Light up your holiday season with these festive displays

’Tis the season: Across Wisconsin, homes, parks, and public spaces are transforming into glittering spectacles that highlight the holiday spirit. Make your season merry (and bright!) by visiting a few of these impressive holiday light displays, from the Northwoods to the capital city.

Rotary Winter Wonderland, Marshfield

While twin Kodiak bears Munsey and Boda are usually the star attractions at Marshfield’s Wildwood Park & Zoo, during the holidays they take second billing to one of the state’s premier light shows. Rotary Winter Wonderland is an ocean of twinkling lights, with dozens of displays and more than 2 million lights. You can experience the lights with a driving tour, but for the full experience, take time to walk through the park and marvel at the displays. The event runs from 5 to 9pm daily from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve.

WPS Garden of Lights, Green Bay

More than 350,000 lights adorn displays at the Green Bay Botanical Garden during this light show, which runs from the day after Thanksgiving until the end of December. This annual holiday attraction also features more than 40 nature-themed displays, including Marigolds in Motion, Touch & Glow, the Butterfly House, and the Lake of Lights.

Lights in Lincoln Park, Manitowoc

This drive-through light show in Manitowoc’s Lincoln Park features more than 70 wild animal light displays (fitting, since Lincoln Park is also the home of Manitowoc’s zoo). Admission is a suggested $5 donation per car, with proceeds being used for improvements at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Holiday Fantasy in Lights, Madison

This drive-through light display is a popular holiday attraction at Olin Park in Wisconsin’s capital city and features more than 50 seasonal displays. Admissions is free.

Lights of the Northwoods, Rhinelander

Lights of the Northwoods blankets Hodag Park in Rhinelander (known as “the home of the Hodag” in Oneida County in northern Wisconsin) with colorful lights. Throughout the celebration, Santa is on hand for your holiday photos. Lights of the Northwoods is open from 5-9pm, and there’s a driving route as well as a walking path.

Rotary Holiday Lights, La Crosse

Walk, drive or take a carriage ride through La Crosse’s Riverside Park to marvel at more than 3 million lights that illuminate colorful displays at this popular park along the banks of the Mississippi River. More than 160,000 take in the display every year or attend fun events like the live nativity or visits with Santa and his reindeer.