Top 5 things to do in Kenosha this weekend:
City of Kenosha Tree Lighting
Entertainment 3:45 p.m., Lighting 4:30 p.m. Friday (Nov. 25)
Fountain Plaza at Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 First Ave.
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian countdown at 4:30 p.m. to light the City of Kenosha’s annual festive tree. The lineup of entertainment prior to includes vocal group Harmonix at 3:45 and Those Funny Little People at 4 p.m., followed by Miss Kenosha 2022 Jenna Zeihen, leading the crowd in a Christmas carol and welcoming Santa Claus to the stage. Mrs. Claus, the Frost Queen and Snow Princess will also make appearances.
Free
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Pictures with Santa
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 26)
Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl.
Santa will visit the Kenosha History Center for photos and to talk to the youngsters. Other attractions include a holiday coloring station, Bob the Organ Grinder will provide a mix of holiday favorites and other tunes, Kenosha History Center Gift Shop, tours of Southport Lighthouse will be open for tours and climbs on all three Saturdays from 10 am until 4 p.m. and a lecture on the “Rouse Simmons Christmas Tree Ship” will be held at noon. The event repeats on Dec. 10 and 17. Free
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Lightin’ Up Downtown
Beginning at 5 p.m., following the City of Kenosha Tree Lighting. Events include Visits with Santa, 5-8 p.m., Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St. Free; Letters to Santa and Storytelling, 5:15-7 p.m. with stories on the half-hour, 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. at at Actor’s Craft, 4900 7th Ave. Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts will be dancing to Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker at Bellissima’s Boutique, 5613 6th Ave. and free Electric Streetcar rides are offered from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Christmas at Kemper
Opening Weekend events Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 25-26)
Kemper Center, 6501 3rd Ave.
Events include the Opening Night Gala 6-10 pm. Saturday (Nov. 26), Gallery of Trees, and Durkee Mansion Historic Holiday Tours beginning Sunday (Nov. 27). Gala tickets $30, admission to Gallery of Trees and Durkee Mansion is free. See daily listings for individual events.
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Friendship Park Tree Lighting
5:30 p.m. Friday (Nov. 25), immediately following the City of Kenosha Tree Lighting. Attractions include treats, beverages and special at local businesses, such as fresh roasted chestnuts.
THE LINEUP
THURSDAY, Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving Day)
Music
Rhythm Dogs Blues Jam, Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave., 8 p.m.
Potpourri
43rd Mayor’s Turkey Day Run, 9 a.m., next to the Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. (2 mile run/walk or 10k run option). Last day to register is at packet pick up on Wednesday, Nov. 23, no race day registration. Packet pickup will be at the Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave., on Wednesday (Nov. 23) from 3-8 p.m. and on Thursday, Nov. 24, from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. (until 15 minutes prior to the start of the race, pickup only, no registration). Sponsored by the Kenosha Running Club.
Through the Lens, 6-8 p.m., Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum School Yard Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd. Tickets $12.
Family
StoryWalk® Trail, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Pringle Nature Center at Bristol Woods, 9800 160th Ave., presented in cooperation with the Kenosha Public Library, FREE program allows families to learn about how animals prepare for winter while hiking the yellow trail in Bristol Woods County Park. Visit the park any time and begin at the yellow trail behind the nature center to follow the story book signs and read “A Fall Ball for All” by Jamie A. Swenson. This program is free, self-guided, come and leave as you like. Pringle Nature Center hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday noon-4 p.m., closed Mondays.
Leave No Child Inside: Giving Thanks for Nature! opening day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Pringle Nature Center at Bristol Woods, 9800 160th Ave., Bristol. Join in practicing gratitude with nature activities giving thanks for the season! Activities will be posted at the front door of Pringle Nature Center. This program is free, self-guided, and suitable for all ages. Come and leave as you like. Pringle Nature Center hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday noon-4 p.m., closed Mondays.
FRIDAY, Nov. 25
Music
Mans Whiskey (Nola Street Jazz), 9 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.
