TO THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE! Chippewa Falls' Irvine Park is host to activities year round, but its holiday Christmas Village is a longtime tradition for many. The "Christmas Village Comes to Life" event will return this year, as will its "Letters to Santa!" feature.

What would the holiday season be without a visit to Chippewa Falls’ Irvine Park? Its magical transformation into the Irvine Park Christmas Village is marked by about 250,000 lights and 204 life-size holiday scenes from the Victorian era and the city’s early history, and in recent years a couple of interactive activities have been added as well.

The Irvine Park Christmas Village welcomes visitors to take a cozy drive – or stroll – through the park’s historic landmarks and scenes while admiring the brightly designed holiday light displays every year. For the third year in a row, the “Christmas Village Comes to Life” immersive event will return too.

On Friday, Dec. 13, from 5-6:30pm, Christmas Village Comes to Life will feature locals dressed in Victorian garb ready to walk, talk, and interact with visitors. As of press time, (Nov. 11), Chippewa Falls Parks Director John Jimenez said they are still in need of reenactors (costumes provided). 

For the second year in a row, the Christmas Village will also be accepting “Letters to Santa!” with a mailbox near the duck pond for visitors to deliver their notes to the Big Man. 

Opening night of this year’s Irvine Park Christmas Village is Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 28) from 5-9:30pm, with walking times from 5-6:30pm that night. The village will remain open daily through Jan. 1.

The park will be open from dawn to dusk, though the holiday lights will not turn on until about 5pm. Other walking nights from 5-6:30pm are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29 and 30. On Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, the park will be open until midnight.

In keeping with the intent of the park’s donor, William Irvine, Irvine Park and its Christmas Village are always free to visit. Donations are appreciated, and there is a donation box on site.

Jimenez also gave a shout out to Jean Arneson, Wayne Griffin, and Andy Clay for their ongoing commitment to the Christmas Village, as well as the hundreds of volunteers who help make Christmas Village a reality – in particular, this year, more than 100 volunteers from throughout the Chippewa Valley showed up to help on the United Way’s National Day of Caring in September.

Keep up with the Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Division on Facebook.