APPLETON – If you’re looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit, the Fox Valley has plenty to offer.
From the Appleton Christmas Parade to Berry Nina Christmas, holiday gift and craft shows, and numerous live music events, you’re sure to find something to enjoy.
Downtown Appleton’s Christmas Parade lights up College Avenue and TV screens
The 52nd Annual Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade begins Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. The evening parade will travel east along College Avenue from State Street to Drew Street.
The parade is the largest nighttime parade in the Midwest and typically draws 80,000 spectators. Held before Thanksgiving, you can watch it live online at WeAreGreenBay.com, and it will be rebroadcast on WFRV on November 23rd at 1pm and December 25th at 4pm.
This year’s parade theme is “The Music and Magic of Christmas,” and the Hyde family is serving as marshals for the 2023 Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade. The parade honors the Hyde family’s contributions to local music education and appreciation.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Hyde Music is a third-generation family-owned business. Hyde stores are located in Appleton, Green Bay, Stevens Point, Oshkosh and Madison.
Spectators will be able to place chairs and blankets along the parade route after noon on Nov. 21, but must keep their items.
Follow Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade on Facebook for updates.
Festival of Lights opens for the season on November 24th
The Fox Cities Festival of Lights opens its fourth season on November 24 at Darboy Community Park in Harrison Village. The lights will be on from 5pm to 9pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from December 31st to December 25th.
There are two holiday walking trails. One is a newly paved accessible trail and the other is a lighted trail through the forest.
Admission is free, but a $5 donation per visitor is suggested. Donations make the event possible.
For information about the festival, sponsorship and nonprofit volunteer opportunities, visit foxcitiesfestivaloflights.org.
A very Nina Christmas also includes a visit from Santa
Celebrate A Very Neenah Christmas on Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy an ice sculpture garden, live mannequin display windows, live reindeer, and an outdoor movie. Santa and Mrs. Claus stop by. Other activities include holiday girlfriend crafts, marshmallow roasting, and sledding photos.
Also, starting Dec. 1, kids can write letters to Santa and drop them off in the red mailbox in front of the Future Nina office at 135 W. Wisconsin Ave. The letter must be received by her by December 21st and must include a return address. response.
For more information, visit neenah.org.
First United Methodist to light a tree and sing carols
A holiday kickoff will be held Dec. 2 at First United Methodist Church (325 E. Franklin St.). The event begins at 4 p.m. and includes singing, tree lighting, hot his chocolates, and sweets.
Participants can dedicate a luminary to a loved one who is not with them this year. The event is free, but free donations are also accepted.
And on Dec. 13, the church will host a festival of carols in the sanctuary from 7 to 8:45 p.m.
The church orchestra and choirs (Grace Choir, Bass Clef Choir, Sanctuary Choir, Wesley Handbell Choir) will perform.
The concert is free, but 100% of voluntary donations benefit the Salvation Army food pantry.
Join the Great Holiday Dash on December 2nd
The 4th Annual Great Holiday Dash will be held Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Teams earn points by “dashing” through Appleton, solving clues and completing photo, video, and geotagging missions. Tips are provided through the mobile app. Participants have a chance to win prizes.
The event is sponsored by Appleton Parks and Recreation and Fox Community Credit Union.
Registration fees are $30 for Appleton residents and $35 for non-residents at appletonparkandrec.org/programs-activities/special-events-trips/great-holiday-dash.
Community band hosts free concert in December
The Kimberley Community Band will hold a Christmas concert on December 3rd. The concert begins at 2 p.m. at JR Gerrits Middle School, 545 S. John St.
The Neenah Community Band will present its winter concert on Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. The event will be held at the Neenah High School Auditorium, 500 Rocket Way.
Admission to both concerts is free.
Lawrence Girl Choir will offer two performances on December 9th
The Lawrence Community Girl Chorus will hold its fall concert on December 9th at Lawrence Memorial Chapel.Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m.
Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the Lawrence University Box Office.
