Rural Northeast Wisconsin Families

🛷🐎 Sleigh Rides on the Farm - Cider with Santa
2025-12-21 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Cavanaugh Carriages, 3910 Fairview Rd, Neenah, Wisconsin, United States
Meet Santa in his workshop

Meet our reindeer

Enjoy a cup of cocoa or cider

Cozy bon fire

Jingle Bells Horse Drawn sleigh ride

Petting Zoo

Craft your Christmas List and complete your activity card

Dress warm and bring your warm winter gear to enjoy the crisp winter air.

🚂 Historic Holiday Depot
2025-12-21 12:00 - 17:00 | Waupaca Depot, 525 Oak St, Waupaca, Wisconsin, United States
Looking for a fun stop this weekend?

The Depot is open and welcoming visitors of all ages! Explore the Depot and our outbuildings, enjoy the model train display downstairs, and experience a piece of Waupaca’s past. Bring the family and stop in!

See the buildings in all their Holiday Decorated Glory!

Open Saturday and Sunday, 12-5 pm!

🎅🍪 Christmas Event
2025-12-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Rise Wellness Recovery Center, 154 Woodlawn Dr, Shawano, Wisconsin, United States
Join Rise Wellness for a fun Christmas Event!

Pictures with Santa

Gifts for Kids

Cookie Decorating and Crafts

🎅 Visit with Santa
2025-12-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Langlade County Historical Society, 404 Superior St, Antigo, Wisconsin, United States
Visit with Santa and his elves for his last visit before the BIG Day!

Elves will help Santa distribute candy and toys

🌌 Solstice Storytime for ALL Ages
2025-12-22 18:00 - 21:00 | Shawano County Library, 128 South Sawyer Street, Shawano, WI, 54166, United States
Spend an evening with us, listening to stories of the winter solstice from around the world. Bring any craft projects you’ve been working on, or pick up one here. We’ll craft, chat, and drink some cocoa as we celebrate the shortest day of the year!This program is family-friendly and open to all ages. We’ll have craft supplies available for various ages and abilities.

As a part of our Community Reads series of programs that will officially launch in 2026, this program will have a strong community focus.

🎅🚒 6th Annual Santa Cruise
2025-12-23 16:30 - 20:00 | Clintonville, Clintonville, Wisconsin, United States
Santa and Mrs Claus will be doing their Pre-Christmas Community Tour again this year!Santa and Mrs Claus will be riding through town on a 1957 FWD Aerial Fire Truck!

We have the route map below along with the written directions. Santa and crew will be leaving the FWD Museum around 4:30pm.

I heard today (12/19/25) on the Breakfast Club that Parade Participants (the floats) were invited to join the FWD Santa FireTruck on their tour through town. We haven’t heard who has taken them up on the offer, yet.

We will have a PUBLIC Post Available in Clintonville Area Discussion (public group with no banned members currently) so we can track Santa! When you see him – please let us know so no one misses out!

Route map for 6th Annual Santa Cruise Route 2025 by Marie Vandenberg on plotaroute.com

You can adjust the speed of the map. We also have an unofficial printable version below.

6th Annual Santa Cruise through Clintonville 2025Download

Official Route From FWD Seagrave

2025 Clintonville Santa Cruise Route

⛸️🏒🎅 Skate with Santa
2025-12-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Crawford Center, South Waukechon Street 251, Shawano, Wisconsin, 54166, United States
Get ready to lace up for our annual community Santa Skate next week!

Why a Tuesday? Santa has some reindeer hockey games scheduled for the weekend. Kick off your holiday break before Santa heads back for his big night!

Goodie Bags for the first 100 children!

Tell your friends and family—the more, the merrier!

There are a limited number of “skate helpers” for those beginner skaters!

🎄🎁 Rural NEW Families Christmas Wrapping Event -
2025-12-23 21:30 - 23:30 | Fire & Iron Gathering, South Main Street 291, Clintonville, WI, 54929, United States
We know that wrapping presents can go from festive fun to a full-blown chore in no time—especially when you’re juggling curious kids, furry “helpers,” or wrapping in secret with zero hiding spots.

Maybe you work odd shifts and can’t sneak away, or you need different wrapping paper so the kids don’t recognize their own gifts. (Trust us—been there. We even have some extra rolls we’ll never use and are happy to share!)

And then there’s the classic dilemma: kids wanting to wrap presents for their family members… with help from the exact person receiving the gift. 🤦‍♀️

So—we’re hosting TWO wrapping events!

🎁 Family-Friendly Wrapping Event:Kids welcome! We’ll have helpers on hand to assist with wrapping so little gift-givers can surprise their loved ones without spoiling the fun.

