For holiday events in Wisconsin 2023.
Make it a December to remember this year! With the help of these holiday events in Wisconsin, your calendar will be filled with merry days.
Dec. 2 to Dec. 11: Old World Christmas Market
Elkhart Lake
Get into the spirit of the holiday season by perusing the aisles of a huge heated tent, fully decked out with beautiful boughs of fresh evergreens and the tempting aroma of roasted almonds. For 10 days straight, Dec. 2 to Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Osthoff Resort’s Old World Christmas Market will transport you back to Christmases past. Here, the shopping experience is overflowing with unforgettable and unique gifts. From Czech blown-glass ornaments to German hand-carved nutcrackers and Russian hand-painted Santas, this melting pot of merry goods is sure to please. In addition, guests can visit the festive food court for authentic dumplings, schnitzel, potato pancakes and apple strudel to warm up. But that’s not all; there will also be horse-drawn wagon rides, ornament making, cookie decorating, and a chance to see Santa and his reindeer. For more information, visit osthoff.com.
Now through Dec. 30: Harmonix in Concert
Kenosha
Get into the holiday spirit with the fun, lighthearted and entertaining singing delights of Harmonix,
performing a six-week residency in Downtown Kenosha. Enjoy toe-tapping favorites from Motown and Maroon 5 to Doo-Wop and Queen along with traditional holiday classics. Harmonix’s five performers bring a wide range of vocals, beat box sounds and humor during this delightful family-friendly performance sure to put anyone in the holiday mood. Performances are Wednesday to Sunday, now through Dec. 30 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel. To buy tickets, visit happeningsmag.com. –Rachael Muhlenbeck
Various Dates in Nov. and Dec.: Holiday Shopping Weekends
Two Rivers
Still need to do some holiday shopping? If so, make sure to have some fun while doing it. Visit the alpaca gift shop at the LondonDairy Alpacas Ranch for a unique shopping experience among the alpacas on a century-old farmstead. The holiday shopping will take place every weekend in December from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This includes free admission to meet the adorable alpacas, who are more than ready for some snowy selfies and friendly faces. Afterwards, guests can browse the gift shop, which is brimming with fuzzy socks, scarves, sweaters and slippers, alongside teddy bears, wine and so much more. This is definitely the place to find the perfect sweater to keep you warm this winter. Here, the sweaters are made with raw alpaca fibers, which give them a one-of-a-kind look and feel. For more information, visit londondairyalpacas.com.
Dec. 1 to Dec. 31: Wild Lights at the Milwaukee County Zoo
Milwaukee
Bundle up and enjoy a stroll through millions of lights at Milwaukee County Zoo’s second-annual Wild
Lights. The 1-mile path will takes guests on a glowing journey featuring animal-themed light displays, sculptures and much more. Wild Lights is open in December from 5:30 to 9 p.m. with a few blackout dates. Two special adult-only 21-plus evenings, Dec. 8 and Dec. 9, will also feature local bands, ice-carving demos, specialty food and adult beverage. For a full list of dates and to purchase tickets, visit milwaukeesoo.org. –Rachael Muhlenbeck
Nov. 25 to Nov. 27, Dec. 2 to Dec. 4 and Dec. 9 to Dec. 11: Door County Christkindlmarkt
Door County
Imagine the aroma of hot, spiced apple cider, toasted nuts and sizzling bratwurst filling the air. For a European-style holiday celebration filled with Nordic foods, warm drinks, fine artisan goods and plenty of live music, be sure to visit the Door County Christkindlmarkt during November and December. Artists will be selling their handcrafted artwork, creative crafts and holiday decorations across the magnificent tree-filled grounds and historic buildings while surrounded by an atmosphere of dazzling lights. As you stroll through the booths or stay toasty by one of the two fire pits, live Christmas music will ring out. Additionally, adorable alpacas will be grazing beneath illuminated Christmas trees as Santa Claus waits in the Anderson House to hear the children’s Christmas wishes. There is no better way to start the Christmas season than to organize a girls’ weekend or get away with your friends and family as you gather in the cozy, welcoming ambiance of Christkindlmarkt in picturesque Door County. For more information, visit doorcountychristmasmarket.com.
Nov. 23 to Nov. 27: German Christmas Market
Oconomowoc
It’s Wisconsin meets Europe, blended with Christmas fun. Fall in love with the sights and sounds of an authentic German Christmas filled with traditional tastes, real German beer and amazing presents that you won’t find in any mall. Whether you are German or not, you will feel the genuine warmth of holiday spirit by attending the Christmas market between Nov. 23 through Nov. 27. A heated beer garden, live polka music, pictures with Santa, and more will transport you to an enchanted winter wonderland. Whether you’re shopping under a canopy of soft Christmas lights or enjoying cheese curds and roasted nuts by the huge steel fire pit, you won’t want to pass up this once-a-year opportunity to immerse yourself in the finest European traditions delivered to Wisconsin. For more information, visit germanchristmasmarket.org.
