The Bayfield Winter Festival is an annual wild weekend of winter fun, taking place March 4-6, 2022! To celebrate the end of winter (almost), the town and nearby places like Mt. Ashwabay put on a variety of fun and crazy activities. Whether you plunge into the frozen lake, chow down fish livers, tear up the obstacle course, go fat tire biking, do the Poker Run, or just come for the party, we’re sure you’ll enjoy the celebration of the end of the joyous winter season.
On behalf of the residents of Bayfield and surrounding communities, the Bayfield Winter Festival team invites you to join the shenanigans! A schedule is below.
Check out the Polar Plunge on Saturday, which is always fun to watch. Hey, watch it from a previous year here:
Bayfield is a beautiful town in any season, not just during the Bayfield Winter Festival. Highway 13 brings you there, just a few miles north of Washburn and from U.S. 2 near Ashland.
Bayfield Winter Festival Address:
140 Broad Street
Bayfield, WI 54814
(715) 779-5408 Website
Fat Tire biking during the Bayfield Winter Festival.
Schedule for Bayfield Winter Festival
Friday, March 4th
1-3 p.m. Winter Botany Hike at Big Ravine Trailhead, Preregistration Required (FULL!)
2:30-5 p.m. Bonfire at Bayfield Winery and Blue Ox Cider
3:30-6:30 p.m. Open Swim, Bayfield Recreation and Fitness Resources
4-9 p.m. Friday Youth “Glow” Night at Mount Ashwabay
4-6 p.m. Happy Hour at the Creamery with $1 off any drink
5-8 p.m. Fish Fry Special at the Bayfield Inn Lakeside Dining Room
6-9 p.m. Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe at Howl Adventure Center
6 p.m. – Close: Bonfire and Beer at Adventure Club Brewery
Saturday, March 5th
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bayfield City Wide Winter Fest Sales at local businesses
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Children’s Sensory Activities at Sweet Sailing, hosted by Kiddiwink Kids
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pet Adoption Event at Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion, Chequamegon Humane Association
Noon – 7 p.m. Open Swim, Bayfield Recreation and Fitness Resources
Noon- 1 p.m. Polar Plunge Sign In, Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!
NOON – 1 p.m. Penguin Egg Hunt – Eggs will be hidden in the snow by the pavilion and polar plunge area.
Noon – 3 p.m. “Shiver your Liver” serving whitefish livers, hot food and beverages at Pier Plaza Ice Cream Window
Noon- 2 p.m. Family Activities – Tug of war, snowball races and more by the pavilion
1 p.m. Jim’s Racey’s Rescue Dog Sled Team Demo on Ice Road (weather permitting)
1:30 -2 p.m. United States Coast Guard Ice Rescue Demo, Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion
2-3 p.m. Polar Plunge, Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion
3-4:30 p.m. Hug a Husky Meet and Greet with Jim’s Racey’s Rescue Dog Sled Team
4 p.m. Sherps Demo with Beyond the Catch at Copper Crow
4:30-6 p.m. Flick and Float (Cool Runnings), Bayfield Recreation and Fitness Resources
5 p.m. Legendary Waters Resort and Casino, Prime Rib Dinner Special
5 – 8 p.m. Prime Rib Special at the Bayfield Inn Lakeside Dining room
6 p.m. – Midnight. Legendary Waters Resort & Casino, Ten times Dice & and Golden Ticket Drawings.
8 p.m. 11 p.m. – Live Music at Legendary Waters Resort & Casino Shantily Clad and Low Hanging Fruit
Sunday, March 6th
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bloody Mary Sunday at Copper Crow Distillery
Noon – 4:30 pm. Bayfield School Band Bingo Fundraiser at Legendary Waters
4-6 p.m. Bonfire Fundraiser for Bayfield Playgrounds, Seagull Bay Motel: Food, hot/cold beverages, snow sculpture contest, prizes and more!
Ashland’s Book Across the Bay is one of the upper Midwest’s most unique winter events, open to over 4,000 skiers and snowshoers of all ages and ability levels. The 10-kilometer course, which is groomed for both classic-style and skate skiing, starts in Ashland and ends in Washburn, and follows a route not on land, but over the frozen surface of Lake Superior, the world’s largest lake. The event is held at night, and the course is lit by the stars above and up to 1,000 candles in ice luminaries that line the entire route!
This is a FREE point-to-point race that starts in Ashland and ends in Washburn. Please plan your transportation accordingly. They strongly urge you to park your car in Washburn near the finish area at Thompson’s West End Park just off Highway 13, and catch a shuttle to Ashland before the race. Buses will run from Washburn to Ashland from 1:00–5:00 pm prior to the race.
The race itself starts in waves, from competitive skiers and snowshoers to recreational, and then walkers who may prefer not to be timed. The start area is at Maslowski Beach, which is located along U.S. Highway 2 at the far west end of Ashland. The finish line is in Washburn, on the bay near Thompson’s West End Park. A heated tent will be set up there for the post-race chili feed, beer and soda, music and awards.
Three Fun Races take place on Lake Superior in front of The Blue Wave:
The Penguin Fun Race starts at 11:00AM for children under 8 years old
The Fox Fun Race starts at 11:15AM for children 8 to 10 years old. Each participant in the Penguin and Fox races will receive an award, hot chocolate and cookies
The Polar Bear Race starts at 11:30AM for children 11 to 14 years of age. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place; cookie and hot chocolate
Participate, or just marvel at it. It’s a fun party and the area is beautiful this time of year – as long as you’re bundled up properly!
Also on Sunday, February 20th: Bike Across the Bay!
Bike Across the Bay at 10am, hosted by North Coast Cycling Association. The race will start from the Washburn Shore. Registration will be from 8:30-9:30am at the Harbor View Event Center, 130 Harbor View Dr, Washburn. Get more info at www.northcoastcycling.com.
U.S. 2 and Highway 13 are the main highways to and from Ashland. U.S. 63 guides you there from western Wisconsin, and local Highways 112 and 118 help you navigate the area. More things to do for this event in Ashland are available below.
Book Across the Bay Address:
Maslowski Beach Park
U.S. Highway 2 West
Ashland, WI 54806
(800) 284-9484 Website
Forget the “Big Apple” – go “Big Cherry”! The 5th annual Door County Cherry Drop takes place this New Year’s Eve in Sister Bay to ring in 2022. This takes place after the 8th annual “In With a Bang!” New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show, the only major fireworks show on the Door Peninsula. And really, what better way to say goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022 in Door County than by dropping a giant cherry up to the stroke of midnight?
Begin with the fireworks, scheduled for 8:00 pm on Friday, December 31, at the Sister Bay Marina along Highway 42. They’re promising the biggest finale ever for the fireworks this year – even though they say that every year. Before and after the fireworks show, check out the village restaurants and bars for their celebration menus and specials. The fireworks are sponsored by the Village of Sister Bay.
It’s kinda-sorta like Times Square! The big party in Door County is in Sister Bay for New Year’s Eve, where the Cherry Drop is fast becoming a popular annual tradition.
Top off your evening with the 5th Annual Door County Cherry Drop, presented by one of our favorite Wisconsin radio stations, FM 106.9 The Lodge. Enjoy live music and libations at both Husby’s & Sister Bay Bowl, and then The Lodge will warm up the event with the biggest party tunes of all time starting at 10:30pm, broadcasting live from both Husby’s and The Sister Bay Bowl. Shortly before midnight, the giant sparkling cherry will drop in Sister Bay and welcome in 2022. You should too! The party continues for a while because, as you know, you have to keep it going for a while once a new year begins.
Find out more about the event in my State Trunk Tour podcast discussion with Jaime Forest from the Door County Radio Group! Listen on your free iHeartRadio app here or right on this page via Spreaker below:
You’ll find the festivities for the 8th annual In With A Bang! Fireworks show and the 5th annual Door County Cherry Drop along Highway 42 in Sister Bay, where Highway 57 ends. You’ll probably want to stay overnight, so find lodging and other resources at ComeToSisterBay.com.
Door County Cherry Drop & In With a Bang! Fireworks Show Address:
10733 Bay Shore Drive (Highway 42)
Sister Bay, WI 54234
(920) 854-2812 Website
Start:
December 31, 2021 8:00 pm
End:
January 1, 2022 1:00 am
Venue:
Downtown Sister Bay
Address:
10733 Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay, WI, 54234, United States
The Wonderland of Lights creates holiday magic at Racine Zoo, now through January 2, 2022. Enjoy dazzling illuminations from the safety and comfort of your own vehicle! This is a drive-thru this year, filled with enchanting light displays of delightfully decorated trees, characters, a 96-foot “drive-thru” tunnel with an incredible show of dynamic designs, and more. It’s perfect for any age, but children ages 15 and younger also get a FREE piece of Yowie Candy during their visit, while supplies last!