🎁 Adults-Only Wrapping Night (right before Christmas Eve):A kid-free space to finish wrapping in secret without interruptions. If there’s enough interest, we can add an additional session.

Please bring wrapping supplies if you can—paper, tape, bows, etc. We’ll have a limited amount available, along with Christmas music, tables, chairs, and laughter. A cozy space to wrap, chat, and actually enjoy the process.

✨ Stocking Stuffers & Small Gift Help ✨We’re hoping to offer inexpensive stocking stuffers and small last-minute gifts for those needing “just one more thing.” Funds are tight, so if you’d like to contribute:

You can Venmo directly to our source—just note the specific item(s) and quantity.

We also welcome donations of new items.

Cash donations will be used to purchase neutral or teen-appropriate trinkets.

Every little bit helps us support families who might need that small boost to balance gift-giving or avoid an accidental oversight.

Let’s wrap together—literally—and bring a little less stress and a lot more joy to the season. 🎄

Screenshot

If you prefer a direct link to the Venmo Accounts – My Supplier for some of the trinkets is: venmo.com/u/kirchner2018

Mine for Neutral and Teen Purchases: venmo.com/u/meblur7

Cash is also an option. Contact me directly for details.

Bonus

Need a break from the tape and tangled ribbon? 🎄

I’ll be around during the wrapping event for impromptu calendar help—whether you want to learn how to search events, submit your own, or find all the holiday fun happening this week.

Just look for the tall woman in the blinking Santa hat. 😉I’ll help between bow emergencies and runaway rolls of tape.

Bring presents to wrap, questions to ask, or just come say hi!

FREE Holiday Light display - Final Night
2025-12-24 17:00 - 21:00 | Voyageur Park, 100 William St, De Pere, Wisconsin, United States
Bring your family and friends for a drive-thru experience filled with dazzling lights, decorations, and seasonal cheer at the Voyageur Park Holiday Lights Display.

Dec. 24 – Volunteers will be collecting food items for Paul’s Pantry

The display is hosted by De Pere Parks, Rec & Forestry, with support from lead sponsor Fox Communities Credit Union.

You can find our complete (interactive) Holiday Light Map here:

Free Christmas Meal
2025-12-25 10:00 - 15:00 | Wausau Eagles Club 251, 1703 S 3rd Ave, Wausau, Wisconsin, United States
Free Christmas Meal (while meals last)

Drive-up Only!

Free meal for those in need or alone – limit 4 meals per vehicle.

Meals include: Ham Dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, etc

🍽️🥗 Free Community Christmas Dinner
2025-12-25 11:00 - 13:00 | White Lake Community Center, 615 School St, White Lake, WI, 54491, United States
Everyone is welcome to a free community 🎄 Christmas Day dinner at the White Lake Community Center. No charge and no reservation required.

Enjoy turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables, rolls, coffee, milk, and desserts. Feel free to bring Christmas cookies or a dessert to share if you would like.

A beautiful reminder of the generosity and togetherness that define our community.

🎄🍽️ Christmas Day 2025
2025-12-25 11:00 - 14:00 | Betty’s Bar, South Main Street 51, Clintonville, Wisconsin, 54929, United States
From all of us at Betty’s we wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!We will be open for our normal hours on Christmas Day the 25th (11am to 2am)There will be ham, finger foods and cookies for those who want to stop in and spend time with us. FREE!If you want to bring a dish to pass feel free but not necessary.Thank you for your continued support in our small town as we round off the 2025 year.

🎄🥗🍗🍽️Christmas Day Dinner
2025-12-25 11:30 - 13:00 | Oconto Falls Senior Center, 512 Caldwell Ave, Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, 54154, United States
We will have Christmas Dinner for anyone who needs it!

Dine-In, Curbside pickup or delivery options available.

RSVPs needed by Dec 23rd to ensure enough for all!

We look forward to meeting old and new friends for this FREE meal!

If you know of an individual who will be alone for Christmas and would like a meal delivered, please call us to make arrangements

🍿📽️ Community Movie to benefit the Antigo Area Food Pantry
2025-12-28 11:30 - 13:30 | Palace Theater, 5th Avenue 823, Antigo, Wisconsin, 54409, United States
Join us for a fun afternoon at the McKenzie Palace Theater and watch a movie for FREE when you bring a non-perishable food or personal care item donation for the Antigo Area Community Food Pantry.Movies are Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas & 2nd “Mystery” movie to be Announced. Movie showings will begin promptly at 11:30am, early arrival is strongly encouraged. Seating is limited. This is a generally a very popular event!!Sponsored by the Antigo Optimist Club & McKenzie Palace Theater

🥳🎉🎊🥛 Lamers Dairy Countdown to Noon
2025-12-31 09:00 - 12:30 | Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, Gass Lake Road 7001, Manitowoc, WI, 54220, United States
In partnership with Lamers Dairy, join us for a New Year’s Eve celebration for families with young children.Leading up to noon, enjoy a lively photobooth and get creative at our DIY noisemaker bar. At noon, cheer as we drop magical balloons and raise our cups for a milk toast to welcome the year ahead! It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss!

