There are always lots of fun, holiday-related things to do in December in Green Bay and this year there still are! While there aren’t quite as many events, and visits or breakfasts with Santa are limited and/or different, some of the classic favorites are still going on like usual. (Of course, there will be changes to many activities to make them safer, so be sure to check the individual websites of the location/event before you visit to get the latest info about their safety protocols or changes.) Also, many events require advance ticket purchase, so be sure to check on that as well before you go. So without further ado, here’s the 2020 list of 14 family-friendly events going on in the Green Bay area:

1) Green Bay Botanical Garden WPS Garden of Lights

The Green Bay Botanical Garden offers the area’s most beautiful light display! Walk the trail or ride on a horse-drawn wagon to enjoy a over 300,000 twinkling lights!! Warm yourself outside by the fire while you wait for your ride or after your walk. This year, due to Covid, advance dated and timed tickets are required for entry. All tickets are for 30 minute increments. You can purchase tickets online here. Ticket prices vary based on peak nights vs. value nights and depending on whether you choose a walking tour or wagon ride; see details below.

Thursday thru Sunday through Dec 20, Dec 26-30 & Jan 1-2: 4:30-9PM (last entry at 8:30).
Cost:
Value Night Walking Tour $10 Ages 13+, $5 Kids 3-12, Kids 2 & under FREE
Peak Night Walking Tour $13 Ages 13+, $8 Kids 3-12, Kids 2 & under FREE 
Value Night Horse-Drawn Wagon Tour $15 Ages 13+, $10 Kids 3-12, Kids 2 & under FREE
Peak Night Horse-Drawn Wagon Tour $18 Ages 13+, $13 Kids 3-12, Kids 2 & under FREE
Note: There are additional ticket fees per order for ordering online, calling in or walking in.

2) Holiday Classic Movies

Bring the whole family to Bay Park Cinema to see classic holiday films back on the big screen throughout the month of December! Classic movies include The Polar Express, The Grinch (with Jim Carey), The Grinch (animated from Illumination) A Christmas Story, Elf & Christmas Vacation, White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, Gremlins. The best part is, tickets are only $1 on Sundays and just $5 on Tuesday, Friday & Saturday! (Currently Bay Park Cinema is only open on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays.) Start a new holiday tradition with Marcus Theatres!

Through Dec 25: check Marcus website here for specific showtimes.  
Cost: $5 per person ($1 per person on Sundays)

3) Festival of Trees

Visit the National Railroad Museum anytime until Jan 3rd to see their display of more than 40 beautifully decorated trees housed among the majestic trains. Plus, enjoy discounted admission during this special event of only $5 per person!

Daily through Jan 3: Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM & Sun 11AM-5PM.
Cost: $5 per person
NOTE: Museum will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day & closes at 2PM on New Year’s Eve.

4) Holiday Memories & Bruce the Spruce

Celebrate the holiday season with the Neville Museum! Explore the Holiday Memories Exhibit and see the animated figures that once adorned the H.C. Prange’s department store windows including the Enchanted Forest, the Snow Babies and charming forest animal collections.  There is also Bruce the Spruce, the lovable talking Christmas tree who once chatted with holiday shoppers at Prange’s. “Holiday Memories” is a wonderful family tradition for all to enjoy! On select dates you can talk to Bruce the Spruce–check the Calendar for when we wake him up! This year, for the Children Only Shop it will be online only with on-demand contactless curbside pickup. If you have any questions, or to place an order, email Head Elf Katy Maier, or call (920) 448-7874.

Holiday Memories Exhibit through Jan 10: Tue 12-8PM, Wed-Sat 9AM-5PM & Sun 12-5PM
Bruce the Spruce: Dec 5, 12, 19, 26, Jan 2 & 9 from 10AM-12PM
Cost: $7 adults 16+, $3 kids 6-15, kids 5 & under FREE
NOTE: Museum will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

5) Santa’s Rock N Lights

Enjoy an incredible animated drive-through light show at the Brown County Fairgrounds that is synchronized to music with over 100,000 lights!! Santa’s Rock N Lights is a drive-through Christmas light show experience. This is a new tradition in which the lights are animated to Christmas music instead of just your traditional still displays. We invite you to load up family and friends to watch the action of lights dancing to music all from the warmth of your car!

New in 2020, there are over 700 feet of tunnels including a new techno rainbow tunnel. Re-imagined layout with themed worlds of light including Dinosaur World. This is a socially distanced touch-free experience from the safety of your car. Online reservations are required. Secure Your Spot Here.

