There are so many holiday-related things to do in December in the Green Bay area that it would be hard to squeeze it all in! Half the battle is knowing about the events and when/where they are happening, so let’s go mommy is here to help you with that. There are over 35 different events listed below for 2018. (Mostly in chronological order within the different “sections”.) Now you get the easy part…deciding which events to enjoy with your family!
Theatrical & Musical Performances
A Christmas Carol: The Musical (presented by Birder Players)
Nov 29 & 30 at 7PM, Dec 1 at 2 & 7PM, Dec 12-14 at 7PM, Dec 15 at 2 & 7PM
Broadway Theatre (123 S Broadway St, De Pere)
Cost: $26 per ticket
For tickets, visit www.birderstudio.org
Brass & Organ Christmas Spectacular (presented by SNC Music Dept)
Dec 2 at 7PM
St Norbert Abbey Church (1016 N Broadway, De Pere)
Cost: FREE (donation accepted for the SNC Chamber Music Endowment)
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
Dec 4 at 7:30PM
Weidner Center
Cost: $57.50-$102.50
For tickets, visit ticketstaronline.com
It’s a Wonderful Life (presented by Evergreen Theatre)
Dec 7-8 & 13-15 at 7:30PM & Dec 9 at 2PM
St Norbert College Hall of Fine Arts: Webb Theatre
Cost: $18 per ticket
For tickets, visit tickets.snc.edu
Holiday Pops (presented by Dudley Birder Chorale)
Dec 7 at 7:30PM and Dec 8 at at 2:30PM
Weidner Center
Cost: $8.5-$58 per ticket
For tickets, visit ticketstaronline.com
Christmas with the Knights
Dec 14, 18-19 at 7PM & Dec 15 at 1 & 6:30PM
St Norbert College: Dudley Birder Hall
Cost: $7 or $28 per ticket
For tickets, visit tickets.snc.edu
Allouez Village Band: “Visions of Sugar Plums Danced in my Head”
Dec 17 at 7PM
Weidner Center
Cost: FREE
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Dec 21 at 7PM
Weidner Center
Cost: $23-$41 per ticket
For tickets, visit weidnercenter.com/events
Green Bay Botanical Garden WPS Garden of Lights
The Green Bay Botanical Garden offers the area’s best 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, then venture inside for food, beverages, a model train exhibit and photos with Santa (every Fri-Sun before Christmas).
Nov 23-25 & 30, Dec 1-2, 7-9, 14-16, 21-23 & 26-30 from 5-9
Cost: Walking Tour $10 Ages 13+, $5 Kids 3-12, Kids 2 & under FREE or
Horse-Drawn Wagon Tour $15 Ages 13+, $10 Kids 3-12, Kids 2 & under FREE
Holiday Classic Movies
Bring the whole family to Bay Park Cinema to see classic holiday films back on the big screen! The best part is, tickets are only $5! Start a new holiday tradition with Marcus Theatres!
Nov 30- Dec 6: Elf, Home Alone & It’s a Wonderful Life
Dec 7-13: Christmas Vacation, The Polar Express & Miracle on 34th Street
Cost: $5 per person
NOTE: Check Marcus website here for specific showtimes.
Polar Express
If you are “in the know” and ordered your Polar Express tickets in July, then you are already aware of the popularity of this unique family event. Currently there are no tickets available for any of the shows. Mark your calendars for this July to call and reserve your tickets for 2019! However, if you didn’t get Polar Express tickets, there are still two fun holiday events happening at the Railroad Museum you could try, which are listed in this guide as well: Festival of Trees and Holidays on the Rails.
Festival of Trees
If you weren’t able to get tickets for the Polar Express, the next best thing could be visiting the National Railroad Museum anytime until Jan 6th to see their display of beautifully decorated trees housed among the majestic trains. Plus, enjoy discounted admission during this special event!
Now through Jan 6: Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM & Sun 11AM-5PM.
