Communities across the Fox Valley are rolling out seasonal light displays and Santa events ahead of Thanksgiving. Highlights include a one-million-light show at Fox Cities Stadium (Nov. 14–Jan. 3), a large indoor animated walk-through in Chilton (Nov. 27–Dec. 23), and a volunteer-run half-mile light trail at Darboy Community Park on selected late-November and December dates. Kimberly’s Memorial Park hosts a Nov. 30 lighting ceremony with choir caroling and a fire-truck arrival by Santa, and Grand Chute offers photos with Santa and food-drive donations on Dec. 13. Most events list modest admission or suggested donations and family-friendly activities.
Bright Nights & Santa Visits: Where to See Holiday Lights Across the Fox Valley
Communities across the Fox Valley are rolling out seasonal light displays and Santa events ahead of Thanksgiving. Highlights include a one-million-light show at Fox Cities Stadium (Nov. 14–Jan. 3), a large indoor animated walk-through in Chilton (Nov. 27–Dec. 23), and a volunteer-run half-mile light trail at Darboy Community Park on selected late-November and December dates. Kimberly’s Memorial Park hosts a Nov. 30 lighting ceremony with choir caroling and a fire-truck arrival by Santa, and Grand Chute offers photos with Santa and food-drive donations on Dec. 13. Most events list modest admission or suggested donations and family-friendly activities.
06:27 PM, 11/13/2025Lifestyle
Holiday light displays and Santa visits popping up across the Fox Valley
As Thanksgiving approaches, communities across the Fox Valley are launching family-friendly light displays and opportunities to meet Santa. Below is an easy-to-scan guide with dates, times, locations and admission details to help you plan festive outings.
Fox Cities Stadium — "Lights at the Park"
When: Nov. 14–Jan. 3. Hours: 6–9 p.m. on weeknights and 5–9 p.m. on weekends. Closed Nov. 17, Nov. 24, Dec. 1, Dec. 8 and Dec. 24.
Where: Fox Cities Stadium, 2400 N. Casaloma Drive, Grand Chute.
What you’ll see: About one million lights illuminate the ballpark, with synchronized music shows every 20 minutes. Enjoy holiday treats, seasonal food and winter cocktails. Photo ops include Santa’s sleigh and a 30-foot Christmas tree. Kids can write letters to Santa, join a stadium-wide scavenger hunt and ride the holiday train.
Admission: $12 in November; $13 in December and January. Children ages 2 and under are free.
Northern Wisconsin indoor animated display (Chilton)
When: 4–8 p.m., Nov. 27–Dec. 23. Closed Mondays and Dec. 9.
Where: N5207 Lemke Road, Chilton.
What you’ll see: The region’s largest indoor animated walk-through experience, plus outdoor Christmas scenes. A concession area serves Christmas cookies and milk. Children can tell Santa their wish list and have their photo taken.
Cost: $5 for adults; $3 for ages 2–17; free for children age 1 and younger.
Darboy Community Park light trail
When: 5–9 p.m. on these dates: Nov. 28–30, Dec. 5–7, Dec. 12–14, Dec. 19–21, and Dec. 24–28.
Where: Darboy Community Park, 9334 Noe Road, Harrison.
What you’ll see: A volunteer-run, half-mile light display that’s ideal for shorter walks. About half the trail is wood-chipped and half paved; it loops back to the starting point. Santa will be in his workshop from 5–8 p.m. through Dec. 21, and photos with Santa are free.
Cost: Suggested $5 per person donation to support the volunteer crew and future displays.
Notes: Street parking is available on Noe and Midway Roads; a parking lot is at the end of Skippers Lane. Posted park rules indicate pets are not allowed.
Kimberly Memorial Park lighting
When: Lighting ceremony 5–7 p.m. on Nov. 30. Lights will then come on automatically each night throughout December.
Where: Memorial Park, 311 E. Kimberly Ave., Kimberly.
What you’ll see: Monty’s Secret Theater leads a countdown to the lighting at 5 p.m., followed by caroling from the Kimberly High School Chamber Choir. Santa arrives by fire truck at 5:15 p.m. and will be available in the gazebo for photos. Walk the 1/4-mile paved trail to view park lights. The Magic Santa North Pole Mailbox will be at the park that night and later moved to the Kimberly Municipal Complex so children can receive replies from the North Pole.
Cost: Free.
Notes: The Kimberly Key Club Giving Tree will be on-site for those who wish to support students in the Kimberly Area School District.
Photos with Santa — Grand Chute
When: 9 a.m.–noon on Dec. 13.
Where: Town Center Park, 1850 W. Grand Chute Blvd., Grand Chute.
What you’ll see: Bring your camera for photos with Santa, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, and let kids take part in activities. Grand Chute Parks and Recreation will collect non-perishable food items; each donated item earns one raffle ticket.
Cost: Free.
This article originally appeared in the Appleton Post-Crescent. Please check event pages or organizers for last-minute changes before you go.