Holiday Fun Guide

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This is a sponsored post.

Lake Country Family Fun has put together a one-stop guide that consolidates all your Holiday and Christmas events and fun into one place.  First, read about our sponsor, the Ingleside Hotel’s County Christmas. Then use the guide to find great local Christmas and Holiday fun for you and your family.

Categories in this guide include:

  • Meet our Holiday Fun Guide Sponsor
  • Handy Holiday and Christmas Guides
  • Can’t Miss Local Christmas Events
  • Must See Performances
  • Make These Holiday Trips
  • Holiday Articles
  • Light Displays that Amaze

DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS...

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HOLIDAY FUN GUIDE SPONSOR

A HUGE Holiday thank-you to our Holiday Fun Guide Sponsor, The Ingleside Hotel presenting the Country Christmas.

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS at the Ingleside Hotel is Wisconsin’s Largest outdoor drive through light display and it begins soon for the 2018 season.  My kids always have a blast going through each year and they always seem to notice more and more details each year and squeal with delight as we make our way through! It runs from November 23rd – 25th and then November 30 through December 31st. Sunday through Thursday hours are from 5-9 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays it runs from 5- 10 pm.

Country Christmas holiday lights

Country Christmas is celebrating its 23rd year as Wisconsin’s largest and most spectacular drive-through holiday lights event! Country Christmas features over a million holiday lights festively displayed along a mile-long trail that winds through the woods. You’ll experience enchanting animated figures and holiday scenes – all from the comfort of your car. And when you’ve finished your trip through the trail, leave your vehicle behind and visit Christmas Village and The Streets of Bethlehem. Christmas Village is home to our spectacular, working model train display as well as a concession area to purchase refreshments. The Streets of Bethlehem is where you will be amazed by the near life-size Fontanini nativity display, an exact replica of the one found at the Vatican.

HANDY HOLIDAY GUIDES

(CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW)

Waukesha Christmas parade
CHRISTMAS PARADE GUIDE sponsored by Old World Wisconsin
South East Wisconsin Christmas Tree Farms Guide Christmas Tree Lighting Guide
CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS sponsored by Noffke Tree Farms in Mequon, WI
Oconomowoc Tree Lighting Lannon Community Tree Lighting Okauchee Tree Lighting Downtown Waukesha Tree Lighting Brookfield Village Holiday Tree Lighting Pewaukee Christmas Tree Lighting Brookfield Tree Lighting Christmas Tree Lighting Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTINGS sponsored by Lovejoy Travel Agency
German Christmas Market
PHOTOS WITH SANTA GUIDE sponsored by Goldfish Swim School
Holiday Craft Fair Guide
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR GUIDE sponsored by Brown St. Emporium
Lake Country Family Fun's Shop Small Holiday Guide
HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE sponsored by local small businesses listed in guide

CAN'T MISS LOCAL HOLIDAY EVENTS

must see performances

JOY OF CHRISTMAS

WAUKESHA County SALVATION ARMY: THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS
BY
North Coast Brass and The Bagpipe Brigade of St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

Do not miss these four wonderful Christmas Concerts on three days, a fundraising series to benefit the WAUKESHA County SALVATION ARMY and its charitable work, exclusively in Waukesha County. Last year events were sold out and stand-room only, so get your tickets EARLY!

North Prairie: Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 6:45 pm – Highview Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Waukesha:  Friday, December 14, 2018 at 6:45 pm – First Baptist Church

Brookfield: Saturday afternoon, December 15, 2018 at 1:45 pm – Froedert Chapel of the Chimes at Wisconsin Memorial Park 

Delafield: Saturday evening, December 15, 2018 at 6:45 pm – St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy Noble Victory Memorial Chapel.

TICKET PRICES

  • Adult: $14
  • Senior: $12
  • Child: $10
  • *There is a $1.25 fee to purchase tickets through the above links.

All Christmas related fun from the Waukesha County Salvation Army found HERE.14

MAINSTAGE ACADEMY OF DANCE PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER BALLET

MainStage Academy of Dance Presents: The Nutcracker

Don’t Miss This Beloved Holiday Favorite!

