Outdoor things to do with kids in Toledo
Get the kids outside. Here are the outdoor family events happening around Toledo right now.
Hiking at Old World Wisconsin
Guided hikes through the scenic Kettle Moraine landscape in fall and winter at Old World Wisconsin.
Wee Wonders at Retzer Nature Center
Outdoor nature program for babies and toddlers at scenic Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha.
Nature Tots at Riveredge Nature Center
Toddlers explore nature with guided activities at Riveredge Nature Center.
Skating with Santa
Glide on ice with Santa at Mullett Ice Center this winter holiday season.
Movie Nights at the Barn
Outdoor movie night at Schallock Center for Animals—family entertainment with a furry backdrop.
Illuminated Walk Through Country Christmas
Stroll through festive illuminated Christmas scenes at The Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee.
West Vliet Street Holiday Happenings 2026
Two-day holiday shopping festival on West Vliet Street celebrating local Milwaukee businesses.
Illuminated Walking Night through Country Christmas
Enchanting evening stroll through Country Christmas's glowing holiday trail at Ingleside Hotel.
Operation Recon Nature - for Veterans & Their Families
Free nature hike at Wehr Nature Center welcoming veterans and their families.
Get to Know Your Watershed
Free hands-on watershed workshop for all ages at Menomonee Valley.
Reindeer Village (Cascade)
Meet and visit with reindeer at a festive holiday village experience.
Germantown Christmas Parade Festival & Tree Lighting
Christmas parade, festival, and tree lighting with Santa in Germantown.
Peck and Bushel Winter Market
Winter market at Peck & Bushel Fruit Company featuring crafts and seasonal goods.
Free Trails Day at Riveredge Nature Center
Explore Riveredge Nature Center's trails for free on this special day.
Home Plate for the Holidays
Holiday celebration at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
Discover the Midwest’s Largest G-Scale Train
Free display of the Midwest's largest G-Scale train set at Shady Lane Greenhouse.
Play Date: Friendsgiving Playground Hop
Free playdate hopping between Shorewood playgrounds for a Friendsgiving twist.
Cave After Dark presents: Echoes from the Earth
Bonfire & live music in a historic cave—a unique evening at Cave of the Mounds.
Nature Wizard Club for Families
Guided nature discovery walk for kids 6–11 at Wehr Nature Center.
Trails Nature Wizard Club for Families
Monthly themed nature walks for kids 6–11 at Wehr Nature Center.
Bird Club Meetings
Free birding club meetings at Retzer Nature Center for young ornithologists and nature lovers.
Bird Buddies: A Family Avian Adventure
Family-friendly bird-watching and nature adventure at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.
Tree Ripe Fruit Co. 2026 Fall Citrus Shop
Fresh Florida citrus vendors come to Wisconsin State Fair with pick-fresh fruit.
HAWS Tots & Tails
Toddler-friendly animal encounter program at HAWS animal shelter in Waukesha.
Environmental Education Outdoor Classroom for Kids at Retzer Nature Center
Outdoor nature education for school-age kids at Retzer Nature Center.
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
Downtown holiday lights and seasonal activities light up three Milwaukee parks.
Milwaukee Tree Lighting Ceremony
Free holiday tree-lighting ceremony with fireworks at Pere Marquette Park.
Campfire Cooking
Cook and eat together over a real campfire at Riverside Park—outdoor family fun for $5–$10.
Wild Lights
Walk through the Milwaukee County Zoo transformed with glowing lights and nighttime magic (Nov–Dec).
Holiday Folk Fair International
America's premier multicultural festival celebrating cultural heritage through music, food, dance & art.
Delafield Tree Lighting
Free tree-lighting ceremony in downtown Delafield with holiday cheer.
Craft And Storytime at The Mequon Nature Preserve
Free craft and storytime for babies and toddlers at Mequon Nature Preserve.
Turkey Trails 5K & 10K
Thanksgiving 5K & 10K race for families with timing, awards, and pie.
Turkey Trails
A kids' fun run and family race event at Veterans Park with a dedicated kids dash in the morning.
