Flannel, beer, pumpkins, soup, scares and Swedish wrestlers: Green Bay area's fall calendar is filled with fests and fun
GREEN BAY - Somehow summer went by that fast. Again.
But have no fear, fall is almost here (Saturday, to be exact), and with it comes not just apple-picking, leaf-peeping and sweatshirt-wearing, but a whole calendar of fun meant to make the most of the season that's a little more chill.
For your autumn pleasure, here's a look at the events making the most of the nice weather while it lasts. The majority of the celebrations and fests are outdoors, but we sprinkled in a couple of indoor offerings with big names and big teeth. You'll find some old haunts on the list, too — if you know what we mean.
ALL THINGS FALL AND FAMILY
Fall Family Festival
When/where: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Green Bay Botanical Garden.
What's happening: Celebrate Oneida traditions with a performance by the Smoke Dancers, an appearance by Oneida royalty and demonstrations by Oneida artists. Crafts, games, scavenger hunts and family friendly entertainment in the Carol & Bruce Bell Children’s Garden. Food and drink for sale. Sensory-friendly time, 2-4 p.m. Free. gbbg.org.
Fall Fest on Broadway
When/where: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 7 in Broadway District, downtown Green Bay.
What's happening: Check out more than 100 vintage and unique cars on display at Leicht Memorial Park. Kids can climb on fire trucks, tractors and semi trucks at the Big Vehicle Experience or go trunk-or-treating by picking up a map at the information booth. Horse-drawn hayrides, food trucks, games. Free.
Zoo Boo
When/where: 4-8 p.m. Oct. 13, 20 and 27; 2-7 p.m. Oct. 14, 21 and 28 at NEW Zoo & Reforestation Camp, Suamico.
What's happening: After being sidelined by the pandemic, trick-or-treat stations throughout the zoo are back this year. Kids can come in costume and enjoy games, carousel rides, a Happy Haunted Maze and family-friendly Halloween decorations. Tickets (prices TBA) will go on sale Sept. 25. Visit newzoo.org for details.
Great Pumpkin Train
When/where: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 14 and 21 at National Railroad Museum, Ashwaubenon.
What's happening: Catch a train ride to the pumpkin patch to pick out one to take home. The family event also includes trick-or-treating through the grounds, a chance to operate a vintage handcar, costume parades, music by Mr. Billy, balloon animals, bingo and crafts. Tickets are $18 for ages 2 and older at nationalrrmuseum.org, where you’ll need to sign up for specific train departure time.
Jack-O-Lantern Walks
When/where: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21 at Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve, Suamico.
What's happening: Stroll 1¼ miles of trails glowing with more than 100 carved pumpkins, and if you're lucky, stars above. Bring your dog along (leash required). $5 per person; free ages 2 and younger. You must register in advance online at browncountyparks.org under quick links. Once registered, you’re free to come anytime during the three-hour window. Space is limited; no walk-ins.
Autumn Festival
When/where: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 28 at Vickery Village, Suamico.
What's happening: Music by Big Mouth & The Power Tool Horns, noon-3 p.m. Food trucks, maker’s market, games, kids activities. Free.
Pumpkin Palooza
When/where: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 28 at Hy-Vee Plaza in Titletown District.
What's happening: Help carve pumpkins used to create one big display. All supplies are provided; carving is first come, first served; signed waiver required. The event also includes professional carvers, fall crafts, face painting, live music, giant games and photo ops. Food and beverage for sale. Free.
Halloween at Heritage Hill
When/where: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 28 at Heritage Hill State Historical Park, Allouez.
What's happening: Wear your costume and collect goodies around the park. Other activities include pumpkin bowling, pumpkin plinko, stories, make-and-take crafts and food for purchase. Included with general admission: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 ages 6-17, free ages 5 and younger and military personnel. More info at heritagehillgb.org.
PROST! LET'S HAVE A BEER
Titletown Brewing Co. Oktoberfest
When/where: Noon-midnight Sept. 30 at Titletown Brewing Co., Green Bay.
What's happening: Music by Acoustic Endorphins, 3-6 p.m.; The Chocolateers, 7-10 p.m. Games, Bent Tuba Oktoberfest beer and food.
Stillmank Brewing Co. Oktoberfest
When/where: Noon-9 p.m. Sept. 30 at Stillmank Brewing Co., Green Bay.
What's happening: Stillmank celebrates with plenty of beer, and the Booyah Shed will be selling brats and other hearty fare. Troy Heinz and the 57s play alt-country 3:30-5:30 p.m., followed by psychedelic rock from Bright Hollow 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Craftoberfest
When/where: 3-6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Resch Expo, Ashwaubenon.
What's happening: Grab your sampling glass and enjoy unlimited tasting of hundreds of craft beverages, including beer, wine and spirits. The 21-and-older event also includes a beard competition, ax throwing, food trucks, music and yard games.
Advance tickets are $45 general admission, $60 First Call (includes early sampling at 2 p.m. and a full-size commemorative glass) and $95 Top Shelf (early sampling at 1:30 p.m., Nicolet Bank Upper Level with balcony, appetizers) at ticketstaronline.com and 800-895-0071. Designated driver tickets are $13 general admission and $23 First Call. All prices increase at the doors.
Flannel Fest Weekend
When/where: Oct. 13-14 at Badger State Brewing Co., Green Bay.
What's happening: Fifth annual event offers a chance to show off your favorite flannel and boots while enjoying music out in the beer garden, a log-holding contest, food trucks and beer. The Gentlemen Grifters play 7-10 p.m. Oct. 13 and The Chocolateers 3-6 p.m. Oct. 14.
Halloween Bar Crawl
When/where: 4-10 p.m. Oct. 28 from The Sardine Can, Green Bay.
