Mark Your Calendar for the Valley’s Favorite Holiday Event
it will soon be time for the annual Christmas Village at Irvine Park
Kalyn Cronk, photos by Andrea Paulseth
Over 100,000 twinkling holiday lights and 100 festive displays will light up Chippewa Falls’ Irvine Park for the 34th year through Jan. 1 as part of the Chippewa Valley’s brightest holiday tradition: the Irvine Park Christmas Village.
The season begins on Thanksgiving, when Christmas Village will be ablaze from 5-9:30pm. From then on, it will be open from 7am-9:30pm daily, except for Christmas Eve, when families are invited to walk through this winter wonderland from 7am to midnight.
Since 1906, Irvine Park’s 300-plus acres have created memories to last a lifetime, with a much-loved zoo and other attractions.
The Christmas Village features scenes that are reminiscent of the Victorian era. Local historical replicas are built and displayed by individuals, businesses, volunteer organizations, and the City of Chippewa Falls.
Every year promises new displays, while keeping the best of what has made this event an enduring holiday favorite. Over the past three decades, this holiday attraction has seen weddings, proposals, and family photos for Christmas cards and family scrapbooks. It is an enduring local holiday for the whole family that encompasses the work of hundreds of local volunteers, as well as local organizations and businesses. In its first year in 1987, 20 volunteers helped create the display, after nearly a year of planning. The display incorporated 20 displays that were privately donated.
Whether you’re walking or riding in your own (horseless) sleigh, put some extra jolly into your holiday by stopping by the Christmas Village. Visiting the display is free, though donations are appreciated. Be sure to also check out the 9th annual “Run for the Lights” 5K run-walk on Nov. 27. Registration begins at the Marshall Park Warming Shelter with the race beginning at 4pm. Sign up at tinyurl.com/ymbr5run for $25 through Nov. 11 and then $30 through Nov. 27.
Learn more at chippewafalls-wi.gov/your-government/parks-recreation-forestry/irvine-park/christmas-village.