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Up North Communities Light Up for the Holidays

Winter is one of the most magical times of the year Up North! Several of our communities highlight this enchanting time with their own special holiday traditions. Here are just some of the holiday festivities ushering in the holiday season Up North this year that you and your family will not want to miss.
Amery (Polk County)
Light Up the Town is happening on Tuesday, November 26. The fun begins at 6 p.m. with the lighted parade. Stay close for the 6:30 p.m. lighting of Soo Line Park.
Get your picture taken with Santa on Friday, December 6, from 4 to 6 p.m., or Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m. to noon. Photos will be taken by Cahill at Bremer Bank.
The Amery Holiday Stroll will take place on Saturday, December 7, from noon to 4 p.m. in downtown Amery.
Boulder Junction (Vilas County)
The 31st Annual Christmas Walk will take place on Friday, November 29. Usher in the holiday season with the lighting of the town, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, carolers, sleigh rides and treats for shoppers at Boulder Junction stores from 5 to 8 p.m.
Also on November 29, the Friends of the Boulder Junction Public Library will host their Cookie Walk in the lobby of the Acorn Lodge, beginning at 5 p.m. Choose from a huge assortment of fancy cookies, all-time favorites, and special holiday candies. The sale will run until all cookies and treats are sold.
On Saturday, November 30, there will be a Christmas Walk Kids Day, featuring a Christmas shopping house, activities, and lunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Community Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Centuria (Polk County)
Cozy Country Christmas will take place on Saturday, December 7.
Clayton (Polk County)
The Clayton Community Tree Lighting will take place on Thursday, December 5.
Clear Lake (Polk County)
Join the Progressive Holiday Stroll on Friday, December 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Main Street in Clear Lake. At the same time, Santa Day will be held in the Clear Lake Community Center.
Eagle River (Vilas County)
On Saturday, December 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Riverview Park, each child will have an opportunity to share their Christmas wishes with Santa. Bring your ice skates to skate on the ice rink, take a sleigh ride, watch the lighting of the Eagle River Christmas Tree and enjoy delicious food and hot chocolate.
Eagle River also hosts weekly sleigh rides each December. Take a free horse-drawn wagon ride from Railroad Street through downtown Eagle River, to Trig’s. The rides take place from 11 a.m. to 3 pm. on December 7, 14, 21, and 28.
Frederic (Polk County)
Christmas in Frederic and special celebrations with Santa will be held in Frederic on Saturday, December 7.
Gillett (Polk County)
On Saturday, December 7, there will be a Christmas in the Park celebration. Visit Santa at Zippel Park in Gillett! Enjoy games, wagon rides, craft vendors and fireworks from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lakewood (Oconto County)
The Lakewood Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 30, on Hwy 32 and St. Mary’s Road in Lakewood. Enjoy hot chocolate and caroling starting at 5 p.m.
Lena (Oconto County)
Head to Lena on Saturday, December 7, for their Village of Lights. Festivities include horse-drawn wagons, family movie, visit with Santa and cookie decorating in the Village of Lena.
Luck (Polk County)
The Luck Holiday Experience will delight your holiday sense of wonder on Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7.
Manitowish Waters (Vilas County)
Santa comes to town on Friday, December 6, in this event sponsored by the Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce and held at the Manitowish Waters Community Center. Enjoy Christmas crafts and games at 4 p.m. Feast on hot dogs, chili, hot cider, and Christmas cookies baked by the Manitowish Waters Lioness Club. Santa arrives at 5 p.m. Let your eyes be dazzled by the Christmas light display at 6 p.m. On the same day, at Koller Park, there will be an Old-Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting. There will be a bonfire, Christmas caroling, hot dogs, chili, and cookies to enjoy, starting a 6 p.m. Christmas tree lighting takes place at 6:30 p.m.
The following day, Saturday, December 7, is the Holiday Home Tour & Luncheon, sponsored by the Manitowish Waters Lioness Club. Tour MW area homes decorated for the holiday season, and enjoy lunch and raffles at Little Bohemia Lodge.
