From Broadway classics to equestrian artistry, Wisconsin’s performance venues deliver unforgettable group experiences

When it comes to entertainment, Wisconsin knows how to take thestage. Across the state, theaters large and small invite groups to sit back, relax, and enjoy everything from side-splitting comedy to heartfelt drama and spectacular musical productions.

In Wisconsin Dells, the Legacy Dinner Theater offers year-round performances that pair dining with dazzling production value. Its signature holiday show, Christmas in the Dells, transforms the stage into a winter wonderland filled with soaring angels, sugar plum fairies, dancing elves, and one of the region’s largest living nativities. With a four-course turkey and ham dinner, pyrotechnics, laser lights, and live music, it’s a feast for all the senses.

Up in Door County, Peninsula Players Theatre has been delighting audiences since 1935, earning its title as America’s oldest professional resident summer theater. Nestled among cedartrees on the shores of Green Bay, the venue combines rustic charm with modern comfort—including a heated, all-weather pavilion. Also in Door County is Third Avenue PlayWorks, a professional theater that provides year-round entertainment in Sturgeon Bay. Renowned for its captivating performances, TAP offers diverse educational programs and is a vital part of the vibrant arts community.

Nearby, Northern Sky Theater offers a different kind of magic—an open-air summer stage under the stars at Peninsula State Park, and a cozy fall season at the climate-controlled Gould Theater. Known for its original comedies and heart-warming local stories, Northern Skyis a group favorite.

In Green Bay, laughter takes center stage with Let Me Be Frank Productions at the historic Meyer Theatre. Now celebrating its 27th season, this troupe blends comedy sketches and pop music in one-of-a-kind original musicals that feel part Saturday Night Live, part concert, and completely Wisconsin.

For decades, the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson has been a favorite for motorcoach groups seeking first-class entertainment and dining. The 2026 season lineup includes crowd-pleasers like Beehive- the ‘60s Musical, The Addams Family, Hairspray-The Broadway Musical, Disney’s FROZEN, and A Christmas Story.

In Milwaukee, the Marcus Performing Arts Center brings the bright lights of Broadway to the city’s downtown cultural district. Upcoming shows include Mrs. Doubtfire, Howthe Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical and Monty Python’s Spamalot.

And for a show that truly stands apart, Dancing Horses Theatre near Lake Geneva offers a 90-minute spectacle where Arabian horses and their trainers perform in perfect harmony. Guests can add meal packages or even go behind the scenes to meet the horses up close. Holiday performances from November through January add extra sparkle to an already enchanting experience.

These trusted tour and motorcoach operators craft seamless, memorable adventures across the Badger State and beyond

Whether your travelers crave a quick getaway or an extended journey, Wisconsin’s leading tourand motorcoach operators make group travel effortless and unforgettable. These professionals handle the details, so planners can focus on the fun.

Personalized Tours & Coaches

For more than two decades, Personalized Tours & Coaches has specialized in deluxe motorcoach adventures across Wisconsin and beyond. The family-owned company crafts custom itineraries that match your group’s interests, from one-day sightseeing excursions to multi-day vacations—and offers charter services on its comfortable fleet of coaches.

C&M Presents

Based in Green Bay, C&M Presents offers curated tour packages and tailor-made itineraries throughout Wisconsin. From attraction admissions to lodging and dining, every detail is handled with care, ensuring a smooth, stress-free group experience.

Lamers Bus Lines

With more than 80 years of dependable service, Lamers Bus Lines remains a go-to for groups of all sizes. Its extensive fleet includes everything from motorcoaches and mini coaches to trolleys and limo coaches, paired with expert custom tour planning.

Kobussen Buses Ltd.

Family-owned since 1938, Kobussen Buses Ltd. provides modern, state-of-the-art motorcoaches for charters across the U.S. and Canada. From cross-country tours to local wine tastings or sports trips, Kobussen delivers flexibility and comfort every mile of the way.

