Cruisin’ Down Candy Cane Lane

Over-the-top holiday light displays typically create a stir around the neighborhood, but one community in West Allis likes to shift the spirit of the season into overdrive, and the impact is felt all over Wisconsin.

Candy Cane Lane started in the 80s when a few neighbors decided to go full North Pole with their Christmas decorations. And, rather than stopping the merriment there, they began dressing up in costumes and handing out candy to visitors driving through the streets. Now, nearly 40 years later, the display covers several blocks and raises money to fight children’s cancer.

Back in the early days, as word of the shimmering light show began to spread, visitors started making donations to show their appreciation for the time and effort that went into running the ostentatious operation. The neighbors gave that first $1500 donation to the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer’s MACC Fund in the first year. And now it’s the organization’s most visible fundraiser, literally and figuratively. Since then, Candy Cane Lane has raised over $3 million for the MACC Fund and the pediatric oncology services of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Not even Ebenezer Scrooge, with a hangover, can grumble about supporting that cause.

Candy Cane Lane flipped the power switch after Thanksgiving, and it is in full swing now. Over 300 volunteers helped with setup and nightly elf work over the course of the 27 days of operation. Visitors can take in all the Santa-approved sights from their cars or on foot.

You can find Candy Cane Lane in West Allis between 92nd and 96th streets and between Montana and Oklahoma avenues. The MACC Fund donation sites are on 95th Street between Oklahoma Avenue and Manitoba Street.

The neighborhood will be glowing nightly until December 25th. Hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

You can find more information about getting to Candy Cane Lane, along with some helpful house rules for when you arrive by visiting their website. Remember to bring your wallet if you want to make a last-minute push to get off the Naughty List this year.