Admission is $5/person, kids 2 years old and younger are admitted free. Cash or credit cards are accepted at the gate. The Wonderland of Lights is open from 6pm to 9pm Wednesdays – Sundays, and will be open on ALL holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
The drive-thru works by having drivers enter at the 200 Goold Street gate entrance on the corner of Goold and Michigan Boulevard, just a few blocks east of Highway 32. People MUST queue on Michigan Boulevard along the lakefront; no left turns from Goold Street are allowed. Cars, minivans, and pickup trucks are welcome, please note that the height limit is 9 feet, 4 inches. Oversize vehicles, RVs, motorcycles, and recreational devices such as bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc. are not permitted. No honking is allowed (this is a zoo, please be respectful of the nearby animals) and the maximum speed allowed is 3mph.
Since it is a drive-thru only experience, masks are not required, but they do ask that you remain in your vehicle at all times.
The Racine Zoo is just north of downtown Racine along Lake Michigan, about 8 miles east of I-41/94. Highways 11, 20, 32, and 38 bring you into town; Highway 32 comes closest to the zoo. Map and queue directions can be found here. And ENJOY!
Wonderland of Lights Address:
Racine Zoo
200 Goold Street
Racine, WI 53402
(262) 636-9189 Website
Boerner Botanical Gardens Winter Wonders Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show ushers in holiday cheer with brilliant light displays, inflatable Santas, and massive, color-changing trees as part of an international-themed drive-thru experience with OVER ONE MILLION LIGHTS! From Friday, November 19th all the way through Sunday, January 2nd in 2022 (including all holidays), you and your family and friends can enjoy holiday displays from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States on a 1.4-mile route winding through Whitnall Park and the grounds of the Gardens themselves. Theatrical and concert lighting effects change the colors of giant trees and bushes on the route in spectacular fashion. From 20-foot tall inflatable Santas to neon palm trees, there are unique holiday displays around every corner. There’s even a mini drive-in theater!
Admission is $25 per carload, defined as any car, van, mini-van, pick-up truck, or SUV. You need to purchase your tickets online in advance. “Skip the Line” tickets gain early access between 4:30pm and 5:00pm for $35. Planning on showing up in a limo? They have a price for that, too: $51.50 (yes, just like the Van Halen album.) $51.50 also nets you a Season Pass for a car, good for up to four visits from November 19th up through January 2nd.
You can get to Boerner Botanical Gardens just off U.S. 45/Highway 100 and Highway 24 via Whitnall Park in Hales Corners. I-41/894 & I-43 are also close by! The entrance for this route is just off S. 92nd Street between College and Rawson Avenues; the address is 6751 S. 92nd Street, Franklin, WI 53132 for your GPS. It’s the same entrance as Whitnall Park Golf Course.
Boerner Botanical Gardens Winter Wonders Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show Address:
Milwaukee’s first Noel Festival Light Park & Christmas Market, running from November 27th, 2021 through January 2nd, 2002! It happens at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center. Experience the awe and wonder of over one million glimmering Christmas lights, complemented by a unique artisan market, festive food & drink, daily live entertainment, locally-made gifts and stocking stuffers, and much more… Noel is truly a fairytale world come to life.
The family-friendly event will transform 90,000 square feet of the Expo Centre into a magical winter wonderland. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, too!
One Million Twinkling Lights you can walk through indoors in comfort while enjoying the beauty
A Local Artisan Market. This curated Christmas market has a wide array of festive gifts and stocking stuffers from local boutique businesses and craft artisans.
Festive Food & Drink from a variety of vendors
Noel Princesses who will be there for greetings and photos
Santa’s Village, where you’ll find elves working on toys for Christmas and Santa himself to greet you and hear your wishes
Live Entertainment happening daily with a variety of artists and performers
Picture Perfect Opportunities with all of the lights and decorations, you can light up for Instagram account
Kids’ Activities including face painting, interactive light displays and a holiday play park
Date Night Opportunities. All of this adds up to a great date night!
Memories You Can Make from all of this, whether it’s a date night, family night, or if you just want to get into the spirit
Tickets are best purchased in advance and you can book your date and time to ensure easy entry and a fun time with some elbow room. Right now, take advantage of a 20% discount when you purchase tickets to attend Noel between Nov. 27 – Dec. 5th. Use promo code AGIFTFORYOU20.
You’ll find the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center along Highway 59/Greenfield Avenue in West Allis, two blocks east of Highway 181/84th Street and less than a mile south of I-94 at Exit #306. U.S. 18, I-41/894, and U.S. 45 all bring you close, too!
Noel Festival Light Park & Christmas Market Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center
8200 W. Greenfield Avenue (Highway 59 & Highway 181)
West Allis, WI 53214 Website
Kick-off the holiday season with Christmas By the Bay, the weekend of November 19th – 21st! It begins with Sturgeon Bay’s “Unwrapping Sturgeon Bay” community car parade on Friday, November 19 beginning at 6pm at Sawyer Park. Parade lineup begins at 5pm, come early and decorate your vehicle or pack the kids in with hot cocoa. Cars will parade through Sturgeon Bay as stores “unwrap” their festive holiday windows for the very first time! After the conclusion of the car parade, join us at the Old Bell Tower at 3rd and Kentucky for the tree lighting, caroling, in-store specials, and music by Josh Gregory, Hervy Hodges, and Mike Raye beginning at 7pm. Tree lighting will happen at approximately 8pm.
Christmas By The Bay fun continues Saturday, with the Holiday Parade at 10am featuring floats, music, and a special appearance from none other than SANTA! After the parade, meet with Santa in his sleigh at the Door County Historical Museum until 1:00 so that he’s sure to get your list!
Free trolley rides will be available throughout Downtown Sturgeon Bay Saturday, November 20 from 11:00am – 3:00pm with stops located at Community Foundation Square, the Door County Historical Museum, Door County Maritime Museum, and Lawless Coffee.
The Santa Mailbox will be right outside of Destination Sturgeon Bay’s door (36 S. 3rd Ave.) so that you can drop off your letters whenever you have them ready to head to the North Pole. The mailbox will be out until December 24th!
Finish off the fun-filled weekend of Christmas By the Bay during brunch with Santa at Stone Harbor Resort on Sunday 9:30-11am. Call 920-746-0700 for reservations.
Sturgeon Bay is an easy ride along Highways 42 or 57 from the rest of Wisconsin. Check out all sights in town and as much of the rest of the Door Peninsula as possible when you go!
Christmas By the Bay Address in Sturgeon Bay:
107 N. First Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(920) 743-6246 Website
The 36th annual Great Hartford Craft Exposition brings over 100 exhibitors to Hartford Union High School to give visitors a chance to find great holiday gifts and creative items for your home. It takes place Saturday, November 13th, 2021 from 9am to 3pm, as part of a full day of local celebrations in Hartford. The day includes the annual Hartford Lions Pancake Dinner as well as the local holiday parade, which kicks off at 3pm.
You’ll find Hartford Union High School on Cedar Street, west of Highway 83 and south of Highway 60 in Hartford. Nearby attractions include the Wisconsin Automotive Museum, Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, Holy Hill, and more! It’s about 10 minutes west of I-41 at the Highway 60 exit, too.
Great Hartford Craft Expo Address:
Hartford Union High School
805 Cedar Street
Hartford, WI 53027
(262) 719-5871 Website
The Driftless Film Festival celebrates this unique region that escaped the glaciers of the ice age and its inspiration for many talented artists and filmmakers. Happening November 4 – 7, 2021 this year, the Driftless Film Festival brings together the best of new independent cinema with the landscape, artistic energy, and local atmosphere of Southwest Wisconsin. Now in its eighth year, Driftless continues to provide a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience for audiences and filmmakers alike.
Founded in 2009 by filmmakers Darren Burrows and Nicholas Langholff, Driftless was born of a love for independent films, an appreciation of the unusual region, and the joy of spending a weekend immersed in the charm Mineral Point’s galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars. It is this delightful marriage of place and cinematic story that is the core of the Driftless vision today.
The Driftless Film Festival screens each of its films in the Mineral Point Opera House. Beautifully restored in 2009, it retains the atmosphere of its origins as a 1915 vaudeville house. Brought to life by film screenings and live performances year round, the Opera House is both an elegant testament to Mineral Point’s passion for preservation and a showcase space for some of the best entertainment in the region.