Cool Yule with Harmonix, 7 p.m., Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5125 6th Ave. This six-week residency runs through Dec. 30, with shows scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays, 7 p.m. Thursdays, and 1:30/7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (no shows Dec. 24-27). Tickets $20 general public, $13 for ages 13 and under.
Art
Anderson Arts Center Annual Winter Juried Exhibition Opening, 1-4 p.m., Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave. Gallery hours Tuesday-Sunday 1-4 p.m.
“Ope, Not Ope: A Wisconsin Printmakers Exposition,” H.F. Johnson Gallery of Art, Carthage College, 2001 Alford Ave. This exhibit features a collection of works from the best printmakers in the Midwest. Regular gallery hours noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Extended hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. All art exhibits are free and open to the public.
Artistree Giftable Art Show, 11-5 p.m. Lemon Street Gallery, 4601 Sheridan Rd. annual sale of original artwork that is perfect for holiday gift giving! We have an amazing arrangement of jewelry, glass, ceramics, candles, hand-painted items, accessories, fiber art, and more.
Potpourri
Out in Public Comedy Show and Open Mic, 9-11 p.m., Public Craft Brewing, 628 58th St. Sign up for open mic starts at 8:30 p.m. Following open mic Jhovany Diaz, Jeff Warren, and Emilio Lopez will perform. Host is Jordan Pauley. Free.
Comedian Ralphie Roberts, 8 p.m., Kenosha Comedy Club, Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5125 6th Ave. Tickets $14 plus fees.
Pollination Investigation, 10-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. Explore the essential role that pollinators play in the natural world. Nearly 90% of flowering plants rely on about 200,000 species of animal pollinators for fertilization. Through pollinator profiles, learn about different pollinators – from butterflies and hummingbirds to bats and the wind – and their favorite flowers based on floral characteristics like flower shape, color, scent and more. Through March 5, 2023.
Kenosha Spiritual Awakening Market (KASM), 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St. Vendors, presentations, food and beverages available for purchase.
Loyal to the Union, Ohio in the Civil War. Explore the people and events that made the Buckeye state unique and so important to the Union cause. Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Daily hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Family
City of Kenosha Tree Lighting Entertainment 3:45 p.m., Lighting 4:30 p.m., Fountain Plaza at Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 First Ave. Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian countdown at 4:30 p.m. to light the City of Kenosha’s annual festive tree. The lineup of entertainment prior to includes vocal group Harmonix at 3:45 and Those Funny Little People at 4 p.m., followed by Miss Kenosha 2022 Jenna Zeihen, leading the crowd in a Christmas carol and welcoming Santa Claus to the stage. Mrs. Claus, the Frost Queen and Snow Princess will also make appearances.
Wild Ones – Native Plants and Natural Landscapes, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. Photos by youth, adults, and professionals from around the country show Native species in their natural environments, from urban backyards to the American wilderness.
Holiday Light Walk opening night, 5-9 p.m., Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm, 7150 18th St. holiday treats, fire pits, Santa, reindeer exhibit, shopping in the Country Store, and more! Admission $7 per person over age 3. Daily through Dec. 18.
Small Eyes Under the Skies, 5-6:30 p.m. Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum School Yard Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd. Take turns looking through our 16-inch telescope at binary stars, dim planets, distant galaxies, and other sky objects. Learn about these objects, their distances, sizes, and orbits and take a tour of the night sky. Tickets $12.
Preschool Storytime, 9:30-10 a.m. and 10:30-11 a.m., Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave. Preschool Storytime is designed for three to five-year-old children. Children enjoy 30 minutes of books, songs, fingerplays, and more during this classic storytime.
Toddler Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave. Approximately 20 minutes of stories, songs and fingerplays for children ages 1-2 and their caregivers.
Teen Space – Movie Night, 3-5 p.m., Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave., movie selection TBA. Ages 12-19.