Nov. 25 to Dec. 30: Santa Cruise
Williams Bay
Set sail for Santa’s Hideaway on a spectacular Christmas boat tour. Every day throughout December, guests can embark on a Santa Cruise across the lovely Lake Geneva. Guests will be mesmerized by illuminated displays that tell a storybook tale over a 40-minute lake excursion. Sneak a glance at Santa’s Hideaway and the man himself as he reads the names of the kids on board who made his “nice list” from the boat as you approach the coast. In addition, you can browse the Santa Cause “Charities of Christmas Tree Festival” before boarding begins. With eight beautifully decorated trees and a joyful ambiance, this indoor winter paradise is guaranteed to thrill visitors of all ages. There will also be a cash bar available in the tree festival area prior to boarding the cruise. For more information, visit santacruiselakegeneva.com.
Various Dates in Dec.: Christmas Around Milwaukee Bakery Bus
Dreaming of sugar plums, cookies and kringle? Indulge in the sweet delights of bakery goods on this unique Christmas Around Milwaukee Bakery Bus Tour. The three-hour tour hosted by Milwaukee Food and City Tours visits six to eight unique Milwaukee bakeries and shares stories of ethnic holiday traditions. Holiday sweaters/costumes are encouraged to make this a fun-filled day full of holiday cheer. Tours are available most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in December and are also kid friendly. For more information, visit www.milwaukeefoodtours.com. –Rachael Muhlenbeck
Dec. 3: Santa Cycle Rampage
Milwaukee
At the Santa Cycle Rampage, guests get the chance to see Santa outside of his sleigh and instead on the seat of a bike riding through the festive streets of Downtown Milwaukee. Grab your bike and a Santa hat and join in the world’s largest holiday-themed costume group bicycle ride for charity. On Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 to 11 a.m., riders can cruise alongside family and friends, while also seeing the streets filled with red and white suits. Even if you don’t want to bike, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see hundreds of cyclists dressed up as the big man himself. For more information, visit wisconsinbikefed.org.
Dec. 10: Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
Wisconsin Dells
If you’ve been wondering what it would feel like to witness the Polar Express in real life, then be sure to check out the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. This Wisconsin holiday event begins with live music, brats, hot chocolate and plenty of other treats to enjoy while socializing with family and friends. In addition, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in attendance, handing out candy bags for the children. There will also be sleigh rides, raffle drawings and live Christmas music performed by the Wisconsin Dells Middle School band. Last, but certainly not least, the holiday train will chug into the Amtrak Train Station decked out in shimmering Christmas lights and put on an entertaining show. For more information, visit cwcac.org.
Dec. 3: Jingle & Mingle
Sheboygan
The holiday season is perfect for socializing beneath the falling snow. Join in on the festive fun for the second-annual Jingle & Mingle on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 12 to 4 p.m. Santa Claus will be in attendance at this fun-filled family event, along with vendors, a brat fry, trolley rides and plenty of merry entertainment. In addition, crafters, sweet delicacies and the beloved Sheboygan Jaycees Brat Fry will all be there in abundance at the merry marketplace. All afternoon long, guests can hop on a holly-jolly trolley for excursions with stops around the downtown to mingle, visit local stores to do some Christmas shopping, and casually stroll the streets to scope out restaurants and other fun activities to discover. There will also be bonfires roaring through the night to warm up guests with a s’more or several. For more information, visit visitsheboygan.com.
Dec. 3: Midnight Magic
Mukwonago
Eat, drink and be merry at Midnight Magic on Saturday, Dec. 3, at this all day holiday extravaganza. The festive day begins with a Christmas marketplace that boasts over 120 vendors and lots of concessions with warm food and beverages. There will also be professional photographers to help you get the perfect picture with Santa or Frosty the Snowman. Meanwhile, guests can also experience live music, horse-drawn carriage rides and a massive row of gingerbread house displays. Most importantly, you can’t miss out on the joyful Christmas parade that rolls through the downtown at 3 p.m. And to top off your evening, be sure to stay for the fireworks, which can be seen villagewide at 8 p.m. For more information, visit mukwonagochamber.org.
Dec. 10: Christmas in Wales
Wales
Downtown Wales will be all spruced up for Christmas this year for a family-friendly festival that you won’t want to miss. Visit Christmas in Wales on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for all of the holiday cheer that you’ve been waiting for. First, Santa will arrive in a big, red fire truck to hand out goodie bags and take some photos. From there, guests will be greeted with a holiday cookie sale, and plenty of hot dogs, chili and hot apple cider. The fun continues with live music, horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown, and coloring contests and temporary tattoos for the kids. And it wouldn’t be a holiday event in Wisconsin without free frozen custard sponsored by everyone’s favorite, Culver’s. For more information, visit christmasinwales.org.