DREAMS come alive in the MainStage Academy of Dance Youth Ballet’s enchanting production of ETA Hoffman’s The Nutcracker! Be delighted by the dazzling handmade embellished costumes, charming sets, falling snow and accomplished dancers as MSAD’s signature production unfolds before your eyes in this most beloved holiday favorite. We are in our seventh year and invite you to make it a family tradition!
This is the what true fairytales are made of!

The Nutcracker Ballet is performed entirely by the students of Mainstage Academy of Dance along with a few of their parents. The young cast of boys and girls, ages 8-18, will perform choreography by MainStage Artistic Director, Eddy Bray.

Showtimes:

  • Friday, December 7 – 7:00 pm
  • Saturday, December 8 – 1:00 pm
  • Saturday, December 8 – 7:00 pm
  • Sunday, December 9 – 2:00 pm
  • All performances will be shown at the OCONOMOWOC ARTS CENTER.
  • Ticket prices are $16-18.

Purchase your tickets HERE!

Help us feed families in need by bringing a donation of non-perishable food items. Thank you! 

The 6th ANNUAL Production of the delightful musical rendition of the Charles Dickens classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL will be at the Lake Country Playhouse this Holiday season.

NOVEMBER 29 – DECEMBER 9, 2018

Music by ERNEST BRUSUBARDIS | Lyrics and Adaptation by MICHAEL KOSCINSKI

This year’s production promises audiences ‘a little something different’ to welcome the holiday season. Starring past years Christmas Carol Director Bob Hurd as Ebenezer Scrooge!
Appropriate audience: All ages

Purchase your tickets HERE. 

Elf the Musical at the Fireside Theatre

Fort Atkinson, WI

November 1 – December 23, 2018
Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy is now a must-see holiday musical. Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true spirit of Christmas. This modern day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf!

Christmas on Main Street

Looking for some nearby holiday fun that the whole family will enjoy? Enjoy Main Street Song & Dance Troupe’s holiday show, bursting with Christmas cheer! This show sells out, so reserve your seats online before they’re gone. Tickets are currently 33% off using the promo code CHEER at www.mainstreetsonganddance.org

Performances run December 14-15, 2018
Sussex Hamilton – Little Theatre
Run time: 1 hour plus 15 minute intermission

P.S. Kids can meet and take photos with Santa at the Saturday matinee performance!

Main Street Song and Dance Troupe’s remarkable vocalists and dancers have wowed audiences at hundreds of venues around southeastern Wisconsin and the U.S., including Summerfest, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, and Disney World.

This family-friendly show features holiday classics as well as hits from modern holiday musicals such as Elf and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Performances will be held at the Sussex Hamilton High School “Little Theatre” on Dec. 14th at 7:30 PM and Dec. 15th at 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM.

Tickets for the event can be purchased online with reserved seating at www.mainstreetsonganddance.org. A 33% discount is available when using the promo code CHEER, making this show an affordable and fun family outing at only $10 per ticket.

Children are invited to meet and take pictures with Santa at the 3:00 show on Dec. 15th, and all three shows feature an interactive sing-along section that kids—and kids at heart—will love.

According to Main Street’s creative director Jes Sudbrink, “New audience members are always shocked at the caliber of talent at our performances. This year, we wanted to provide a fun and lively Christmas show that whisks the audience into a world of joy and Christmas cheer.”

 

make these holiday trips

Looking for some holiday fun to get you and your family in the holiday spirit? Enjoy this list and get in touch with your jolly side 🙂

Note: Information posted below taken from websites with permission.

COUNTRY SPRINGS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS DRIVE THROUGH LIGHTS

 PEWAUKEE, WI

holiday lights

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS at the Ingleside Hotel is Wisconsin’s Largest outdoor drive through light display and it begins soon for the 2018 season.  My kids always have a blast going through each year and they always seem to notice more and more details each year and squeal with delight as we make our way through! It runs from November 23rd – 25th and then November 30 through December 31st. Sunday through Thursday hours are from 5-9 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays it runs from 5- 10 pm.

