There is so much do in the Green Bay Wisconsin Area around the holiday season.
I’m sharing more about Green Bay holiday events, activities and special sweet treats that you don’t want to miss that are fun for the entire family.
Visit the WPS Garden of Lights at the Green Bay Botanical Garden
2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay, WI
Walk through scenic trails filled with more than 325,000 sparkling holiday lights.
When:
- Value Nights: Nov. 25, 26, 27, & Dec. 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 26, 27, 28, 29, & 30, 2022
- Peak Nights: Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 22, & 23
- Closed: November 24, December 24, 25, & 31
- Family Night –Sunday, November 28
(Entry times are every 30 minutes beginning at 4:30 pm with last entry at 8:30 pm.)
Garden of Lights showcases Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons on the 47-acre property. Each light display is based on a garden theme.
One of the most popular displays in the winter wonderland is the giant caterpillar that you can walk thru.
If you don’t feel like waiting in line for the sought-after photo spot you can just bypass the line.
Guests can enjoy the lower portion of the holiday light display via a horse-drawn wagon ride. The wagon rides are first come, first serve and tickets must be purchased in advance online.
Each night there is a limited amount of seating available for wagon rides. There are no more than 10 guests per wagon with a max of 3 households.
Make sure that you allow time to watch the light display over the water.
Additional event activities at the Garden of Lights guaranteed to help you get in the holiday spirit include:
- Holiday shopping
- A concession stand with hot chocolate and cookies
- Photos with Santa
- Special events, such as Member Night and Family Night
Visit the National Railroad Museum’s Festival of Trees
2285 South Broadway, Green Bay, WI
November 17 – December 31, 2022
The National Railroad Museum is a treat for train lovers young and old as one of the oldest institutions in the United States dedicated to preserving the nation’s railroad history.
The museum located on 33 acres is MUCH larger than it appears at first glance as you enter the building.
During the Festival of Trees event, guests can view over 40 themed Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and organizations.
Guest will love discovering the individual creativity of each themed Christmas tree on display.
The museum has more than 70 locomotives and rail cars on display, many of which you can walk inside.
One of the highlights is the Union Pacific #4017 known as Big Boy, the world’s largest steam locomotive.
The museum is the only location where you can see one of the eight remaining Big Boys housed inside a climate-controlled facility.
Train rides at the National Railroad Museum
Holidays on the Rails -December 6-8, 2022
Elementary age kids and younger will enjoy activities at the museum from 9-2. Highlights include: activity stations with interactive exhibits, decorating cookies, holiday crafts and a visit with Santa.
It’s recommended that you allow 90 minutes to experience the train ride and holiday activities.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
November 18-December 11, 2022 for all ages
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at the National Railroad Museum features a live rendition of the Hot Chocolate Dance followed by a dramatic reading of the original Polar Express™ book.
Patrons then board the train for the ride to the North Pole. After reaching the top of the world, Santa personally greets each and every child.
Check the website for ticket prices and experience options.
Watch the Titletown Winter Jubilee Light Show
Date: Nov. 25-26 Dec 2-3, Dec 9-10, Dec 16-17, Dec 20-24, Dec 26-28, 2022
*Dec 3 from 7-9
(Check the schedule for exact dates)
Time: Every half hour (on the hour and half hour) from 6-9 PM
Location: Titletown Plaza (Downtown Green Bay)
This is a free event.
Enjoy a 7 minute family-friendly presentation that includes holiday music and lights, fireworks, and special effects including lasers projected on Lambeau Field’s west façade.
For a great place with the best views, watch from Titletown’s Plaza near Ridge Road or Lots 5 and 6 at Lambeau Field.
Explore Titletown Around the Holidays
Located west of Lambeau Field, the Titletown District is a great area to explore with activities for the whole family. Titletown is located within walking distance of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
Some of the best things Titletown offers include:
- large public park with outdoor games and football field
- event space
- playground
- fitness activities
- skating rink in the winter months
Warm Up With a Drink at 46 Below
If you need to get out of the cold for a bit, you can warm up with a hot toddy or latte at 46 Below. The name is a nod to the infamous “Ice Bowl,” the 1967 NFL Championship game at Lambeau Field where the wind chill went 46° below zero!
The name has a double meaning with it’s location also being 46 feet below the top of Arien’s Hill.
Photo Ops at Titletown
If you want to snap a photo showcasing the spirit of the season, there are plenty of areas at Titletown that are photo worthy.
If you love murals with angel wings, you’ll definitely want to get a picture in front of the lit up wings pictured above.