Erin Krebs Leads ‘Swingin’ Christmas Event December 13th
Erin Krebs will lead a night of musical entertainment called “Swingin’ Christmas” on December 13th. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at North Shore Golf Club, N8421 North Shore Road, Menasha.
Krebs was awarded the Wisconsin Regional Music Industry Jazz Artist of the Year in 2023 and 2018, and the Female Vocalist of the Year in 2019.
Admission is $30, free for music students and half price for musicians and educators. Purchase tickets at JazzCoterie.com.
Jingle Bell Boulevard event to collect food and toys
Take a drive through Grand Chute Town Center Park and admire Jingle Bell Boulevard.
The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 14 and will feature a holiday light display, as well as refreshments and photos with Santa. Please bring your own camera.
We are looking for donations of nonperishable food, toys, etc. Admission is free.
Ballet Academy holds annual Nutcracker ballet performance
The Academy of Ballet Arts will present Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet on December 15th and 16th at Grand Oshkosh.
This performance will feature youth and adult students from the Academy of Ballet Arts and professional dancers from Minnesota Ballet. Additionally, professional dancers will perform works specific to their culture and ethnicity. They are Indian classical Kathak artist Anindita Anam; Lu Zhang, a cultural ambassador for the Northeast Wisconsin Chinese Association and an accomplished classical Chinese dance performer; and Kerensa Demers, a professional flamenco choreographer, performer and educator.
Founded in 2002 by Ann Marie Brunner Abderholden, Valley Academy for the Arts is a nonprofit arts school that provides dance instruction opportunities to students whose families cannot afford dance instruction.
Tickets for the performance are available starting at $30 at thegrandoshkosh.org.
Holiday Gift and Craft Show to be held at the Exhibition Center on December 16th
Vendors will sell vintage and handmade items at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center (355 W. Lawrence St.) on Dec. 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Browse stained glass, dolls, quilts, pottery, candles, blown glass, bakeries, paintings, and more.
Admission is $5, children 12 and under are free (eventbrite.com).
Blue Violin holds candlelight Christmas concert
Classical crossover artist Blue Violin will perform at Lawrence Memorial Chapel, 510 E. College Ave., Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.
Blue Violin is a former first violinist of the Boston String Quartet and performs original and cover songs all in a multimedia format on one violin.
As a soloist, Blue Violin has performed with the Xybus World Orchestra, Ethno-Urban Orchestra, and with members of John Mayer, Paul Simon, Jennifer Holiday, Turtle Island Quartet, Celtic Woman, and Riverdance. ing.
The show is 90 minutes with no intermission. Children are also welcome to participate.
Admission is $30 per person or $75 for a family pack at eventbrite.com.
A Magical Silk Christmas is coming to Fox Cities PAC. December 20th
All ages are welcome to attend this holiday variety show on December 20th. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, 400 W. College Ave.
World-class entertainers will perform to your favorite holiday music. Tickets start at $79 at foxcitiespac.com or 920-730-3760.
Experience Victorian Christmas on the Hearthstone Tour
Hearthstone Historic House Museum is offering special tours this holiday season. Victorian Christmas: The 12 Days of Christmas and Discover How the Victorians Invented Christmas Tour will be offered on Fridays and Saturdays from November 25th until December 30th.
Each room in Hearthstone is decorated for the Christmas holidays, with trees, wreaths, tables with holiday china in each room, Victorian toys on display, and the 12 days of Christmas represented throughout the house. It has been.
The 12-day tour takes place in the evening and you can go at your own pace, with guides dressed in Victorian costumes explaining Victorian holiday traditions and answering your questions. There will also be live music of traditional Christmas carols.
“How the Victorians Invented” Christmas Tours are offered during the day and cover most of today’s popular holiday traditions, from decorating the tree to sending cards, caroling and even turkey dinners. Explore how it started in the Victorian era.
Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children. For tickets and more information, visit hearthstonemuseum.org/events.
Contact Mara Wegner at mwegner@gannett.com or 920-996-7241.