Buy Tickets online here

🎊🎉 Noon Year’s Eve Bash!
2025-12-31 10:00 - 12:30 | Farm Exploration Center, 3400 Innovation Dr, Plover, Wisconsin, 54467, United States
Join us for our annual Noon Year’s Eve Party — a kid-friendly New Year’s countdown to noon with crafts, noisemakers, snacks, and a dance party. This is your family’s chance to welcome the new year in a fun, energetic way with maximum excitement, way before bedtime.Get the new year wiggles out with festive activities while we countdown to a dance party at noon!ACTIVITIES• Craft your own party crown• Make a noisemaker for the dance party• Shake up a cranberry apple Sparkling Sprayer• Enjoy a tasty snack to fuel up for dancingDETAILS• $10 per youth• $5 per adult• Members save 20%!• All ages, activities designed for youth 3-10 years old• Parents do not need to be present• Admission does not include access to the exhibits

Tickets Available online and at the door

📽️🎬🥤🍿 FREE MOVIES!!! - Final Showings - Final Good-Byes
2025-12-31 12:00 - 16:30 | Grand Cinema Theaters, 208 Wolf River Plaza, New London, Wisconsin, 54961, United States
Thank you to all who came to support us over the years! It has been especially nice to see everyone coming to see us these last few weeks.As a thanks to the community, we will be offering FREE MOVIES on our last day open:Wednesday, December 31, New Year’s Eve!This will be for for all showtimes for each movie. So if there is a movie playing you haven’t seen yet or you just wanna watch one again, tomorrow is your last chance! Seating is limited, so first come, first served. Concession sales are encouraged to reduce inventory.Thanks again!💜Jenny GutsmiedlGCT Manager💙And the Staff:AdriannaLaneWhitneyCooper

Click here for Movie and Show Times

Anaconda

Avatar Fire & Ash

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

🎉🎊 NYE 80TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY!
2025-12-31 20:00 - 23:00 | Chet And Emil’s Ballroom, 388 Main St, Birnamwood, Wisconsin, United States
GRAND UNION IS CELEBRATING OUR 80TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY WITH US ON NYE!!!Our C&E family invites all of your families of the public to join us for food, fun, drinks, and dancing! Refreshments will be provided from 8PM-10PM (or gone). Free beer, NYE party favors, door prizes, raffles, and NO COVER CHARGE! FREE ADMISSION!NYE Dinner specials will be offered before the dance in the upper dining room from 4PM-8PM!

🩷 Heart Pillow Craft
2026-02-06 14:00 - 16:00 | 130 N Bridge St, Manawa, WI, 54949, United States
Looking for a fun way to add a cozy touch to your home this Valentine’s Day? Join Marilyn Herman from HCE as she shows you how to make a heart-shaped tie pillow – no sewing skills required! This friendly, all-ages craft is the perfect way to get creative together. Drop in any time between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m., and we’ll have all the supplies ready for you. No registration needed.

💃🌹 The Mix Polka Band @ 3rd Annual Valentines Dance
2026-02-07 18:00 - 22:00 | Scolly’s Hometown Pub, West Pulaski Street 149, Pulaski, WI, 54162, United States
We are back for our 3rd Annual Valentines Dance! Join us with your Valentine for a night of music, dancing, beverages, and socializing! New material and all our classics tunes, there will be music for everyone’s taste.

The best part? Admission is FREE! Donations are accepted, but not required!Sponsored by Promote Pulaski

“Old Fashioned Polkas” CD on sale for $15

💌 Valentine's Storytime
2026-02-10 10:30 - 11:30 | Oconto Falls Library, 251 North Main Street, Oconto Falls, WI, 54154, United States
Valentine’s Day Storytime! We’ll have songs, stories and a love-rific craft!

Valentine Bingo!
2026-02-12 13:00 - 16:00 | Marion Public Library, 120 North Main Street, Marion, WI, 54950, United States
FREE Bingo! FREE prizes! Bring your friends for a fun hour of Bingo!

FREE Valentine's Day Craft & Coloring at ALL Fleet Farm Locations
2026-02-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Fleet Farm – Antigo, Neva Road 2511, Antigo, Wisconsin, 54409, United States
Bring your family out to our free Valentine’s Day Craft & Coloring Event!Guests will have the chance to color a free Valentine’s Day card, as well as a make their own fun flower lollipop craft!This Valentine’s Day event will be at ALL Fleet Farm stores! Find your closest store.

