We’re so spoiled here in Wisconsin with some truly beautiful, stunning Christmas light displays. Cities across the state drape their parks in lights and communities come together to create magical winter wonderlands. But the Carnival in Lights in Caledonia really does seem to outdo them all.
This family-run display has been delighting folks since 2009. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience you’ll only see there. The family designs, cuts, paints and assembles every bit of the display from top to bottom. There’s so much work to be done they actually start after Columbus Day. The display is at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort.
The Carnival of Lights bills itself as the largest drive-through light display in Wisconsin. This year, they have more than 1.5 million different lights on display.
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The lights display is open Nov. 25 through Dec. 31 with the exception of Christmas Day. Hours are from 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Admission is $20 per car, $30 per larger vehicle and $35 for large buses or motorhomes. A dollar per car for the first 4,000 cars to go through the display is donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
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Every display is meticulously planned by the family and executed over the course of three months. You won’t see designs or set-ups like this anywhere else in the world.
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The family that runs Jellystone started this tradition because viewing holiday lights are an important part of their family traditions and they decided they wanted to share that with everyone else.
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There’s always something new to see as the family works to create a new and diverse display every year.
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This is truly a magical winter wonderland and your family will be in awe of the huge display.
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Driving through the Carnival of Lights will become a part of your family’s holiday tradition and you’ll want to return year after year.
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In addition to the light display, families can visit with Santa Claus in his workshop every Wednesday from 6:00-8:30 pm, Friday and Saturday from 5:30-9:30 pm. Kids are invited to sit on his lap, have their photo taken and tell him what they hope to see under the tree on Christmas morning! Photos with Santa are $8 each. If you visit when Santa is not scheduled, kids can write letters and tell their wishes to the talking Christmas tree.
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In addition, you can plan ahead and instead of driving through the display, you can buy a ride on the giant sleigh that puts you out among the lights. Tickets are $10; get more information on the Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights website.
WIChristmasCarnival.com
The Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights is located at Jellystone Campground 8425 WI-38, Caledonia, WI 53108.
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Want to see another dazzling display this Christmas season? Check out this gorgeous winter walk in La Crosse.
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