Welcome back to December on a Dime!
Week 2: Dec 13–19, 2022
I am so excited to be your guide to festive events across the state! I love holiday activities, but trying to do everything can add up fast. I hope this helps you plan your weekends and partake in great events without breaking the bank. Every featured event will be $25 or less!
Check out our Instagram for a giveaway!
One winner will receive a Reel Craft Pass–a brewery passport allowing a BOGO free drink at over 150 Wisconsin breweries!
Tuesday, December 13th
Candlelight Walk - Urban Ecology Center - Riverside Park - Milwaukee - $14
This event is for adults and teens - Bundle up and join friends and fam for this relaxing Urban Ecology tradition! Enjoy a 1-mile loop hike of illuminated urban trails. BYO mug for some spiced cider or hot tea and enjoy crackling campfires and soothing sounds.
Thursday, December 15th
Winter Family Night - Chick-fil-A Madison East - FREE
Head to the Madison East location for a night of food, family, and fun! Snap a pic with Santa-Cow and pick up a craft to make and take home!
Thursday, December 15th
Jingle & Mingle - Broken Bottle Winery - Baraboo - $20
A festive evening of wines paired with appetizers and cookies.
Thursday, December 15th - Saturday, December 17th
Frost Fest - Bookworm Gardens - Sheboygan - $15
I’ve been wanting to check Bookworm Gardens for so long, and this is the first time it will be open to experience in winter! Check out the twinkling light displays, family-friendly activities, and festive concessions during this holiday event.
Friday, December 16th
Festive Fridays - Seated Wine & Cocktail Tasting - Wollersheim Winery & Distillery - Prairie du Sac - $25
THIS EVENT IS 21+! Casual, seated tastings of some amazing wines as well as a special festive holiday cocktail all paired with some delicious snacks! I love Wollersheim, and it’s so beautiful covered in snow. I highly recommend booking these tickets in advance.
Friday, December 16th
Comedy Show - Gravity Box Brewing - Mauston - $10
Comedy Show 12! Featuring some of the Midwest’s best comics.
Friday, December 16th - Tuesday, December 19th
Zoo Lights - Henry Vilas Zoo - Madison - $10
Experience the Zoo after hours under the glow of almost one million lights! All tickets include unlimited carousel rides. Santa will be available for pictures every night until December 23rd. Tickets must be purchased online.
Saturday, December 17th
Gnome for the Holidays - Downtown Baraboo - FREE
A bunch of holiday gnomes have decided to take over shops and businesses throughout downtown Baraboo, and it’s your job to find them! Each family will be provided a scavenger hunt card (only 100 available!) that can be picked up at A Sense of Adventure. Your goal is to find at least 10 of the 21 hidden holiday gnomes. Once found, the participating stop will stamp your card, which can then be returned to A Sense of Adventure for a reward.
Saturday, December 17th
Candy Cane Hunt & Santa Parade - Middleton - FREE
Some of Santa’s mischievous elves have hidden candy canes around Lakeview Park! Join in for an evening of fun hunting for candy canes, playing wintery games, and enjoying a cup of cocoa. Find a special candy cane for a prize! Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight – this is an outdoor event.
Saturday, December 17th
FamFest: The Grinch - Flix Brewhouse - Madison - $7
A party for Dr. Suess' The Grinch! Re-experience the 2018 animated film with the whole family. There will be family photo ops and activities before the film.
Saturday, December 17th
HO-HO-HORROR: Creepy Christmas Double Feature - Rivoli Theater - La Crosse - $5.75
A one night double feature of Rare Exports and Don't Open Till Christmas.
THURSDAY NIGHTS
Devil's Head Thursday Night Special - Merrimac, WI - $18 Lift Tickets
Starting at 4pm, lift tickets are ONLY $18. Hit the slopes without breaking the bank! This special goes on every Thursday all ski season long. I recommend packing your own cooler with food and drinks to tailgate in the parking lot. It makes for such a fun night!
ALL DECEMBER LONG
Wild Lights - Milwaukee County Zoo - $18 Adults & $16 Kids
**There’s a promotion on Wednesdays- December 7th, 14th, and 21st it’s only $12 for all ages to attend!
I love the MKE zoo, and I’ve always wanted to check out the wild light show! Bundle up and stroll the zoo at night and take in the fabulous animal themed light show.
ALL DECEMBER LONG
Nutcracker in the Castle - The Paine Art Center - Oshkosh - Self Guided Tour $16
See the historic mansion decked out in Christmas decor and watch the story of the nutcracker unfold as you move throughout the rooms. I visited The Paine back in April and it was absolutely beautiful– I can’t imagine how fun it must be to see them bring the story of The Nutcracker to life!
ALL DECEMBER LONG
Rotary Lights - La Crosse - Free
DOG-FRIENDLY EVENT! This is one of the best holiday events I have ever been to! There’s a great ice rink with free skate rental, magical carriage rides, and free s'mores by the fire pits to warm your belly. Highly recommended with the family or on a date night. Hayden and I will be heading there for a date night soon!
ALL DECEMBER LONG
Christmas at the Pabst Mansion - Milwaukee - $20
A holiday experience the whole family can enjoy! Each room is decked out, and no two Christmases are the same. They’ve got it all–from glitz and glam to train tracks and teddy bears around the trees.
ALL DECEMBER LONG
Tree of Light - WI Dells - Free
DOG-FRIENDLY EVENT! A towering 55-foot silver maple tree showcases thousands of lights, making it the only light display of its kind in the Midwest. Stroll along the Dells River Walk and view 75 holiday trees while you take in the gorgeous views of the Wisconsin River.
Make sure to tag us @ThatWisconsinCouple on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok at your festive events! #DecemberOnADime
Huge thank you to Reel Craft Pass for sponsoring this week!