Calendar
Near
Pose with poinsettias in Madison
Large-scale model trains wind through an enchanted land of faerie cottages during Olbrich's Holiday Express at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wis. This combination holiday-flower and model-train show runs through Dec. 31. The whimsical faerie village, surrounded by hundreds of colorful poinsettias, is created out of natural materials from the gardens by local artist Tatiana Katara. Olbrich's Photo Depot provides a holiday backdrop of evergreens and poinsettias where visitors can take their own family holiday photo. (130 miles from O'Hare, (608) 246-4550, www.olbrich.org)
Holiday light shows draw crowds across the Midwest
Among those running through Dec. 31 in Wisconsin is Rotary Holiday Lights in La Crosse, Wis. Riverside Park, along the Mississippi River, is decorated with more than 1 million lights and dozens of luminarias. Santa greets and meets visitors each evening and a live Nativity scene is featured during weekends. Travelers can stroll or drive through the display. (263 miles from O'Hare, (800) 658-9424, www.rotarylights.org)
More than 1 million holiday lights brighten the spirits of visitors in Waukesha, Wis. During Country Christmas at the Country Springs Hotel, visitors are treated to nearly 200 light displays full of color and motion that they can enjoy from the comfort of their car as they roll along the 1½-mile wooded trail. They also can visit Christmas Village with its model train display and concession area. The Streets of Bethlehem features a life-size Fontanini Nativity display, a replica of the one found at the Vatican. (93 miles from O'Hare, (262) 970-5000, www.thecountrychristmas.com)
Make a Victorian ornament at museum
Enjoy a nostalgic glimpse of Christmas in the Past at the Rollo Jamison Museum in Platteville, Wis., through Dec. 28, except Dec. 24 and 25. You will find depictions of 19th- and 20th-century customs, including a 14-foot tree decorated with 60 candles. Visitors can participate in the holiday celebrations by creating their own Victorian-era tree ornament. A Christmastime favorite is the electric toy train exhibit. (168 miles from O'Hare, (608) 348-3301, www.platteville.com/rollo_jamison_museum.htm)
Kick out 2007 in Kalamazoo
New Year's Fest in Kalamazoo, Mich., is a performing arts celebration on Dec. 31 that provides entertainment by 24 different entertainers. They perform inside nine buildings surrounding Bronson Park. Fireworks are also part of the evening's entertainment. (164 miles from O'Hare, (269) 388-2830, www.newyearsfest.com)
House on the Rock decks its halls
Kids will want to check their holiday wish list twice before heading to Spring Green, Wis., because not one, but 6,000 Santa Clauses are in town during Christmas at The House on the Rock. Through Jan. 1 except Christmas Day, the House on the Rock, an architectural wonder and one of the state's top attractions, offers this holiday tour that includes a collection of life-size models that represent Father Christmas images from around the world. Other House on the Rock favorites are decked out for the holidays: the Heritage of the Sea Building, the Gate House and the World's Largest Carousel. (168 miles from O'Hare, (608) 935-3639, www.thehouseontherock.com)
Out with the old year; in with the new
End the year with a Candlelight Horseback Ride departing Dec. 31 from Kurtz Corral near Egg Harbor, Wis. This two-hour ride throughout the woods of Door County is followed by a cup of hot cider or some wine and champagne around the fireplace. (250 miles from O'Hare, (920) 743-6742, www.kurtzcorral.com)
In nearby Jacksonport, Wis., the new year dawns with a wacky event on Jan. 1. During the Polar Bear Swim intrepid swimmers brave the frigid waters of Lake Michigan. The local Polar Bear Club invites anyone to join them. The event began in 1986 with one swimmer and grew to 800 swimmers last year. (249 miles from O'Hare, (920) 823-2231, www.doorbell.net/pbc)
Far
Enjoy Louisiana's other Mardi Gras
Southwest Louisiana starts the Mardi Gras season in Lake Charles, La., with a Twelfth Night celebration on Jan. 3. Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana continues through Feb. 6 with 43 krewes, 2,000 carnival royalty and seven parades plus events for kids and seniors. Highlights include a Cajun Extravaganza Gumbo Cook-off, Zydeco Dance, Taste de la Louisiane and Lighted Boat Parade on Lake Charles. ((800) 456-7952, www.swlamardigras.com)
See wintering eagles in Missouri Ozarks
The historic Willmore Lodge visitor center near Bagnell Dam in Lake Ozark, Mo., is the ideal spot to look for bald eagles Jan. 5 and 6 during Eagle Days. Hundreds of eagles winter at the lake, and on this weekend high-power scopes for viewing them in the wild will be provided. For an even closer look, eagles from the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis will be on view at the Osage National Golf Resort. ((800) 451-4117, www.lakeareachamber.com)
• Event details are subject to change; contact organizers for updated information.