Waukesha JanBoree 2026: Complete Family Guide

The 41st annual Waukesha JanBoree returns January 16-25, 2026, with an "Out of This World" space-themed celebration featuring 40+ activities across 10 days—and most are completely free. This Wisconsin winter festival transforms the Waukesha area into a family playground of ice fishing, sledding, fireworks, laser shows, and warm community spirit. Whether you're catching opening-night fireworks at Lowell Park or hunting for candy-filled penguin eggs with your kids, JanBoree delivers exactly what Milwaukee-area families need: affordable outdoor fun that makes January feel less like a frozen slog and more like an adventure.

Born from community resilience in 1985, JanBoree was created by three Waukesha women—Susan Harter, Carol Opel, and Nancy Hodge—when local industries had closed and families needed reasons to embrace winter rather than hide from it. The name itself blends "January" and "Jamboree," and the festival's original tagline still captures its spirit: "No Mopin', Nose Nippn', Cold Snappin' Good Time."

What started as snow volleyball and golf courses outlined with Christmas trees has evolved into a 10-day celebration drawing more than 20,000 visitors annually. The 2026 edition introduces Generac as the new presenting sponsor and launches a space-and-aviation theme featuring STEM activities, a planetarium partnership, and even an event at Waukesha County Airport. The extended format is intentional—spreading activities across 10 days ensures that one bad-weather day won't ruin your plans.

Essential dates, times, and locations for 2026

Festival dates: Friday, January 16 through Sunday, January 25, 2026

Primary venue: Lowell Park, 2201 Michigan Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53188 This is your home base for sledding hills, the ice skating rink, bonfire area, and the Black Hole Beer Garden tent.

Venue Address Key Activities Lowell Park 2201 Michigan Ave Sledding, skating, fireworks, beer garden Frame Park/Schuetze Rec Center 1120 Baxter St Frosty 5K, Galaxy Glow Walk Minooka Park 1927 E. Sunset Dr Ice fishing clinic, candlelight hike, Malamute weight pull Retzer Nature Center S14W28167 Madison St Planetarium shows, wildlife hikes Downtown Waukesha Cutler Park area Ice sculpting competition, food tour Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arena 2699 Golf Rd, Delafield Indoor ice skating (free with registration) Eble Park Ice Arena 19400 W. Bluemound Rd Glow Skate event

The complete 2026 activity schedule

Opening weekend (January 16-17)

Friday, January 16 launches the festival with JanBoree Blast OFF! at Lowell Park (typically 5:00-7:30 PM). Watch ice sculptors demonstrate their craft, warm up at the Black Hole Beer Garden, then stay for the "Out of This World Fireworks" display—the park offers plenty of street and lot parking so families can watch from the warmth of their cars.

Saturday, January 17 packs in the 22nd Annual Geocaching Event, Winter Wildlife Exploration at Retzer Nature Center, Mission: Adoption at the Humane Animal Welfare Society, and a Laser Beam Light Show sponsored by Prolec-GE Waukesha. Indoor ice skating runs 3-5 PM at Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arena—free admission with pre-registration (skate rental $3/pair). The JanBoree Food Tour sends families on a self-guided culinary adventure through downtown Waukesha restaurants featuring special menu items.

Weekday activities (January 18-23)

Weekday events cater to families with flexible schedules. Highlights include:

• Monday, January 19: Try Synchronized Skating, Zumba Glow Party

• Tuesday, January 20: Milan 2026 Winter Olympics Preview, Winter Tyke Hike at Retzer Nature Center (ages 2-5, limited to 25 children, pre-registration required), Out of This World Cookie Decorating

• Wednesday, January 21: Family Painting

• Thursday, January 22: Learn to Moonwalk class (free!)

• Friday, January 23: Galaxy Glow Walk at Frame Park (1.7 miles with furnished glow stick), Blast Off at the Y!, Glow Skate at Eble Park Ice Arena

The Goosechase Scavenger Hunt runs throughout the entire festival—download the app and compete for prizes including a $4,000+ diamond necklace grand prize from Costa's Fine Jewelry.

Closing weekend (January 24-25)

Saturday, January 24 is the festival's biggest day. The Frosty 5K Run/Walk starts at 9:00 AM at Frame Park (early registration saves money; race-day fee is $40, Kids 1K is free with parent registration). The Ice Fishing Clinic at Minooka Park runs 10 AM-2 PM—completely free with all equipment and bait provided by the Muskellunge Club of Wisconsin, but pre-registration is required.

Other Saturday highlights include the downtown Ice Sculpting Competition (judging at 2 PM), Aerospace & Aviation displays at Waukesha County Airport, the CBS 58 Solar Force Weather Show with Chief Meteorologist Drew Burgoyne, the Alaskan Malamute Weight Pull (dogs pulling up to 3,000 pounds!), the Penguin Egg Hunt for children, and a self-guided Candlelight Hike at Minooka Park at sunset.

Sunday, January 25 closes the festival with the Out of This World Concert & Instrument Petting Zoo at St. Luke's Lutheran Church (300 Carroll St). The Wisconsin Philharmonic performs 2:00-3:30 PM, with an Instrument Petting Zoo 1:00-2:00 PM beforehand. Children attend free; adult tickets are $10 at the door.

