Here are some family-friendly things to do during the Christmas Season in the Green Bay Area.
Wednesday, November 20 Celebrate peace on Earth at the annual Peace Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Brown County Courthouse
Saturday, November 23 10am-11am on Jefferson, Cherry, & Washington Streets. Experience the magic of the 40th Annual Green Bay Holiday Parade presented by HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital! Celebrate everything that makes Green Bay special during the holiday season with the theme Hometown Holiday. This theme honors our community’s cherished traditions and the unique spirit that brings us all together. It’s a tribute to the holiday magic that feels truly local, making Green Bay shine as a place we’re proud to call home. After the parade, follow Santa and his reindeer to the YWCA (230 S Madison St) for a free meet & greet until 1 p.m. Take photos with Santa and give him your wish list! Also, after the parade, you can join the Legendary Video Game Brothers at Grounded Cafe in the ADRC (300 S Adams St) for a free meet & greet and photo-op until 1 p.m. There’s more! Kick off the holiday season at the Ferguson Family YMCA (235 N Jefferson St) from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Meet some of Santa’s cheerful helpers. Enjoy a morning filled with fun activities like games, hot chocolate, cookie decorating, crafts, and more! FREE event for the entire family.
Friday-Saturday, November 29-30 is the Winter Jubilee Warmup. Walk through a winter wonderland, meet Santa + his reindeer, catch the premiere of the light show, enjoy the sounds of the season and so much more to celebrate the start of the Titletown Winter Jubilee during this 2-day event.
Sunday, December 1 Green Bay Area Moms’ Cookies with Santa at Odyssey Climbing + Fitness 9am-noon. Join us for our 6th Annual Cookies with Santa, sponsored by Bay Care Clinic, at Odyssey Climbing! 3 Sessions: 9-10, 10-11, & 11-12. Select your photo time under options. One family photo is provided by KB Photography! Daryl Rogers Magic will perform a magic show. Tickets are $25 per family and include all activities (except climbing), one high-quality image with Santa, and cookies/snacks. Climbing will be $5 extra at the event. This is a perfect Santa event for kids young and old!
November 29 – December 28 Enjoy a dazzling blend of holiday-themed lights, music and special effects including animation, lasers and fireworks. The Winter Jubilee Light Show is projected onto Lambeau Field’s west side. The best views are from Hy-Vee Plaza and Ridge Road (looking toward Lambeau Field) or Lots 5 and 6 at Lambeau Field. To enjoy the full experience from the comfort of your car at the lots, please tune your radio to 87.9 FM. See schedule for specific show dates. Unless otherwise noted, the approx. 7-minute Light Show plays every half hour from 6 to 9 p.m. (on the hour + half hour). FREE
November 23 – February 10 Neville Museum Holiday Memories featuring the animated figures that once adorned the H.C. Prange’s department store windows are featured in this exhibit along with the Enchanted Forest, the Snow Babies and charming forest animal collections. Through Dec 21, Bruce the Spruce, the lovable talking Christmas tree who once chatted with holiday shoppers at Prange’s, is awake at select times to talk with guests. Children Only Shop, a whimsical re-creation of the H.C. Prange’s holiday experience, is back for its thirteenth year in a row! Children ages 4-12 are invited to purchase from an assortment of holiday gifts for $4 each and have them gift-wrapped. Find the perfect present for everyone on your list! Entrance to the Children Only Shop is included with museum admission. *Please note that the Children Only Shop only accepts cash and check payment.
Thursday, December 12th from 3pm-7pm The North Pole Experience includes taking pictures with Santa, savoring healthy cookies and cider, and playing festive games. There will be reindeer, a tree lighting, and a shopping village to pick up some Christmas presents! Experience a true Wellness Way North Pole full of seasonal surprises and joyful holiday spirit! This event is FREE, but everyone must have a reserved ticket. Also, please bring a new mittens, socks, or hats to hang on the giving tree. Items will be donated to local area shelters.
November 29-December 29 4pm-7pm Merry & Bright Canopy Lights Tour lets you experience a serene winter night at the Zoo, where you can enjoy moonlit views and festive holiday lights adorning the treetops. $6-$8 per person, 2 and under are free.
