Posted in Wisconsin
December 06, 2020
10 Drive-Thru Christmas Lights Displays In Wisconsin The Whole Family Can Enjoy
Drive-thru light displays are a festive favorite for many. And with social distancing requirements, the don’t-have-to-get-out-of-your-car activity is sure to be even more appreciated this year. Lucky for us Wisconsinites, the Badger State is home to some of the best and brightest drive-thru light shows around. Read on for 10 displays that are sure to get you into the holiday spirit – without requiring you to get out of your car.
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The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival has been making spirits bright for over 20 years, and this year is no different. During the Yuletide celebration, downtown Milwaukee is adorned with more than 500,000 twinkling lights, animated sculptures, and interactive exhibits. The massive display, which spans three parks - Cathedral Square Park, Pere Marquette Park, and Zeidler Union Square – and three downtown thoroughfares, can be viewed by car or by foot. For more information, click here.
Held at the Ingleside Hotel, Country Christmas is home to one of the largest outdoor drive-thru light displays in Wisconsin. Dubbed the Country Christmas Trail, the one-mile-long route is set aglow with more than one million lights. For more information, click here.
Taking place at Menominee Park, the Oshkosh Celebration of Lights offers several ways to have some socially-distanced holiday fun, including a 1-mile drive-thru display with dazzling lights, festive scenes, and animated displays. Carriage rides and no-contact visits with Santa are also part of the fun. For more information, click here.
During the holiday season, Jellystone Park Camp-Resort plays host to the Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights. Spanning 1.6 miles and featuring more than two million lights and a 200-foot illuminated tunnel, it’s billed as “Southeastern Wisconsin's largest Christmas drive-thru light show.” For more information, click here.
The ultimate holiday experience awaits at this Somerset favorite. Boasting more than six million lights, a 50-foot animated tree, 500-foot light tunnel, and 25 new light displays, it’s one of the best (and brightest!) drive-thru shows in the state. The fun doesn’t end there, though. The 40+-acre property is brimming with Yuletide festivities, including a European-style Christmas market and s’more cabins. For more information, click here.
Hosted by Boerner Botanical Gardens, Winter Wonders is back for its second year. This year’s event is slated to be “bigger, better, and brighter” than last year’s, and that’s because the show has been completely re-imagined by theatrical lighting designer “Laser Bob” Mullins and his talented team. For more information, click here.
A beloved holiday tradition, Rotary Lights is back for its 26th year. And just like in years past, visitors can walk, drive, or ride a carriage through the dazzling display, which features more than 300,000 lights, animated scenes, and a 140-foot Christmas tree. For more information, click here.
During Holiday Fantasy in Lights, Olin Park is transformed into a holiday wonderland – complete with a drive-thru spectacle made up of more than 50 wonderful light displays. This event is free; however, donations are accepted. For more information, click here.
This holiday drive-thru display spans nearly a mile – every last inch of which boasts glowing lights and animated characters. Oh, and did we mention there are over 700 feet of illuminated tunnels?! Remember, reservations are required. For more information, click here.
See Lincoln Park in a whole new light with a visit to Lights in Lincoln Park! This year’s drive-thru show features over 70 wild animal-themed light displays, many of which are animated. There are also illuminated drive-thru arches and numerous other lighting effects that are sure to delight. Prefer to walk through the display? Plan to visit the park on December 30th for the Family Night Fun Walk. For more information, click here.
So, did you know about all of these drive-thru displays? Ever visited any? Did we leave off your favorite? Tell us in the comments section.
The winter season brings lots of opportunities for fun to Wisconsin. Click here to read about other ways to enjoy the cold weather.
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