Cost: $5 per person
NOTE: Check museum website for hours before visiting as some dates Festival of Trees ends at 2PM due to Polar Express. Museum will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
De Pere Holly Day
The streets and businesses of downtown De Pere will be filled with Christmas cheer during De Pere’s Holly Day! At the corner of George & Broadway St you can pick up a brochure to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the holiday fun. Embark on the Find Frosty scavenger hunt at local businesses, warm up at the campfire with s’mores, listen to carolers sing and catch a free horse-drawn wagon ride through downtown. Visit Santa at Paintin’ Pottery from 8AM-12PM or Kress Family Library from 2-3PM.
Dec 1 from 12PM-4PM
Cost: FREE
Cookies & Coloring with Santa
Join Santa for Cookies & Coloring at Santa’s Winter Wonderland in Bay Park Square Mall. Fun cookies will be provided by All You Need is Dough. Also, No Bull Magic will be here crafting balloon art!
Dec 1 from 9-11AM
Cost: FREE
Prange’s Children Only Shop & Bruce the Spruce
Celebrate the holiday season with the Neville! Explore the museum and find your favorite holiday displays from Prange’s like the “Snow Babies” and charming “Dolls of Christmas Past” throughout the building. On select dates and times you can talk with Bruce the Spruce or let your kids shop on their own for Christmas presents at the Children Only Shop. For the Children Only Shop, bring along some money for each child who wants to shop. Gifts are $3 each and kids can spend up to $12 per visit; they will be assisted by an adult shopper to buy gifts for their family or friends. On the first Wednesday of the month (Dec 5) the museum is open until 8PM and there is FREE admission for all Brown County Residents from 5-8PM. To find specific dates and hours for Bruce the Spruce and the Children Only Shop, click here. (Bruce the Spruce is typically from 12-2PM with the Children Only Shop from 12-3PM.)
Dec 1, 5, 8, 15 & 19: Bruce the Spruce & Children Only Shop
Dec 22, 29, 31, Jan 2 & 5: Bruce the Spruce only
Through Jan 12, 2019: Holiday Displays Tue 12-8PM, Wed-Sat 9AM-5PM & Sun 12-5PM
Cost: $7 adults 16+, $3 kids 6-15, kids 5 & under FREE
Santa & Bruce the Spruce
Visit Santa and Bruce the Spruce at The Children’s Museum!
Dec 1 & 15 from 10AM-12PM & Dec 8 10-11AM (Santa only)
Cost: Museum Admission $8 per person (kids 15 months & under FREE)
Festival of Lights
Enjoy this special and FREE family event at Lambeau Field Atrium with cookie decorating, a holiday card making workshop, face painting, build-your-own hot chocolate bar, holiday cartoons & movies, photo opps with Santa and area high school choirs performing holiday music. At 6:30PM the event will move out onto Harlan Plaza for the formal lighting of the Christmas Tree. (Optional: Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots for a less fortunate child this holiday season.)
Dec 1 from 5-7PM
Cost: FREE
Caring Santa
Kids with special needs are invited to visit Santa in a subdued and welcoming environment at Bay Park Square Mall. Reserve your appointment here.
Dec 2 from 8:30-10AM
Cost: Santa visits are FREE; there is a cost for photos
Holidays on the Rails
This special program features fun activities and crafts, cookie decorating, a train ride, and a visit with Santa at the National Railroad Museum! Holidays on the Rails is open to the public and school groups. This program is designed for children pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade.
Dec 4-8 from 9AM-2PM & Dec 6 4:30-8PM
Cost: $5 per person, 2 & under FREE; tickets sold in packs of 2 ($10) or 3 ($15)
Santa in the Park
Santa Claus is coming to Bellevue! Boys and girls will get the opportunity to meet Santa, have their picture taken and participate in a fun, holiday craft. Bring your camera for a very unique photo opportunity. This is an outdoor event at Josten Park (2280 Town Hall Rd), so dress accordingly! Event is from 6-7:30 and line will stop forming at 7PM.
