Posted in Wisconsin Small Towns, Winter October 16, 2022 by

Here Are The Top 10 Christmas Towns In Wisconsin. They’re Magical.

Does any state get more into Christmas than ours? We think not. Some towns embrace this time of year, and some towns really embrace it, making them the best Christmas towns in Wisconsin. You ought to head to these towns for the ultimate holiday experience – here are some of our picks for the best places to visit for Christmas in Wisconsin! If you’re looking for a magical Christmas town in Wisconsin, read on!

1. Cedarburg
Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
If you are looking for a charming, warm Christmas experience, look no further than Cedarburg. The setting is gorgeous, with its centuries-old limestone buildings, coffee houses, and pubs. The storefronts are adorned with beautifully crafted Christmas decorations and plenty of jolliness. There are all sorts of winter events for you to get involved in, including Festive Friday Eves, the Holiday Art Fair, and other events across town from now through Christmas. Get the details about this year's festivities here!
Cedarburg, WI, USA
2. Milwaukee
Jessica Fiess-Hill/Flickr
There are loads of holiday events going on in Milwaukee, kicked off by the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. Jump on the Jingle Bus for a 40-minute self-guided tour via a podcast. Head to the Historic Third Ward to see the tree! Learn more about the tour on the official website.
Milwaukee, WI, USA
3. Madison
Destination Madison/Facebook
There are so many festive things to do in Madison this time of year. There is the Olbrich Holiday Concert Serie - If you play your cards right, you might just run into Santa himself! For some of the best holiday lights, head to Olin Park and drive around for free. You can even get a candy cane at the end of the ride! Take a look at Madison's full holiday itinerary for this year on the official Visit Madison website.
Madison, WI, USA
4. Chippewa Falls
GO Chippewa County/Facebook
The people of Chippewa Falls love their Christmas Village. There are over 100,000 lights that take over Irvine Park. Life-size Christmas scenes are of the Victorian feel, and you can check them out through January 1st. Don't miss this one! Click here to learn more about Christmas Village at Chippewa Falls.
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, USA
5. Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau/Facebook
You might only think of visiting Wisconsin Dells during summer, but consider heading there during Christmas. There are plenty of places to snowmobile and ski. You can get photos taken with Santa at Outlets at the Dells, too, and you might just meet Santa Claus himself! Click here for some awesome holiday deals!
Wisconsin Dells, WI, USA
6. Ripon
Ripon, Wisconsin/Facebook
In Ripon, it's all about an ode to Charles Dickens, with their Dickens of a Christmas Weekend. Since 1988, it's a unique, Victorian themed festival including Living Windows, carriage rides, and a tour of homes. Check out this website for all the details about Dickens of a Christmas weekend!
Ripon, WI 54971, USA
7. Elkhart Lake
Elkhart Lake, WI/Facebook
It's always a good time to visit the Old World Christmas Market, but Christmas is especially awesome. The market is reminiscent of a German Christkindlesmarkt, with all sorts of gifts, toys, ornaments and - of course - FOOD. You can get breakfast with Santa at the Osthoff Resort. The Siberian Outpost offers dog sled rides and demonstrations year-round. There is no shortage of fun holiday things to do here! Click here to learn more.
Elkhart Lake, WI, USA
8. Stockholm
Stockholm Wisconsin: Small Village, Big Heart/Facebook
Stockholm is a charming little town, and these streets get a holiday makeover this time of year. It truly is an "old fashioned" holiday experience in this Christmas village in Wisconsin, complete with sleigh rides, food, and, of course, Santa. True to its Swedish heritage, Stockholm has "God Jul: A Swedish Christmas." Get the details about this year's festivities here.
Stockholm, WI 54769, USA
9. Hudson
Hudson WI Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau/Facebook
Hudson loves Christmas. If you haven't gotten one already, go out to a free farm like Santa's Evergreens Tree Farm and cut your own tree. Enjoy A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol at the St. Croix Off Broadway Dinner Theater. Go ice skating at Burton Field! The possibilities are endless. Check out Hudson's holiday calendar here.
Hudson, WI 54016, USA
10. Lake Geneva
VISIT Lake Geneva/Facebook
Many people from Wisconsin and Illinois head to Lake Geneva during the summer months, but Christmas is a great time to head here as well. Head to the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa for lights, music, daily holiday teas, and gingerbread houses. Restaurants offer holiday specials and, trust me, there are loads of shops to find the perfect gift for those who are hard to shop for. It's a holiday tradition you won't forget!
Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA

Does your town do Christmas right? REPRESENT in the comments! We love hearing from you, and pictures of the best Christmas towns in Wisconsin are even better! How are you going to celebrate Christmas in Wisconsin this year? What’s your pick for the most magical Christmas town in Wisconsin?

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Christmas Towns in Wisconsin

November 28, 2021
Tori Jane

Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Wisconsin?  

Wisconsin is one of those states where the winter weather makes it the perfect place to spend your Christmas holiday season! Your odds of having a white Christmas are pretty good, so no matter where you go, you’re sure to find something that calls to you. Some of our favorite places to spend Christmas in Wisconsin include beautiful Madison, where the city center gets decked out in thousands of lights every single year, and Cedarburg, a lakeside town where, every weekend leading up to Christmas, the shopping, lights, and splendor is on full display. The town of Cambridge holds its annual Cambridge Classic Christmas, complete with horse-drawn carriages, games, and visits with Santa Claus himself. Of course, one can’t discount Milwaukee, which becomes a glittering, shimmery holiday wonderland every winter, and it’s well worth a trip out to see it. For some of our favorite Christmas lights displays in Wisconsin, check out this handy list!  

What is Wisconsin at Christmas like?  

We don’t know about you, but we sure do love our winter wonderlands, and Wisconsin definitely accomplishes that! The atmosphere during the holiday season takes on a certain kind of magic, where everyone feels like a kid again as soon as the Christmas lights begin illuminating what seems like every building in every downtown. Folks are a little warmer – a little kinder – and you’ll truly love spending time at all sorts of delightful holiday-themed events all over the state. And, as we mentioned a moment ago, the odds of getting a white Christmas are high! Daytime highs rarely top 30 degrees, and temps frequently drop below freezing at night. Snowstorms – including lake effect snow – are common. You know what this means, of course – building snowmen and ice skating!