Let’s Make Plans for the Holidays: Eleven Wisconsin Events to Help Celebrate the Season
November 7, 2019
Image courtesy of Visit Oshkosh
The holiday season is a busy time of year. Spending time with family and friends, shopping, cooking, and eating (lots of eating) can run any reindeer ragged. It gets easier with a plan, so we’ve compiled some of our favorite holiday events in the Fox Cities, Green Bay, and beyond for you to put on your schedule. From parades and ballet to music and wine, there’s something for everyone on our list. Or, if you’re feeling extra-holiday-spirited this year, do them all!
Fox Cities Holiday Events
Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade
Downtown Appleton | November 26, 7:00 PM
Image courtesy of Appleton Christmas Parade
“The Avenue of Lights” is the theme of the 44th annual Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade. That theme should give you some idea of what a wondrous spectacle this year’s parade will be. It will feature approximately seventy-five festive floats and decorated vehicles, as well as seventeen marching bands from Northeastern Wisconsin/Upper Michigan high schools and area communities.
The parade begins with a police escort at State Street and College Avenue, then travels east down College Avenue and ends at Drew Street.
Visit the parade’s Facebook event page for more information.
Kaukauna Christmas Parade
Kaukauna | December 3, 6:00 PM
Image courtesy of Travel Wisconsin
The Kaukauna annual parade is a bit more interactive than others. Featuring a cavalcade of holiday themed floats by local community organizations, this parade also invites attendees to have cookies and hot chocolate with Santa after the parade at Old City Hall. Find more information at the City of Kaukauna site.
Downtown Appleton Holiday Fun Fest
Downtown Appleton | December 14
Image courtesy of Travel Wisconsin
Visit Santa, bake cookies with Mrs. Claus, and participate in a variety of other activities and games at this year’s Holiday Fun Fest in downtown Appleton. Your kids will also love shopping at the One Stop Elf Shop, a kid friendly market where children can purchase affordable gifts from downtown businesses for Mom, Dad, and siblings, too. More information can be found at the Downtown Appleton site.
Green Bay Area Events
Festival of Trees
Green Bay | November 15 – January 5
Sponsored by Unison Credit Union, Festival of Trees invites you and the whole family to come and stroll through more than 40 unique and beautifully decorated trees at the National Railroad Museum over the holidays. Open hours and other information can be found at the National Railroad Museum site.
36th Annual Prevea Green Bay Holiday Parade
Green Bay | November 23, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Image courtesy of Downtown Green Bay
Green Bay brings the theme of “Holiday Magic” to their parade this year. Represented by decorative floats, high-flying balloons, local marching bands, dancing, and singing, this year’s theme will bring a sense of wonder to the entire family. And of course, what parade would be complete without Santa? He’ll be there!
The parade route starts at Jefferson and Stuart, running north on Jefferson, west on Cherry and south on Washington St.
More information can be found at the Downtown Green Bay site.
Swing for the Holidays
Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, Green Bay | December 12, 6:30 PM
Image courtesy of Weidner Center for the Performing Arts
What are the holidays without music? UW-Green Bay’s newest holiday tradition returns with the Green Bay Jazz Orchestra and Courtney Sherman swinging with some holiday cheer. Performances of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, along with other holiday favorites, are sure to make this a cheery part of your holiday season. Visit the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts site for tickets and more information.
Green Bay Nutcracker Ballet Presented by Northeastern Wisconsin Dance Organization
Meyer Theatre, Green Bay | November 29 – December 1, 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Image courtesy of Meyer Theatre
This year’s Green Bay Nutcracker Ballet at the Meyer Theatre is a special one, as it features three professional dancers who each started their careers as children on this very stage. Fun for the whole family, the tradition of the Nutcracker Ballet inspires wonder and magic perfect for the holiday season. There are numerous performances to catch over Thanksgiving weekend. Visit the Meyer Theatre site for show times, tickets and more information.
The Spirit of Christmas Past
Heritage Hill State Historical Park, Green Bay | December 7, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Image courtesy of Travel Wisconsin
Come to Heritage Hill State Park and celebrate the season as our ancestors did. Located in a historical setting with Christmas music, historical dancing, holiday baking, crafts, storytelling, wagon rides and a visit with Santa, The Spirit of Christmas Past is educational and fun for the whole family. Visit the Heritage Hill State Historical Park site for more information.
Worth the Drive Events
Downtown Oshkosh Holiday Parade Oshkosh | November 14, 6:15 PM
This year’s Downtown Oshkosh Holiday Parade theme is “March of the Toys.” Expect wonder and delight from the floats and spectacles that travel through the streets, turning downtown Oshkosh into a winter wonderland. Be sure to come early for the tree lighting at 6:00 PM in Opera House Square.
The parade route starts at N. Main/Ceape and runs North to the intersection of N. Main/Irving.
More information can be found at the Visit Oshkosh site.
Deck the Halls
Oshkosh Public Museum | November 24 – January 5, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Image courtesy of Oshkosh Public Museum
Come and witness the Oshkosh Public Museum transform into Santa’s workshop. The entire museum will be decorated for the holidays and the elves are already finding their best hiding spots for the scavenger hunt. Come and see if you can find them! Holidays at the museum are educational and fun for the entire family. More information can be found at the Oshkosh Public Museum site.
Christmas at the Winery
Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery, Kewaunee | November 29 – December 1, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Image courtesy of 44 Wineries
This free-admission open house at 44 Wineries offers live music, local wines, food pairings, and special holiday discounts for holiday elves ages 21 and up. Bring your friends, celebrate the holidays and grab some gifts that most everyone on your list will enjoy. More information can be found at the 44 Wineries site.
The Gift of Saving (for Giving)
Between gift-giving and celebratory events, the holidays can take a toll on your finances. With smart planning, and help from Unison Credit Union, you can create a savings plan to better prepare for the holidays and beyond. From Money Market Accounts to Term Share Certificates and basic Savings Accounts, we can work with you to find the best solution to reach your goals. Visit a Member Advisor at any of our branches to learn more about the types of services we offer.