Badger Bus

Founded in 1920, Badger Bus stands as one of Wisconsin’s most trusted names in motorcoach travel. Offering a full range of coaches and vans for charter, Badger is the reliable, one-stop solution for transportation across the region and beyond.

Tour the Great Lakes

Groups exploring the Great Lakes will find rich storytelling with Tour the Great Lakes, featuring local historians, naturalists, and guides in more than 15 U.S. and Canadian ports. The company’s themed itineraries and Circle the Lake trips bring to life the Great Lakes’ unique culture and scenery, highlighting destinations in Wisconsin such as Milwaukee, Door County, Superior, Bayfield, and other quaint harbor towns.

Brilliant Edventures

Rounding out the list, Brilliant Edventures is a full-service operator that provides wholesale tour planning for destinations across the U.S. and Canada. Since 2015, the company has offered 24/7 support, handling transportation, meals, hotels, and attractions, plus marketing assistance like custom flyers, to help groups travel smarter.

Faith and artistry intertwine across Wisconsin’s landscapes, offering groups moments of awe and reflection

By Justine Leavitt

There’s a hush to Wisconsin’s sacred places, a stillness that settles as sunlight filters through stained glass or a breeze stirs the trees. Here, centuries of faith are woven into the land’s history.

This journey offers more than sightseeing. Hilltop basilicas, forest shrines, and luminous grottos reveal how faith and beauty take root in Wisconsin’s heartland.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion

Outside Green Bay, among gently swaying fields, lies the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the only Vatican-approved Marian apparition site in the United States approved by the Catholic Church.

After walking the peaceful grounds, your group can visit the chapel where a Belgian immigrant saw the Queen of Heaven clothed in white between two trees. Intrigued? Join guided tours or prayer services to feel the air touched by grace.

Basilicas of Milwaukee

In Milwaukee, two architectural marvels show the artistry behind faith. The Basilica of St.Josaphat, modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, rises above the city with its grand dome and gilded murals. Group tours reveal not only the intricate craftsmanship but also the remarkable story of how it was built from salvaged materials.

But don’t let your group lose track of time because you definitely won’t want to miss the nearby Frank Lloyd Wright’s Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Unique in its architecture, its circular form feels both ancient and modern, an inspired space where geometry meets divinity.

High above the hills of southeastern Wisconsin, Holy Hill Basilica has guided pilgrims for over acentury. Its twin spires pierce the sky, a beacon visible for miles. Groups can climb the scenic tower for panoramic views, attend Mass, or wander the wooded trails. Holy Hill is as much a retreat into nature as it is a journey of faith.

The Unitarian Meeting House

Excited for more? Another Wright masterpiece waits in Madison, the Unitarian Meeting House. Its soaring rooflines seem to lift heavenward while sunlight pours through tall glass walls.

Learn as a group how Wright believed that architecture itself could bea sacred place where thought, light, and human spirit converge.

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

In La Crosse, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe rests within 100 wooded acres, where winding paths lead past fountains and devotional art to a basilica that’s equally inviting and awe-inspiring.

It’s a place to move slowly, perhaps in prayer, perhaps in awe as nature and artistry engulf you. Each step will draw you into a deeper trance as you marvel at the sacred details inspiredby Mexican design.

The Kinstone Sanctuary

Overlooking the Mississippi River in Fountain City, Kinstone is an outdoor sanctuary of standing stones and labyrinths that align with the sun and stars.

Groups can walk the spiral paths or gather for quiet reflection among monoliths that seem to hum with energy. Inspired by ancient sites like Stonehenge, it’s a place where history meets modern America.

Wisconsin’s Grottos of Faith

End your pilgrimage at Wisconsin’s remarkable grottos, folk-art testaments to creativity and belief. The Dickeyville Grotto, crafted from shells, gems, and glass, gleams like faith carved into the earth.

Up North, outside of Wisconsin Rapids, Rudolph, the Father Wagner Grotto, invites visitors to wander through winding tunnels lined with sacred scenes. Here, a century-old work of devotion is forever frozen in time.