Groove ‘n Play, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Uptown Neighborhood Library, 2419 63rd St. Kids move and groove to music before having playtime. For ages 2-5.
SATURDAY, Nov. 26
Music
Osiris Records Presents: Blizzard of Ozz and Dyers Eve (Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica tribute bands)., 8:30 p.m., The Brat Stop, 12304 75th St. Tickets $10.
Pat McCurdy, 8 p.m., Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5125 6th Ave. Tickets $10 plus fees.
Foulmouth (Punk/Rock) and Ashcan School (Kenosha Pub Rock), Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.
Rokken Dokken and the Angry Squirrels, 8:30 p.m., 58 Below, 504 58th St.
Cool Yule with Harmonix, 7 p.m., Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5125 6th Ave. This six-week residency runs through Dec. 30, with shows scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays, 7 p.m. Thursdays, and 1:30/7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (no shows Dec. 24-27). Tickets $20 general public, $13 for ages 13 and under.
Art
Under Pressure – A Night Art Market, 2-8 p.m., Public Craft Brewing, 628 58th St. Exhibition of large format relief prints by Lisa Bigalke and Amy Misurelli Sorensen are now on display at Public Craft Brewing Co. An opening reception is set for 6-8 p.m. during the event.
Anderson Arts Center Annual Winter Juried Exhibition Opening, 1-4 p.m., Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave. Gallery hours Tuesday-Sunday 1-4 p.m.
“Ope, Not Ope: A Wisconsin Printmakers Exposition,” H.F. Johnson Gallery of Art, Carthage College, 2001 Alford Ave. This exhibit features a collection of works from the best printmakers in the Midwest. Regular gallery hours noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Extended hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. All art exhibits are free and open to the public.
Potpourri
Gallery of Trees Opening Night Gala, 6-10 p.m., Kemper Center, 6501 3rd Ave. The event includes an exhibition, silent auction, raffle of fully decorated trees and decorations, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and more. Tickets $30.
Astronomy of Native America: Star Gazing at Hawthorn Hollow, 6:30-8 p.m., Hawthorn Hollow, 880 Green Bay Rd.
Kenosha HarborMarket, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Kenosha Union Club, 3030 39th Ave. Local vendors include produce, eggs, meat and poultry, prepared foods, soaps, arts and crafts, dog treats. Through April 29 (except Dec. 17, 24 and 31).
Kenosha Public Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Kemper Center, 6501 3rd Ave. (new location). Vendors, food trucks, full bar and SNAP market match. Through April 29.
Kenosha Spiritual Awakening Market (KASM), 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St. Vendors, presentations, food and beverages available for purchase.
A New View of the Stars, 6-9 p.m., Hawthorn Hollow Schoolyard Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd. an evening of stargazing and telescope viewing at the Charles and Kathryn Heide Schoolyard Observatory at Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum in celebration of the installation of our new telescope. Take a trip through our solar system as we discover sizes and distances of our nearest neighbors and learn about the moon. A variety of telescopes will be available with volunteers to guide viewers. Visitors are welcome to bring personal binoculars or telescopes. Reservations are free, but donations are appreciated.
Loyal to the Union, Ohio in the Civil War. Explore the people and events that made the Buckeye state unique and so important to the Union cause. Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Daily hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Family
Pictures with Santa, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl. Santa will visit the Kenosha History Center for photos and to talk to the youngsters from Other attractions include a holiday coloring station, Bob the Organ Grinder will provide a mix of holiday favorites and other tunes, Kenosha History Center Gift Shop, tours of Southport Lighthouse will be open for tours and climbs on all three Saturdays from 10 am until 4 p.m. and a lecture on the “Rouse Simmons Christmas Tree Ship” will be held at noon. The event repeats on Dec. 10 and 17. Free.
Pollination Investigation, 10-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. Explore the essential role that pollinators play in the natural world. Nearly 90% of flowering plants rely on about 200,000 species of animal pollinators for fertilization. Through pollinator profiles, learn about different pollinators – from butterflies and hummingbirds to bats and the wind – and their favorite flowers based on floral characteristics like flower shape, color, scent and more. Through March 5, 2023.
