You wanna know one of the best things about living or visiting a state like Wisconsin this time of year? You get that authentic wintry experience ... no palm trees with Christmas lights here. Picture millions of glittering lights at dozens of dazzling shows with historic homes, festive downtowns and shimmering pines as the backdrop. This is what makes Wisconsin one of the best places to catch a stunning holiday lights show. Here are just a handful of the state's brightest destinations around the holidays:
1. Rotary Lights - La Crosse
Riverside Park
Daily through Dec. 31
Donations encouraged
Insider Tip: Rotary's display of more than two million sparkling lights along the Mississippi River began in 1995 as a cooperative effort between the La Crosse area's Rotary clubs. The festivities now include live reindeer, Rotary Lights Parade, an Ugly Sweater 5k Run and more.
2. Botanical Lights - Janesville
Rotary Botanical Gardens
Dec. 12 through 14, 19 through 23 and 26 through 28, 2014
Cost: $5
Insider Tip: The festive garden paths come to life with 330,000 lights, 75 adorned trees, more than 2,000 luminaries and more.
3. WPS Garden of Lights - Green Bay
Green Bay Botanical Garden
Select evenings through Dec. 30
Cost: Rate varies
Insider Tip: After you enjoy the light tour, snap a pic with Santa and then get a little holiday gift shopping in at the WPS Trellis Gift Shop at the Emil and Gail Fischer Visitor Center.
4. Making Spirits Bright Drive-Through Lights Show - Sheboygan
Evergreen Park
Daily through Dec. 28
Cost: Free (food and cash donations are encouraged.)
Insider Tip: Love the lights but loathe the cold? Enjoy this festive lights show choreographed to holiday music from the comfort of your own vehicle when you drive this 1.1 mile route.
5. Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival - Milwaukee
Downtown Milwaukee
Daily through Dec. 28
Cost: $5
Insider Tip: Jump on the Jingle Bus for a 40-minute tour with narration by Milwaukee Downtown's Public Service Ambassadors, who highlight downtown landmarks and the most decorated scenes. (The best part: Rides are just $1 per person.)
6. Oshkosh Celebration of Lights - Oshkosh
Menominee Park
Daily through Dec. 31
Donations encouraged
Insider Tip: This illuminated holiday wonder attracts more than 10,000 vehicles each season. Don't miss the 100-foot tree, sculptured scenes and the animated light displays.
My runners-up:
Chippewa Falls Christmas Village - Chippewa Falls
Holiday Fantasy in Lights - Madison
Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights - Caledonia
- Mariah Haberman is the co-host of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." Her column is published Tuesday on Life page in the Times.
1. Rotary Lights - La Crosse
Riverside Park
Daily through Dec. 31
Donations encouraged
Insider Tip: Rotary's display of more than two million sparkling lights along the Mississippi River began in 1995 as a cooperative effort between the La Crosse area's Rotary clubs. The festivities now include live reindeer, Rotary Lights Parade, an Ugly Sweater 5k Run and more.
2. Botanical Lights - Janesville
Rotary Botanical Gardens
Dec. 12 through 14, 19 through 23 and 26 through 28, 2014
Cost: $5
Insider Tip: The festive garden paths come to life with 330,000 lights, 75 adorned trees, more than 2,000 luminaries and more.
3. WPS Garden of Lights - Green Bay
Green Bay Botanical Garden
Select evenings through Dec. 30
Cost: Rate varies
Insider Tip: After you enjoy the light tour, snap a pic with Santa and then get a little holiday gift shopping in at the WPS Trellis Gift Shop at the Emil and Gail Fischer Visitor Center.
4. Making Spirits Bright Drive-Through Lights Show - Sheboygan
Evergreen Park
Daily through Dec. 28
Cost: Free (food and cash donations are encouraged.)
Insider Tip: Love the lights but loathe the cold? Enjoy this festive lights show choreographed to holiday music from the comfort of your own vehicle when you drive this 1.1 mile route.
5. Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival - Milwaukee
Downtown Milwaukee
Daily through Dec. 28
Cost: $5
Insider Tip: Jump on the Jingle Bus for a 40-minute tour with narration by Milwaukee Downtown's Public Service Ambassadors, who highlight downtown landmarks and the most decorated scenes. (The best part: Rides are just $1 per person.)
6. Oshkosh Celebration of Lights - Oshkosh
Menominee Park
Daily through Dec. 31
Donations encouraged
Insider Tip: This illuminated holiday wonder attracts more than 10,000 vehicles each season. Don't miss the 100-foot tree, sculptured scenes and the animated light displays.
My runners-up:
Chippewa Falls Christmas Village - Chippewa Falls
Holiday Fantasy in Lights - Madison
Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights - Caledonia
- Mariah Haberman is the co-host of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." Her column is published Tuesday on Life page in the Times.