Each year the festival hosts filmmakers from across the country. Special guests have included Mark Metcalf (Animal House, Seinfeld, Little Red), Anthony Arendt (Muscle Shoals, Avatar), and Matt Adams (We Cause Scenes) among many others. Not only do visiting filmmakers present revealing Q&A discussions during the festival, but the weekend provides an opportunity for filmmakers and attendees to mingle outside the screenings.
From popular festival hits to locally-produced art, the Driftless Film Festival seeks to showcase the most thought-provoking, innovative, and creative independent cinema of our time. These films will hit home in a place that feels like home, and of course Pendarvis, “Shake Rag Alley,” and other places to enjoy in town also makes the trip worthwhile.
2021 Features will be announced soon.
The Driftless Film Festival runs Thursday, November 4th through Sunday, November 7th, so you have several days’ worth of options for when to attend! Check their website for a full slate of films and other activities. Tickets for individual screenings vary; you can also purchase a $50 pass that gets you in to everything. BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE.
Mineral Point Opera House
139 High Street
Mineral Point, WI 53565
(608) 260-8725 Website
Enjoy a drive with exceptional scenery, as the Driftless Area of Wisconsin is ridiculously beautiful. Hit Highways 23, 39, or U.S. 151 to reach Mineral Point, south of Dodgeville and northeast of Platteville and take it all in!
Norskedalen hosts Ghoulees in the Coulees events Thursday, October 28th through Saturday, October 30th, 2021 providing a fun, yet scary and haunting, experience for the whole family in this beautiful natural and cultural area near Coon Valley in southeastern La Crosse County.
At Ghoulees in the Coulees, you can take a half-mile walk through chilling and thrilling spook stations along one of their wooded trails lined by hundreds of carved, lit pumpkins. Once you navigate this, you’ll regain your wits and end up with a treat and hot apple cider at Bekkum Homestead, a historic homestead over 100 years old, illuminated only by the light of the moon and jack-‘o-lanterns.
Some of what awaits in the dark in Norskedalen during Ghoulees in the Coulees. Is this out of focus? Or are they ghosts??
Along with the hike, you can enjoy storytelling, fortune-telling, grabbing a snack around the roaring fireplace, and walking through the haunted barns and other buildings. While it can be fun for kids of all ages, you may want to plan earlier hikes while it’s still light out for the very young and “faint of heart.” Earlier hikes around 5-7pm, hikes are less scary (the spooks do not try to scare you, but may offer a high-five, handshake, or wave). Conversely, 7-10:30pm, hikes are SUPER SCARY. They mean it! Chilling ghost stories designed to give you goosebumps will also be told at the end of your hike, making regaining your wits tricky for some. Fortune tellers will also be there to peer into your future.
Family-friendly trick-or-treating takes place Thursday, October 28th. Norskedalen’s Ghoulees in the Coulees Haunted Hikes take place Friday and Saturday October 29th & 30th. Friday slot times range from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (note: most Friday slots are sold out already!); Saturday slot times run from 4:30 p.m. to just after 8:00 p.m.
Tickets for the hikes are $35 per person. Advance reservations are required.
Norsekdalen Ghoulees in the Coulees prepares for State Trunk Tour’s Eric Paulsen.
You’ll find Norskedalen (which means “Norwegian Valley”) along County PI between Highway 162 and U.S. 14/61 just north of Coon Valley in southern La Crosse County. It’s a beautiful drive through the Driftess Area, right as the trees drop the rest of their colorful leaves.
Address for Ghoulees in the Coulees:
Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center
N455 O Ophus Road
Coon Valley, WI 54623
(608) 452-3424 Website
The 9th annual Monument Mash at Monument Square in downtown Racine is happening Saturday, October 30th, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. It’s a fun family event that lets kids enjoy trick-or-treating with the downtown businesses, freaky face painting, ghoulish games, a bone-rattling bouncy house, and a “daringly devilish” DJ playing “haunting hits” – we’re guessing “Monster Mash” and “Thriller” might be two songs on the playlist, but that’s just our guess.
From 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., a costume contest will be held for kids across three divisions, as well as a pumpkin decorating and carving contest. You can enjoy some cool prizes, too!
You can also check out the Underground Railroad Quilt Exhibitthroughout downtown, as well as the Downtown Candy Crawl, which runs from noon until 3 p.m. Lots of options in Racine on Saturday , hit Highways 11, 20, 32, or 38 and get downtown to explore it all!
Monument Mash Address:
Monument Square
502 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 636-9131 Website
The Halloween Zoo Boo takes place at Manitowoc’s Lincoln Park Zoo Saturday, October 30th, 2021, with family fun for all ages. Enjoy games, activities, a costume contest, and plenty of food along with all the fun the zoo has to offer. It will be a howling good time from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.! A small entrance fee of $1.00 will be charged for children 14 and under.
Manitowoc offers its Lincoln Park Zoo free to the community and visitors all year, with a wide variety of animals to see and learn about, including:
Asiatic Black Bear
Bald Eagles
Bison
Cougar
Dall Sheep
Ducks,
African Spurred Tortoise
Russian Tortoise
Ball Pythons
Bull Snake
Box Turtles
Chilean Rose Tarantula
Native Herp Tank
Honey Bee Hive
Native Song Birds
Great Horned Owl
Geese
Goats
Grey Wolf
Lynx
Prairie Dogs
Red-Tailed Hawk
Tundra Swan
Turkey Vulture
White-Tailed Deer
and an Amphibian Tank
There’s also an Educational Center where you can learn more about the animals and their native habitats – which are sometimes right around here and sometimes from quite far away!
You’ll easily find the Lincoln Park Zoo on 8th Street on the north side of Manitowoc, just off U.S. 10 and Highway 42. It’s about five minutes east of I-43 via Exit #152!
Halloween Zoo Boo Address:
Lincoln Park Zoo
1215 N. 8th Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 683-4685 Website
The Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center hosts its annual Trick Or Treat Spooktacular on Saturday, October 30th, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Show up in your best costumes and participate in multiple fall- and Halloween-related activities, complete a scavenger hunt, and receive a bag full of Wisconsin-sourced goodies!
All special activities are included with regular admission to Farm Wisconsin.
$16 Adult
$12 Senior
$8 Youth (4-18)
Don’t forget to shop in their Farm House Store for an array of gifts and unique items! Plus, you can visit Ice Cream Acres – serving 16 different flavors of Cedar Crest ice cream.
Trick or Treat Spooktacular Address:
Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center
7001 Gass Lake Road
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 726-6000 Website
The 2nd annual Manty Monster Mash is happening Saturday, October 23rd at the Manitowoc County Expo Center! From 10am – 3pm, enjoy this indoor art, craft, and vendor fair featuring over 70 booths in total – approximately 85% of them focus on handmade arts & crafts. Categories include:
Bath, Body & Scent
Fashion & Clothing
Food & Snack
Health & Beauty
Home Goods & Decor
Jewelry & Gemstone
Local Entertainment
Metalwork
Painting & Illustration
Paper Crafts
Prints & Photography
Textile Crafts
Woodwork
Head inside the Manitowoc County Expo Center’s Merchant Building for this spook-tacular celebration that includes Trick or Treating at every vendor booth. This show is costume friendly, but not necessary! But feel free to be creative.
Admission is FREE. Parking is FREE. Fun is pretty much guaranteed.
You’ll find the Manitowoc County Expo Center just off U.S. 151 & Highway 42 on the west side of Manitowoc, right near Exit #149 off I-43. U.S. 10 comes in from the north and west, too – it’s easy to access!
Manty Monster Mash Address:
Manitowoc County Expo Grounds
4921 Expo Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 683-4378 Website
The NEW Zoo (NE Wisconsin Zoo, that’s what “NEW” stands for) northwest of Green Bay celebrates the North Shore Bank NEW Zoo Boo once again in 2021! It’s happening this year on the Friday-Saturday weekends of October 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23. For 2020 there will be no hay rides or giant inflatables, but otherwise show up in costume and enjoy all treats and no tricks. As the NEW Zoo notes on its website, “this year, every guest over the age of 1 can receive a bag of candy on arrival (yes, even the grown-ups)! The Zoo will be filled with festive, family-friendly Halloween decorations, so enjoy the sights of the Halloween season while visiting the animals. Be sure to ride the carousel and walk through the Happy Haunted Maze in the Children’s Zoo. The Dog House will also be on-site selling their full menu, including their famous, fresh battered cheese curds. Families can participate in North Shore Bank’s Zoo Scavenger Hunt, and the first 500 families to finish during each time slot can pick up a prize (while supplies last).”
