Welcome Winter with the Waukesha JanBoree
The popular 10-day event, celebrating Wisconsin’s frigid seasonal weather, returns to the community for its 38th anniversary Jan. 13-22.
hemed “Call of the Wild” and presented by Waste Management, the JanBoree includes more than 40 delightful, mostly free wintry activities for all ages throughout Waukesha. For a complete list of events, visit JanBoree.org.
Weekend 1, Jan. 13-15
The action-packed JanBoree kicks off Friday with opening ceremonies highlighted by the CBS 58 News Team, along with family-friendly festivities in Lowell Park. HIGHLIGHTS:
Learn fun outdoor skills such as compass reading, treasure hunting and panning for gold at Lowell Skills Survival Camp. Enjoy ice skating, sledding and music from a live DJ. Food items from Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria will be available for purchase.
Watch an Ice Sculpture Demonstration, in which professionals prepare thousands of pounds of ice for the Survival Camp. Be prepared to be amazed as three-time national champion sculptors carve and create wild creatures of snow during a Wild Snow Sculpting Demo.
Take friends and family for a thrilling ride on the Yukon (Toboggan) Slide. Reservations for 45-minute time slots are required.
Sip Raised Grain Brewing Co. beverages with the gang in the heated Leader of the Pack Beer Garden.
Bring recorded or animal callers to the Glow Wild Walk, sponsored by Park Foundation of Waukesha, Inc. Make a wild sound, and stroll by the Call of the Wild station to receive a surprise. All walkers get a glow stick to illuminate the 1.7–mile trail.
View the dazzling Wild, Wild Sky Fireworks Display.
Gaze in awe at the Aurora Borealis Laser Light Show Jan. 14 at Lowell Park, where the night sky will be spectacularly lit up for three 15-minute shows.
Weekend 2, Jan. 20-22
All Waukesha County Parks feature free admission.
On Saturday, watch carvers sculpt hundreds of pounds of ice into works of art in downtown Waukesha. Judging takes place at 2pm.
Bring the youngsters to Cutler Park Jan. 21 for the Penguin Egg Hunt, where they can look for candy-filled penguin eggs left by Lil’ Chill.
Later that evening, don aviator gear to a viewing of “Top Gun: Maverick” at the Waukesha County Airport hangar. The movie showing includes free popcorn.
The Waukesha Philharmonic presents Saint-Saens’ symphony Carnival of the Animals Sunday at St. Luke’s Church. The fanciful performance includes animals reciting poetry in English and Spanish, an instrument petting zoo and child-friendly activities. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for children.
Ongoing JanBoree Events
Download the Goosechase app on your smartphone and join the Goosechase Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Generac. The top three teams, along with a random participant, will win prizes.
From sunset to sunrise every day of the JanBoree, view Walk of Lights in downtown Waukesha, where Riverfront Plaza is radiant with illuminated snowflakes and a sky of lights.
Visit janboree.org for a complete schedule of activities.