EAA Aviation Museum events bring festive air to 2025 holiday season

The EAA Aviation Museum brings excitement and joy to the holiday season in northeast Wisconsin with several events scheduled between Thanksgiving and the new year.

The museum will welcome everyone on December 6 for its traditional Christmas in the Air open house. The annual event features performances from local music, choral, and dance groups. Santa Claus will arrive by helicopter (weather permitting) at noon followed by a tree lighting ceremony and photos. Children can also write letters to Santa that he will take with him on his flight back to the North Pole. Christmas in the Air is presented by Festival Foods.

EAA’s annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet on December 12 honors the spirit and achievements of Wilbur and Orville Wright. This year’s banquet will feature two guest speakers. Rebecca Crosby Hutchinson, daughter of 100th Bomb Group navigator Harry Crosby, one of the main characters depicted in Masters of the Air, sharing the story of her father’s experiences. Joining her will be Michael Faley, Executive Vice President of the 100th Bomb Group Foundation and technical advisor on the mini-series. Faley will share more insight into the group and how its story was brought to the big screen. More information on the banquet and how to purchase tickets is available at EAA.org/WrightBrothers.

Beginning on November 28, EAA hosts the Oshkosh Celebration of Lights for the third consecutive year on the EAA grounds. Visitors can take in the holiday spirit as they drive through the light displays. More than one million lights make up the entire Celebration of Lights. The event will be open daily from 5:30 to 9 p.m. through December 31.  Santa will be available for visits from November 28 to December 23 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. More information about the Oshkosh Celebration of Lights can be found at Oshkoshcol.org.

New for 2025, the Oshkosh Celebration of Lights’ free community nights will also include free admission to the EAA Aviation Museum, allowing visitors to enjoy both attractions in one day. The free community nights are scheduled for November 30, December 7, 14, 21, and 28.

The Oshkosh Celebration of Lights path will also be part of the route for the 23rd Race for the Light 5K Run/Walk presented by and benefiting Oshkosh Area United Way, on December 6 at 4:30 p.m. The route begins at the EAA Education Center and takes runners through the Celebration of Lights display. Online registration is $35 and includes a T-shirt and a set of jingle bells.