Gaze upon a 140-foot Christmas tree and tons of light displays (made up of more than two million lights) at this holiday tradition in La Crosse along the river. Additionally, enjoy a live nativity presentation, featured every weekend from the event’s kickoff until Christmas. rotarylights.org
The celebration of winter includes sledding, skiing, archery, snow-sculpting, ice cave hikes, chainsaw carving, face-painting, horse-drawn bobsled rides, the Tri-state Malamute Club Sled Dog Race and weight pull, snow mountain and snow tunnel, fat tire bike demonstrations and more.
Celebrate the sacred bird in this weekend event on the Wisconsin River, where dozens of the majestic birds perch in the bare branches along shore. Watch for free public lectures, and stop at the viewing area in Prairie du Sac, overlooking Eagle Island, for telescope viewing in a protected area ideal for photographing eagles. ferrybluffeaglecouncil.org
Come out to sample hot chocolates from restaurants in downtown Burlington to discover which one is the best! There’s also a 5K run and pancake breakfast at Veteran’s Terrace.
Get to know some of the state’s most prestigious cheese and beer makers as you sample hundreds of their delicious creations. Choose between general or premium admission, both of which offer a plethora of enjoyable festival extras. isthmusbeercheese.com
Lake Geneva hosts the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition during this weeklong festival that celebrates all things winter. Fifteen teams travel from all over the country to Flatiron Park, and with great skill and detail, fashion snow into amazing sculptures over nine feet tall. Also make snowmen at a bonfire; go skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing;
Check out candlelight skiing, a chili cook-off, ice carving, ice bowling, costumed Fruit Loop Fun Run, an entertaining Stumpf Fiddle Contest and an awesome fireworks show. Fun and games include minnow racing, chocolate sampling, and free trolley rides to the cherry pit spitting competition at Orchard Country Winery & Market. visitfishcreek.com/calendar/winter-festival
Celebrate hot air balloons with a Friday night balloon and fire show as well as a parade and fireworks. On Saturday and Sunday, more than 30 balloons launch at sunrise and in the evening they inflate once more, lighting up the dark with glowing colors. Also partake in bingo, a pancake breakfast, kite-flying and ice-carving
Hosted in Madison’s 250-acre Elver Park, events are slated to include candlelight skiing, sledding, a 5K run and a fun run for the kids, ski clinic, ice skating and another Wisconsin appearance for the U.S. National Snow Sculpting champs. There’s also mini ice golf and s’mores by the bonfire. Sleds, skates and skis are available