OLD WORLD CHRISTMAS MARKET

ELKHART, WI

Reminiscent of the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt of Nüremberg, Germany, the 21st annual Old World Christmas Market at The Osthoff Resort offers the warmth and merriment of this Old World tradition. The Osthoff Resort’s Old World Christmas Market was named one of the 2012 American Bus Association’s Top 100 Events in North America (CLICK HERE TO READ THE PRESS RELEASE)! For ten consecutive days, guests stroll the aisles of a grand heated tent bedecked with fragrant boughs of fresh evergreens and the tantalizing scents of roasted almonds and Nüremberg bratwurst as they browse for unique and specialty items among international and regional artisans.

The Old World Food Court offers shoppers space to relax and enjoy delectable German fare, such as, Nüremberg bratwurst, hot glühwein, sauerbraten, dumplings, wiener schnitzel, potato pancakes, red cabbage, pulled pork and apple strudel. Father Christmas, the venerable old gentleman in his berry red, fur-trimmed suit, roams the market merrily greeting children of all ages. So be sure to bring along your camera for some memorable photo opportunities.

The 2018 Old World Christmas Market is open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM, November 30 – December 9, 2018. Admission is $7 per adult, children 14 and under are complimentary with an adult ticketholder. Discounted ticket prices for groups of 20 or more are available.

For more information, please call  (877) 517-4596.

AN OLD WORLD CHRISTMAS

EAGLE, WI

 Old World Wisconsin Christmas Eagle Lake Country Family Fun

Celebrate the season as you travel back in time to engage your sense with performances, music, food, and hands-on activities that highlight holiday traditions brought to Wisconsin by immigrants.  Help prepare Vanocka (traditional braided bread), tour the Yuletide Village in a horse-drawn sleigh, have your picture taken with Victorian Santa Claus in his busy workshop, sip on hot cider and wassail, indulge in sweet treats, and more! Don’t forget to watch out for Krampus! 

December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 from 10am to 4pm.  / Advance reservations are not required for An Old World Christmas. Special Pricing: Adults $12; youth (5-17) $9; children 4 and under are free. WHS members receive Free Admission to An Old World Christmas.

GUIDED TROLLEY TOUR OF LIGHTS

LAKE GENEVA, WI

geneva

Christmas in the Country 2018 and the 25th Annual Illumination Ceremony – Join Grand Geneva on Sunday, November 18, 2018 for the kickoff of the annual six-week long Christmas in the Country Celebration. We flip the switch on more than 2 million lights throughout the property, then follow it up with our dazzling grand fireworks display to kick off the holiday season. Discover even more holiday magic this season with the additional kids activities and live entertainment throughout the Grand Ballroom, Evergreen Ballroom and the Lobby. Enjoy holiday cookies and hot apple cider too. We ask that all guests bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to United Way of Walworth County.

BMO HARRIS BANK’S ANNUAL STEIFF ANIMAL HOLIDAY DISPLAY

MILWAUKEE, WI

 

This annual holiday tradition transforms BMO Harris Bank’s downtown lobby into a holiday spectacular. Free and open to the public at 770 N. Water Street, downtown Milwaukee. This year’s BMO Harris Bank Holiday Display features more than 150 life-sized animals in Holiday Busy Town. The display is free and open to the public. For each visitor to the Display, BMO Harris Bank will donate $5 to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

2018 Dates TBD

 

MILWAUKEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL

 

November 15, 2018 – January 1, 2019

It’s the most dazzling time of year downtown – the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is returning for its 20th year! Kick off the season on Thursday, November 15 at Pere Marquette Park with a holiday variety show and the city’s largest switch-flipping ceremony.

Kick-off

Ongoing activities

 

 

HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES

WAUKESHA, WI

silver bells

Enjoy an elegant horse-drawn CARRIAGE RIDE through the streets of downtown Waukesha.  Tickets can be purchased from participating downtown businesses, and you can get on a carriage at any of the carriage ride stops throughout downtown.

The cost for tickets is $5.00 per person or $12 for a family of three or more. Tickets can be purchased at:

  • Martha Merrell’s Books & Toys

Carriage Ride Schedule 2018

Friday’s 6 PM – 9 PM

Saturday’s 1 PM – 5 PM

ENTER TO WIN A FAMILY FOUR PACK OF CARRIAGE RIDE TICKETS HERE.