Dec 6 from 6-7:30PM
Cost: FREE
Santa’s House
Visit the White Pillars Museum in De Pere for Santa and Mrs. Claus’ annual visit in December. Take pictures with Santa & Mrs Claus and enjoy homemade treats. Bring your camera/phone to record this special moment. Everyone is welcome!
White Pillars Museum: 403 North Broadway in De Pere
Dec 6 & 7 from 4-7PM, December 8 from 1-6PM
Cost: FREE
The Best Who-Liday
Walk into the pages of the Dr. Seuss classic holiday tale with Who-ville inspired activities and a visit with Cindy Loo Who at the Children’s Museum.
Dec 7 from 11-12PM
Cost: Museum Admission $8 per person (kids 15 months & under FREE)
Ethnic Christmas at Hazelwood
Take a step back in time with the Brown County Historical Society! Celebrate the holiday season by visiting Hazelwood Historic House for our ethnically inspired event: Ethnic Christmas at Hazelwood. Discover the similar and different customs that many cultures have during the holidays. Journey through Hazelwood and see it all decked out for the festivities, with the rooms decorated by several local ethnic groups. Visitors will hear traditional stories, listen to songs, and meet a few Ethnic Christmas figures! Enjoy a cup of cider and sample holiday treats made with traditional ethnic recipes. Try your hand at creating an ethnically inspired craft.
Dec 8 & 15 from 11AM-7PM
Cost: Adults $6, Kids 5-17 $4, Kids 4 & under FREE
The Spirit of Christmas Past
Celebrate and learn about the development of Christmas, when it became an American tradition and how it would have been celebrated during different periods of Wisconsin’s early history at Heritage Hill. Enjoy the sounds of the seasons from local musicians, dance to the beat of historic music, oversee in the historic kitchens as they prepare Christmas meals, hot chocolate, hot apple cider and holiday treats. Listen to an old-fashioned Christmas story, make a children’s Christmas craft keepsake, meet Old World Santa for a treat and family photo and take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the park. Wagon rides from 11:30AM-2:30PM and $2 per person. Food from A&W available for purchase.
Dec 8 from 10AM-4PM at Heritage Hill State Historical Park
Cost: Adults 16+ $10, Kids 3-15 $7, Kids 2 & under FREE
Pet Photos with Santa
Bring your furry friend to Bay Park Square Mall for photos with Santa!
Dec 9 from 6-8PM
Cost: Santa visits are FREE; there is a cost for photos
Storytime with Mrs Claus: let’s go mommy playdate
In 2018 let’s go mommy sponsored FREE monthly playdates at different locations in the Green Bay area. Our last host for 2018 is Bay Park Square Mall! On Wednesday, 12/12 you can enjoy a storytime from Mrs Claus with your littles along with a craft afterwards. Take a picture with Mrs Claus with your own phone/camera. Event will take place in the play area. (Feel free to stay and play in the play area or shop afterwards.)
Dec 12 from 9:30AM-11:30AM
Cost: If you’re a Facebook friend of let’s go mommy you are invited and it is FREE!
Living Nativity
Enjoy seeing a living nativity at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Green Bay! The church yard will be alive with shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph, livestock and the Christ child. There will be repeated performances at 5, 5:30 & 6. Homemade soup with beverages and desserts will be served. Freewill offerings will be accepted to benefit a local family in need. There will be a collection of nutritious non-perishable food items for Manna for Life food pantry.
Dec 12 from 5-6:30PM
Cost: FREE
Arthur Christmas Movie Night
Bring a chair, bean bag, pillow, blanket – whatever you need to get comfortable and enjoy the Kroc Center’s December family movie night, featuring Arthur Christmas! Enjoy soda and popcorn, or bring your own snacks. We’ll also have pizza available for purchase.