Daily through Jan 3: Sun-Thur 5PM-9PM & Fri-Sat 5PM-10PM
Cost: Mon-Thur: $19.99/vehicle up to 6 people (except 12/21 & 12/24), Fri-Sun: $24.99/vehicle up to 6 people ($24.99/vehicle pricing for 12/21 & 24). Additional fees for more than 6 people.

6) Winter Jubilee Light Show

The magic of the holiday season is on display during the Winter Jubilee Light Show. Enjoy a dazzling blend of holiday-themed lights, music and special effects including animation, lasers and fireworks. The Winter Jubilee Light Show is projected onto Lambeau Field’s west façade. The best views are from Titletown’s Plaza near Ridge Road (looking toward Lambeau Field) or Lots 5 and 6 at Lambeau Field. Plan a visit before the final show on Wednesday, Dec. 30. The Winter Jubilee Light Show plays every half hour from 6 to 9 p.m. (on the hour + half hour) and runs for seven minutes.

Dec 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29 & 30: 6-9PM 
Cost: FREE

7) Grinch’s Candy Cane Hunt

Boys and girls ages 2-8 (with adult) in the Village of Bellevue can search for candy canes before the Grinch takes them all! Candy cane hunts will begin promptly at 9AM & 10:30AM. Cocoa and crafts will follow. Find a special candy cane and receive a special prize! Pre-registration is required. This is an outdoor event at Josten Park (2280 Town Hall Rd), so dress accordingly.

Dec 5 at 9 & 10:30AM
Cost: FREE

8) Holiday Fest at NEW Zoo

Get into the holiday spirit at the NEW Zoo!

Join the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park for a safe, outdoor, family-friendly day with the Zoo Elves! Santa and his holly-jolly crew are stopping by the NEW Zoo on Saturday, December 5^th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Guests can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus from a safe distance, along with a host of Santa’s Helpers, all ready for festive, holiday fun. This event is free with regular zoo admission & free to zoo pass members.

Word has it that a couple dozen of Santa’s most mischievous elves will be “monkeying around” the Zoo, making a bit of trouble, while Santa & Mrs. Claus will be accepting your “Letters to Santa” and sitting for photo opportunities. In addition to meeting Santa and his crew, guests will have the opportunity to see African penguins up close and play an Elf Bingo game to find the precocious little elves hidden throughout the Zoo. Kids who finds at least five of the Monkey Elves will win a prize, PLUS everyone who comes to the event will get a stocking full of candy!

Three local artists will also be on-site to do wood-burned pet portraits as stocking stuffers while you wait. Just bring a close-up, non-blurry photo of your pet’s face. You select the shape of wood you prefer, and the artists will create a stunning 4-inch ornament, magnet, or coaster. One pet per portrait, please, but buy as many as you like! Prices are just $10, with a $2 fee for optional added names or dates. Great gift ideas!

Also, if you love Santa’s mischievous “Monkeys on the Mantle” as much as we do, the Zoo will have a special, limited selection of the adorable, furry friends available for sale in the Paws & Claws Gift Shop. Our Monkeys on the Mantle represent a custom collection of Santa’s scouts, and you won’t find them anywhere but here at the NEW Zoo. Each Monkey Elf is eagerly awaiting a new, loving home for the holiday season, and would love for it to be yours! Their “adoption fee” is just $30, including tax.

Dec 5 from 9AM-1PM
Cost: Included with Zoo Admission $10 (adults 16-61), $7 (kids 3-15 & seniors 62+)

9) Cookies with Santa

Enjoy Cookies with Santa at the Automobile Gallery. Enjoy socially-distanced fun with free photos with Santa in a car (Santa will be separated by plexiglass divider), over 70 Classic Cars on display, pre-packaged cookies for kids, coloring books, and holiday videos.

Dec 5 from 12-3PM
Cost: Kids 12 & under FREE, kids 13-17 $5, Adults $10 (or $5 with toys for tots donation)

10) De Pere Holly Day

The streets and businesses of downtown De Pere will be filled with Christmas cheer during De Pere’s Holly Day!

Dec 5 from 3-6PM
Cost: FREE

11) Community Night at Titletown

12) “Follow the Light” Drive-through Lights Adventure

*14) Drive-thru Light Shows outside of Green Bay area

NOTE: * Indicates new events added after initial publication. All information is as accurate as possible as of the first publish date on 12/4/20. If you find any information to be incorrect or know of any events that are not listed but should be, please contact lindy@letsgomommy.com.