Manitowoc things to do include plenty of holiday cheer. From a parade to a light show, here are some ways to kick off the season.

City of Manitowoc Department of Tourism
·3 min read

MANITOWOC - This weekend is full of ways to get into the holiday spirit with the whole family in Manitowoc!

1. Watch the 34th annual Lakeshore Holiday Parade

The 34th annual Lakeshore Holiday Parade takes place starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in downtown Manitowoc.

This annual holiday tradition is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season with family and friends!

The route begins on South 12th and Washington streets and travels down Eighth Street to the Rahr-West Art Museum.

A "Sensory Sensitive Zone" will be in place from South 12th to South 10th streets where there won’t be loud music, sirens or flashing lights. The purpose is to create a more comfortable environment for those who are sensitive to loud noises and flashes of light.

Miss Maritime Bay's outstanding teens smile from an open car during the 33rd Annual Lakeshore Holiday Parade, Wednesday, November 24, 2021, in Manitowoc, Wis.
Miss Maritime Bay's outstanding teens smile from an open car during the 33rd Annual Lakeshore Holiday Parade, Wednesday, November 24, 2021, in Manitowoc, Wis.

A Santa Reception will be held before and after the Lakeshore Holiday Parade at the Rahr-West Art Museum.

If you can’t make the parade, a recording will be available to watch starting on Thanksgiving Day on the Coolest Coast’s Facebook page, YouTube and on coolestcoast.com.

For more information, visit www.manitowoc.org/lakeshoreholidayparade.

2. Shop local for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday

Dive into your holiday shopping this weekend by shopping local.

Area businesses and restaurants are running a variety of can’t-miss deals on both Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, including discounts, giveaways and specials on gift card purchases.

Head out this weekend to check gifts off your shopping list while keeping it local! Check out the social media accounts of your favorite boutiques, breweries and restaurants for the most up-to-date information about specials, deals and holiday hours.

3. See the Lights in Lincoln Park

The annual drive-through light show Lights in Lincoln Park kicks off Friday at Lincoln Park, 1215 N. Eighth St., Manitowoc. Admission is a $5 donation per car.

Sponsored by the Lincoln Park Zoological Society, this light display of more than 70 wild animals, many animated, supports the Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo.

You can experience this light spectacular show from 5 to 8 p.m. this weekend on Nov. 25 and 26 and then on Dec. 1-3, 8-10, and every night between Dec. 15-29.

4. Visit the Rahr-West Art Museum’s Christmas in the Mansion

Exterior of Manitowoc's Rahr-West Art Museum, 610 N. Eighth St.
Exterior of Manitowoc's Rahr-West Art Museum, 610 N. Eighth St.

Christmas in the Mansion returns to the Rahr-West Art Museum, 610 N. Eighth St., this week.

This much-loved annual exhibit showcases the historic Vilas-Rahr Mansion beautifully decorated for the holiday season by a fantastic group of volunteers, each choosing their own theme.

This year, both the first and newly renovated second floor of the mansion will be full of holiday cheer!

For more about the Rahr-West Art Museum, visit www.manitowoc.org/1006/Rahr-West-Art-Museum.

5. Experience Evergleams on Eighth

Evergleams on Eighth, displays of Manitowoc’s historic aluminum trees, will begin illuminating the downtown Wednesday and continues through Jan. 8.

This display celebrates the Evergleam aluminum Christmas tree and its important place in the heritage of Manitowoc.

More: Manitowoc Evergleam aluminum Christmas trees: 'It’s amazing how the whole thing took off'

More: How Charlie Brown killed the aluminum Christmas tree

You can see the beautiful, gleaming trees in storefronts around downtown and a large exhibit sparkling at the Manitowoc Public Library, 707 Quay St.

Visit evergleams.org or Evergleams on Eighth on Facebook to learn more about upcoming walking and trolley tours, to find the full map of display locations, purchase tickets to Evergleam-a-ganza at the library the evening of Dec. 10 and dive more into the history of these trees!

The City of Manitowoc’s Department of Tourism, branded as Visit Manitowoc, is responsible for facilitating an active relationship with hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions in the city to promote Manitowoc as a tourist destination on the state and national level. To contact the Department of Tourism, email tourism@manitowoc.org or call 920-686-3508. For more about upcoming events, follow @VisitManitowoc on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok or visit manitowoc.org/tourism.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc holiday events 2022 include parade, Evergleams, light show