Itinerary Summary

Embark on a four-day journey through South Central Wisconsin, where history, culture, and culinary experiences intertwine to create unforgettable memories. Discover vintage automobiles, savor award-winning cheese, and immerse yourself in the stories of early settlers while sampling the region’s finest foods. This itinerary invites you to explore the diverse offerings of this enchanting area, making it aperfect getaway for travelers seeking both excitement and discovery.

Day 2 – Mineral Point, Monroe, New Glarus

Journey to one of Wisconsin’s oldest and most artistic small towns, rich with Cornish and early-settler history. Tour beautifully preserved stone cottages and learn about the immigrant miners who helped build Wisconsin’s early communities. Costumed interpreters and detailed exhibits bring the 19th century to life.

Gotta stop for some Wisconsin Cheese! Travel to Monroe and tour Alp and Dell Cheese, where your group will learn about traditional cheesemaking and enjoy sampling award-winning Swiss-style cheeses. The attached Emmi Roth facility provides an up-close look at production.

Head up the road to New Glarus for a visit to the Chalet of the Golden Fleece, honoring the Swiss Heritage of this quaint town. The museum is filled with artifacts from the Swiss Alps and around the world. The authentic Swiss chalet is one of only three in Wisconsin. Guests will learn about mountain life in the Swiss Alps, as well as view artifacts from around the world. You’ll be delighted by some of nation’s finest Swiss folk art and wood carvings

.

Day 4 – Sun Prairie

Experience engaging exhibits that tell the story of Sun Prairie’s early settlers, cultural heritage, community traditions, and its most famous citizen, world-renowned artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Because of that connection, art can be found literally at almost every corner, with over a dozen murals throughout this quaint town.

Visit Sassy Cow Creamery and take in a farm tour, watch them bottle milk and make 20+ varieties of ice cream, which you will want to get a dish!

Fun photo op for your group awaits at Exit 126 in Vienna with their “mascots” Pinkie the Elephant and Sissy the Cow, both massive fiberglass statues.

Before heading home, stop in a J Henry & Sons Bourbon for a tour that includes a visit to Henry Farms, production tour, sensory bourbon nosing & tasting. Cheers.

Itinerary Summary

Discover the heart and character of southeastern Wisconsin on a four-day journey that blends cultural depth, natural beauty, irresistible flavors, and a whole lot of personality. Your trip begins in Milwaukee, where the Mitchell Park Domes transport you across ecosystems under shimmering glass, and the Milwaukee Jewish Museum offers powerful stories of identity and resilience. From there, savor fresh-from-the-line Bavarian pretzels, toast Milwaukee’s brewing legacy, and meet the adorable baby goats of La Clare Creamery, an undisputed group favorite. Along the way, enjoy a timeless Wisconsin supper club experience complete with relish trays and old-fashioneds.

Day 2 – Milwaukee

This morning, start the day with a tasty treat as you tour the Milwaukee Pretzel Company, where traditional Bavarian-style pretzels are produced daily. At the end of your tour, sample one right off the assembly line. Stop at the Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, a celebration of Milwaukee’s legendary brewing heritage.

This afternoon, head up for an unforgettable stop at La Clare Creamery, which pairs farm-fresh cheese tasting with the irresistible charm of cuddling their playful baby goats. It’s a lighthearted, joy-filled stop that gives groups a chance to unwind, laugh, and soak up a bit of Wisconsin country warmth.

Tonight, take in a Wisconsin traditional supper club experience in one of the many supper clubs found in Calumet County. From relish trays to old-fashioneds, they serve up the kind of timeless dining experience groups remember long after the trip.

Day 4 & 5 – Fond du Lac, Brookfield

Wrap up your circle around Lake Winnebago with a visit to Fond du Lac’s lakeside gems, including picturesque Lakeside Park and its iconic lighthouse overlook.