Holiday Light Walk, 5-9 p.m., Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm, 7150 18th St. holiday treats, fire pits, Santa, reindeer exhibit, shopping in the Country Store, and more! Admission $7 per person over age 3. Daily through Dec. 18.
Mickey the Fox Snake Encounter, 2-3 p.m., Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 26313 Burlington Rd. Learn all about snakes and watch as the education snake Mickey is fed, and even get the chance to hold or touch Mickey. Meet in the Visitor Center Auditorium. Vehicle admission sticker is required: $8 per day for vehicles with Wisconsin plates (seniors $3) / $11 for vehicles with out-of-state plates. Annual state park vehicle admission sticker is also available, and state park passes are also available from the Kenosha Public Library.
Family Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m., Uptown Neighborhood Library, 2419 63rd St. The whole family is invited to storytime! Come read stories, sing songs, and have fun.
SUNDAY, Nov. 27
Music
Cool Yule with Harmonix, 7 p.m., Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5125 6th Ave. This six-week residency runs through Dec. 30, with shows scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays, 7 p.m. Thursdays, and 1:30/7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (no shows Dec. 24-27). Tickets $20 general public, $13 for ages 13 and under.
Art
Anderson Arts Center Annual Winter Juried Exhibition Opening, 1-4 p.m., Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave. Gallery hours Tuesday-Sunday 1-4 p.m.
“Ope, Not Ope: A Wisconsin Printmakers Exposition,” H.F. Johnson Gallery of Art, Carthage College, 2001 Alford Ave. This exhibit features a collection of works from the best printmakers in the Midwest. Regular gallery hours noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Extended hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. All art exhibits are free and open to the public.
Potpourri
Gallery of Trees, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Kemper Center, 6501 3rd Ave. The annual event showcases approximately 20 fully decorated Christmas trees, mantelpieces, wreaths, and centerpieces all sponsored by generous donors and decorated by creative volunteers. Trees range in size from 6 feet to 9 feet. All the trees and holiday decorations are auctioned or raffled. Free. Through Dec. 4 (trees delivered to auction/raffle winners Dec. 5).
Durkee Mansion Historic Holiday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. 6501 3rd Ave., This year’s theme is “Victorian Winter Elegance”. From Tuesday, Nov. 29 to Friday, Dec. 2 the mansion will be open special hours from 4-7 p.m., including access to the Gallery of Trees.
NaNoWriMo Writers Workshop, noon-4 p.m., Northside Library Community Room A, 1500 27th Ave. Both seasoned writers and first-time authors can stop by to learn new tips and tricks and have time to write in the presence of other writers.
Loyal to the Union, Ohio in the Civil War. Explore the people and events that made the Buckeye state unique and so important to the Union cause. Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Daily hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Family
Holiday Light Walk opening night, 5-9 p.m., Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm, 7150 18th St. holiday treats, fire pits, Santa, reindeer exhibit, shopping in the Country Store, and more! Admission $7 per person over age 3. Daily through Dec. 18.
Playspace Friendsgiving, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Playspace Kenosha, 2225 63rd St. Photo op, children’s activities, catered feast (chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, biscuit, sweet potato pie and cupcakes), storytime, goodie bag, and playtime. Tickets: $20 per child, $8 per adult. Reservations required.
Pollination Investigation, 10-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. Explore the essential role that pollinators play in the natural world. Nearly 90% of flowering plants rely on about 200,000 species of animal pollinators for fertilization. Through pollinator profiles, learn about different pollinators – from butterflies and hummingbirds to bats and the wind – and their favorite flowers based on floral characteristics like flower shape, color, scent and more. Through March 5, 2023.
To submit an event for our “In the Loop” weekend listings, email Laura@Kenosha.com. Please include event details and contact information.