CANDY CANE LANE

WEST ALLIS, WI

candy

CANDY CANE LANE is in West Allis and is fundraising for the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer).  It runs November 23 through December 26th, and the hours are 6:00 -9:00 pm on the weekdays and 5:00 – 10:00 pm on Saturday & Sunday.  Please note that the hours may change due to weather, traffic, and other conditions.  Candy Cane Lane is the neighborhood bordered by 96th Street on the west, 92nd Street on the east, Montana Avenue on the north, and Oklahoma Avenue on the south.  The Official MACC Fund donation location is at the intersection of 95th and Manitoba.

 

WISCONSIN CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL OF LIGHTS

CALEDONIA

Wisconsin Christmas Carnival Of Lights **Giveaway**

THE CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL OF LIGHTS is open Saturday, November 24th through December 31 except Christmas Day, when the Carnival is closed so that the Isaacson family can enjoy the holiday together. Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 5:00 – 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday: 5:00 – 10:00 pm.  Cost:  Car (up to 8 people) $20, Large passenger vans, camper, limo, mini bus $30, Large Bus, Greyhound or Large Motorhome $35.  Please note: Santa’s Workshop is open every day. Santa is at the workshop and available for photos every Wednesday 6:00-8:30pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30-9:30PM on November 26th and between December 2nd and 24th. Visit SANTA’S WORKSHOP to learn more. The Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights is hosted at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Camp Resort in Caledonia, Wisconsin, located just 20 minutes south of Milwaukee.

Note: Cash only. ATM available.

 

MONCHES ARTISANS HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

MONCHES

Join us the first weekend of December (Nov 30 – Dec 2) for a driving tour through the historic Monches and scenic Holy Hill area. Each stop on the tour is offering unique giftable items you won’t find anywhere else, created by  local artists. Visit our ‘participants’ page to view all the stops along the tour. The tour runs from 9:00am until 5:00pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday*. Print out a map to plan your personal driving tour! Maps will also be available at each of the tour stops as well.

SHALOM HOLIDAY LIGHT DRIVE THROUGH

The holiday drive-thru begins Saturday November 17th and runs through Monday December 31st. Evening hours include special colored floodlights to enhance animal viewing and make the trip magical. New this year: Dress warm and walk our short petting zoo trail where you can feed and enjoy the animals. Grain is available for $3/bag. After, enjoy complimentary hot cocoa or purchase a meal in our Grizzly Grill Restaurant. Saturday and Sundays from 11/24 to 12/23, Santa will be available in our gift shop from 12:30pm-3:30pm. Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 11am-5pm Thursday: 11am-8pm Friday: 11am-9pm Saturday: 11am-9pm Sunday: 11am-8pm. 12/26-12/31: 11am-9pm

Pricing: $5 per person before 3:30pm (2 & under are free) $7.50 per person after 3:30pm (2 & under are free) Pricing includes the holiday drive-thru, petting zoo admission, and hot cocoa. We hope to see you this holiday season! 

 

ENCHANTMENT IN THE PARK

JOIN US FOR AN INTERACTIVE HOLIDAY LIGHTSHOW TO BENEFIT HUNGRY FAMILIES AND LOCAL

*Horse & carriage rides 5:00-9:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday

*Roast marshmallows over the toasty warm fire pits every Friday and Saturday

*Special events provided every night starting at 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.

*Santa leaves at 8:00 p.m. on Sundays

Festive Fridays

Celebrate the holidays with Cedar Creek on Festive Fridays! On each of the six Friday nights before Christmas you will find a specially-themed holiday event at the Cedar Creek Settlement. The winery and shops are open until 9pm with music, wine tastings, cookies and cider. The Settlement is festively adorned for the holidays and features 25 unique shops all nestled in a restored 1864 woolen mill. Each Friday will have a specially-themed holiday event. November 16 – Settlement Christmas Showcase November 23 – Home for the Holidays November 30 – A Heritage Christmas December 7 – Santa’s Workshop December 14 – A Taste of Christmas December 21 – Countdown to Christmas Happy Holidays!

