Seasonal Sparkle: Must-See Holiday Light Displays in the Coulee Region 

Light up Your Holiday Season 

Bundle up and grab a friend, family member, crush, boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancé, coworker, pet, or neighbor—it’s holiday light season! Holiday light displays are famous for spreading love, cheer, and holiday spirit. The Coulee Region is home to many light displays; here’s a list of three you must see this winter season. Light up your holiday season with dazzling displays of lights before they’re gone! 

La Crosse, Wisconsin – Rotary Lights 

What: Riverside Park located in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin is celebrating their 29th Rotary Lights season this year. With an estimated 130,000 visitors and 3 million lights, this is a huge event for Riverside Park and the surrounding downtown La Crosse area. This rotary light display is so much more than just lights, which are impressive on their own—the event also features an ice-skating rink with rentals, carriage rides, s’mores, and so much more! Stop by December 23rd and you might even run into some of Santa’s reindeer relaxing before the big night. Drive or walk through Riverside Park this holiday season between 5:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M. during the dates of opening. Admissions are FREE, but food and cash donations are always welcomed. Stay up to date on special events and pricing for activities by exploring their website

When: November 24, 2023 to December 31, 2023  

Where: Riverside Park ? 410 Veteran Memorial Drive, La Crosse, Wisconsin 

Santa waves as he rides in a carriage at Rotary Lights, La Crosse holiday light display.
Taken from the Rotary Lights, La Crosse Facebook.

Richland Center, Wisconsin – Rotary Lights in the Park 

What: Richland County is featuring its 12th season of Rotary Lights in the Park this year. Along with a beautiful display of lights around Krouskop Park, this event offers volunteer and fundraising opportunities where groups can be Freezin’ for a Reason. Each night a group of volunteers help work the event they can earn up to $50 to donate to a local non-profit charity of their choice. As for hours of operation, the event is open daily for walk-through-only from 6:00 P.M. to 6:50 P.M. and drive-through only from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. According to park rules, pets aren’t allowed outside of the car, so if you want your furry friend to join plan on enjoying the light display from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.  

When: November 22, 2023 to December 31, 2023  

Where: Krouskop Park ? 1050 N Orange St, Richland Center, Wisconsin 

Richland Center's Rotary Lights in the Park light up the night as the town's favorite holiday light display.
Taken from the Richland Center’s Rotary Lights in the Park FaceBook.

Sparta, Wisconsin – Holiday Lights in the Park 

What: Organized by the Sparta Community Holiday Group, Sparta’s Holiday Lights in the Park is planned and run by community volunteers with loads of holiday cheer! Along with a sparkling display of lights at Evans-Bosshard Park, the Sparta Community Holiday Group will be collecting nonperishable food items for the local food pantry and cash donations for maintaining the light display. Although admissions are FREE, donations are welcomed. Keep an eye out for Santa and Ms. Claus’s holiday schedule, you might even run into them! Stay up to date on this event by following the Sparta Community Holiday Group Facebook.  

When: December 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024 

Where: Evans-Bosshard Park ? 230 East Ave, Sparta, Wisconsin 

Sparta Community Group holiday light display shines through a winter storm.
Taken from the Sparta Community Holiday Group Facebook.

Embrace the Magic 

Don’t wait to embrace the magic that comes from dazzling holiday light displays this winter season. Seasonal light displays are open for about a month, so take advantage of them before they’re gone. Serving as the perfect date night, family-friendly activity, and more, these holiday light displays in La Crosse, Richland, and Sparta are the perfect way to get into the festive spirit while enjoying good company. For more holiday events and activities follow Around River City on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Happy Holidays!