🐖 Piglet Day
2026-02-14 09:00 - 13:00 | Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, Gass Lake Road 7001, Manitowoc, WI, 54220, United States
Make your Valentine a piglet this year!! 🐷💝Who needs chocolate and flowers when you can meet a whole litter of piglets? This year, our beloved annual Piglet Day gets a little sweeter as we celebrate on Valentine’s Day, from 9 am to 1 pm.Thanks to our partner, Peter Family Show Pigs, guests can meet, pet, and play with these piglets up close. These tiny four-legged friends are full of personality and they’re sure to steal your heart.Bring your sweetheart, galentine, or family and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.

Meet the Piglets

Swine Breed Matching Activity

Pig Farrowing Simulator (learn to properly care for piglets)

10 am – Pig-Themed Storytime

Other hands-on activities with Special Guests – Alice in Dairyland (Sarah Hagenow) and Experts from Wisconsin Pork Association

Click for more information and to purchase tickets!

Give a Little Love: Museum Day of Play
2026-02-14 09:00 - 14:00 | Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum, 1100 Main St, Stevens Point, WI, 54481, United States
💞 Spend a little time together with the ones you love at Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum for a community access day sponsored by Gadgets and Goodies. 💞Design a heart for your valentine, explore the museum additions and updates and sign up for a membership if you haven’t already!There is no admission fee for visitors this day, so be sure to thank Jacob and the hard workers at Gadgets and Goodies by stopping by and picking up your sweet treat for your valentine at his store! 💓

♥️💝 Valentine's Craft Party at Wildman Arts
2026-02-14 09:00 - 18:00 | Wildman Arts, 5th Avenue 618, Antigo, WI, 54409, United States
Join Wildman Arts for a Valentine’s Craft Party! Stop in anytime between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM FREE snacks and hot cocoa for everyone!Fun Crafting Events:

wooden heart ornaments- $1

valentine red heart scratch art- $1

small valentine ceramic- $2

wood heart slice- $2

double heart suncatcher- $2

plain or decorated ceramic heart- $3

heart tic tac toe boards- $3

heart shaped rock- $3

ceramic heart trinket tray- $5

wooden heart jewelry box with mirror- $5

ceramic conversation heart- $5

ceramic doughnut heart- $5

color your own valentine Mug- $5

love canvas painting- $5

ceramic teddy bear- $10

large ceramic jewelry box- $10

For more information, email

wildmanartsweb@gmail.com or call/text 715-921-4877.

Lip Balm Make & Take Workshops
2026-02-14 10:30 - 14:30 | 1000 Islands Nature Center, 1000 Beaulieu Ct, Kaukauna, WI, 54130, United States
Looking for a fun and unique Valentine’s Day date—or a perfect way to celebrate with your “Galentines”? Join us and local beekeepers Paula and Megan for a hands‑on workshop where you’ll learn to make your own custom beeswax lip balm! Choose from a variety of flavor options, and all materials will be provided.Pre‑registration is required, and space is limited. To register, email thousandisland@kaukauna.gov or call (920) 766‑4733. Please indicate which session you’d like to attend:Session 1: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM — FULLSession 2: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PMThe cost is $5 and includes one lip balm; additional lip balms can be made for a small extra fee.

Valentine's Gathering
2026-02-14 18:00 - 21:00 | Rise Wellness Recovery Center, 154 Woodlawn Dr, Shawano, Wisconsin, United States
6pm: Valentine’s Gathering – All are welcome – No Partner Needed. This evening is about community, healing and togetherness.

7pm – NA Meeting

Games and fellowship to follow

Light refreshments

Gentle activities and conversation

🍀 Storytime: Leprechauns
2026-03-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Navarino Nature Center, Lindsten Road W5646, Shiocton, WI, 54170, United States
Come join us for our Storytime program designed to get all kids excited about the outdoors. Storytime includes stories, crafts, outside fun, and more. This Storytime topic is about Leprechauns! Registration is appreciated by calling 715-758-6999 or online to assist staff in material preparations and in case of cancellation. Come and experience Storytime at Navarino Nature Center!

🐇 Easter Eggstravaganza - Shiocton
2026-03-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Shiocton Lake Park, Lake Park St, Shiocton, Wisconsin, United States
Join us for an eggciting event! Pre-Registration is Required. Register by March 20th by filling out the Google Form https://forms.gle/vsZqSFuD5y8DhqdB6 or calling the library.

Meet the Easter Bunny

Win Prizes

Make Crafts
