Holiday lights, parades & more: Your guide to seasonal Sheboygan-area events
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY – Winter and holiday festivities across the county include parades, light shows and concerts.
In addition to playing in the snow, exploring the wintry landscape at Kohler-Andrae State Park or cozying up with hot chocolate, organizations are putting on a variety of events over the next month.
Here are some local events to check out this winter.
Sheboygan holiday parade
Join the Sheboygan Jaycees, in partnership with WLKN Lake 98.1, for the 32nd annual holiday parade in downtown Sheboygan beginning at 5 p.m. Dec. 1.
The parade starts at Center Avenue and Seventh Street, goes north to Erie Avenue where it turns and continues to Eighth Street, concluding with a tree lighting ceremony at Mead Public Library, 710 N. Eighth St.
Along the parade, Girl Scouts will collect paper supplies and personal hygiene products from spectators to donate to Safe Harbor of Sheboygan County and Bridgeway & Beyond, a transitional living program for single moms and kids. The U.S. Postal Service will also walk in the parade to collect and deliver letters to Santa. Letters should include name and address.
The holiday parade's theme is "Christmas Costumes." Spectators are encouraged to dress up as anything except Santa and Mrs. Claus.
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Making Spirits Bright light show
The Making Spirits Bright light show , from Sheboygan County Rotary Clubs, will take place at Evergreen Park, 3030 Calumet Drive, from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 29 to Dec. 31. It will be closed Dec. 24.
Visitors can drive through the park or take a ride on an enclosed, vintage trolley. Tickets are $2 per person, but children younger than 1 year are free. The trolley boards every Friday and Saturday night at 5:15, 6, 6:45, 7:30 and 8:15.
Food donations, like cereal, peanut butter, canned tuna and pasta sauce, will benefit the Sheboygan County Food Bank. Monetary donations are also accepted.
Santa's Station will be open at the Quarryview Center, 3401 Calumet Drive, across the street from the park. It will be open 5-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 21. Visitors will be responsible for taking their own photos.
The light show will open after participants of the Holiday Lights Hunger Run/Walk got a sneak peek of Nov. 23.
Plymouth Holiday Parade
Plymouth's holiday parade kicks off downtown at 7 p.m. Nov. 29. A tree-lighting will take place after at the intersection of East Mill Street, Eastern Avenue and North Street.
Festivities will also include a chili cook-off from 5 to 7 p.m. The winner of the Letters to Santa contest will sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus during the parade.
Visitors can vote for their favorite participating business: Allechant Boutique, Antoinette's Casual Dining, Caan's, Cain's Bridal Wreath, Maggie's Closet and the Plymouth Historical Society & Museum.
'The Nutcracker' at the Weill Center
Plymouth-based Brittany's School of Dance will put on "The Nutcracker" at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for Performing Arts at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 7, and 2 p.m. Dec. 8.
Doors open an hour before the show. Tickets are $30, plus fees. Seating is reserved.
'Colors of Christmas' concert
The Plymouth Arts Center Singers will present "Colors of Christmas" at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8.
The event is sponsored by Sargento and the Paul Sartori Memorial Fund.
Table seating reservations are $15 for PAC members and $17 for non-members.
Tickets can be reserved at the center, 520 E. Mill St., via phone at 920-892-8409 or email at info@plymoutharts.org . They can be bought online at plymoutharts.org .
'Wishing for Winter' at Maywood
Visitors can enjoy trail hikes, s'mores, hot chocolate and nature crafts at Ellwood H. May Environmental Park's "Wishing for Winter" from 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7.
Sheboygan Society of Scale Model Railroad Engineers will share a model train display, and nature-based preschool students will perform at 3 and 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are $5 per individual for 3 years and older and can be purchased online or at the Ecology Center. Entry is free and advanced tickets aren't required for Maywood Association members.
Sheboygan Holiday Craft and Gift Show
The 21st annual holiday craft and gift show will be at Lakeshore Lane's Windjammer Banquet Hall, 2519 S. Business Drive, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 8.
Vendors interested in participating should email craftandgiftshow@gmail.com with photos of your goods and display.
Gingerbread Festival
The 28th annual Waelderhaus Gingerbread Festival takes place Nov. 29 to Dec. 30, open 1-5 p.m. Sundays-Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
Included will be a gingerbread house and sculpture competition, tours and live music. Musical performances begin at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free.
Kohler's Frozen Fairways
Frozen Fairways returns to Blackwolf Run Thursdays-Sundays from Dec. 5 to Feb. 23.
Activities include ice skating, curling, hiking, a hot chocolate bar and a holiday lights display.
Admission is free for overnight resort guests. Day passes are $10 for kids 3-12 years old and $15 for individuals 13 years and older. Season passes are $125 for individuals, $250 for couples and $350 for families.
Frozen Fairways is open 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
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A Wade House Christmas
The Wade House will be decked out with holiday decorations, transporting visitors back to a 19th-century Christmas, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14-15. Treats, crafts and live music will be featured.
"The Night Before Christmas" will also be read. The visitor center and Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum will have seasonal decorations, a scavenger hunt and children's activities.
Tickets are $8 for children 5 to 12 years old, $15 for individuals 13 years and older, and $13 for people 65 years and older. Society members must verify their membership to receive a 10% discount.
Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com . Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner .
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan holiday events: Parades, light show, Gingerbread Fest & more