Pre Thanksgiving Market
Pre-Thanksgiving farmers market with seasonal produce & local goods.
Wild Lights at the Milwaukee County Zoo
Glowing holiday light display throughout the Milwaukee County Zoo grounds.
The Corners of Brookfield Tree Lighting
Free holiday tree lighting celebration at The Corners of Brookfield—festive family fun.
Holiday Folk Fair International
Global cultural celebration with music, crafts & international traditions; free at State Fair Park.
Wild Lights Drive Thru
Drive-thru holiday light spectacular at Milwaukee County Zoo.
Bikes and Lights at Country Christmas
Decorate your bike and ride through Country Christmas with live holiday music.
Country Christmas Bikes and Lights
Holiday bike-themed lights display and activities at The Ingleside Hotel.
German Christmas Market, Oconomowoc
Free German-themed holiday market with crafts, food & Santa.
Wednesday Walkers
Free guided walk through Olmsted-designed Lake Park, 30–45 min, all ages welcome.
Free Day at Wehr Nature Center (Franklin)
Explore nature trails, ponds, and wildlife at Wehr Nature Center's free day in Franklin.
Winter Wondermaze
Wander a star-lit maze of 500+ evergreens with holiday surprises at Hart Park.
The Edgewater Tree Lighting Ceremony
Free tree lighting with Santa at The Edgewater Madison.
Hilton Milwaukee Tree Farm (NEW for 2026!)
Pick your own Christmas tree at Hilton Milwaukee's new tree farm.
Christmas Trains on the East Troy Electric Railroad
Ride Santa's Christmas Train to the North Pole Workshop at the East Troy Railroad Museum.
Dog Days at Lynden Sculpture Garden MKE
Free dog-friendly event at Lynden Sculpture Garden in Milwaukee.
Teen Conservation Club at Wehr Nature Center (Franklin) *Registration Required*
Teen-led conservation club exploring nature & environmental stewardship at Wehr Nature Center.
9th Annual Turkey Trot 5K
Family-friendly 5K run/walk at Fox Brook Park; proceeds support local youth.
Wagon Rides at Country Christmas
Cozy wagon rides through holiday lights with hot chocolate at Country Christmas.
Menomonee Falls Christmas Tree Lighting
Free downtown tree lighting ceremony with holiday cheer in Menomonee Falls.
Menomonee Falls Christmas Parade
Free Christmas parade in downtown Menomonee Falls featuring Santa, holiday floats & festive cheer.
Christmas Trains at The East Troy Electric Railroad
Festive train rides with holiday decorations at East Troy Railroad Museum.
Wagon Rides through Country Christmas Lights
Scenic wagon rides through twinkling holiday light displays at The Ingleside Hotel.
Merry & Bright
Festive holiday celebration with seasonal entertainment and decorations across Oak Creek.
Okauchee Tree Lighting & Holiday Festivities
Tree lighting, holiday activities, and Santa at Okauchee American Legion.
Home for the Holidays
Stroll a 19th-century village decorated for the holidays at Old World Wisconsin.
Village Tree Lighting
Light up the holiday season at Wauwatosa's Village Tree Lighting, featuring the Tosa Cookie Trail.
Camera Club
Free photography club at Retzer Nature Center for budding shutterbugs.
Brookfield Village Holiday Tree Lighting
Free holiday tree lighting with live music in Brookfield.
New Berlin Tree Lighting
Free holiday tree lighting with Santa at New Berlin Activity & Recreation Center.
Light the Square
Holiday celebration lighting up Oak Creek town square with festive community cheer.
Christmas in the Ward
Milwaukee's 37th annual Christmas in the Ward—kick off the season in the Historic Third Ward.
Downtown Waukesha Tree Lighting
Free tree lighting at Waukesha's Rotunda downtown.
Lannon Community Tree Lighting
Free community tree lighting at Lannon Village Hall.
Christmas Tree Lighting, Sussex
Free Christmas tree lighting with Santa in Sussex.
North Lake Tree Lighting
Free Christmas tree lighting with Santa at North Lake Fire Station.
