Wisconsin Holiday Experiences for Families in 2026

Choose a holiday outing by region and by how your family likes to spend a winter evening. Green Bay makes it easy to pair a train ride with a garden walk on a weekend trip. La Crosse has a free waterfront display with a quieter night, while southern Wisconsin offers a vintage train, an after-dark garden walk and a full-length ballet.

Northeast Wisconsin — a train ride or a garden walk

The Polar Express Train Ride, Green Bay. The National Railroad Museum lists Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances from November 20 through December 13. Choose a departure before planning the rest of the day. Museum dates and tickets

Garden of Lights, Green Bay. The Botanical Garden’s mile-long walk runs on select nights November 27 through December 30. If you’re pairing the garden with the train, allow time between the two reservations and bring boots for an outdoor walk. Garden schedule

Western Wisconsin — free lights on the Mississippi

Rotary Lights, La Crosse. Riverside Park’s display runs nightly November 27 through December 31. Walk or drive through the lights. Admission is free, with voluntary food or cash donations. The November 30 all-abilities session lowers the lights and music from 5 to 8 p.m. Check the organizer’s shorter Christmas Eve and Christmas Day hours. Rotary Lights visitor information

Southern Wisconsin — vintage trains and a garden after dark

Christmas Trains, East Troy. Start at the depot at 2002 Church Street. The railroad offers different daytime and evening experiences, so book the one that fits your child’s bedtime and check what’s included with that departure. East Troy Railroad Museum train schedule

Holiday Light Show, Janesville. Rotary Botanical Gardens turns its paths into a walk-through light show. Check the ticket calendar for available dates and time slots, and dress for an outdoor walk. Organizer’s ticket page

Greater Milwaukee — holiday theater and markets

Milwaukee Ballet’s The Nutcracker. The ballet runs December 5–26 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. Check the calendar for your curtain time and look for performances with a live orchestra if that matters to your family. Marcus Center performance schedule

For a shorter local outing, see our Greater Milwaukee holiday craft fairs, Santa visits, and family events calendar.