Abundance of holiday themed events on tap in the Fox Valley area
APPLETON - If you’re looking for ways to get into the spirit of the Christmas season, there’s no shortage of events in the Fox Valley.
From the Appleton Christmas Parade to A Very Neenah Christmas, a Holiday Gift and Craft Show to the many live music events, you’re sure to find something to enjoy.
Festival of Lights opens for the season on Nov. 24
Fox Cities Festival of Lights will open for its fourth season on Nov. 24 at Darboy Community Park in the Village of Harrison. The lights will be on from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 31, as well as Dec. 25.
There are two walking holiday light trails. One is a new paved accessible trail and the other is a lighted trail through the woods.
Admission is free, though a suggested $5 donation per visitor is appreciated. Donations make the event possible.
For information about the festival, and sponsorship and nonprofit organization volunteer opportunities, visit foxcitiesfestivaloflights.org.
A Very Neenah Christmas includes a visit from Santa
Celebrate A Very Neenah Christmas from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1.
Visitors can view the ice sculpture garden, live mannequin window displays, live reindeer and an outdoor movie. Santa and Mrs. Claus will stop by for a visit. Other activities include a holiday craft, marshmallow roasting, photos in a sleigh and more.
Also starting on Dec. 1, kids can write a letter to Santa and drop it in the red mailbox in front of the Future Neenah office, 135 W. Wisconsin Ave. Letters must be received by Dec. 21 and should include a return address for a response.
For more information, visit neenah.org.
First United Methodist to light tree, sing carols
On Dec. 2, First United Methodist Church, 325 E. Franklin St., will host a holiday season kick off. The event begins at 4 p.m. and includes singing, tree lighting, hot chocolate and sweets.
Participants can dedicate a luminary to a loved one not with you this year. The event is free, though a free will offering will be accepted.
Then on Dec. 13, the church will host is Festival of Carols, from 7 to 8:45 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
The church’s orchestra and choirs — Grace Choir, Base Clef Choir, Sanctuary Choir and the Wesley Handbell Choir — will perform.
The concert is free, though 100% of any free-will offerings will benefit The Salvation Army Food Pantry.
Compete in the Great Holiday Dash on Dec. 2
The fourth annual Great Holiday Dash will take place 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 2.
Teams ‘dash’ through Appleton to earn points by solving clues and completing picture, video and geotag missions. Clues are provided through a mobile app. Participants have a chance to win cash prizes.
The event is hosted by Appleton Parks and Recreation and Fox Communities Credit Union.
Registration is $30 for Appleton residents and $35 for non-residents at appletonparkandrec.org/programs-activities/special-events-trips/great-holiday-dash.
Community bands host free concerts in December
The Kimberly Community Band will hold its Christmas concert on Dec. 3. It will begin at 2 p.m. at J.R. Gerritts Middle School, 545 S. John St.
The Neenah Community Band will perform its Winter concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 10. it will be held in the Neenah High School Auditorium, 500 Rocket Way.
Admission to both concerts is free.
Lawrence Girl Choir offer two performances Dec. 9
The Lawrence Community Girl Choirs presents its fall concert Dec. 9 in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel. Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m.
Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the Lawrence University Box Office.
Erin Krebs leads A Swingin’ Christmas event Dec. 13
Erin Krebs will lead an evening of musical entertainment on Dec. 13 called A Swingin' Christmas. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at North Shore Golf Club, N8421 North Shore Road, Menasha.
Krebs was awarded the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Jazz Artist of the Year in 2023 and 2018, and Female Vocalist of the Year in 2019.
Admission is $30, free for music students and half price for musicians and educators. Purchase tickets at JazzCoterie.com.
Jingle Bell Boulevard event to collect food, toys
Take a drive through Grand Chute’s Town Center Park to view Jingle Bell Boulevard.
The event will be 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 and, in addition to the holiday light displays, offers refreshments and photos with Santa. Bring your own camera.
Donations of non-perishable food items and toys will be collected. Admission is free.
Valley Academy presents annual Nutcracker Ballet performance
Valley Academy for the Arts will present its production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet Dec. 15 and 16 at The Grand Oshkosh.
The performance will feature youth and adult students of Valley Academy for the Arts, and professional dancers from the Minnesota Ballet. In addition, professional dancers will perform pieces native to their culture and ethnicity. They are Indian classical Kathak artist Anindita Anaam; Lu Zhang, culture ambassador of the Northeast Wisconsin Chinese Association and accomplished classical Chinese dance performer; and Kerensa DeMars, professional flamenco choreographer, performer and educator.
Founded in 2002 by Anne Marie Brunner-Abderholden, Valley Academy for the Arts is a not-for-profit arts school providing opportunities for dance instruction for students whose families might not otherwise be able to afford it.
Tickets for the performances start at $30 at thegrandoshkosh.org.
Holiday Gift and Craft Show set for Dec. 16 at Exhibition Center
Vendors will offer vintage and handmade goods for sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 16 at Fox Cities Exhibition Center, 355 W. Lawrence St.
Some of the items to browse include stained glass, dolls, quilts, ceramics, candles, blown glass, bakery, paintings and much more.
Admission is $5, and free for children 12 and younger, at eventbrite.com.
Blue Violin to present Candlelight Christmas concert
Classical crossover artist, Blue Violin, will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at Lawrence Memorial Chapel, 510 E. College Ave.
Blue Violin is a former 1st violinist of the Boston String Quartet, and will perform original music and covers in a multimedia format, all using a single violin.
Blue Violin has performed as soloist with the Xibus World Orchestra, Ethno-Urban Orchestra, and has performed with John Mayer, Paul Simon, Jennifer Holliday, the Turtle Island Quartet, and members of Celtic Woman and Riverdance
The show is 90 minutes with no intermission. Children are encouraged to attend.
Admission is $30 per person or $75 for a family pack at eventbrite.com.
A Magical Cirque Christmas comes to Fox Cities PAC Dec. 20
All ages are invited to this holiday variety show on Dec. 20. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, 400 W. College Ave.
World class entertainers will perform to favorite holiday music. Tickets start at $79 at foxcitiespac.com or 920-730-3760
Hearthstone tours offer look at Christmas in Victorian age
Hearthstone Historic House Museum will host special tours this holiday season. Victorian Christmas: The Twelve Days of Christmas and How the Victorians Invented Christmas tours will be offered Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 25 through Dec. 30.
Each room in the Hearthstone is decorated for the Christmas holiday with a tree in every room, wreaths, tables set with holiday china, Victorian toys on display and the Twelve Days of Christmas represented throughout the house.
The Twelve Days Tours are offered in the evenings and can be taken at your own pace with docents in Victorian attire on hand to explain Victorian holiday traditions and answer questions. There also will be live performances of traditional Christmas carols.
How the Victorians Invented Christmas tours are offered during the day and explores how most of today’s popular holiday traditions - from tree decorating to sending cards to caroling, even eating turkey dinner - started in the Victorian Era.
Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children. For tickets and more information, visit hearthstonemuseum.org/events.
Contact Mara Wegner at mwegner@gannett.com or 920-996-7241.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Holiday themed events abound in Fox Valley area, begins with parade
