fine Arts Theatre, Appleton

Shows at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM. A holiday sepctacular. Tickets now on sale.

December 3-27 

Delightfully Calumet, Inc. Holiday Light Show // Calumet County Fairgrounds, Chilton

5:00-9:00 PM, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday / Drive-thru light show. Free entry. Food donations appreciated for local food banks.

December 4-6, 11-13, 18-20 & 23-27 

Fox Cities Festival of Lights // Darboy Community Park, Appleton

5:00-9:00 PM (weather permitting) / Free scenic walk through a lighted trail, just over half a mile long. Santa’s Workshop (5-8 PM), take pictures with Santa, hot beverages and cookies for purchase.

December 4 

A Very Neenah Christmas // Downtown Neenah

5:00-8:00 PM / Free family event twinkling lights, Santa, live reindeer, carolers, ice sculptures, marshmallow roasting, live mannequin windows and festive surprises.

December 5 

Downtown Chilton Holiday Celebration & Parade of Lights // Chilton

5:30-7:30 PM / Floats, fire trucks, police vehicles, marching band. Free milk and cookies with Santa at the Chilton Fire Department, after parade.

December 5 

Holly Day // Downtown De Pere

1:00-5:00 PM / Experience Downtown De Pere filled with holiday cheer and magic. Santa, story time, bonfire, s’mores, Christmas music. Find Frosty scavenger hunt for kids to win prizes.

December 5 

Merry on Main // Fond du Lac

10:00 AM–1:00 PM / Free downtown holiday celebration featuring children's activities, shopping, and Santa photos at Hotel Retlaw.

December 5 

KFIZ Christmas Parade // Fond du Lac

4:15 PM / Downtown Christmas parade featuring festive floats and community organizations.

December 5

New Holstein Holiday Parade // New Holstein

5:30 PM / Parade ends at Twinkling of Lights in Kiwanis Park, where Santa will light up the park. Chili and grilled cheese dinner starting at 3:30 PM. Frosted cookie fundraiser.

December 5 

Mistletoe & Magic // Omro

5:00 PM / Community holiday celebration with a Christmas parade and seasonal festivities.

December 5 

Howard-Suamico Christmas Parade // Howard

12:00-5:00 PM / Festive floats, marching bands, holiday cheer.

December 5 

Christmas Parade: The Magic of Teamwork // Wrightstown

4:30-5:30 PM / Parade, holiday lights, decorated floats, music and Christmas cheer!

December 5

45th Christmas Card Town Parade // Elkhorn

1:30pm

December 5-31

Twinkling of Lights // Kiwanis Park, New Holstein

Lights on display nightly. 

December 8-10 

Holidays on the Rails // National Railroad Museum, Ashwaubenon

9:00 AM-2:00 PM / Enjoy a train ride with purchased tickets. Afterwards enjoy visits with Santa, scavenger hunt, cookie decorating, craft stations and more. 

December 9

Lights in Lincoln Park Family Fun Walk // Manitowoc

$10 per family, $5 per adult.

December 10-30

Lights in Lincoln Park // Manitowoc

5:00-8:00 PM / Visit with Santa (Dec. 11-12, 18-19), 70+ wild animal light displays, drive-thru light tunnels. 

December 10-13

Christmas Stars // Xavier Fine Arts Theatre, Appleton

Shows at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM. A holiday sepctacular. Tickets now on sale. Order early for the best seats.

December 11

Winneconne Cocoa Walk // Downtown Winneconne

3:00-7:00 PM / A delicious walk through downtown. Commemorative mugs, discover unique cocoa creations created by local businesses, just for you.

December 12 

Packers Festival of Lights // Lambeau Field, Green Bay

Free family-friendly holiday celebration at Lambeau Field.Santa photos, crafts, entertainment, and ceremonial tree lighting.

JANUARY

January 1

Lights in Lincoln Park Family Fun Walk // Manitowoc

$10 per family, $5 per adult.

More to Explore from The Greater Valley Guide

The Greater Valley Guide is packed with local events, family-friendly adventures, hidden gems, and community happenings curated to help families connect, explore, and create lasting memories together. Be sure to check out our Calendar of Events for upcoming festivals, fairs, and seasonal celebrations, and be sure to browse our Business Directory filled with local places to shop, play, and discover.