This afternoon, a stop at the Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum in Brookfield willround out your time in Wisconsin. With costumed docents, enjoy a tour of this fully restored 1840s inn, see beautiful artifacts from the times, hear stories of the families who lived at the Inn and the travelers who stayed there.

Itinerary Summary

Discover the richness of Wisconsin on a beautifully balanced five-day journey filled with lakeside scenery, hands-on history, artistic wonders, and classic state favorites. Your adventure begins along the sparkling shores of Lake Michigan in Port Washington, where lighthouse views and 19th-century stories set a nostalgic tone before continuing to the immersive stagecoach-era experience at the Wade House. Over the next several days, wander through gardens inspired by beloved books, admire Austrian craftsmanship, explore world-renowned artist-built environments, and dive into the state’s agricultural roots.

Day 2 – Sheboygan

Start the morning wandering through the enchanting Bookworm Gardens, where beloved storybooks come alive among colorful blooms. Step into Old World craftsmanship at Waelderhaus, an authentic Austrian-inspired gem showcasing the artistry and legacy of the Kohler family. Next, explore the remarkable Art Preserve, a world-class celebration of artist-built environments tucked into Sheboygan’s rolling landscape. Enjoy a bit of free time along the riverfront or lakeshore, perfect for boutique browsing or simply soaking in the fresh air.

Day 4 & 5 – Green Bay & Sheboygan Falls

Today is all about Wisconsin icons. Dive into Packers history with a visit to Lambeau Field or the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, a favorite for groups of all kinds. Continue to the breathtaking Green Bay Botanical Garden, where thoughtfully designed landscapes create a peaceful oasis in every season.

As you head to the Johnsonville Marketplace for an engaging look at one of Wisconsin’s most iconic food brands, before savoring samples and stories. You can’t leave Wisconsin without a cheese stop…make your way to Hennings Cheese, where generations of cheesemakers welcome you to taste their award-winning creations.

Itinerary Summary

This three-day Wisconsin adventure travels from the Mississippi River bluffs to rolling countryside farms, blending history, scenic beauty, and local flavor. Start in Potosi with a visit to the National Brewery Museum and a hearty lunch before continuing north to La Crosse for sweeping bluff-top views, a river cruise aboard the La Crosse Queen, and, during the holidays, the dazzling Rotary Lights display. Day two offers an immersive experience at Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center, where Norwegian immigrant history lives on through preserved buildings and serene wooded landscapes, followed by a taste of “cranberry country” in Tomah.

Day 2 – Coon Valley, Tomah

After breakfast, depart for the scenic countryside to visit Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center, one of Wisconsin’s most authentic Norwegian heritage sites. A guided tour introduces the story of early settlers through preserved log homes, a historic church, and beautiful wooded trails. The peaceful valley setting offers a true step back in time.

Following lunch featuring regional or Scandinavian-inspired fare, travel east to Tomah, Wisconsin, known as the “Gateway to Cranberry Country.” Enjoy a visit to the Cranberry Discovery Center for locally made treats, gifts, and Wisconsin products.

Itinerary Summary

Your group’s adventure unfolds across Wisconsin’s most captivating landscapes and stories, blending nostalgia, artistry, and hands-on discovery. From the historic grounds where the Ringling Brothers built their circus legacy to the innovative farms shaping the future of American agriculture and onward to the dramatic sandstone canyons that first put the Dells on the map.

Day 2 – Plover, Stevens Point

Spend the morning immersed in the remarkable Food + Farm Exploration Center, a hands-on destination celebrating modern agriculture, sustainability, and Wisconsin’s deep farming heritage. Your group can explore interactive exhibits, try experiential agricultural technologies, and discover how food moves from seed to table. Educational, engaging, and designed for all ages, the Center provides a fresh perspective on the importance of American farming.

Enjoy a tour at Feltz’s Farm and Dairy Store. See Robotic milking, the latest in cow comfort, and see how automation plays an important role on the farm. Take some time for a scoop ofice-cream, shop for Wisconsin cheese…don’t forget the cheese curds and other delicious Wisconsin treats.