Festivities for the NEW Zoo Boo run 3-8pm each day. The Adventure Park will be open for regular hours, 10am – 6pm, on all Saturdays and Sundays in October.
Regarding COVID precautions, the NEW Zoo website states: “To encourage comfortable social distancing throughout the Zoo, this year’s event will feature Timed Entries, with limited capacity for each arrival window. Guests must purchase tickets in advance that correspond to the date and time you wish to attend. Each night, guests can choose to arrive during a 60- or 90-minute arrival window, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., or from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Gates will close at 7:30 p.m., and guests can stay in the Zoo as long as they wish after arrival.”
Tickets are available at newzoo.org. Tickets are $15 per person; kids under 3 are free. Everyone aged 3 and above must have a ticket or a bar code (emailed after your online purchase) for entry. Tickets will be available at the gate each day only if they have not sold out in advance or online. Zoo Pass Members will receive one free ticket (per membership) on arrival, the same way as in past years OR Members can pickup your ticket in advance by stopping into the Zoo’s gift shop anytime during regular business hours. All other tickets needed by Members should be purchased in advance.”
The NEW Zoo Boo is accessible via U.S. 41/141 just north of Green Bay; Highways 29, 32, 54, 57, and 172 are all close by.
The Milwaukee County Zoo is going drive-thru again this year! The Milwaukee County Drive-Thru Boo at the Zoo lets you drive on Zoo pathways and take in a variety of Halloween-themed areas, carved pumpkins and illuminated light shows. The ride is specially designed for kids of all ages, including people who are kids at heart. The route is a 30-minute, 1.5-mile Halloween ride that travels on the wide and winding pathways through the Zoo. For safety purposes, animals are not viewable during these evenings.
New this year! Guests can trick-or-treat from their vehicles! Tasty treats will be handed-out along the route.
This event is a merry-not-scary ride, appropriate for kids of all ages, and kids at heart. Concession stops will be available along the route to purchase snacks and treats. Merchandise areas will be available to purchase a favorite memento.
Boo at the Zoo Drive-Thru Admission is $55 per carload for general visitors, $50 per carload for Zoo Pass members. Advance tickets are available online only and cannot be purchased at the Zoo. Vehicles will be admitted into the Zoo at the specified time, in 30-minute intervals. Entries are allowed only at the purchased time; last car admittance for the evening is 9 p.m. Tickets are non-transferrable and non-refundable. Proceeds go to support the Milwaukee County Zoological Society and the 2,000+ animals they care for.
The Milwaukee County Zoo is easily accessible via I-94, I-41/894, U.S. 18, U.S. 45, or Highway 100. It’s essentially in the center of all those major arteries! Enter the zoo off U.S. 18/Bluemound Road between Highway 100 and the Zoo Freeway, which is I-41/U.S. 45.
Milwaukee County Drive-Thru Boo at the Zoo Address:
Milwaukee County Zoo
10001 W. Bluemound Road (U.S. 18)
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 256-5466 Website
Down The Rabbit Hole is a top-notch musical, visual, and performing artist festival sweeping you away into the woods on the beautiful, lazy Apple River for a non-stop, magical, fantastical experience you will never forget.
Happening Friday, October 15th through Monday, October 18th along the Apple River in Somerset, Down The Rabbit Hole features:
Rarely seen musical acts that are local, national and International on multiple Stages + Silent Disco
Non-stop multi-genre art and music
A Mad Tea Party
Costume Contest
Trippy Trail
Freak Show
Art, Craft & Music Workshops
Yoga
Healing Arts
Hare’s Hayride
Live Act + DJ Contest
Apple Race
Petting Zoo
Aerial, Rope, Flow, Fire & Pole Performances
Riverside Camping with glamping options, cabins + day & re-entry passes for the semi-home bodies
Ice Baths and Saunas
Eat Me, Drink Me: Delicious food and beverage options for everyone including vegetarian and vegan choices, coffee, tea, kombucha, beer, wine, booze, CBD, fantastic foodie feasts and more
Live painting, art class and crafting
A PLURR Squad + Kandi Making
Medics and Top-Notch Security you know and love
SafeWord Drinks
Cart Escort Service
Sensory Overload/Chill Zones
Charging Areas, Lockers, Family/Quiet Camping and MORE
Performer lineup includes:
Cabins and campground sites are available, part of a variety of ticket packages that range from $10-$150. Admission for kids 6 & under is FREE.
Down The Rabbit Hole takes place at Apple River Hideaway in Somerset. It’s an incredibly popular area for tubing and recreation all summer, and you’ll find it just of Highways 35 and 64.
Down The Rabbit Hole Festival Address:
Apple River Hideaway Campground
712 170th Avenue
Somerset, WI 54025 Website
The inaugural Whitewater Storytelling Festival will fill you with stories, tours, and fun Friday, October 15th through Sunday, October 17th, 2021. Enjoy the tales of numerous storytellers, story walks through the community, art exhibits, a market & author fair, music, crafts and activities for children, and so much more!
Nestled in the beautiful and inspiring Kettle Moraine State Forest, Whitewater is home to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the Young Auditorium, and a robust artist community supported by the Whitewater Arts Alliance. The community enjoys a rich history in educating future teachers and entertaining the region with world-class theater productions, innovative art exhibits, and a variety of musical offerings by university students, faculty, and locals alike.
The Whitewater Storytelling Festival weekend will be filled with fun ways to engage with local and regionally known storytellers, art galleries, and creativity-inspiring activities. Stop for the day or stay for the weekend to take in the beauty of Whitewater, which is an Ice Age Trail community. You can check out their Workshop Flyer & Schedule (.pdf) and their Activities at a Glance (.pdf) flyer for more info.
Whitewater Storytelling Festival Schedule “at a Glance”:
Friday, October 15, 2021
Campfire Stories around the firepit at Cravath Lakefront Park with Hot Cocoa & S’Mores available
Story Stroll around Whitewater
Art exhibits at multiple galleries **Whitewater Spirit Tour**
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Art exhibits at multiple galleries
Story Stroll around Whitewater
Community Oral Story Gathering project with the Irving L Young Memorial Library
Whitewater History Museum open
All ages storytelling performances during the daytime
Adult only storytelling performances in the evening
Creative Workshops to inspire your inner storyteller
Children’s activity tents & reading zone
Community Storybook Project
Local authors fair & author readings
Open Mic Night at The Book Teller **Whitewater Spirit Tour**
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Story stroll around Whitewater
Create your own stories by exploring the local segments of the Ice Age Trail just outside of Whitewater!
Whitewater is right along U.S. 12 and Highways 59 and 89 on the Walworth-Jefferson County border. This city of nearly 15,000 is not only a busy college town, but one filled with stories of the paranormal, witchcraft, and more – perfect for the Halloween season! You can also check out Second Salem Brewing Company in town and enjoy some craft beer carrying names with ties to local history and lore.
Whitewater Storytelling Festival Address:
Cravath Lakefront Park
341 S. Fremont Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
(262) 473-4005 Website
Port Washington, which calls itself “Your Home Port” for a reason, it’s gorgeous in that downtown area and along the marina, hosts the annual Port Washington Fall Festival on Saturday, October 9th from 11am to 4pm. It’s a “two-fer”, though – 9:30am to 4pm it’s also Love Our Great Lakes Day.
First, the Port Washington Fall Festival celebrates the autumnal season right downtown with a farmer’s market, live music, great food and drinks, even a Fall Family Run along Franklin & Grand in downtown Port. The shops up and down the downtown streets will be ready with their offerings, and of course checking out the harbor area, Rotary Park, the marina, Coal Dock Park, Inventors Brewpub, and more are must-stops when you’re down there. The Fall Festival begins at 11am and runs full force until 4pm, with plenty of fun to follow – stick around and enjoy!
For nature and water lovers, Love Our Great Lakes Day offers a detailed examination of the waters of Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes, with speakers and afternoon field site visits of restoration work at Mineral Springs Creek and Birchwood Hills, a bird hike through Coal Dock Park led by Observatory staff, music by the Green Sails, tours through the Heart of the Harbor and the Port Washington Exploreum, and more.
It’s easy to get to downtown Port Washington: just follow Highways 32 or 33 from I-43 or Highway 57. VISIT Port Washington‘s office is right downtown too, and you can get more information while you’re down there, or call (800) 719-4881.