November 29-December 30 Green Bay Botanical Garden of Lights Doors open at 4:30 pm. Last entry at 8:30 pm. Lights out at 9 pm. Limited capacity – dated and timed entry tickets must be purchased in advance to secure your preferred date (Adults $14-$18, kids $5-$8). Family Night is December 1 where Children 12 and under get free walking admission with one paid adult Walking Ticket ($14). All tickets, adult and children, must be purchased in advance due to limited capacity. Bask in the glow of 350,000+ lights across 40+ enchanting nature-themed displays! See surprising new sights like Marigolds in Motion and Touch & Glow as well as returning favorites such as the Caterpillar, Butterfly House, and Lake of Lights. Indulge in a cookie or hot beverage, shop for gifts in the WPS Trellis Gift Shop, enjoy the Green Bay Area Model Railroaders Club display, send a letter to Santa, and snap a photo with him too on select nights.
The Holiday Lights Display in the City of De Pere is a FREE drive-thru holiday experience. It will operate from 5 – 9 pm December 13-15 & 20-24. NEW THIS YEAR! There will be a walk-through event on December 12th, which will allow participants the opportunity to get an up-close view of the trees and decorations. The Nelson Family Pavilion will be open during the walking event and will provide an opportunity for the children to visit with Santa, while enjoying some hot chocolate and participating in holiday crafts. Depending on the weather, there may also be some outdoor activities for the family to enjoy! Participants in the walking event will also have the opportunity to vote on their favorite decorated tree. The winning tree will receive a free tree for the following Holiday Light Event!
December 10-12 9am – 2pm Didn’t get tickets for the sold out Polar Express, how about still enjoying this festive event? Holiday on the Rails is primarily geared toward children in preschool through Grade 2, but children and adults of all ages are welcome to join in the holiday fun. The event includes a train ride around the grounds, as well as an array of crafts, cookie decorating, games, exploration of trains and exhibits, and, of course, a chance to meet Santa Claus. The event is included with the daily admission price during our holiday season ($9-$13).
December 19-22 5:30-9pm Streets of Bethlehem (Appleton)
I’m excited to visit this biannual tradition where we can walk the Streets of Bethlehem at Alliance Church in Appleton. Step back in time and experience the Streets of Bethlehem. This interactive event will transport you back to the ancient town of Bethlehem, recreating the sights, sounds, & smells of one wonderous, holy night. Encounter the nativity after you wander through the marketplace, bustling with villagers and live animals. Streets of Bethlehem offers a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Join us for an enchanting journey that brings history to life! This is a FREE event with no registration required.
November 29-Dec 1 Nutcracker at the Weidner $25+ Enjoy watching some local talent from NEWDO perform the Nutcracker ballet.
Holiday Lights on the Fox (previously Santa’s Rock N Lights) November 29-December 29 from 5-9pm. Enjoy this one-mile drive-thru light show with animated twinkling lights dancing to Christmas music located at the Brown County Fairgrounds (1500 Fort Howard Avenue, De Pere). You can even park and take a fun photo at the end! $25 cash $30 card
November 29-December 31 Fox Cities Festival of Lights is a nonprofit made up of volunteers from the Fox Cities area. They set up a light display at Darboy Community Park in the Village of Harrison. Visitors will be able to take a walk on the wooded trails through the park to see a wide variety of custom-made light displays; some represent well-known sites from the area. Suggested donation of $5 per person but not required.
Lights in Lincoln Park Zoo (Manitowoc) November 29-December 27 With more than 70 wild animal light displays, drive-thru (or walk-through on family nights) light tunnels, and other spectacular lighting effects, this event should not be missed. This is the Zoological Society’s largest fundraiser of the year meaning you can support the zoo and have a good time doing it! $5 per car or $10 per family (on family nights).
One of our family traditions is driving around looking at lights. I truly enjoy them all, but here are the more notable homes from last year. One of our family’s favorites is East Ridge Lights in East Green Bay where there will be a letterbox outside for donations and for your kids to drop off their letters to Santa. Donations accepted for local nonprofits.
I hope you enjoyed this list of family-friendly things to do during the Christmas season here in Green Bay. As always, please check direct websites for updates on dates and times as they may change, and I don’t want you to be disappointed if they’re closed when you go.