Train rides, boat tours and historic beaconsadd extra dimensions to Wisconsin itineraries

Railroads built Wisconsin’s inland connections, waterways connected it to the world, and lighthouses guided ships safely to shore. Today, Circle Wisconsin members keep that legacy alive, offering planners a wide variety of ways to tap into the state’s transportation history and enjoy scenic views along the way.

On the Water

Lake Geneva Cruise Line’s U.S. Mailboat Tour is a 2 ½-hour cruise that circles southeastern Wisconsin’s beautiful, spring-fed Geneva Lake. Besides narration highlighting the history of the magnificent lakeside mansions and their lavishly landscaped grounds, the tour features the added drama of young mail carriers hopping on and off the moving boat as they deposit letters in pier mailboxes. The only mailboat cruise in the county, passengers cheer on the “mailjumpers,” hoping they make it back onboard without falling into the water (which they sometimes do). The line’s two-hour “Full Lake Tour” does the circuit without the mail stops, and there’s also a cruise that visits 1888 Black Point Estate, a beautiful Victorian home.

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum, located on the Manitowoc River in downtown Manitowoc, is one of the largest such museums in the U.S. Focusing on the Great Lakes and Wisconsin, the museum displays antique boats, ship models, historic shipwrecks, and nautical artifacts, and spotlights Manitowoc’s shipbuilding history as well. One exhibition spotlights the USS Cobia, a restored World War II submarine permanently moored on the river. Walking through the sub, visitors see the torpedo launchers, bunk room, radio room, officers’ quarters, mess hall, and engine room.

The S.S. Badger, another fixture on the Manitowoc waterfront, is a historic car ferry that crosses Lake Michigan twice a day, from mid-May to early October, between Manitowoc and Ludington, Michigan. The last coal-fired steamship still in operation in the U.S., the Badger carries up to 600 passengers and 160 vehicles, including trucks, tour buses, RVs, and farm equipment. During the four-hour, 60-mile crossing, passengers spend their time relaxing on deck, eating and drinking, playing bingo in the main lounge, and watching movies in the theater.

Two Rivers, Manitowoc’s sister community, is also home to Point Beach State Forest. The six-mile stretch of sandy shores along Lake Michigan features Rawley Point Lighthouse, which has been operated by the U.S. Coast Guard since 1853. Another Two Rivers attraction is Rogers Street Fishing Village, a museum complex that comprises a collection of historic buildings on the site of century-old shipping yards on the East Twin River.

The Lake Winnebago Region, boasting one of the largest inland lakes in the country, is a haven for water sports and has acres of beautiful parkland fronting its shorelines. They call it Wisconsin’s Third Great Lake. Fond du Lac’s signature attraction is the lighthouse at Lakeside Park. The region also claims the Horicon Marsh, where visitors can explore the nation’s largest freshwater cattail marsh. Enjoy a scenic view upon the water in a pontoon boat with Horicon Marsh Tours.

In Wisconsin Dells, Dells Boat Tours offers Wisconsin River cruises that pass by majestic sandstone cliffs, gorges, and outcroppings that have been sculpted by wind, water, and time. On the two-hour Upper Dells Boat Tour, passengers disembark to walk through narrow passageways at Witches Gulch and watch a dog leap between towering rock pillars. The one-hour Lower Dells Boat Tour features landmark formations like Hawk’s Bill and Baby Grand Piano.

Also in the Dells, Original Wisconsin Ducks operates rollicking one-hour rides on World War II amphibious vehicles that have wheels and can float. Showcasing secluded canyons and unusual rock formations, the Ducks careen down steep hills and make dramatic plunges into water.

From the Door County village of Sister Bay, Sister Bay Scenic Boat Tours’ 149-passenger Norra Dörr cruises Green Bay, sailing past the bluffs, caves, and lighthouse of Peninsula State Park. On the 90-minute voyage, hear stories of French explorers and early Native American inhabitants. Also popular with groups is the iconic Cana Island Lighthouse, one of Door County Peninsula’s 11 lighthouses. A climb of 97 steps rewards trekkers with sweeping views of Lake Michigan.