Port Washington Fall Festival Address:
Grand & Franklin Avenues (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(800) 719-4881 Website
Enjoy this once-a-year chance to get an up close and personal look at some of Southeastern Wisconsin’s finest artists and the spaces in which they work. Presented by the Cedarburg Artists Guild, the Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour is celebrating 39 years of offering art enthusiasts a chance to visit the studio spaces of 50 members. Visit the studios and get a glimpse into their creative process. The art tour is always held on the second full weekend of October, so here in 2021 it runs Friday, October 8th through Sunday, October 10th. The artists will be creating art during the event and are happy to explain their artistic process and inspirations.
The Tour is FREE. Your tour begins anywhere YOU want to visit. No tickets, No reservations.
Plan your own tour itinerary! Opt for a rural drive between locations encompassing the fall splendor of rural Wisconsin: Farm fields, pumpkin patches, Lake Michigan shoreline, picturesque small towns and even an historic wooden covered bridge. Or, if you aren’t in the mood for a leisurely drive, there is easy access between most of the spaces. The studio spaces are as unique and varied as the art. A spare bedroom in a suburban ranch home, an industrial garage, a 19th century barn, an 1850‘s stone mill, a walkout basement, or a tent are all creative spaces where sculpture, jewelry, photography, pottery, blacksmithing, woodworking, weaving, stain glass, encaustics, collage, prints, paintings in all mediums and styles, and fiber arts are brought to life. This is your chance to purchase a unique piece of art directly from the artist along with its “story of creation”. Please be prepared to wear a mask in some of their spaces.
Look for the red arrows
While on the tour, be sure to watch for the red arrows to direct you towards the open studios. Get a map of the studios here!
Highway 57’s historic route (now Green Bay Road and Washington Streets) cut right through Cedarburg; Highway 60 is just to the north and Highway 181 is just to the west. I-43 is several miles east; use County C or W to access Cedarburg from there!
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Festival
March 4, 2022 – March 6, 2022
Bayfield Winter Festival
The Bayfield Winter Festival is an annual wild weekend of winter fun, taking place March 4-6, 2022! To celebrate the end of winter (almost), the town and nearby places like Mt. Ashwabay put on a variety of fun and crazy activities. Whether you plunge into the frozen lake, chow down fish livers, tear up the obstacle course, go fat tire biking, do the Poker Run, or just come for the party, we’re sure you’ll enjoy the celebration of the end of the joyous winter season.
On behalf of the residents of Bayfield and surrounding communities, the Bayfield Winter Festival team invites you to join the shenanigans! A schedule is below.
Check out the Polar Plunge on Saturday, which is always fun to watch. Hey, watch it from a previous year here:
Bayfield is a beautiful town in any season, not just during the Bayfield Winter Festival. Highway 13 brings you there, just a few miles north of Washburn and from U.S. 2 near Ashland.
Bayfield Winter Festival Address:
140 Broad Street
Bayfield, WI 54814
(715) 779-5408
Website
Fat Tire biking during the Bayfield Winter Festival.
Schedule for Bayfield Winter Festival
Friday, March 4th
1-3 p.m. Winter Botany Hike at Big Ravine Trailhead, Preregistration Required (FULL!)
2:30-5 p.m. Bonfire at Bayfield Winery and Blue Ox Cider
3:30-6:30 p.m. Open Swim, Bayfield Recreation and Fitness Resources
4-9 p.m. Friday Youth “Glow” Night at Mount Ashwabay
4-6 p.m. Happy Hour at the Creamery with $1 off any drink
5-8 p.m. Fish Fry Special at the Bayfield Inn Lakeside Dining Room
6-9 p.m. Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe at Howl Adventure Center
6 p.m. – Close: Bonfire and Beer at Adventure Club Brewery
Saturday, March 5th
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bayfield City Wide Winter Fest Sales at local businesses
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Children’s Sensory Activities at Sweet Sailing, hosted by Kiddiwink Kids
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pet Adoption Event at Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion, Chequamegon Humane Association
Noon – 7 p.m. Open Swim, Bayfield Recreation and Fitness Resources
Noon- 1 p.m. Polar Plunge Sign In, Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!
NOON – 1 p.m. Penguin Egg Hunt – Eggs will be hidden in the snow by the pavilion and polar plunge area.
Noon – 3 p.m. “Shiver your Liver” serving whitefish livers, hot food and beverages at Pier Plaza Ice Cream Window
Noon- 2 p.m. Family Activities – Tug of war, snowball races and more by the pavilion
1 p.m. Jim’s Racey’s Rescue Dog Sled Team Demo on Ice Road (weather permitting)
1:30 -2 p.m. United States Coast Guard Ice Rescue Demo, Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion
2-3 p.m. Polar Plunge, Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion
3-4:30 p.m. Hug a Husky Meet and Greet with Jim’s Racey’s Rescue Dog Sled Team
4 p.m. Sherps Demo with Beyond the Catch at Copper Crow
4:30-6 p.m. Flick and Float (Cool Runnings), Bayfield Recreation and Fitness Resources
5 p.m. Legendary Waters Resort and Casino, Prime Rib Dinner Special
5 – 8 p.m. Prime Rib Special at the Bayfield Inn Lakeside Dining room
6 p.m. – Midnight. Legendary Waters Resort & Casino, Ten times Dice & and Golden Ticket Drawings.
8 p.m. 11 p.m. – Live Music at Legendary Waters Resort & Casino Shantily Clad and Low Hanging Fruit
Sunday, March 6th
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bloody Mary Sunday at Copper Crow Distillery
Noon – 4:30 pm. Bayfield School Band Bingo Fundraiser at Legendary Waters
4-6 p.m. Bonfire Fundraiser for Bayfield Playgrounds, Seagull Bay Motel: Food, hot/cold beverages, snow sculpture contest, prizes and more!
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February 19, 2022
Ashland Book Across the Bay
Ashland’s Book Across the Bay is one of the upper Midwest’s most unique winter events, open to over 4,000 skiers and snowshoers of all ages and ability levels. The 10-kilometer course, which is groomed for both classic-style and skate skiing, starts in Ashland and ends in Washburn, and follows a route not on land, but over the frozen surface of Lake Superior, the world’s largest lake. The event is held at night, and the course is lit by the stars above and up to 1,000 candles in ice luminaries that line the entire route!
This is a FREE point-to-point race that starts in Ashland and ends in Washburn. Please plan your transportation accordingly. They strongly urge you to park your car in Washburn near the finish area at Thompson’s West End Park just off Highway 13, and catch a shuttle to Ashland before the race. Buses will run from Washburn to Ashland from 1:00–5:00 pm prior to the race.
The race itself starts in waves, from competitive skiers and snowshoers to recreational, and then walkers who may prefer not to be timed. The start area is at Maslowski Beach, which is located along U.S. Highway 2 at the far west end of Ashland. The finish line is in Washburn, on the bay near Thompson’s West End Park. A heated tent will be set up there for the post-race chili feed, beer and soda, music and awards.
Three Fun Races take place on Lake Superior in front of The Blue Wave:
Participate, or just marvel at it. It’s a fun party and the area is beautiful this time of year – as long as you’re bundled up properly!
Also on Sunday, February 20th: Bike Across the Bay!
Bike Across the Bay at 10am, hosted by North Coast Cycling Association. The race will start from the Washburn Shore. Registration will be from 8:30-9:30am at the Harbor View Event Center, 130 Harbor View Dr, Washburn. Get more info at www.northcoastcycling.com.
U.S. 2 and Highway 13 are the main highways to and from Ashland. U.S. 63 guides you there from western Wisconsin, and local Highways 112 and 118 help you navigate the area. More things to do for this event in Ashland are available below.
Book Across the Bay Address:
Maslowski Beach Park
U.S. Highway 2 West
Ashland, WI 54806
(800) 284-9484
Website
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December 31, 2021 – January 1, 2022
Door County Cherry Drop & In With A Bang! New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Forget the “Big Apple” – go “Big Cherry”! The 5th annual Door County Cherry Drop takes place this New Year’s Eve in Sister Bay to ring in 2022. This takes place after the 8th annual “In With a Bang!” New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show, the only major fireworks show on the Door Peninsula. And really, what better way to say goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022 in Door County than by dropping a giant cherry up to the stroke of midnight?
Begin with the fireworks, scheduled for 8:00 pm on Friday, December 31, at the Sister Bay Marina along Highway 42. They’re promising the biggest finale ever for the fireworks this year – even though they say that every year. Before and after the fireworks show, check out the village restaurants and bars for their celebration menus and specials. The fireworks are sponsored by the Village of Sister Bay.