What's happening: Get your friends and your costume and check in 4-6 p.m. at the Can and then join hundreds of other crawlers for sixth annual party that stops at Black Saddle Tavern & Oasis, Hagemeister Park, Kittners, Player 2 Arcade Bar, That '70s Bar, The Nines and The Rabbit Hole, where there will be drink specials. After-party, 10 p.m.-midnight at Kittners. $10 per person for groups of four or more, $15 singles until Sept. 30 at crawlwithus.com. Prices go up Oct. 1.
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TAKE YOUR PICK: VIKINGS, DINOSAURS AND 'GOOSEBUMPS'
Packers Kickoff Weekend Concert
When/where: 5 p.m. Sept. 23 outside Lambeau Field in the parking lot on the northwest side of the stadium.
What's happening: As has become tradition in the last six years, the Packers spring for a free concert ahead of the home opener. It’s a return to the ‘90s with Stone Temple Pilots and Collective Soul. Bring your lawn chair if you like; food and drink sold on the grounds. Free parking in west side Lambeau Field lots.
NEW Pride
When/where: Begins at 5 p.m. Sept. 22 (21 and older only) and noon Sept. 23 (everybody welcome) at Brown County Fairgrounds, De Pere.
What's happening: A celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with drag shows, music by The Traveling Suitcase, Kat and the Hurricane, Dani Maus Music and others, vendors and food trucks. Full schedule at facebook/newpridealive.com. Free.
Midwest Viking Festival
When/where: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 6-7 at the Viking House grounds on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
What's happening: Explore medieval Scandinavian history and daily life of the region from 1,000 years ago with an encampment, battle demonstrations, stories, crafts, vendors and food. Look for 65 demonstrators, up from 50 last year, as the event continues to grow in its third year. Telge Glima, a group of wrestlers from Sweden, are among the new attractions this year. They'll use their muscle to demonstrate physical medieval games, many of which are quite hilarious to watch, during shows at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. both days. Reindeer from Aurora Acres will visit 1-3 p.m. Oct. 6.
Full schedule at uwgb.edu/viking-house/midwest-viking-festival. Free. Parking is available in the Wood Hall lot.
De Pere Soup Walk
When/where: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 7 in dotwntown De Pere.
What's happening: Take the chill off by enjoying signature soups and select beverage pairings at 10 eateries on both sides of the Fox River. Diners vote for their favorite, with the Golden Ladle going to the winning chef. Tickets are $25 at eventbrite.com and are limited to 400. Proceeds benefit the De Pere Food Pantry and Definitely De Pere.
'Goosebumps' author R.L. Stine
When/where: Oct. 7 for two Green Bay appearances: noon at Brown County Central Library auditorium and 4:30 p.m. at Washington Middle School auditorium.
What's happening: Book signings, with a limit of two items per person, follow after each of Stine’s appearances, which will be done as onstage interviews that include questions from the audience. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. His books will be available for sale at both events. Stine’s visit is part of Brown County Library Pop Con, which runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the same day.
igNight Market
When/where: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 14 under the Mason Street bridge in Broadway District.
What's happening: It’s the final one of the season, so it’s last call for local artisans, art demonstrations, food trucks and music under the lights in the open-air market. DJ Gemini headlines 8-9 p.m., and DJ Mahf, Vekked, DjRgS and Derill Pounds join forces 5-8 p.m. Free.
'Jurassic World Live Tour'
When/where: 7 p.m. Oct. 26, 3 and 7 p.m. Oct. 27 and 10:30 a.m., 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Resch Center, Ashwaubenon.
What's happening: The family show from Feld Entertainment brings the “Jurassic World” movies to life with more than 24 film-accurate, life-sized dinosaurs, including a Tyrannosaurus rex that stretches more than 40 feet, and a story set in the jungles of Isla Nublar. $23 and up for ages 2 and older at ticketstaronline.com, 800-895-0071 and the Resch box office
NOW ... FOR A FEW SCARES
Terror on the Fox
When/where: Opened Sept. 16 and runs select nights through Oct. 31 at National Railroad Museum grounds, Ashwaubenon.
What’s happening: It’s the 27th season for the popular Halloween attraction that begins with a ride aboard the Terror Train and inevitably includes some screams before getting out of the haunted mansion. Terror on the Fox has two new themes this year: “Depths of Darkness” and “Blackthorn Manor: Book of Lost Souls.” Food and drinks available for purchase at The Depot and Bar 13. Tickets start at $19.99 at terroronthefox.com.
Green Bay Fear
When/where: Opens Sept. 22 and runs 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 22-23, 29-30, Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28 at 950 Bond St., Green Bay.
What’s happening: The haunt celebrates its 20th year with a new show, “Green Bay Fear’s 20 Years of Fear.” Navigate the disorienting chaos of Mr. Jingles’ Fun House, find your way through the Howling Hallows woods, enter Shawano Manor and bump into The Ringmaster and Charles Fearstein and his death cult. Kids Day is 2-5 p.m. Oct. 21 and 28. Tickets start at $20 at greenbayfear.com.
Nightmares at the Neville
When/where: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 10, 17 and 24 at Neville Public Museum, Green Bay. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
What’s happening: First-time horror film series features three classic 1960s movies, each with a discussion by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay professor Zack Kruse, a scholar of comics, films and American literature. Showings are: “Carnival of Souls” (1962), Oct. 10; “Night Tide” (1961), Oct. 17; “Night of the Living Dead” (1968), Oct. 24.
Tickets to each movie are $6 general admission, $5 Neville members, $3 students in advance at nevillepublicmuseum.org. Tickets also include admission to “Morbid Curiosities: The Exhibit,” a collection of “strange and macabre items” from the Neville’s collections.
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Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or kmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @KendraMeinert.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Here's your 2023 guide to all things fall and fun in Green Bay area
