Wild Winter Night Candlelight Hike
February 26 @ 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Make the most of winter in the parks! This February, get your outdoor winter fun with a Wild Winter Night Candlelight Hike!
Experience a Wild Winter Night at Retzer Nature Center! Explore the Planetarium, stroll through our candlelit Discovery Trail, stargaze with our telescopes (cloud cover permitting), and try out snowshoes (snow cover and trails permitting).
Participants can also enjoy a presentation from Michelle Thaller, former Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. End your night by the fire with hot beverages, snacks, and storytelling. Scroll below for more event details!
Presented by the Friends of Retzer Nature Center and the Friends of the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium.
DATE/TIME: Friday, February 13, 2026 • 6-9 p.m.
LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)
COST: $6 / person*
*Free for ages 2 & under and Friends of Retzer Nature Center or Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium members
REGISTRATION: Required; register online at wauk.co/webtrac (click “Programs & Special Events,” then “Special Events”). Walk-ins are welcome if space allows.
DATE/TIME: Friday, February 13, 2026 • 6-9 p.m.
LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)
COST: $6 / person*
*Free for ages 2 & under and Friends of Retzer Nature Center or Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium members
REGISTRATION: Required; register online at wauk.co/webtrac (click “Programs & Special Events,” then “Special Events”). Walk-ins are welcome if space allows.
EVENT DETAILS:
Indoor Activities
• Michelle Thaller presentation on Black Holes [Fen Room] • 6:15-7 p.m. & 8:15-9 p.m.
• Cosmic Questions: Answers & Mysteries [Planetarium] • 6:45-7:15 p.m. & 7:30-8 p.m.
• Mama D’s food and drink available for purchase [Community Room]
• Night Myths and Superstitions exploration tables [Community Room]
• Storytime around the indoor “campfire” [Exhibit Hall]
• Michelle Thaller presentation on Black Holes [Fen Room] • 6:15-7 p.m. & 8:15-9 p.m.
• Cosmic Questions: Answers & Mysteries [Planetarium] • 6:45-7:15 p.m. & 7:30-8 p.m.
• Mama D’s food and drink available for purchase [Community Room]
• Night Myths and Superstitions exploration tables [Community Room]
• Storytime around the indoor “campfire” [Exhibit Hall]
Outdoor Activities
• Self-guided candlelit Discovery Trail stroll (approx. 0.4 miles) [Discovery Trail]
• Campfire [patio]
• Snowshoes available – snow cover and trails permitting [snowshoe check-out in the Exhibit Hall]
• Night Sky viewing with telescopes – cloud cover permitting
• Self-guided candlelit Discovery Trail stroll (approx. 0.4 miles) [Discovery Trail]
• Campfire [patio]
• Snowshoes available – snow cover and trails permitting [snowshoe check-out in the Exhibit Hall]
• Night Sky viewing with telescopes – cloud cover permitting
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Join a fun-filled Winter Night Out at Fox Brook Park! Enjoy the paved trails and scenery of Fox Brook Park after dark, take a candlelight hike around the lake, and gather around the campfire with family and friends. Dogs on six-foot leash welcome. Event is free with park entry! (Annual Park Membership (regular $40) or Daily Permit ($7) required for each vehicle.)
Enjoy the paved trails and scenery of Fox Brook Park after dark, take a candlelight hike around the lake, and gather around the campfire with family and friends. Dogs on six-foot leash welcome.
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DATE/TIME: Thursday, February 26, 2026 • 6-8:30 p.m.
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LOCATION: Fox Brook Park (2925 N Barker Road, Brookfield, WI)
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COST: Free with park entry!
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REGISTRATION: Annual Park Membership (regular $40) or Daily Permit ($7) required for each vehicle. Purchase in advance at wauk.co/webtrac.
Parks annual membership or Parks daily permit required for each vehicle • No event registration
• Self-guided hike around the lake by candlelight from 6 – 8:30 pm
• Well-behaved dogs on a 6 ft. leash are welcome
• Recommended: Purchase your Parks annual membership or Parks daily permit in advance
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