By Kayla Zastrow
Music on a Mission featuring Danny Mitchell
FRIDAY 12/23 | FRAME MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STEVENS POINT
Coming back to his hometown for this annual concert is Nashville-based pianist, singer, songwriter, and composer Danny Mitchell. He’s toured all around the country including performances at Chicago’s House of Blues, Hollywood’s Hotel Café and the famed Grand Ole Opry. Aside from his four solo studio albums, Mitchell has toured and recorded with artists Anderson East, Kim Richey, and Rodney Crowell. He currently plays piano, organ, sings backup vocals and is the band leader for multi-platinum recording artist Miranda Lambert! Hear him perform Christmas classics and originals that feature both central Wisconsin-based and Nashville-based musicians. All proceeds will be distributed by Frame Memorial’s Community Grants Program to central Wisconsin non-profit organizations and charities. 7:30 pm. $25 adults, $15 youth. Tickets at framepres.org.
New Year’s Eve Party
SATURDAY 12/31 | GRANITE PEAK SKI RESORT, WAUSAU
The ski hill is ringing in the new year with a bang this year, with a New Years Eve Party that will blow your moisture-wicking socks off. At 7 pm, the slopes will be lit up by a torchlight parade followed by a huge fireworks show! Then in the Historic Chalet enjoy a night of music with local musician Max Koepke playing a wide variety of tunes to sing and dance to. The ski hill will feature a light appetizer menu along with a full bar to ring in the new year. 7 pm. Free. Details at skigranitepeak.com.
Noon Year’s Celebration!
SATURDAY 12/31 | GREATER WAUSAU CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, WAUSAU
If you want your kids to experience the excitement of counting down to the New Year, but can’t have them staying up until midnight, bring them to the Wausau Children’s Museum for their seventh annual celebration just for kids. From 10-11:30 am kids make New Year’s themed crafts, decorate cookies and sip on delicious punch. Then at noon, enjoy a countdown with a drop of 1,000 balloons, and run on bubble wrap “firecrackers.” $5 admission, free under 1 and parents and caregivers. Details on Facebook: Greater Wausau Children’s Museum.
New Year’s In Munich
SATURDAY 12/31 | BULL FALLS BREWERY, WAUSAU
Bull Falls has made this an annual New Year’s tradition, where they count down to New Year in Munich time—which is 5 pm here. They’ll be listening to the German radio station and when midnight strikes, there will be champagne toast. Also enjoy light snacks, great beer and plenty of German music. The taproom will be open at 1 pm, so you can countdown to the New Year in Munich time. Since the expression “Happy New Year ” is not used in Germany, you’ll say “Guten Rutsch” to wish everyone a good slide into 2023. 1-5 pm. Details at bullfallsbrewery.com.
Marshfield Rotary Winter Wonderland
DAILY THRU 12/31 | WILDWOOD ZOO & PARK, MARSHFIELD
It’s your last chance to see this magical holiday light display! The Marshfield Rotary has set up over a million lights throughout the zoo and park, and it really is a wonder to behold. Trees, snowflakes, pretty presents, archways, gingerbread houses, animated displays and more are wrapped in or created entirely from strings of shining lights. The best part is, the event is held for a good cause! Since its beginning in 2006, this group has provided over 700,000 food items to food pantries in Marshfield and the surrounding areas! Open daily thru 12/31 from 5–9 pm. Admission is free, but food and monetary donations are encouraged to help local food pantries around Marshfield. Details at RotaryWinterWonderland.com.
Northwoods Skitchers
FRIDAY 12/30 | THE GARAGE, WAUSAU
Kick off the New Years weekend with The Northwoods Skitchers at The Garage in Wausau. These three friends from high school love playing music, and together they bring diverse styles together and have a blast performing live. They’ll be playing many of your favorite classic rock tunes from the 60’s & 70’s including hits from Led Zeppelin, The Doors, BTO, CCR, The Doobie Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. They will also kick out some 80’s & 90’s tunes by Poison, ZZ Top, Billy Idol, Kiss and Cheap Trick. Throw in some Rolling Stones, Eagles and Tom Petty and it will be a party! 7 pm. 715-393-4495.
New Year’s Eve 2022: Midnight at O’so
SATURDAY 12/31 | O’SO BREWING COMPANY, PLOVER
Kick off the new year with an evening of bluegrass music performed by local favorites! It’s a full evening of fun hosted by Jackpine Products at O’so Brewing Company. If you’re missing central Wisconsin’s favorite summer bluegrass festival, Jackpine Jamboree, head to this event for a winter -style jamboree. You’ll hear tunes performed by Art Stevenson & Dale Reichert, Burnt Toast & Jam, Hemlock Chaser, Sloppy Joe and Dig Deep! For ages 21+.. Starts at 6:30 pm with music going until 2 am.. $20 advance, $25 at the door. Details at jackpineproductionsllc.ticketspice.com.