Top off your evening with the 5th Annual Door County Cherry Drop, presented by one of our favorite Wisconsin radio stations, FM 106.9 The Lodge. Enjoy live music and libations at both Husby’s & Sister Bay Bowl, and then The Lodge will warm up the event with the biggest party tunes of all time starting at 10:30pm, broadcasting live from both Husby’s and The Sister Bay Bowl. Shortly before midnight, the giant sparkling cherry will drop in Sister Bay and welcome in 2022. You should too! The party continues for a while because, as you know, you have to keep it going for a while once a new year begins.
Find out more about the event in my State Trunk Tour podcast discussion with Jaime Forest from the Door County Radio Group! Listen on your free iHeartRadio app here or right on this page via Spreaker below:
You’ll find the festivities for the 8th annual In With A Bang! Fireworks show and the 5th annual Door County Cherry Drop along Highway 42 in Sister Bay, where Highway 57 ends. You’ll probably want to stay overnight, so find lodging and other resources at ComeToSisterBay.com.
Door County Cherry Drop & In With a Bang! Fireworks Show Address:
10733 Bay Shore Drive (Highway 42)
Sister Bay, WI 54234
(920) 854-2812
Website
December 22, 2021 – January 2, 2022
Wonderland of Lights, Racine Zoo
The Wonderland of Lights creates holiday magic at Racine Zoo, now through January 2, 2022. Enjoy dazzling illuminations from the safety and comfort of your own vehicle! This is a drive-thru this year, filled with enchanting light displays of delightfully decorated trees, characters, a 96-foot “drive-thru” tunnel with an incredible show of dynamic designs, and more. It’s perfect for any age, but children ages 15 and younger also get a FREE piece of Yowie Candy during their visit, while supplies last!
Admission is $5/person, kids 2 years old and younger are admitted free. Cash or credit cards are accepted at the gate. The Wonderland of Lights is open from 6pm to 9pm Wednesdays – Sundays, and will be open on ALL holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
The drive-thru works by having drivers enter at the 200 Goold Street gate entrance on the corner of Goold and Michigan Boulevard, just a few blocks east of Highway 32. People MUST queue on Michigan Boulevard along the lakefront; no left turns from Goold Street are allowed. Cars, minivans, and pickup trucks are welcome, please note that the height limit is 9 feet, 4 inches. Oversize vehicles, RVs, motorcycles, and recreational devices such as bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc. are not permitted. No honking is allowed (this is a zoo, please be respectful of the nearby animals) and the maximum speed allowed is 3mph.
Since it is a drive-thru only experience, masks are not required, but they do ask that you remain in your vehicle at all times.
The Racine Zoo is just north of downtown Racine along Lake Michigan, about 8 miles east of I-41/94. Highways 11, 20, 32, and 38 bring you into town; Highway 32 comes closest to the zoo. Map and queue directions can be found here. And ENJOY!
Wonderland of Lights Address:
Racine Zoo
200 Goold Street
Racine, WI 53402
(262) 636-9189
Website
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December 2, 2021 – January 2, 2022
Boerner Botanical Gardens Winter Wonders Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show
Boerner Botanical Gardens Winter Wonders Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show ushers in holiday cheer with brilliant light displays, inflatable Santas, and massive, color-changing trees as part of an international-themed drive-thru experience with OVER ONE MILLION LIGHTS! From Friday, November 19th all the way through Sunday, January 2nd in 2022 (including all holidays), you and your family and friends can enjoy holiday displays from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States on a 1.4-mile route winding through Whitnall Park and the grounds of the Gardens themselves. Theatrical and concert lighting effects change the colors of giant trees and bushes on the route in spectacular fashion. From 20-foot tall inflatable Santas to neon palm trees, there are unique holiday displays around every corner. There’s even a mini drive-in theater!
Admission is $25 per carload, defined as any car, van, mini-van, pick-up truck, or SUV. You need to purchase your tickets online in advance. “Skip the Line” tickets gain early access between 4:30pm and 5:00pm for $35. Planning on showing up in a limo? They have a price for that, too: $51.50 (yes, just like the Van Halen album.) $51.50 also nets you a Season Pass for a car, good for up to four visits from November 19th up through January 2nd.
You can get to Boerner Botanical Gardens just off U.S. 45/Highway 100 and Highway 24 via Whitnall Park in Hales Corners. I-41/894 & I-43 are also close by! The entrance for this route is just off S. 92nd Street between College and Rawson Avenues; the address is 6751 S. 92nd Street, Franklin, WI 53132 for your GPS. It’s the same entrance as Whitnall Park Golf Course.
Boerner Botanical Gardens Winter Wonders Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show Address:
Boerner Botanical Gardens
9400 Boerner Drive
Hales Corners, WI 53130
(414) 525-5600
Website
Facebook Page
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November 27, 2021 – January 2, 2022
Noel Festival Light Park & Christmas Market, Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s first Noel Festival Light Park & Christmas Market, running from November 27th, 2021 through January 2nd, 2002! It happens at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center. Experience the awe and wonder of over one million glimmering Christmas lights, complemented by a unique artisan market, festive food & drink, daily live entertainment, locally-made gifts and stocking stuffers, and much more… Noel is truly a fairytale world come to life.
Here are 10 reasons to attend Noel:
Tickets are best purchased in advance and you can book your date and time to ensure easy entry and a fun time with some elbow room. Right now, take advantage of a 20% discount when you purchase tickets to attend Noel between Nov. 27 – Dec. 5th. Use promo code AGIFTFORYOU20.
Noel Festival Light Park & Christmas Market Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center
8200 W. Greenfield Avenue (Highway 59 & Highway 181)
West Allis, WI 53214
Website
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November 19, 2021 – November 21, 2021
Christmas by the Bay, Sturgeon Bay
Kick-off the holiday season with Christmas By the Bay, the weekend of November 19th – 21st! It begins with Sturgeon Bay’s “Unwrapping Sturgeon Bay” community car parade on Friday, November 19 beginning at 6pm at Sawyer Park. Parade lineup begins at 5pm, come early and decorate your vehicle or pack the kids in with hot cocoa. Cars will parade through Sturgeon Bay as stores “unwrap” their festive holiday windows for the very first time! After the conclusion of the car parade, join us at the Old Bell Tower at 3rd and Kentucky for the tree lighting, caroling, in-store specials, and music by Josh Gregory, Hervy Hodges, and Mike Raye beginning at 7pm. Tree lighting will happen at approximately 8pm.
Christmas By The Bay fun continues Saturday, with the Holiday Parade at 10am featuring floats, music, and a special appearance from none other than SANTA! After the parade, meet with Santa in his sleigh at the Door County Historical Museum until 1:00 so that he’s sure to get your list!
Free trolley rides will be available throughout Downtown Sturgeon Bay Saturday, November 20 from 11:00am – 3:00pm with stops located at Community Foundation Square, the Door County Historical Museum, Door County Maritime Museum, and Lawless Coffee.
The Santa Mailbox will be right outside of Destination Sturgeon Bay’s door (36 S. 3rd Ave.) so that you can drop off your letters whenever you have them ready to head to the North Pole. The mailbox will be out until December 24th!
Finish off the fun-filled weekend of Christmas By the Bay during brunch with Santa at Stone Harbor Resort on Sunday 9:30-11am. Call 920-746-0700 for reservations.
Sturgeon Bay is an easy ride along Highways 42 or 57 from the rest of Wisconsin. Check out all sights in town and as much of the rest of the Door Peninsula as possible when you go!
Christmas By the Bay Address in Sturgeon Bay:
107 N. First Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(920) 743-6246
Website
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November 13, 2021
Great Hartford Craft Exposition
The 36th annual Great Hartford Craft Exposition brings over 100 exhibitors to Hartford Union High School to give visitors a chance to find great holiday gifts and creative items for your home. It takes place Saturday, November 13th, 2021 from 9am to 3pm, as part of a full day of local celebrations in Hartford. The day includes the annual Hartford Lions Pancake Dinner as well as the local holiday parade, which kicks off at 3pm.
You’ll find Hartford Union High School on Cedar Street, west of Highway 83 and south of Highway 60 in Hartford. Nearby attractions include the Wisconsin Automotive Museum, Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, Holy Hill, and more! It’s about 10 minutes west of I-41 at the Highway 60 exit, too.
