There are several activities in Appleton that take place every holiday season.  Starting with the Christmas parade just before Thanksgiving, and running through the 1^st of the New Year! We have enjoyed several of these events over the years we have lived here at the Franklin Street Inn.  It’s not too late to enjoy the local holiday cheer.

Christmas Parade

One of the main Holiday events eaxh year is the Appleton Downtown Christmas Parade, an annual event dating back to 1960.  The 52 nd annual parade marches down College Avenue on Tuesday, November 21st this year with the theme of “The Music and Magic of Christmas." This Christmas parade is the largest nighttime parade in the Midwest.  About 80,000 spectators assemble in Downtown Appleton for the parade, sometimes despite frigid temperatures.  Additionally, a television audience of over 100,000 will view the parade live and during rebroadcasts

The parade will again be broadcast live on Green Bay’s WFRV-TV (Channel 5).  For those who missed it, or wish to enjoy it again, the parade will be rebroadcast on 1:00 p.m. on Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day; 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 25, Christmas Day. More information about the Christmas Parade, including the Parade Marshall’s, policies and participation can be located by clicking here:  Appleton Downtown Christmas Parade.

Historic Hearthstone Victorian Christmas exhibit

Another wonderful activity during the season is The Hearthstone Historic House Museum annual holiday tradition - Victorian Christmas. Every room of Hearthstone is filled with old-fashion Christmas and holiday decorations. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is the theme this year, but they never forget Santa and the many other Christmas traditions which started in Victorian America and England and that we still embrace today

The docents are on hand dressed in their finest Victorian holiday attire to answer guests’ questions. There are also live musical performances featuring a different area group or soloist for guests to enjoy. The tours are suitable for all ages.

Be a part of the holiday tradition that is Victorian Christmas! See the Hearthstone website for the specific schedule and other details.

Christmas Window Displays

Window displays are another event that occurs each holiday season.  The downtown Appleton businesses traditionally decorate their windows in festive holiday spirit each year.  Most are decorated in time for the Christmas Parade, and decorations are left up into January.

Other Activities

There are always plenty of holiday activities for all ages and interests at a variety of Appleton establishments.  You may want to make Christmas crafts and gifts, decorate cookies, or shop at a holiday craft fair.  Or perhaps an open Christmas party or pub crawl is more to your liking.  Check out all the activities in Downtown Appleton at: Appleton Downtown, Inc,. events

There are also many activities in many of the nearby Fox Cities communities.  You can find out more about these holiday activities at:  Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau events calendar

We hope you have a wonderful Holiday season and are able to visit Appleton for some of our festivities!