Hartland Lights
Free holiday tree lighting with Santa, caroling, and festive cheer in downtown Hartland.
Christmas on The Avenue West Allis, Parade, Tree Lighting and More
Downtown parade, tree lighting, and live music kick off the season.
Home for the Holidays
Victorian holiday celebration with decorated historic homes, shops & cabins at Old World Wisconsin.
Santa is Coming to Okauchee Lions Park
Santa visits Okauchee Lions Park — photos and holiday fun.
Wildlife In Need Center Holiday Meet & Greet
Meet rescued wildlife during the holiday season at Wildlife in Need Center.
Pewaukee Christmas Tree Lighting
Free holiday tree lighting at Clark House Museum in Pewaukee.
Oconomowoc Tree Lighting
Free tree lighting in downtown Oconomowoc.
German Holiday Market & Tree Lighting
German-themed holiday market and tree lighting at Brookfield City Hall.
Santa's Dash Away 5K
Holiday-themed 5K & family fun run in historic Cedarburg with festive costumes and t-shirts.
Santa Cycle Rampage Ride For Charity
Festive bike ride in holiday costumes to raise funds for youth and family programs.
Shorewood Winterfest
Shorewood Winterfest: holiday stroll with Santa meet-and-greet & seasonal cheer.
Tour Five Elegant Homes in the Ravenswood Neighborhood
Tour festive homes & enjoy baked goods in Ravenswood.
Christmas in Dousman, Santa Comes to Town
Free Christmas festival with Santa visiting downtown Dousman.
Elm Grove Lights of Love & Village Tree Lighting
Free village tree lighting and Lights of Love ceremony in Elm Grove.
2026 FBBG Holiday Gift Fair
Holiday gift fair at Boerner Botanical Gardens with vendors and seasonal shopping.
2026 Outdoor Holiday Market @Station 1846!
Holiday market with local vendors, live music & reindeer at Station 1846.
Breakfast with Santa
Meet Santa and enjoy breakfast in a historic village setting at Old World Wisconsin.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Stop, Benefiting Tosa Cares
Holiday Train with sparkling lights, live music & festive cheer in Wauwatosa.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, Hartland
Free holiday magic with the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolling into Hartland.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, Oconomowoc
Free festive Canadian Pacific Holiday Train experience in Oconomowoc.
Carriages with the Clauses
Festive carriage rides with Santa and Mrs. Claus through downtown.
Holiday Tree Lighting at the Brookfield Library
Free holiday tree lighting at Brookfield Library.
Milwaukee Hmong New Year
Thousands-year-old Hmong traditions celebrated by 20,000+ participants across Wisconsin & beyond.
Christkindl Market Menomonee Falls
Free European-style holiday market in downtown Menomonee Falls.
Luminary Walk and Live Nativity at DaySpring
Luminary walk and live nativity performance at DaySpring in Pewaukee.
Winter Birding Basics
Guided nature walk teaching winter bird identification for all ages at Washington Park.
Outdoor Live Nativity at Divine Redeemer Hartland
Free outdoor live nativity performance at Divine Redeemer in Waukesha.
Marquette Women's Basketball vs Wagner
Watch Marquette Women's Basketball vs Wagner — college hoops spectator game.
Wild Lights Dogs After Dark
Dog-friendly holiday light walk at Milwaukee County Zoo with your pup.
Live Nativity, Oconomowoc
Watch a live nativity retelling of the Christmas story at St. Matthew's Lutheran School.
Open Adaptive Ice Time
Free, inclusive adaptive curling experience for kids and families of all abilities.
More events outside the Milwaukee area
4 events farther afield.
Watertown Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Free holiday tree lighting ceremony with community gathering at Bentzin Family Town Square.
Fall Harvest Cluster Dog Show
Watch hundreds of dogs compete and celebrate at the Fall Harvest Cluster Dog Show.
Good to know
- What outdoor activities are there for families in Toledo?
- Parks and trails, outdoor festivals, farmers markets, splash pads, and concerts in the park — this list shows what's on outdoors now.