Sheboygan, commanding an impressive presence on Lake Michigan, naturally attracts visitors to its lakefront and riverfront. Where the Sheboygan River approaches the lake, original and recreated fishing shanties house coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques. Charter fishing businesses line the riverfront. Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center rests on the lake’s sandy shores and has ayear-round waterpark with a lazy river, water slides, and surfing simulator. With big waves on the lake between September and March, Sheboygan is known for its surfing culture and calls itself the Malibu of the Midwest.

Groups also get their fill of maritime heritage at North Point Lighthouse in Milwaukee, Wind Point Lighthouse in Racine, Southport Light Station Museum in Kenosha and 1860 Lighthouse and Light Station Museum in Port Washington, all of which offer panoramas of sparkling blue Lake Michigan.

Up north, the Madeline Island Ferry crosses Lake Superior on a 25-minute voyage between Bayfield and Madeline Island. When motorcoach passengers on the ferry disembark in the town of La Pointe, alocal step-on guide can meet your coach for a tour of the largest and only inhabited island in the 22 Apostle Islands. Groups enjoy shopping in the boutiques and art galleries. The Madeline Island Museum focuses on Ojibwe culture and the island’s past as a French trading post and British settlement.

A must-stop is the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland. Its exhibits provide a look at the Apostle Islands and Lake Superior’s cultural and natural history. Other features include an observation tower, a wildlife viewing platform, a 100-seat theater, and an accessible boardwalk trail.

Legendary Waters Resort & Casino in Red Cliff, on the shores of Lake Superior, makes a good jumping-off point for visits to lighthouses and the Apostle Islands.

Also in northern Wisconsin, St. Croix River Cruises in Hudson offers lunch, brunch, and dinner cruises along the scenic Wisconsin and Minnesota shores of the St. Croix River. Catering is from the kitchen of the Afton House Inn restaurant.

Scenery along the Mississippi River, forming Wisconsin’s western border, enthralls visitors traveling the Great River Road. In La Crosse, breathtaking views of the Mississippi Valley are available from Grandad Bluff, a perfect spot for group photos. Prairie du Chien, a small town at the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers, abounds with historical charm, with attractions like Villa Louis, one of the most authentically furnished Victorian houses in America. Potosi, another Mississippi River town, is home to Potosi Brewery and the National Brewery Museum.

All Aboard for Fun

From the 1916 SOO Line Depot in Osceola, Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway takes passengers on a 20-mile trip along the sandstone bluffs of the St. Croix River, crossing a bridge into Minnesota, stopping in Marine on St. Croix, and returning to Osceola. Onboard the vintage cars of the diesel-powered train, a host shares stories about the railroad’s colorful history.

More nostalgia is on track at the Railroad Memories Museum in Spooner, a highlight on itineraries in northern Wisconsin’s Washburn County. In the old Chicago & North Western depot, retired railroaders act as tour guides, leading visitors through 13 rooms filled with railroad bells, whistles, lights, tools, timetables, photos, advertising, art, and antiques.

In Green Bay, the National Railroad Museum is one of the largest such museums in the country, showcasing everything from Union Pacific’s legendary “Big Boy” locomotive to General Eisenhower’s WWII command train.

In the Baraboo area, the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom offers a seven-mile, 55-minute round-trip train ride on a former branch line of the Chicago & North Western Railway. In a valley between the Baraboo Hills in rural Sauk County, passengers ride in restored steel coaches built a century ago. Besides rides from the 1894 depot, the indoor/outdoor museum displays over 40 train cars and locomotives.

The East Troy Railroad Museum in East Troy keeps history alive with its livingly restored trolleys and interurbans. Groups can step aboard for a scenic 10-mile round trip through rolling countryside and explore exhibits on electric railways of the past.