In 2018, the City is delighted to host the Wisconsin State Ice Carving Competition as part of the 2018 Ice Festival on Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16!

Over a dozen ice blocks will be placed throughout Wehmhoff Square Park. Each sculpture will be carved from a 300-pound block of ice that has been frozen in a special process to ensure that the blocks are crystal clear. The blocks are ten inches thick, twenty inches wide and stand forty inches tall on a wooden stand. The live sculpture carving, a favorite viewing attraction, showcases ice carvers using hand tools as they transform the massive blocks of ice into an array of giant masterpieces.

Along with watching the carving competition, visitors can spend the day in downtown Burlington taking a horse-drawn wagon ride, seeing live reindeer, visiting Santa Clause, exploring our downtown and much more! There is no cost to visitors attending this festival. This is event is only made possible with the support of our community sponsors.

Schedule of Events
Wehmhoff Square Park
355 N. Pine Street, Burlington, WI

Saturday, December 15
• Ice carving competition: 10 am – 4 pm (Judge at 4 pm)
• Horse and wagon rides: 11 am – 3 pm
• Reindeer in the park: 11 am – 2 pm
• Cookie walk downtown: 12 pm – 4 pm
• Bonfires in park & s’mores: 12 pm – 4 pm
• Carolers: 12 pm – 4 pm
• Santa in the Chalet: 2 pm – 4 pm
• Crafts for kids at the Library
• Carvings lit up at night!

Sunday, December 16
• State carving competition awards: 10:30 am
• Horse and wagon rides: 11 am – 2 pm
• Hug a Husky at Mercantile Hall: 12 pm – 1:30 pm
• Santa in the Chalet: 2 pm – 4 pm
• Bloody Marys & mimosas at Bubbas Brickyard
• Carvings lit up at night!

LCFF HOLIDAY ARTICLES

LIGHT DISPLAYS THAT AMAZE

LIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The show will run from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm Sunday through Thursday; 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. 

See link for address and more details.

LIGHTS ON GLEN COVE

The display will run each night starting at 5:00 pm. The shows will end at 9:00 pm on Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. The display hopes to be up on December 1, 2018. 

LIGHT DISPLAY ON SUNFLOWER COURT IN SUMMIT

Park your car and watch the Christmas lights as you listen to the music over the radio at a residential home on Sunflower Court in Summit. Tune to channel fm 89.5.  The display runs from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Lights are up and one song available at this time. More songs will be added the weekend of December 1, 2018.

GLEISNER HOLIDAY LIGHTS DISPLAY

Not occurring in 2018! Check back in 2019 🙂


1364 Crystal Lake Drive
Oconomowoc, WI 53066

Christmas at the Lodge

Drive past this beautifully remodeled home in downtown Oconowmoc at night to see their gorgeous lights. 

307 N. Lake Road
 

Enchantment in the Park

Join Us For An Interactive Holiday Lightshow To Benefit Hungry Families And Local

*Horse & carriage rides 5:00-9:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday

*Roast marshmallows over the toasty warm fire pits every Friday and Saturday

*Special events provided every night starting at 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.

*Santa leaves at 8:00 p.m. on Sundays

The Ziemer Family invites you to drive through their light display on their farm on the north side of Watertown. The lights will be on at 5:00 pm. You can drive through now through New Year’s Day.

More details here.

LAKE COUNTRY FAMILY FUN HAS ALL YOUR HOLIDAY NEEDS. CHECK OUT OUR HOLIDAY SHOP SMALL GUIDE, PHOTOS WITH SANTA GUIDE, CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING GUIDE, CHRISTMAS TREE FARM GUIDE, HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR GUIDE, AND CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY PARADE GUIDE. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM LAKE COUNTRY FAMILY FUN!

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM LAKE COUNTRY FAMILY FUN! 

ADD SOME HOLIDAY FUN

If you have a Holiday Fun event that fits into one of the categories in our Holiday Fun Guide and would like it added to this list, please email us at erin@lakecountryfamilyfun(dot)com with your information. You can also email us via the contact form below.