Great Hartford Craft Expo Address:
805 Cedar Street
Hartford, WI 53027
(262) 719-5871
Website
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November 4, 2021 – November 7, 2021
Driftless Film Festival
The Driftless Film Festival celebrates this unique region that escaped the glaciers of the ice age and its inspiration for many talented artists and filmmakers. Happening November 4 – 7, 2021 this year, the Driftless Film Festival brings together the best of new independent cinema with the landscape, artistic energy, and local atmosphere of Southwest Wisconsin. Now in its eighth year, Driftless continues to provide a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience for audiences and filmmakers alike.
Founded in 2009 by filmmakers Darren Burrows and Nicholas Langholff, Driftless was born of a love for independent films, an appreciation of the unusual region, and the joy of spending a weekend immersed in the charm Mineral Point’s galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars. It is this delightful marriage of place and cinematic story that is the core of the Driftless vision today.
The Driftless Film Festival screens each of its films in the Mineral Point Opera House. Beautifully restored in 2009, it retains the atmosphere of its origins as a 1915 vaudeville house. Brought to life by film screenings and live performances year round, the Opera House is both an elegant testament to Mineral Point’s passion for preservation and a showcase space for some of the best entertainment in the region.
Each year the festival hosts filmmakers from across the country. Special guests have included Mark Metcalf (Animal House, Seinfeld, Little Red), Anthony Arendt (Muscle Shoals, Avatar), and Matt Adams (We Cause Scenes) among many others. Not only do visiting filmmakers present revealing Q&A discussions during the festival, but the weekend provides an opportunity for filmmakers and attendees to mingle outside the screenings.
From popular festival hits to locally-produced art, the Driftless Film Festival seeks to showcase the most thought-provoking, innovative, and creative independent cinema of our time. These films will hit home in a place that feels like home, and of course Pendarvis, “Shake Rag Alley,” and other places to enjoy in town also makes the trip worthwhile.
2021 Features will be announced soon.
The Driftless Film Festival runs Thursday, November 4th through Sunday, November 7th, so you have several days’ worth of options for when to attend! Check their website for a full slate of films and other activities. Tickets for individual screenings vary; you can also purchase a $50 pass that gets you in to everything. BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE.
Get the full slate of films HERE
Driftless Film Festival Main Address:
Mineral Point Opera House
139 High Street
Mineral Point, WI 53565
(608) 260-8725
Website
Enjoy a drive with exceptional scenery, as the Driftless Area of Wisconsin is ridiculously beautiful. Hit Highways 23, 39, or U.S. 151 to reach Mineral Point, south of Dodgeville and northeast of Platteville and take it all in!
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October 30, 2021
Ghoulees in the Coulees
Norskedalen hosts Ghoulees in the Coulees events Thursday, October 28th through Saturday, October 30th, 2021 providing a fun, yet scary and haunting, experience for the whole family in this beautiful natural and cultural area near Coon Valley in southeastern La Crosse County.
At Ghoulees in the Coulees, you can take a half-mile walk through chilling and thrilling spook stations along one of their wooded trails lined by hundreds of carved, lit pumpkins. Once you navigate this, you’ll regain your wits and end up with a treat and hot apple cider at Bekkum Homestead, a historic homestead over 100 years old, illuminated only by the light of the moon and jack-‘o-lanterns.
Along with the hike, you can enjoy storytelling, fortune-telling, grabbing a snack around the roaring fireplace, and walking through the haunted barns and other buildings. While it can be fun for kids of all ages, you may want to plan earlier hikes while it’s still light out for the very young and “faint of heart.” Earlier hikes around 5-7pm, hikes are less scary (the spooks do not try to scare you, but may offer a high-five, handshake, or wave). Conversely, 7-10:30pm, hikes are SUPER SCARY. They mean it! Chilling ghost stories designed to give you goosebumps will also be told at the end of your hike, making regaining your wits tricky for some. Fortune tellers will also be there to peer into your future.
Family-friendly trick-or-treating takes place Thursday, October 28th. Norskedalen’s Ghoulees in the Coulees Haunted Hikes take place Friday and Saturday October 29th & 30th. Friday slot times range from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (note: most Friday slots are sold out already!); Saturday slot times run from 4:30 p.m. to just after 8:00 p.m.
Tickets for the hikes are $35 per person. Advance reservations are required.
You’ll find Norskedalen (which means “Norwegian Valley”) along County PI between Highway 162 and U.S. 14/61 just north of Coon Valley in southern La Crosse County. It’s a beautiful drive through the Driftess Area, right as the trees drop the rest of their colorful leaves.
Address for Ghoulees in the Coulees:
Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center
N455 O Ophus Road
Coon Valley, WI 54623
(608) 452-3424
Website
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Monument Mash at Monument Square, Racine
The 9th annual Monument Mash at Monument Square in downtown Racine is happening Saturday, October 30th, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. It’s a fun family event that lets kids enjoy trick-or-treating with the downtown businesses, freaky face painting, ghoulish games, a bone-rattling bouncy house, and a “daringly devilish” DJ playing “haunting hits” – we’re guessing “Monster Mash” and “Thriller” might be two songs on the playlist, but that’s just our guess.
From 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., a costume contest will be held for kids across three divisions, as well as a pumpkin decorating and carving contest. You can enjoy some cool prizes, too!
You can also check out the Underground Railroad Quilt Exhibit throughout downtown, as well as the Downtown Candy Crawl, which runs from noon until 3 p.m. Lots of options in Racine on Saturday , hit Highways 11, 20, 32, or 38 and get downtown to explore it all!
Monument Mash Address:
Monument Square
502 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 636-9131
Website
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Halloween Zoo Boo at Lincoln Park Zoo
The Halloween Zoo Boo takes place at Manitowoc’s Lincoln Park Zoo Saturday, October 30th, 2021, with family fun for all ages. Enjoy games, activities, a costume contest, and plenty of food along with all the fun the zoo has to offer. It will be a howling good time from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.! A small entrance fee of $1.00 will be charged for children 14 and under.
Manitowoc offers its Lincoln Park Zoo free to the community and visitors all year, with a wide variety of animals to see and learn about, including:
There’s also an Educational Center where you can learn more about the animals and their native habitats – which are sometimes right around here and sometimes from quite far away!
You’ll easily find the Lincoln Park Zoo on 8th Street on the north side of Manitowoc, just off U.S. 10 and Highway 42. It’s about five minutes east of I-43 via Exit #152!
Halloween Zoo Boo Address:
Lincoln Park Zoo
1215 N. 8th Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 683-4685
Website
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Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center Trick or Treat Spooktacular
The Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center hosts its annual Trick Or Treat Spooktacular on Saturday, October 30th, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Show up in your best costumes and participate in multiple fall- and Halloween-related activities, complete a scavenger hunt, and receive a bag full of Wisconsin-sourced goodies!
All special activities are included with regular admission to Farm Wisconsin.
$16 Adult
$12 Senior
$8 Youth (4-18)
Don’t forget to shop in their Farm House Store for an array of gifts and unique items! Plus, you can visit Ice Cream Acres – serving 16 different flavors of Cedar Crest ice cream.
Trick or Treat Spooktacular Address:
Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center
7001 Gass Lake Road
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 726-6000
Website
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October 23, 2021
Manty Monster Mash
Head inside the Manitowoc County Expo Center’s Merchant Building for this spook-tacular celebration that includes Trick or Treating at every vendor booth. This show is costume friendly, but not necessary! But feel free to be creative.
Admission is FREE. Parking is FREE. Fun is pretty much guaranteed.
You’ll find the Manitowoc County Expo Center just off U.S. 151 & Highway 42 on the west side of Manitowoc, right near Exit #149 off I-43. U.S. 10 comes in from the north and west, too – it’s easy to access!
Manty Monster Mash Address:
Manitowoc County Expo Grounds
4921 Expo Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 683-4378
Website
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October 22, 2021 – October 23, 2021
NEW Zoo Boo
Festivities for the NEW Zoo Boo run 3-8pm each day. The Adventure Park will be open for regular hours, 10am – 6pm, on all Saturdays and Sundays in October.
Regarding COVID precautions, the NEW Zoo website states: “To encourage comfortable social distancing throughout the Zoo, this year’s event will feature Timed Entries, with limited capacity for each arrival window. Guests must purchase tickets in advance that correspond to the date and time you wish to attend. Each night, guests can choose to arrive during a 60- or 90-minute arrival window, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., or from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Gates will close at 7:30 p.m., and guests can stay in the Zoo as long as they wish after arrival.”