Regardless of the weather, there’s always something sizzling, sparkling or singing across the state

If there’s one thing Wisconsin does with aplomb, it’s celebrate. From lantern-lit gardens to brat-filled block parties, the Badger State knows the best way to mark the seasons is together. Parades, fairs, light shows, and festivals don’t just fill the calendar here, they fill theair with laughter, music and that feeling that you’ve arrived somewhere people love to gather.

Across every season, Circle Wisconsin members are the keepers of that spirit. They host some of the Midwest’s most iconic celebrations, heritage parades that roll through historic downtowns, harvest markets where the cider flows freely, and festivals so beloved they’ve become traditions worth traveling for.

Where Every Season Has Its Stage

Some festivals are so quintessentially Wisconsin they might as well come stamped on thewelcome sign. China Lights (Milwaukee) turns autumn nights into a glowing dreamscape, where hundreds of illuminated sculptures shimmer across the gardens. Das Fest USA (Kenosha) raises a stein to Bavarian tradition with oompah bands, bratwurst, and spontaneous polka that can turn anyone into a dancer. When winter rolls around, Rotary Lights (La Crosse) transforms the riverfront into a glowing wonderland of more than three million lights, drawing over a quarter-million visitors each year.

And then there’s Baraboo’s Big Top Parade, where the circus isn’t just history, it’s home. Organized by Circus World Museum and the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce, this summer spectacular parades through downtown with wagons, marching bands, and calliopes, celebrating Baraboo’s legacy as the birthplace of the Ringling Brothers.

At the fabled Paine Art Center and Gardens in Oshkosh, the beloved Nutcracker fairytale returns to the Paine “castle” with a mesmerizing array of sights, sounds and surprises. Explore the settings of the story on self-guided tours, guided tours, and candlelight tours. Along the way, each elaborately decorated room of the historic Paine mansion reveals a newchapter of the story. From the opening party scene with a giant Christmas tree to the Land of Sweets and beyond, follow the adventure of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince. As part of your journey, visit the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cupcake Café for a scrumptious treat.

Want acure for those winter blues? Check out one of the premier winter festival in the Midwest–The Sturgeon Spectacular. Whether you join the always popular Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championship, the Outdoor Curling Funspiel, Snow Land family activities, or come out to see the awesome snow and ice sculptures and enjoy one of many great restaurants or shops in downtown Fond du Lac, this festival has something for everyone.

The International Wisconsin Ginseng Festival in Wausau celebrates the region’s ginseng industry with a three-day event typically held in September. The festival features ginseng-themed food, tours of ginseng farms, demonstrations, music and cultural performances, with a main hub in downtown Wausau’s City Square Park.

Culture That Lives and Breathes

In Wisconsin, festivals do more than entertain; they tell stories. At Heritage Hill State Historical Park in Green Bay, reenactors trade modern-day sneakers for pioneer boots, recreating 19th-century life so vividly you can almost smell the wood smoke. The John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan turns art into a community connection, hosting fairs that blur the line between exhibition and celebration. And the Mulva Cultural Center (Green Bay), Wisconsin’s newest cultural showpiece, is already shaping up to be a hub for world-class exhibits and gatherings.

Smaller stops offer just as much soul. In Cedarburg, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts honors the region’s creative roots with quilt fairs, fiber festivals, and hands-on workshops that make you want to pick up a needle yourself. And at Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center in Coon Valley, Scandinavian traditions live on through folk music, storytelling, and heritage festivals that feel both nostalgic and fresh.

Since 1981, Milwaukee Irish Fest has been dedicated to celebrating and sharing the rich Celtic heritage with the world. Milwaukee Irish Fest is held annually the third weekend in August along the shores of Lake Michigan at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee.

Held annually the weekend after Labor Day, the Villa Louis Carriage Classici n Prairie du Chien highlights competitive carriage driving in arena and obstacle classes. The Villa Louis Historic Site was once home to the “Artesian Stock Farm,” a premier Standardbred training facility. The Carriage Classic celebrates the zenith of the stock farm with carriage-driving classes.

