Wisconsin’s holiday markets and light shows are guaranteed to put you in a festive spirit. In fact, thanks to its German heritage, the state is home to multiple Christmas Markets, also known as “Christkindlesmarkts.” With their mix of homemade specialty gift items, holiday items and food, these attractions boast a long history here.
By MaryBeth Matzek | Photo by John Oates Photography
MERRY MARKETS
New Glarus, located about 30 miles from Madison, embraces its Swiss heritage with its Christkindi Market, featuring locally sourced gifts, holiday decorations and food. This year, the market runs Dec. 6-8.
The outdoor market features vendors in decorated mini chalets. There’s also sled and carriage rides, live caroling and a visit from St. Nick himself.
“It’s very charming. A lot of the storefronts have Advent calendar décor,” says Sarah Warner, PR and Communications Manager with Destination Madison. “It’s a great place where you can grab some hot chocolate and walk around.”
The Old World Christmas Market at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake is a long-time holiday tradition for many. The 26th annual event is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Dec. 6-15.
Modeled after the traditional Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremburg, an enormous, heated tent is filled with fragrant boughs and unique items from international and local artisans, including Czech blown-glass ornaments, Russian nesting dolls, German hand-carved smokers and nutcrackers, Estonia woolens, fine chocolates and more. Admission is $7 for adults.
The Door County Christkindlmarkt is only in its fourth year but already become a popular holiday tradition for many. Organized by the Sister Bay Historical Society, the market is held at the Corner of the Past Museum, located at Highway 57 and Fieldcrest Road. The museum grounds are a replica of a pioneer homestead from the late 19th century. Vendors and food booths are in the heated buildings or under a heated tent.
Local artists and craftspeople sell handmade art, crafts, clothing, home goods and Christmas décor, with most coming from northern Door County. A food court offering German and Nordic offerings, including sausage, pastries, Gluhwein and hot chocolate, is in the Koessl Barn. Live music and a gift-wrapping service is also located in the barn.
This year’s free event runs the weekends of Nov. 24-26, Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 8-10.
Villa Bellezza Winery in Pepin holds an Outdoor Christmas Market for six weekends starting Nov. 16-17. The winery’s piazza is transformed into a lighted market with holiday season vendors tucked into arched porticoes while others are inside.
“Our venue, which feels like you’re in Italy, sets us apart. Our piazza is decorated with garland and sparkles,” says Katherine Kujak, winemaker and vice president of Villa Bellezza Winery and Vineyards. “We originally started this to help vendors from the community and to provide them another place to sell their wares. It has been really successful.”
An array of Italian market foods — the croissants are a crowd favorite — and mulled wine are for sale along with other activities including wine tastings and a cooking class in Villa Bellezza’s Great Hall, available during the market.
LIGHT SHOWS
Wisconsin is home to dozens of holiday light shows designed to put visitors into the holiday spirit. Depending on the show, revelers can walk or drive through the holiday light displays. Be sure to grab hot chocolate before heading out.
The WPS Garden of Lights at the Green Bay Botanical Garden features more than 350,000 twinkling Christmas lights adorning more than 40 nature-themed holidays. Attendees walk through the gardens to view the nature- themed light displays, including a 60-foot-long caterpillar tunnel, which are unique and different from what attendees would normally find at a holiday light display.
Half of the trail is paved, making it accessible for those in wheelchairs, and a wheelchair-accessible golf cart can be used to view the remainder of the garden. Visitors also can enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride to view parts of the garden.
“The lights are a long-standing family tradition for many. You’ll see grandparents with their grandchildren who come year after year,” says Rachel Mueller, the garden’s PR and content coordinator. “What really sets the displays apart is the focus on nature. There are displays featuring flowers and animals, which fits well with our mission of being a botanical garden.”
The WPS Garden of Lights is open on selected nights from Nov. 29 to Dec. 30. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance.
The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival includes four parks with dazzling decorations — Cathedral Square, Pere Marquette Park, Red Arrow Park and Zeidler Union Square. Each park has its own theme. Cathedral Square Park transforms into a festive forest with dozens of evergreen trees, with each tree featuring unique ornaments decorated by area students and organizations. Pere Marquette Park features animated elves and other characters along with cheerful North Pole scenes, while Zeidler Union Square boasts interactive displays and lots of fun for families. Red Arrow Park is home to the Slice of Ice skating rink and holiday décor.
There’s also an ornament trail along Wisconsin Avenue featuring larger-than life handcrafted ornaments, glittering chandeliers over Wisconsin Avenue and jolly jingle bell rides. The free festival’s 26th season begins Nov. 21 and runs through Jan. 1.
With more than 3 million lights, The Rotary Lights Display in La Crosse’s Riverside Park is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Attendees can drive, walk or take a carriage ride through the park. Santa visits nightly until Dec. 23. There’s also a live nativity on selected nights and the ice rink with free skate rental is also open as weather allows.
The Rotary Lights Display has an All-Abilities Night from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 where the lights and music are turned down to accommodate people who might not have been able to experience the event due to flashing lights and loud music.
Nearly 160,000 visitors annually enjoy the park whether they’re driving, walking or taking a carriage ride. The free event is open from Nov. 29-Dec. 31 beginning at 5 p.m.
After more than 20 years in a lakeside park, the Oshkosh Celebration of Lights moved last year to the EAA Grounds in Oshkosh and the 1.2-mile event featuring 750,000 twinkling lights returns this year. From their vehicles, guests can see a 100-foot-tall tree, 120 trees filled with lights, sculpted scenes and animated light displays. There’s also wagon rides and visits with Santa at the EAA Air Academy Lodge. With visibility from U.S. 41, the 2023 event attendance was 60% higher than the previous year. This year’s event runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. daily from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31.
“While we made the EAA grounds available in 2023 to keep the event alive, everyone quickly saw the possibilities that were here,” said Chris Farrell, EAA’s director of events. “Celebration of Lights was a marvelous display that brought people to the EAA grounds at a different time of year.”
The cost to see the light display is $20 per car with $5 off with a donation of a sealed hygiene item or food. There are also several free community nights. Funds raised go to support the Salvation Army and other local organizations.
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