Tickets are available at newzoo.org. Tickets are $15 per person; kids under 3 are free. Everyone aged 3 and above must have a ticket or a bar code (emailed after your online purchase) for entry. Tickets will be available at the gate each day only if they have not sold out in advance or online. Zoo Pass Members will receive one free ticket (per membership) on arrival, the same way as in past years OR Members can pickup your ticket in advance by stopping into the Zoo’s gift shop anytime during regular business hours. All other tickets needed by Members should be purchased in advance.”
The NEW Zoo Boo is accessible via U.S. 41/141 just north of Green Bay; Highways 29, 32, 54, 57, and 172 are all close by.
The NEW Zoo website offers up details, directions, and more!
NEW Zoo Boo Event Address:
4418 Reforestation Road
Green Bay, WI 54313
(920) 434-7841
Website
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October 21, 2021 – October 24, 2021
Milwaukee County Drive-Thru Boo at the Zoo
The Milwaukee County Zoo is going drive-thru again this year! The Milwaukee County Drive-Thru Boo at the Zoo lets you drive on Zoo pathways and take in a variety of Halloween-themed areas, carved pumpkins and illuminated light shows. The ride is specially designed for kids of all ages, including people who are kids at heart. The route is a 30-minute, 1.5-mile Halloween ride that travels on the wide and winding pathways through the Zoo. For safety purposes, animals are not viewable during these evenings.
New this year! Guests can trick-or-treat from their vehicles! Tasty treats will be handed-out along the route.
This event is a merry-not-scary ride, appropriate for kids of all ages, and kids at heart. Concession stops will be available along the route to purchase snacks and treats. Merchandise areas will be available to purchase a favorite memento.
The Milwaukee County Zoo is easily accessible via I-94, I-41/894, U.S. 18, U.S. 45, or Highway 100. It’s essentially in the center of all those major arteries! Enter the zoo off U.S. 18/Bluemound Road between Highway 100 and the Zoo Freeway, which is I-41/U.S. 45.
Milwaukee County Drive-Thru Boo at the Zoo Address:
Milwaukee County Zoo
10001 W. Bluemound Road (U.S. 18)
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 256-5466
Website
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October 15, 2021 – October 18, 2021
Down The Rabbit Hole Festival
Down The Rabbit Hole is a top-notch musical, visual, and performing artist festival sweeping you away into the woods on the beautiful, lazy Apple River for a non-stop, magical, fantastical experience you will never forget.
Happening Friday, October 15th through Monday, October 18th along the Apple River in Somerset, Down The Rabbit Hole features:
Performer lineup includes:
Cabins and campground sites are available, part of a variety of ticket packages that range from $10-$150. Admission for kids 6 & under is FREE.
Down The Rabbit Hole takes place at Apple River Hideaway in Somerset. It’s an incredibly popular area for tubing and recreation all summer, and you’ll find it just of Highways 35 and 64.
Down The Rabbit Hole Festival Address:
Apple River Hideaway Campground
712 170th Avenue
Somerset, WI 54025
Website
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October 15, 2021 – October 17, 2021
Whitewater Storytelling Festival
The inaugural Whitewater Storytelling Festival will fill you with stories, tours, and fun Friday, October 15th through Sunday, October 17th, 2021. Enjoy the tales of numerous storytellers, story walks through the community, art exhibits, a market & author fair, music, crafts and activities for children, and so much more!
Nestled in the beautiful and inspiring Kettle Moraine State Forest, Whitewater is home to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the Young Auditorium, and a robust artist community supported by the Whitewater Arts Alliance. The community enjoys a rich history in educating future teachers and entertaining the region with world-class theater productions, innovative art exhibits, and a variety of musical offerings by university students, faculty, and locals alike.
The Whitewater Storytelling Festival weekend will be filled with fun ways to engage with local and regionally known storytellers, art galleries, and creativity-inspiring activities. Stop for the day or stay for the weekend to take in the beauty of Whitewater, which is an Ice Age Trail community. You can check out their Workshop Flyer & Schedule (.pdf) and their Activities at a Glance (.pdf) flyer for more info.
Whitewater Storytelling Festival Schedule “at a Glance”:
Friday, October 15, 2021
Campfire Stories around the firepit at Cravath Lakefront Park with Hot Cocoa & S’Mores available
Story Stroll around Whitewater
Art exhibits at multiple galleries
**Whitewater Spirit Tour**
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Art exhibits at multiple galleries
Story Stroll around Whitewater
Community Oral Story Gathering project with the Irving L Young Memorial Library
Whitewater History Museum open
All ages storytelling performances during the daytime
Adult only storytelling performances in the evening
Creative Workshops to inspire your inner storyteller
Children’s activity tents & reading zone
Community Storybook Project
Local authors fair & author readings
Open Mic Night at The Book Teller
**Whitewater Spirit Tour**
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Story stroll around Whitewater
Create your own stories by exploring the local segments of the Ice Age Trail just outside of Whitewater!
Whitewater is right along U.S. 12 and Highways 59 and 89 on the Walworth-Jefferson County border. This city of nearly 15,000 is not only a busy college town, but one filled with stories of the paranormal, witchcraft, and more – perfect for the Halloween season! You can also check out Second Salem Brewing Company in town and enjoy some craft beer carrying names with ties to local history and lore.
Whitewater Storytelling Festival Address:
Cravath Lakefront Park
341 S. Fremont Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
(262) 473-4005
Website
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October 9, 2021
Port Washington Fall Festival & Love Our Great Lakes Day
Port Washington, which calls itself “Your Home Port” for a reason, it’s gorgeous in that downtown area and along the marina, hosts the annual Port Washington Fall Festival on Saturday, October 9th from 11am to 4pm. It’s a “two-fer”, though – 9:30am to 4pm it’s also Love Our Great Lakes Day.
First, the Port Washington Fall Festival celebrates the autumnal season right downtown with a farmer’s market, live music, great food and drinks, even a Fall Family Run along Franklin & Grand in downtown Port. The shops up and down the downtown streets will be ready with their offerings, and of course checking out the harbor area, Rotary Park, the marina, Coal Dock Park, Inventors Brewpub, and more are must-stops when you’re down there. The Fall Festival begins at 11am and runs full force until 4pm, with plenty of fun to follow – stick around and enjoy!
For nature and water lovers, Love Our Great Lakes Day offers a detailed examination of the waters of Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes, with speakers and afternoon field site visits of restoration work at Mineral Springs Creek and Birchwood Hills, a bird hike through Coal Dock Park led by Observatory staff, music by the Green Sails, tours through the Heart of the Harbor and the Port Washington Exploreum, and more.
It’s easy to get to downtown Port Washington: just follow Highways 32 or 33 from I-43 or Highway 57. VISIT Port Washington‘s office is right downtown too, and you can get more information while you’re down there, or call (800) 719-4881.
Port Washington Fall Festival Address:
Grand & Franklin Avenues (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(800) 719-4881
Website
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October 8, 2021 – October 10, 2021
Covered Bridge Studio Art Tour
The Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour
Enjoy this once-a-year chance to get an up close and personal look at some of Southeastern Wisconsin’s finest artists and the spaces in which they work. Presented by the Cedarburg Artists Guild, the Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour is celebrating 39 years of offering art enthusiasts a chance to visit the studio spaces of 50 members. Visit the studios and get a glimpse into their creative process. The art tour is always held on the second full weekend of October, so here in 2021 it runs Friday, October 8th through Sunday, October 10th. The artists will be creating art during the event and are happy to explain their artistic process and inspirations.
The Tour is FREE. Your tour begins anywhere YOU want to visit. No tickets, No reservations.
Plan your own tour itinerary! Opt for a rural drive between locations encompassing the fall splendor of rural Wisconsin: Farm fields, pumpkin patches, Lake Michigan shoreline, picturesque small towns and even an historic wooden covered bridge. Or, if you aren’t in the mood for a leisurely drive, there is easy access between most of the spaces. The studio spaces are as unique and varied as the art. A spare bedroom in a suburban ranch home, an industrial garage, a 19th century barn, an 1850‘s stone mill, a walkout basement, or a tent are all creative spaces where sculpture, jewelry, photography, pottery, blacksmithing, woodworking, weaving, stain glass, encaustics, collage, prints, paintings in all mediums and styles, and fiber arts are brought to life. This is your chance to purchase a unique piece of art directly from the artist along with its “story of creation”. Please be prepared to wear a mask in some of their spaces.
While on the tour, be sure to watch for the red arrows to direct you towards the open studios. Get a map of the studios here!
Highway 57’s historic route (now Green Bay Road and Washington Streets) cut right through Cedarburg; Highway 60 is just to the north and Highway 181 is just to the west. I-43 is several miles east; use County C or W to access Cedarburg from there!
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