What everything costs (mostly nothing)

JanBoree's most family-friendly feature is its price tag: general festival admission is free. Here's what you might pay:

Item Cost Festival admission FREE Ice skating admission (Naga-Waukee, with registration) FREE Ice fishing clinic FREE Skate rental $3/pair Frosty 5K (race day) $40 Frosty 5K Ruck Option (early registration) $32.50 Kids 1K FREE with parent registration Wisconsin Philharmonic concert (adults) $10 Wisconsin Philharmonic concert (children) FREE Toboggan run at Lowell Park $9 day pass / $10 rental per hour

Early Frosty 5K registration (before December 5, 2025) offers discounts. Many activities requiring pre-registration fill quickly, so register early at janboree.org.

Parking and getting around

Lowell Park: Parking available at Lowell Elementary School lot plus street parking. For fireworks, the city notes ample parking lets you watch from your warm car.

Frame Park (Frosty 5K): Park at Schuetze Recreation Center, 1120 Baxter St.

Minooka Park: Standard Waukesha County Parks parking; fees waived during Ice Fishing Clinic for participants.

Downtown events: City street parking and public lots. The downtown area is walkable between the ice sculpting, food tour stops, and coffee shops.

What to wear and bring for Wisconsin winter

January in Waukesha averages highs of 28°F (-2°C) with lows around 14°F (-10°C). Wind chill can make outdoor activities feel significantly colder. Dress in moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and windproof outer shells. Don't skimp on extremities—insulated waterproof boots, thick wool socks, hand warmers, and face coverings for kids make the difference between magical memories and miserable meltdowns.

Essential packing list for families:

• Hand and toe warmers (available at gas stations and pharmacies)

• Extra mittens and socks (kids will get these wet)

• Sunglasses or goggles for sledding

• Plastic bags for wet items

• Hot chocolate in an insulated bottle

• Snacks and water bottles

• Sunscreen (snow reflects UV rays)

• Phone charger (cold drains batteries fast)

• Cash for small vendors and concessions

Weather backup: If temperatures drop dangerously low, pivot to indoor JanBoree events at Retzer Nature Center, the planetarium, or ice arenas. The Springs Water Park at The Ingleside Hotel (2810 Golf Rd, Pewaukee) offers 45,000 square feet of indoor water slides and lazy rivers—an excellent Plan B.

Family-smart tips for JanBoree success

For families with young children: Start with the Penguin Egg Hunt (Saturday), Winter Tyke Hike (Tuesday, ages 2-5), and the Instrument Petting Zoo (Sunday)—all designed for little ones. Lowell Park's sledding hills have gentler slopes alongside thrilling runs. Build in warming breaks; the heated beer garden tent welcomes families, and nearby coffee shops offer hot chocolate salvation.

Pre-register early: The Ice Fishing Clinic, Winter Tyke Hike, and Naga-Waukee ice skating sessions fill quickly. Check janboree.org and sign up as soon as registration opens. The Goosechase scavenger hunt requires downloading the app beforehand.

Time your visit strategically: Opening Friday and closing Saturday draw the largest crowds. For a calmer experience, hit weekday events or arrive early Saturday morning. The 10-day format means you can spread activities across multiple visits if you're local.

Combine indoor and outdoor: Schedule planetarium shows at Retzer Nature Center between outdoor adventures. The downtown food tour (Saturday) lets you warm up at restaurants between ice sculpture viewing.

Waukesha's best family restaurants

After outdoor adventures, these nearby spots will restore frozen fingers and empty stomachs:

Quick bites under $15/person:

• Dave's Family Restaurant (316 W. Broadway): Featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. All-day breakfast, classic comfort food. Open 6 AM-3 PM.

• Sunset Family Restaurant (535 W. Sunset Dr): Chicken dumpling soup, thick bacon, sausage gravy—exactly what frozen kids need.

Sit-down family dining:

• People's Park (337 W. Main St): Three levels, funky art, kid-friendly menu, famous weekend brunch. Friday fish fry available.

• Mia's Italian Restaurant (800 Clinton St): "The greatest garlic bread you'll ever taste," hearty pasta portions perfect for refueling.

Coffee shops for hot chocolate emergency:

• The Steaming Cup (340 W. Main St): Downtown Waukesha's coziest spot with excellent hot chocolate, Belgian waffles, and warm atmosphere.

• Allô! Chocolat (234 W. Main St): Artisan chocolatier—the ultimate post-sledding reward.

Nearby attractions to extend your visit

If you're making a weekend of it, Waukesha offers more winter fun:

Lowell Park toboggan runs operate Saturdays 1-4 PM through late February ($9 day pass, $10/hour rental including pass, 48" height minimum). The park also has an outdoor ice rink and warming shelter.

Retzer Nature Center hosts JanBoree events but also offers 450+ acres of trails, snowshoe rentals, and the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium year-round.

Springs Water Park at The Ingleside Hotel provides the ultimate indoor backup with body slides, lazy river, and arcade (day passes $15-30, children under 24 months free).

Contact information and resources

Organizing body: City of Waukesha Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department

Address: 1900 Aviation Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188

Phone: 262-524-3737

Special Events Coordinator: Joanna Adamicki

• Email: jadamicki@waukesha-wi.gov

• Direct: 262-524-3717

Official website: www.janboree.org (downloadable brochure available)

Volunteer sign-up: SignUpGenius.com/go/janboree2026

Frosty 5K registration: runsignup.com/frosty5k

Conclusion

JanBoree represents something increasingly rare: a community celebration that's genuinely accessible to all families regardless of budget. The 2026 "Out of This World" edition brings fresh space-themed programming while maintaining the festival's core promise—getting Wisconsin families outside to embrace winter together. Pre-register for popular activities now, layer up wisely, and budget for hot chocolate at The Steaming Cup. Your January just got a lot more interesting.