Mercer (Iron County)
The Wreathing of Claire d’Loon and Tree Lighting will take place on Friday, December 6. Join the Mercer Candy Cane Christmas Celebration on Saturday, December 7.
Minocqua (Oneida County)
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their yearly trip to Downtown Minocqua for Christmas in Minocqua on Saturday, November 30. They will arrive on a horse-drawn wagon at Gaslight Square. Bring your camera to take pictures of your child with Santa at Gaslight Square Shoppes. Then Santa and Mrs. Claus will lead the way to Veterans Park for carols and the official lighting of the Christmas display. Delight in the decorations downtown, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, visit Santa’s reindeer at the Minocqua Museum, and snack on roasted chestnuts while doing your holiday shopping and taking part in the special activities and sales at Minocqua shops.
Oconto (Oconto County)
Amaze your eyes at Winter Wonderland. Oconto’s holiday light display will light for the first time at 5 pm on Friday, November 22. Winter Wonderland has over 150 lighted displays throughout the Hollywood Campground, 400 Hollywood Way, Oconto. View the lights from the comfort of your car. No admission fee to view the lights. Winter Wonderland is lit from 5 to 11 p.m. each night until January 5, 2020.
On Saturday, December 7, visit Santa at Oconto City Hall and enjoy the holiday parade from City Hall on Main Street to Farnsworth Avenue.
Oconto Falls (Oconto County)
Avenue of Lights. The lighting of the annual Avenue of Lights display on Hwy 22/Main Street in Oconto Falls takes place on Saturday, November 30. The bright LED lights on both sides of the road, reflected by the water, will fill you with the sense of magic and wonder of the season. Let your holiday festivities begin with fun activities at East Side Beach/Main Street. Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies. and musical entertainment at 6 p.m., and be sure to stick around for Santa’s arrival at 6:30 p.m.
Phelps (Vilas County)
On Saturday, December 7, at the Phelps Breakfast with Santa event, enjoy breakfast and pictures with Santa at the Phelps School.
Rhinelander (Oneida County)
Be enchanted by the Lights of the Northwoods on December 13–15 and 20–22. This special event includes festivities such as a visit with Santa with photos courtesy of Flintography, Santa’s Gift Shop, children’s crafts with Nicolet child Development Club Future Teachers, a bonfire watched over by Rhinelander Fire Department volunteers, and concessions brought made available by the Rhinelander High School Band Parent Organization. Throughout the Lights of the Northwoods event, entertainment will be brought to you by groups including the Rhinelander High School Choir and Elcho Music Department.
Riverview (Oconto County)
On Saturday, December 7, more than 30 trees adopted by local businesses (with many of the trees complete with decorations) will be lit during the Riverview Christmas Tree Lighting event. Inside the Riverview Community Center, children are welcomed into Santa’s Village, where they can share their Christmas list with Santa. There will also be free ice skates available for use on the family rink, dependent upon weather. All festivities will be held 4 to 7 p.m. at the Town of Riverview Community Center.
Sayner-Star Lake (Vilas County)
From Friday, November 29, to Sunday, December 1, is Christmas in Downtown Sayner. Enjoy the shops, refreshments, and holiday spirits as the holidays officially commence at the shops and restaurants of Sayner.
On Friday, December 6, Santa visits Sayner. This event, sponsored by the Sayner-Star Lake Lions and Lionesses, features presents for children ages 1 to 10, cookies, soup, cocoa, hayrides, and a bonfire. Events take place from 5 to 8 p.m.
Three Lakes (Oneida County)
Kick off the holiday season at the Three Lakes Festival of Lights at Cy Williams Park on Superior Street starting on November 29, Festivities begin at 4 p.m. Live reindeer and their elves will be there. And Santa and Mrs. Clause arrive at 5 p.m. Stay for the lighting of the beautiful 95-foot-tall tree and gazebo. Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, and chili.
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