Celebrate the working past at the Grohmann Museum’s Lost Arts Festival in Milwaukee. The museum hosts its annual festival celebrating the activities and ways of work captured in the paintings and bronzes in its permanent collection. Artisans will share their expertise and demonstrate their techniques as the museum and its surroundings become a laboratory for the creation of “Lost Arts.” It is a fun and affordable family activity and gives visitors the opportunity to see some of the lost arts of the past.

In Baraboo, the Great Midwest Crane Fest sees thousands of Sandhill Cranes gather near the Wisconsin River before flying south for the winter. During the fest visitors will experience: Wisconsin’s largest crane congregation, guided crane-viewing tours, presentations and workshops and more. You’ll also explore the beautiful landscapes and rich histories that connect the festival hosts, the International Crane Foundation and the Aldo Leopold Foundation.

Fun Food Options

On the last Saturday in September, the smell of beef fills the air and more than 12,000 people fill the streets of downtown Minocqua. For 60 years, Beef-a-Rama has been a premier event drawing visitors back year after year to join in on the one-of-a-kind fun youcan only find in the Northwoods.

The Warrens Cranberry Festival draws thousands of visitors from all over the world. The event continues to grow in popularity every year and isa great place for groups to immerse themselves in the rich culture and history of cranberry farming.

Autumn is the best time of year for those seeking beauty and fall festivals because it’s Bayfield Apple Festival time. Enjoy food and craft vendors all weekend long, live music from Big Top Chautauqua’s Blue Canvas Orchestra and other area musicians at Memorial Park Gazebo for Concerts by the Lake. Don’t miss the crowning of the Apple Festival Queen and/or King, the Spectrum Carnival and the Grand Parade down historic Rittenhouse Avenue on Sunday to wrap up the weekend’s events.

The DMOs Behind the Magic

Every great festival has a team that makes it happen, and Wisconsin’s CVBs and DMOs are some of the best in the business. They’re the quiet heroes behind the banners and bandstands, the ones making sure each celebration runs seamlessly, and that groups find themselves right in the heart of the action.

In Door County, fall means it’s time for the Fall Festival, when harbor towns hum with live music, arts, and all the pumpkin-flavored joy you can handle. To the south, Sheboygan serves up sizzling hometown pride with Brat Days, which has been celebrating Sheboygan since 1953. Brat Days does not charge entry fees to attend the festival or its celebrated live music acts. Enjoy fabulous food, watch competitors try to prevail in the brat eating contest and even play cornhole.

On September 5, 1962, a 20-pound piece of Russian Sputnik IV landed in the middle of thestreet on the corner of N. 8th and Park in Manitowoc. Sputnikfest is the town’s way of bringing the community together to celebrate this momentous event. Named one of the Top Five Funkiest Festivals in the country byReader’s Digest, this wacky festival has become a community and regional favorite, with fun for the entire family. Sputnikfest is a way to celebrate all things sci-fi and space with live music, food, a 5k run/walk, and elaborate alien-themed costumes.

In Green Bay, the festival spirit carries long after football season, with a year-round lineup of food and arts events that keep the city buzzing. Fond du Lac’s Walleye Weekend is pure Wisconsin, part fishing tournament, part concert series, and completely free.

What happens when you combine a vibrant, one-mile stretch of downtown Appleton with 200-plus up-and-coming artists performing free shows with live, original music over four days? You get to experience an unforgettable music-filled weekend with more than 700 incredible shows. Mile of Music kicked off in 2013 as a cover-free festival highlighting handcrafted artistry. The theme quickly caught on with music lovers everywhere and is still the focus today as The Mile continues to make music accessible to everyone. The fest welcomes the finest talent, including singer-songwriters, duos and multi-piece bands showcasing original roots music ranging from indie and folk-rock to soul, to folk, bluegrass and more.

And in the capital city, Destination Madison delivers art and flavor in equal measure with Art Fair on the Square and Taste of Madison, both turning the Capitol into the state’sultimate street festival.