NORFOLK — WinterFest on the Wisconsin, the Battleship Wisconsin’s annual Christmas light display, is spreading joy to all this holiday season.
Originally started during the pandemic as a socially distant way to view Christmas lights, the Nauticus team has expanded the event to include the nearby City of Norfolk Marina, the interior museum at Nauticus, and the Battleship Wisconsin.
“We’ve been planning new concepts for this year’s WinterFest since January,” said Nauticus executive director Stephen E. Kirkland. “Proceeds directly support the battleship, and so this season is particularly important as we prepare to celebrate the ship’s eightieth birthday in April.”
Prep for the event begins during the first week of September when lights start to be placed on different parts of the battleship. The event kicks off in mid-November and is open on select nights through most of December, and it is open for the full week before Christmas.
The event runs until Jan. 1. Attendees can see more than 1 million lights, visit Geoffrey the Talking Christmas Tree and the Grinch, find elves throughout the interior decks of the battleship, enjoy festive music, and even meet the big man himself. There are also multiple bars and a s’mores station on board.
General admission tickets are $18.50 for adults and $14.50 for children. Money raised through WinterFest on the Wisconsin benefits the Nauticus Foundation, which provides interpretation and restoration efforts on the Battleship Wisconsin.
Tickets must be purchased ahead and more information can be found at winterfestonthewisconsin.com.