It's that time of the year again! As the weather gets colder, we are gearing up to celebrate the holiday season. There is so much to do in and around Madison this time of year, so check out this guide to all the holiday celebrations that kids and adults alike will love. If you don't see yours, add it to our calendar! A * indicates paid tickets are required
And if you're looking for a holiday gift, our local discount card is a great way to support local businesses and enjoy family fun all year long.
Santa Spottings
Nov. 30th, 9-11am
The Edgewater Hotel
Get your favorite PJs on and enjoy a special breakfast menu! Santa will be there for photos and more!
Nov. 27th - Christmas
West Towne Mall
Meet Santa and drop off your Christmas wishlist!
Nov. 30th - Dec. 22nd, weekends
Hilldale
Snap photos with Santa and write him a letter!
Nutcracker Breakfast with Santa*
Dec. 7th, 9-11am
The Edgewater Hotel
Enjoy a tasty breakfast with your favorite Nutcracker characters, plus a performance from Central Midwest Ballet Academy.
Dec. 7th, 10am-1pm
Mt. Horeb Library
Listen to Santa tell a story, followed by making holiday crafts!
Dec 7
Dec. 8, Free admission and photos at Madison Children's Museum
Dec. 14th, 1pm
Lake Ridge Bank River Rink
Get your ice skates on and go skating with Santa!
Dec. 15th, 10am-1pm
Bailey’s Run Vineyard
Take a trip to this beautiful vineyard and enjoy brunch with Santa!
Christmas on the Farm - Busy Barns Adventure Farm*
Dec. 7, 8, 14 & 15
Explore the farm, 30 decorated trees, plus story time with Mrs. Claus, treats, family photo spots - extra tickets for breakfast with Santa
Breakfast with Santa - Warm Belly Farm*
Dec 15, Cottage Grove
Nov 30, Dec. 1, 8, 21, 22, 23, 24, 10-2 pm.
Enjoy brunch and meet Santa!
Dec. 1 and 15th, Lone Girl Brewing, Waunakee
Santa Saturdays in Sun Prairie
Nov 30, Dec 7, 14, 21 at locations around town
Holiday Light Shows and Ongoing Displays
Nov. 9th - Dec. 31st, dusk to dawn
Olin Park
Drive through from dusk until dawn for a holiday light show!
Nov. 24 - Dec 31, 5- 9 pm daily
410 E. Main Street, Waunakee
Nov. 29th - Dec. 30th
Henry Vilas Zoo
Experience the zoo after hours with an exciting light show!
Lights on the Lake at the Boathouse
Nov. 13 - Jan 31st
The Edgewater
Holiday lights, miniature train, and seasonal snacks, drinks, and games
Tree Lighting Events
Shine on Madison Tree Lighting
Nov. 23rd, 4-6pm
Capitol Square
Get free milk and cookies, meet Mr. and Mrs. Clause, and watch the tree lighting!
Baraboo Christmas Lights Parade
Nov 23, 6 pm
Nov. 24, 3-6 pm. Tons of activities, specials, music and Santa
Nov. 29th, 3-6pm
The Edgewater
Tons of festive activities all afternoon followed by Mr. and Mrs. Clause lighting the tree!
Fire and Lights Holiday Parade
Nov. 30th, 5:30-8pm
Sun Prairie Historical Museum
Come downtown to see a holiday parade featuring Santa Claus himself!
Nov 30, Stone Horse Green, 5 pm
Nov 30, 530-730
Music, aerial yoga, stilt walkers and more
Dec 1, 6:30 pm
Dec 4, 5pm in town center
Live Reindeer (free) and Cocoa and Cookie Walk*
Dec. 5, Waunakee
Dec. 6, Waunakee
Dec. 6
Tree lighting, trolley rides, and chili - with more activities around town
Dec. 6, Verona
Dec. 6th, 6pm
Main Street, Monroe
Check out holiday floats, marching bands, dancers, and more at this parade!
Dec. 7th
Arnold Larson Park
Head into a winter wonderland this December with a craft fair, a parade, and more!
Dec 6-7 Cottage grove lighting Friday and activities all day Saturday
More Holiday Markets and other Festivities
Nov. 17th, 12-1:30pm
The Bruce Company
Meet beautiful Icelandic horses in the garden!
Window lights, evening shopping, parade, and specials all month long
Holiday Express Model Train & Flower Show
Olbrich Gardens, Dec. 7-31, 10 am - 4 pm daily
See model trains chugging through carefully constructed fresh holiday scenes. $8, $5 kids, 5 and under free
Nov. 30th, 10am-4pm
Downtown Sun Prairie
Kickoff your holiday shopping in downtown Sun Prairie!
Nov. 30th, 10am-4pm
Multiple shops, Madison
Celebrate small business Saturday by shopping in downtown Madison!
Dec 2-7
Cider with Santa Monday, tree lighting Wednesday, candlelight hike Friday, ornament making/craft/bingo Saturday
Dec. 6th, 4-8pm, Dec. 7th, 10am-6pm
Four Winds Farm
Shop from many vendors at this beautiful farm!
Evergleam Dreams: A Vintage Holiday Display
Dec 4-18, 10 -5, With Santa visits Saturday 12/7 + 14
Wisconsin History Maker Space
Dec. 6/7 - specials, carolers, treats, and more Friday evening and during the day Saturday
And Elf Door Scavenger hunt Dec. 9-21
Find hidden elves on shop doors along Monroe for a Chocolate Shoppe ice cream!
Dec 6-8
Dec. 7th, 10am-3pm, Dec. 8th, 9am-1pm
Monona Senior Center
Shop new and used holiday toys and more!
Dec 8, 415 and 515
Dec. 13th is opening night
Overture Center
Tickets are on sale now for this live performance!
December 13-15
Paoli - 3 days of holiday magic! The market, sledding, trolly, photos, light trail, warming igloos and more
Flix Jr - Flix Brewhouse
Dr,. Seuss' The Grinch Dec. 20
The Polar Express Dec. 14, 24, and 25
Dec. 15 on State St, 1-4 pm.
Dec. 15th, 12-2pm
The Bruce Company
Santa’s reindeer are flying in, come visit and snap a photo with them!
Fitchburg Holiday Lights Tour & Jubilee
Dec 13-15, lights tours, Friday festival, Saturday gift wrapping and Santa sightings, specials and a lights tour all weekend
Dec. 17th, 4-7pm
Icki Sticki
Unleash your inner artist by decorating holiday ornaments!
Dance Wisconsin presents the Nutcracker*
Dec 21-22 at the UW Memorial Union
Christmas Tree Farms
Opens Nov. 29th
Opens Nov. 23rd
Opens Nov. 29th
Opens Nov. 1st
Opens Nov. 29th
Opens Nov. 29th
