Winter Lights 2024

Join us on select nights Nov. 21-Jan. 5!

Stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens decked out with light displays highlighting flowers, trees and the beauty of nature on a one-mile, self-guided walk.

New this year, visitors can explore a woodland-themed light display. Plus, revisit the 16-foot Weeping Willow and walk through a giant apple, a nod to the Arboretum and Horticultural Research Center as the Home of the Honeycrisp. Roast marshmallows over an open fire at the S’mores Village or visit the bar in the Oswald Visitor Center for beverages.

Winter Fun Day!

Winter Fun Day at Prairie Woods ELC
Date: Sunday, February 11th, 2024
Time: 1-4:00 pm
(With new non- winter activities)
Cost: $5 per person, $20 max per family

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow. ( well that didn't work )

Winter Fun Day

Head to Historic Forestville for a day of winter fun. Build a snowman, play old-fashioned winter games, and go on a sleigh ride. Warm up by the outdoor fire pit while roasting s'mores and sipping hot chocolate, and stop in the visitor center for unique gifts.

Winter Frolic

Shake off the winter blues by heading outdoors at the Snake River Fur Post. Learn about winter travel during the fur trade and join in activities like tossing a curling stone, playing a round of Ojibwe snow snake, snowshoeing around the site or visiting the historic ice fishing tent. Guests can also relax indoors, enjoy a cup of cocoa before a blazing fire and watch the outdoor festivities from the visitor center.

Winter Flower Show at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

The 2022 Winter Flower Show will feature a stunning display of flowering trees and shrubs.
Note: Facemasks are required inside and outside.

Winter Birding Field Trip

Warbler Wednesdays are a fixture for summer birding, but we don’t have a counterpart to winter birding… until now! Join us for a few winter birding field trips. The intention of these field trips is to give you an introduction on how to approach birding in the Sax-Zim Bog in the winter months. We will not be targeting owls, but will take a look at any we come across. This is a good field trip series for you to learn how to approach winter birding in the Sax-Zim Bog.

Winter Art Fair

Sargent's Nursery is hosting for a spectacular winter art fair in their warm, sunny greenhouse with: sculpture, photography, painting, textiles, jewelry, pottery and more!

Winter Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides

Make the most of winter at the Forest History Center by heading outdoors to take a horse-drawn sleigh ride around our site through the forest.

Winter 'Sip and Shop' at Winehaven!

During this special event, the winery becomes a winter wonderland of local clothing, jewelry and craft vendors. Browse these unique items while enjoying special sips of our new vintage and, of course, the warmth of our toasty fireplace!

'Sip while you shop' several local boutiques that will be on-hand, including:

Silo Apparel- Women's Boutique Clothing

Thirty-One Apparel - Women's Clothing

Origami Owl - Custom Jewelry

Ruby Belle Designs - Hand painted signs and home decor

Trades Of Hope - Women's Jewelry & accessories

Winstock Country Music Festival

Winstock is one of the Upper Midwest’s premier outdoor country music and camping festivals organized entirely by volunteers, with all proceeds from this event used to help fund private education for students from Winsted and surrounding communities. More than 1,000 people volunteer more than 5,000 hours to bring you the opportunity to enjoy country music’s finest entertainment, food, and fun.