2026 Programs & Experiences
Exhibit: Drink in the Design: La Crosse Beer Advertising
Now open at the La Crosse Area Heritage Center, Drink in the Design: La Crosse Beer Advertising raises a glass to the bold, colorful, and sometimes quirky world of local brewery marketing.
This captivating exhibition explores how breweries used striking posters, eye-catching signs, memorable slogans, and creative packaging to stand out in a competitive industry. Visitors will discover how great design—and a little bit of beer—helped shape La Crosse’s reputation as a legendary brewing city.
Exhibit open to the public through October 25, 2026.
Tour: Mansions and Memories
Step aboard a trolley and explore the elegant architecture of La Crosse on the Mansions and Memories guided tour. This 2½-hour experience travels through the city’s most architecturally significant neighborhoods, sharing stories of lumber barons, entrepreneurs, and families whose lives unfolded within these historic homes.
The tour includes two special stops: Hixon House and Castle La Crosse.
Tours run on Saturdays: June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, and August 22, 2026.
Tickets are available through Explore La Crosse.
Event: Family Fireworks at Hixon House
Join us for a family-friendly evening celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Enjoy treats, activities, and a special 1876-style fireworks demonstration presented by the La Crosse Skyrockers as we recreate the excitement of the nation's Centennial celebrations. Rain date: August 16.
Event: Discover the Silent City: Brewed in La Crosse
Join us for Silent City: Brewed in La Crosse on September 19. Silent City is an immersive walking tour through La Crosse’s historic Oak Grove Cemetery, where theatrical performances bring to life the stories of our community. This year’s theme, “Brewed in La Crosse,” explores the people, families, and entrepreneurs behind the city’s rich brewing heritage.
Tickets will go on sale in early August.
October Trolley Tours: Grand La Crosse & We Love La Crescent
Experience the beauty of the region this fall with special trolley tours every Saturday in October. These themed experiences combine legendary local history with scenic views of the Mississippi River valley and surrounding bluffs. From local wine to fascinating stories of the region’s past, these tours highlight the many reasons people love the La Crosse area.
Tickets will be available through Explore La Crosse.
Presentation: Native Bees of Wisconsin
Join us at The Nature Place for a fascinating Badger Talk with Susan Carpenter, Native Plant Garden Curator at the UW–Madison Arboretum. Learn about Wisconsin's diverse native bees, their important role as pollinators, and simple ways to create bee-friendly habitat in your own garden.
This program is co-sponsored by The Nature Place.
Presentation: Nordic Food and Fun During the Holiday Season
Join us at Norskedalen for an engaging presentation by Marcus Cederström, Community Curator of Nordic-American Folklore. Explore the history of St. Lucia's Day and Christmas traditions in the Nordic countries, discover the foods that accompany these celebrations, and learn how these customs have evolved and continue to be celebrated in the United States. This festive program highlights the ways holiday traditions connect us to the past while continuing to shape our future.
This program is co-sponsored by Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center.