Go Snow Tubing at Arien’s Hill
Guest can rent a snow tube and enjoy riding down one of two tubing lanes on Arien’s Hill, which is 46 feet high.
Only Titletown snow tubes are allowed on the hill and they are included with your snow tubing admission.
Go Ice Skating or Rent an Ice Bike
*Unfortunately the ice bikes will not be at Titletown for the 22/23 season.
Ice skating and ice bike rentals are available throughout the winter season, weather permitting, with an admission fee to access the ice.
You can bring your own skates or there are rentals available.
Guests can pay for ice skating or ice bikes at the Admissions building located on the south side of the park near the base of Arien’s Hill. Waivers for the date of your visit are also required to be filled out before going on the ice or snow tubing.
If you are ice skating with a family, the Skating Family Package is the best value because it includes 4 admissions plus ice skate rentals.
Why Ice Biking is AWESOME!
What is ice biking?
Ice biking is the combination of ice skating and biking. The framework is a bicycle where the front tire is typically replaced with a blade.
The ice bike frame at the bottom of the bike creates stability while you ride.
Ice biking is my new favorite winter activity. This is a great option if you want to be on the ice, but need more stability than ice skating.
Fair warning, turns on the ice bike can be a little tricky so just take turns slow and hope that you turn before reaching the wall.
If you do reach the wall, you can push off of it or a staff member will help you get back on track.
Sit by a Fire Pit Near the Winter Skating Rink
There are two areas to warm up by the fire pits at Titletown. Ice skaters have a special area in the middle of the ice rink with seating and a fire pit.
This is a nice option if you want a break from being on the ice.
Non-skaters will find several fire pits with seating within eyesight of the ice rink.
Enjoy a Seasonal Kringle at Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe
3 locations in Northeast Wisconsin:
- 1840 Dickinson Road, De Pere, WI
- 2999 East Mason Street, Green Bay, WI
- 2514 Lineville Road, Suamico, WI
No visit to Green Bay is complete without trying a Kringle as the official State pastry of Wisconsin.
Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe is a family business that has been voted “Best Bakery” by the Best of the Bay for the last 10 years AND “Best Kringle in North America.”
What’s a Kringle?
A Kringle is a flaky Danish pastry consisting of 36 layers of dough and European butter.
The Kringle making process is a labor of love made with laminated dough that takes 3 days to make. Kringles are in the shape of a traditional pretzel and have a filling inside.
One of the most popular flavors of Kringles at Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe is the sea salt caramel flavor pictured above.
There are 12 Kringle flavors + seasonal flavors that patrons look forward to each month, including Brandy, old-fashioned and cranberry orange pecan.
There are also a few flavors of savory Kringles if you need a break from the sweet flavors.
Ship a Kringle
If you or someone you love is craving a Kringle, they can be shipped around the country in about 2 days.
It’s recommended that you eat the Kringle within 3-4 days for optimal taste. Kringles also freeze well if you want to enjoy them later in the year.
There are plenty of other pastry and cookie options if you want to try other sweet treats too.
You’ll also find an assortment of savory artisan breads to choose from. The Spicy cheesy bread is very popular. Other popular flavors are the healthy harvest bread and cinnamon raisin walnut.
Enjoy a Sweet Treat at Seroogy’s Chocolates
Two Locations:
- 784 Willard Dr., Ashwaubenon, WI
- 144 N. Wisconsin St., De Pere, WI
Since 1899, Seroogy’s Chocolates has specialized in handmade, hand-dipped chocolate candy.
This family owned business creates 600 varieties of chocolate throughout the year.
If you need a chocolate to start with for “research,” their wide assortment of chocolate meltaways are very popular.
Kids and adults will love discovering creative presentations of chocolate treats throughout the store.
If you’re not a fan of chocolate you will still find plenty of non-chocolate options to choose from, including a wide variety of popular candies not made in-house.
Seroogy’s chocolates make a great gift for that special someone in your life…or as a gift to yourself.
Thanks again to Discover Green Bay and Geiger & Associates for hosting my visit.
Which Holiday Adventure Do You Want to Try in Green Bay?
Additional Wisconsin Articles
Fun Things to do in Door County in the Winter
Great Places to Eat in Door County
Hi Nendra,
What an amazing article! I never really got a chance to go to Green Bay during the holiday season, but now that you have described it, and very interested in going there and trying these activities out for myself. However, some of my friends are planning it, and I will definitely share this article with them, so they can experience this fun. Thanks a lot for curating this amazing article. It was fun to read, and I enjoyed it a lot.