Holiday lights and visits with Santa are popping up all over the Fox Valley as Thanksgiving approaches. Many local communities offer lighting events to kick off their displays.
Here’s a roundup of displays for families to enjoy.
Timber Rattlers Holiday Lights
When: Nov. 14 to Jan. 3. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. weeknights and 5 to 9 p.m. weekends. The park will be closed Nov. 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8 and 24.
Where: Fox Cities Stadium, 2400 N. Casaloma Drive, Grand Chute.
What you’ll see: One million lights will illuminate the ballpark with synced music shows happening every 20 minutes. Visitors can enjoy holiday treats, special holiday food and winter cocktails. There also will be photo opportunities with Santa’s sleigh and a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree. Children can write letters to Santa, go on a stadium-wide scavenger hunt, and ride the holiday train.
Admission: $12 in November, $13 in December and January. Children 2 and younger admitted free.
North Pole Christmas Village
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 27 through Dec. 23. Closed Mondays, an closed Dec. 9.
Where: N5207 Lemke Road, Chilton
What you’ll see: Visitors can enjoy Northern Wisconsin’s largest indoor animated walk-thru experience. Christmas scenes are on display outside, too. A concession area will be open for Christmas cookies and milk. Children can also tell Santa what they want for Christmas, and have their picture taken.
Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for ages 2 to 17 and free for 1 and younger.
Fox Cities Festival of Lights
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7, Dec. 12-14, Dec. 19-21, Dec. 24-28
Where: Darboy Community Park, 9334 Noe Road, Harrison
What you’ll see: If you’re a fan of shorter light displays that don’t require a ton of walking, this one is for you. This volunteer-run light display is an annual event that goes for about half a mile. Half of the trail is covered in wood chips, while the other half is paved. The trail also goes in a complete loop, so where you start is where you end.
Santa will be in his workshop from 5 to 8 p.m. until Dec. 21. There is no charge to take pictures with Santa.
Cost: A suggested donation of $5 per person will be shared with the volunteer group that has helped set up, take down, and run the event. Donations also help the event grow each year.
What else should you know: Street parking is available on Noe and Midway Roads. There is a parking lot at the end of Skippers Lane. Per the posted signs in the park, no pets are allowed.
Christmas at the Pond
When: 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 30. Lights automatically turn on every night throughout December.
Where: Memorial Park, 311 E. Kimberly Ave., Kimberly
What you’ll see: Monty’s Secret Theater will kick off the event with a countdown to the park lighting at exactly 5 p.m. Following will be caroling by the Kimberly High School Chamber Choir, and at 5:15 p.m. Santa will arrive via fire truck. He will sit in the gazebo for photos. Visitors can walk the 1/4 mile paved trail to view the holiday lights throughout the park.
The magic Santa North Pole Mailbox will be in the park the night of the lighting, and will be relocated to the Kimberly Municipal Complex after the event for any child who wants to receive a letter from the north pole.
Cost: Free.
What else should you know: Those who wish to support children in the Kimberly Area School District, the Kimberly Key Club Giving Tree will be at the event.
Pictures with Santa
When: 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 13
Where: Town Center Park, 1850 W. Grand Chute Blvd., Grand Chute
What you’ll see: Bring your camera to take photos with Santa and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, and there will be activities for the kids. The Grand Chute Parks and Recreation will collect donations of non-perishable food items. One raffle ticket will be given per non-perishable food item donated.
Cost: Free.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Looking for holiday lights? Local displays start opening for the season
Reporting by Mara Wegner, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
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