OVER THREE MILLION LIGHTS. That’s crazy! And beautiful. And festive. And there’s a lot more to see at the La Crosse Rotary Lights, that holiday special event that runs November 28th through December 31st at Riverside Park. The parade kicks everything off at 6pm on the 28th, with the opening ceremony immediately following. Santa will be on hand to throw the switch turning on all these lights (and probably momentarily dimming some others across town – that’s gotta be a huge power draw!), too. Helicopter rides are back this year, too!
Among the splendor is a 140- foot Christmas tree and plenty of animated light displays. Live nativity presentation on weekends until Christmas, although the number of participants will be limited this year. Santa, after opening the festivities, will continue to be there for you and the kids until December 23rd.
Here’s how it works if you choose to drive through it: The line forms down State Street and continues to the North on 2nd Street. On busy nights, the line will back up onto 3rd Street/Copeland Ave/U.S. 53. Roads will be blocked so that you cannot enter from State Street, northbound on Second Street, or from Vine Street. You can tune your car stereo to their local Christmas channel for good musical accompaniment while joining the caravan of onlookers from the comfort – and heat – of your car.
If you prefer to walk or take a carriage ride through the display, you do not need to wait in line. There is usually street parking available near the park or there are several parking ramps within walking distance. Get Parking Ramp Information HERE. Horse-drawn carriages are available most weekends and run $20/couple or $30/family. No Tuesday night hayrides this year, but you can still get free s’mores at the fire pit, where supplies will be individually packaged.. You’ll also still be able to experience the helicopter rides for an amazing view! New additions from last year that they’ve kept include a brand new sleigh for photos, heated restrooms available on both the north and south ends of the park, and the hologram display.
Remember, Santa shows up nightly from 5 – 8 pm until December 23rd (of course, he has to hurry back to the North Pole right after that and get his sleigh ready for that worldwide trip) and there’s no sitting on his lap.
Weather permitting, the Chad Erickson Ice Rink is available for skating, Monday through Friday 5pm-8pm, Saturday Noon to 8pm, and Sunday Noon to 6pm. The warming hut and skate rental are back, and of course you can bring your own skates! A heated igloo will be available if you need to warm up and/or change. You can call (608) 784-9993 to check on Skating Rink Status and information; voicemail messages are updated daily.
New this year is All Abilities Night on Monday, December 1st. They will be adjusting the lights and music to accommodate individuals that may not have been able to experience the show in the past due to flashing lights and loud music.
The hours for La Crosse Rotary Lights are 5-10pm daily. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the hours are 5-9pm; New Year’s Eve, it will stay open until 1 am; meaning technically La Crosse Rotary Lights lasts into January 1, 2026.
The whole La Crosse Rotary Lights admission and experience is free of charge, but Rotary Lights does welcome donations; monetary or non-perishable food item donations are strongly encouraged. Get the full Entertainment Schedule of Events here!
La Crosse Rotary Lights Address:
Riverside Park (just off U.S. 53)
410 Veterans Memorial Drive
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 784-9993 Website
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, this year, starts in Washburn and ends in Ashland. 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 Ashland to Washburn 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 15th: 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
(715) 682-2500 Website
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Events › Winter Festival
November 28, 2025 – January 1, 2026
La Crosse Rotary Lights
OVER THREE MILLION LIGHTS. That’s crazy! And beautiful. And festive. And there’s a lot more to see at the La Crosse Rotary Lights, that holiday special event that runs November 28th through December 31st at Riverside Park. The parade kicks everything off at 6pm on the 28th, with the opening ceremony immediately following. Santa will be on hand to throw the switch turning on all these lights (and probably momentarily dimming some others across town – that’s gotta be a huge power draw!), too. Helicopter rides are back this year, too!
Among the splendor is a 140- foot Christmas tree and plenty of animated light displays. Live nativity presentation on weekends until Christmas, although the number of participants will be limited this year. Santa, after opening the festivities, will continue to be there for you and the kids until December 23rd.
Here’s how it works if you choose to drive through it: The line forms down State Street and continues to the North on 2nd Street. On busy nights, the line will back up onto 3rd Street/Copeland Ave/U.S. 53. Roads will be blocked so that you cannot enter from State Street, northbound on Second Street, or from Vine Street. You can tune your car stereo to their local Christmas channel for good musical accompaniment while joining the caravan of onlookers from the comfort – and heat – of your car.
If you prefer to walk or take a carriage ride through the display, you do not need to wait in line. There is usually street parking available near the park or there are several parking ramps within walking distance. Get Parking Ramp Information HERE. Horse-drawn carriages are available most weekends and run $20/couple or $30/family. No Tuesday night hayrides this year, but you can still get free s’mores at the fire pit, where supplies will be individually packaged.. You’ll also still be able to experience the helicopter rides for an amazing view! New additions from last year that they’ve kept include a brand new sleigh for photos, heated restrooms available on both the north and south ends of the park, and the hologram display.
Remember, Santa shows up nightly from 5 – 8 pm until December 23rd (of course, he has to hurry back to the North Pole right after that and get his sleigh ready for that worldwide trip) and there’s no sitting on his lap.
Weather permitting, the Chad Erickson Ice Rink is available for skating, Monday through Friday 5pm-8pm, Saturday Noon to 8pm, and Sunday Noon to 6pm. The warming hut and skate rental are back, and of course you can bring your own skates! A heated igloo will be available if you need to warm up and/or change. You can call (608) 784-9993 to check on Skating Rink Status and information; voicemail messages are updated daily.
New this year is All Abilities Night on Monday, December 1st. They will be adjusting the lights and music to accommodate individuals that may not have been able to experience the show in the past due to flashing lights and loud music.
The hours for La Crosse Rotary Lights are 5-10pm daily. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the hours are 5-9pm; New Year’s Eve, it will stay open until 1 am; meaning technically La Crosse Rotary Lights lasts into January 1, 2026.
The whole La Crosse Rotary Lights admission and experience is free of charge, but Rotary Lights does welcome donations; monetary or non-perishable food item donations are strongly encouraged. Get the full Entertainment Schedule of Events here!
Riverside Park (just off U.S. 53)
410 Veterans Memorial Drive
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 784-9993
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
February 14, 2026
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, this year, starts in Washburn and ends in Ashland. 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 Ashland to Washburn 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 15th: 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
(715) 682-2500
Website
Back to State Trunk Tour