Dec 14 from 6-8PM
Cost: FREE
Special Breakfasts
Breakfast with Santa at Rockwood Terrace (Titletown Park)
Enjoy a breakfast buffet with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, breakfast potatoes, fruit salad, French toast, Build-Your-Own pancake bar (including chocolate chips, strawberry topping, blueberry topping, nutella, peanut butter, whip cream and sprinkles) and yogurt. Beverages included. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Click here to reserve your spot. Seatings are at 9, 9:30, 10 & 10:30.
Dec 1, 8, 15 & 22 from 9-11AM
Cost: $12 ages 13 & up, $8 kids 4-12 and kids 3 & under FREE
Breakfast with the Gingerbread Man at Green Bay Children’s Museum
This action-packed hour at the Children’s Museum of Green Bay will feature the Gingerbread Man and his baker with family interaction, a pancake breakfast, special story reading and decorating your own gingerbread forest! Event sells out quickly and pre-registration is required by calling 920-432-4397 or click here.
Dec 1 from 9-10AM
Cost: $15 adults, $10 kids (non-members)
Breakfast with Santa at the NEW Zoo
Get into the holiday spirit at the NEW Zoo! Enjoy an all-you-can-eat pancakes and porkies breakfast with Santa from 9AM to noon. Free activities & animal encounters for kids and families from 10-1 in the education and conservation center. Zoo admission required in addition to breakfast tickets.
Dec 8 from 9AM-1PM
Cost: Zoo Admission $9 (adults 16-61), $6 (kids 3-15); Breakfast $6 adults 16+, $4 kids
Breakfast with Santa at Beja Shrine Center
Come enjoy breakfast and meet Santa with the Beja Shriners! There will be plenty of pancakes, scrambled eggs, pork sausages, applesauce, OJ, milk and coffee. We will also have free pictures with Santa and free cookie decorating.
Dec 9 from 8AM-11AM
Cost: $7 per person ages 13+, $4 per child ages 6-12, kids 5 & under FREE
Brunch with Santa at Hagemeister Park
Enjoy a huge assortment of hot and cold buffet items and a dessert table and get your picture taken with Santa. Make your reservations at Hagemeister Park by calling 920-884-9909.
Dec 22 at 9AM
Cost: $17 per person ages 13+, $10 per child ages 5-12, kids 4 & under FREE
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters’ one-of-a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment, showcasing some of the greatest athletes on the planet. With incredible ball handling wizardry, amazing rim-rattling dunks and trick shots, side-splitting comedy and unequaled on-court fan interaction, this must-see event is guaranteed to entertain the whole family – creating memories that will last a lifetime! After the game, Globetrotter stars remain on the court for autographs and photographs with fans.
Dec 26 at 7PM
Cost: Tickets start at $27 per person
Kid’s Rockin Eve
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with your littles at The Children’s Museum in the afternoon with hourly ball drops.
Dec 31 from 10AM-2PM
Cost: $8 per person (kids 15 months & under FREE)
US Bank Eve
Ring in the New Year as a family with horse drawn wagon rides and sled dogs at the 28th annual US Bank Eve celebration. Event takes place at multiple downtown locations including the Ferguson Family YMCA, Neville Public Museum, and main street bridge. Enjoy the fireworks and catch a glimpse of the Lucky Llama at 8:45PM on the main street bridge.
Dec 31 starting at 3PM
Cost: FREE
Titletown New Year’s Eve
Join us for the inaugural Titletown New Year’s Eve celebration hosted by WIXX and countdown to 2019 with Titletown! Enjoy extended tubing and skating hours, plus special activities for all ages leading up to a midnight countdown. Winter Jubilee Light Show (TBD).
Dec 31 at 8PM
Cost: FREE (plus cost of skating & tubing)
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Kick off the New Year with a “bang” with fireworks in downtown Green Bay.
Dec 31 at 9PM
Cost: FREE
NOTE: All information is as accurate as possible as of the first publish date on 11/30/18. 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.
